Going Geek by Charlotte Huang

Author:Charlotte Huang
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2016-09-13T04:00:00+00:00

My next meeting with Ms. Randall is more of the same. This time her crusade starts with the upcoming SATs. “We’d like to see your score come up by at least one hundred and fifty points. Does that look doable based on your tutor’s assessment?”

I make a noncommittal gesture, halfway between a nod and a shrug.

She shakes her head. “That does not fill me with confidence. If you can do that, as well as present solid grades for the term, it’ll give us a bit more to work with.” Hints of both doubt and desperation creep into her eyes.

“I have been working hard, as I always do—” I say, but I stop. Defending myself is useless unless I have the grades to back it up, and at this point I don’t. I’m pretty sure that whichever college accepts me will have to be a big believer in potential.

“Is there anything of interest that you’d like to mention?” she asks.

“Well, things are very different for me this year, as you can imagine. I’ve actually had some fun experiences,” I begin.

“As long as ‘fun’ translates to items that can strengthen your application, I’d love to hear,” Ms. Randall says. I wonder if she knows that every time she speaks, I get more afraid to say anything. But I regroup and forge ahead.

“I helped my roommate, Opal Kingston, start the Yoga Connection, which is a club she’s been trying to get off the ground for the last few years.” I wait to see if she has anything encouraging to say about that, but she stays silent. “And I have a sort of advisory capacity in Jess Frazier’s new Documentary Club. Both of those have proven to be surprisingly popular.” Ms. Randall keeps waiting, apparently unimpressed. I take a deep breath. “I’m also spearheading a Halloween event that will showcase Bettina Massey’s artwork. It’s unique, and I predict that it’ll be a huge success.”

Ms. Randall removes her glasses and drops them on her desk with a crack. I prepare myself for another downsizing of my already fragile ego. “Ms. Hoffman. You do realize that these examples, while demonstrating some proactivity on your part, are completely dependent upon your classmates’ talents?”

“Uh, of course, but we worked together…” I can’t finish the thought. This woman is never going to think I’m good enough to be here.

“When working on your essay,” she says, abruptly changing topics, “remember to keep the focus on your own accomplishments and not your mother’s.” We’d agreed that I’d write about my internship with my mom’s company, and it’s clear she’s not thrilled about this approach but can’t think of anything better. Neither can I.

She misinterprets my nervous expression. “I know it’s hard to juggle applications with a senior course load. That’s why we asked students to have most of this finished before returning to school.”

Well, believe me, I tried. Waiting tables in the hot sun all day didn’t leave me with as much energy as one would think. But I don’t say any of this.

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