Daniel Schmidt, a senior at the University of Chicago, recently caused controversy with a post about X. violent crime In and around campus ( murder 3 students in the first 11 months of 2021). Schmidt noted that most of the perpetrators of these crimes are black. This means that any proposal to reduce these crimes, even something as simple as calling for more police, will be denounced as “racist” by left-wing students and faculty.
Since the post, Schmidt has come under fire from the University of Chicago's student government and black student organizations, amid numerous calls for his expulsion. meanwhile X suppressed Schmidt's original post University of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos defended Schmidt's right to speak freely, saying he violated rules against “hateful conduct.”
Mr. Schmidt previously came under fire In 2023, a post by X criticizing University of Chicago lecturer Rebecca Journey's seminar “The Problem of Whiteness.”
Schmidt posted about his school, saying, “It's one of the only universities today that truly protects freedom of speech. (Why am I able to make this post without being expelled?)” did. “Without a doubt, this is the only top university that wasn't recruited by a coward. I love this university.”
In that spirit, we're publishing Schmidt's advice on how to get into the University of Chicago and other top American institutions, originally posted on his X account.
—Matt Himes
I got into Princeton University, Yale University, and the University of Chicago three years ago. I wrote an admissions essay about going to a Trump rally when I was 13 and how it affected me.
This essay was part of a calculated strategy. When I was in high school, I knew that because I was a white male, I had to take advantage of the system. I realized that I needed to combine extreme risk-taking with extreme ability. These two traits are shared by perhaps only 1% of people.
Yes, these universities are biased against you because you are white. But even more important than their disdain for whites is their need to claim future high achievers. Because that's their entire business model.
why? First, I knew it would make me stand out. How many kids applying to Yale write about going to a Trump rally?But more importantly, they realized that these colleges are ultimately businesses. They maintain their reputation and endowment through the accomplishments of their alumni.
The admissions process is simply a psychological screening to identify these future high achievers.
Unusual risk-taking from a young age and demonstrated ability through test scores, grades, and extracurricular activities are indicators of future success. I knew that admissions officers would identify that consciously or unconsciously, and that I could beat the odds placed against me because I was white.
So if you are a white male in high school, or a relative of one, I recommend the following.
First, you need to find what you're passionate about and focus solely on that. For me it was public speaking and writing. You can't be a “jack of all trades.” These universities are looking for young people who are good at one or two things. They're looking for Math Olympiad winners, international debate champions, chess geniuses, and more. If you're skinny, admissions officers can't imagine what you'll be like 20 years from now. Please remember. Ultimately, these universities are interested in producing future leaders in their respective industries.
Fortunately, you don't have to go to the extreme level of “Math Olympiad winner.” I was president of two clubs (Model United Nations and Debate) and ran a blog, but that was it. However, to prove yourself, you should apply around one or two passions and excel in relevant extracurricular activities. That's very important.
Next, move on to the most important part of your application: the Common App essay. This is where most kids fail. They write about unimaginative and mundane topics like going on a mission trip, volunteering at a homeless shelter, and joining a robotics club. Sorry, but at least 5,000 other kids have written about it. Even if you had a perfect SAT score, your chances of admission dropped to less than 1%.
You need to distinguish yourself and be evaluated as a future high achiever in the eyes of admissions officers. You need to say something in your essay that immediately stands out. Of course, only you know what that “something” is. But it has to be related to your passion in some way.
In high school, I realized that I enjoyed public speaking and writing. Because pushing bold ideas pushes boundaries. I get bored easily with the status quo. When Trump ran for president in 2016, he used the power of words to challenge the establishment, and I was inspired by that. That's what I wrote in my Common App essay.
The best advice I can give you is to dig deep into your passions and find what energizes you. What motivates you? What excites you the most? If you can connect that excitement with a unique experience, even better. The key is to make it as authentic and memorable as possible. This will make you stand out.
Of course, you need good test scores and grades. But don't get obsessed with numbers. As long as you score within the top 5% of test takers, you'll be fine. I got a 36 on the ACT and graduated with a 4.0 GPA…but so did thousands of other students applying to these colleges. Instead, pursue your passion and spend most of your time writing essays. Its importance cannot be overstated.
I truly believe that if you follow these steps, you will get into at least one Ivy League or top school. Yes, these universities are biased against you because you are white. But even more important than their disdain for whites is their need to claim future high achievers. Because that's their entire business model. Take advantage of it.
