Nathan Chen

[alexaa]

But UC schools mainly look at your GPA, while Yale looks more at your extra-curricular activities. Also, Berkeley and UCLA get a lot of applicants with perfect math SAT score. You know California's Asian kids are all so good at math. This would be to Nathan's disadvantage too. :disapp: Btw, why didn't he apply to Johns Hopkins? This should be his first choice if he wants to study pre-med. But yeah, Johns Hopkins is quite difficult to get in.

I don't know about California Asian kids, but I do know for lots of Asian Parents, HPYSM would be the first choice schools if 1) their kids can get in 2) they can afford the tuition.


Again, Johns Hopkins medical school and Johns Hopkins undergrad study are two different things. In terms of prestige, HPYSM undergrad is way better. I am only answering you posts his siblings go to California schools, which is not entirely true.

 

[sheetz]

I smell a troll.

 

[discode]

I've never in my life heard of someone being forced to go to YALE of all places because they had no other options in the whole world. I've also never in my life heard of an Olympian, National Champion (I'll leave out worlds since it's recent) and overall brilliant and talented young man with perfect test scores being turned down by everyone but one of the top schools in the country.

It just doesn't make sense. It's obviously what he decided for himself. Maybe he really liked the doggy mascot for all we know. I'm sure he'll let fans know more later and also what he's going to do in the future in regards to his career.

 

[Mamamiia]

https://instagram.com/p/Bgzc_EFgYhP/
perhaps all other schools rejected him after seeing this, and Yale was like, oops too late

 

[Metis]

I've never in my life heard of someone being forced to go to YALE of all places because they had no other options in the whole world. I've also never in my life heard of an Olympian, National Champion (I'll leave out worlds since it's recent) and overall brilliant and talented young man with perfect test scores being turned down by everyone but one of the top schools in the country.

It just doesn't make sense. It's obviously what he decided for himself. Maybe he really liked the doggy mascot for all we know. I'm sure he'll let fans know more later and also what he's going to do in the future in regards to his career.

Or he may not! It’s not any of my business! And he’s got to pack for a cross-country move. And then haul all his stuff into a dorm room. [emoji23] I don’t need any updates; I just hope he enjoys himself.

But, yeah, the idea that Yale is a bad university cracks me up. Again: assuming Nathan plans to go on to any kind of post-undergraduate studies, Yale is a more than excellent choice. More than that, it’s his choice, and I seriously doubt he made it for lack of options. I wish him the best and hope he gets to experience the universal joy of an all-nighter fueled by ramen and Red Bull. [emoji14]

 

[discode]

Right. I mean, I don't think he''ll tell us the personal reasons why chose that school nor do I expect it. Though I can imagine reporters asking eventually since it does raise some questions in regards to his future in FS. You know someone is going to ask why not stay in Cali. And he'll give some kinda answer I'm sure. But we don't really need to know his personal feelings, but more how he'll deal with his career going forward. I'm more interested in the logistics of it all. I'm just happy he's he's happy and hope he enjoys his time in school.

 

[NicoleH]

NicoleH - I don’t really understand the argument here - that you are disappointed he may not have gotten accepted to Cal/UCLA or that he chose Yale over these schools - or that you are disappointed he’s leaving California and won’t be training with Raf full-time? Or that he didn’t apply to Hopkins, or maybe that he did - but also didn’t get accepted there as well? ...
It’s not like Yale is some low-ranked school with subpar academics. I don’t necessarily put a lot of importance in these college rankings, but according to US News&world report, Yale is ranked #3 and Cal/UCLA are ranked #21.

Both. If he goes to a good California school, then he can train with Raf. If he goes to Johns Hopkins or Harvard, then that's another story, you know. The school ranking you gave is too general. Everyone knows Yale is the top school for history, law school etc, but not CS or bio engineering... Imo it's not worth it for him to make the sacrifice of leaving his training base in California to study something like bio engineering in Yale.

All said, it's his choice and we can't do anything except wish him good luck. Hope he can maintain good balance between his academics and athletics.

Enough said on this subject, and let's move on.

 

[SkatingMusic]

Nathan mentioned at interviews that he applied to 2 schools on the east coast and others in California. Now we know the two are H and Y. From what I can piece together, he received a likely letter from Yale before the Olympics. I think Yale's YES weekend is at the end of Feb when they try to get the likely letter receipts to say yes. I'm sensing he wants to experience the east coast. So I assume he is leaning towards Y back then.

Unless one wants to study computer science, it's a no brainer to choose Yale over Berkeley.

 

[Cookie511]

NicoleH - I don’t really understand the argument here - that you are disappointed he may not have gotten accepted to Cal/UCLA or that he chose Yale over these schools - or that you are disappointed he’s leaving California and won’t be training with Raf full-time? Or that he didn’t apply to Hopkins, or maybe that he did - but also didn’t get accepted there as well? ...
It’s not like Yale is some low-ranked school with subpar academics. I don’t necessarily put a lot of importance in these college rankings, but according to US News&world report, Yale is ranked #3 and Cal/UCLA are ranked #21.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities

You cannot trust this list entirely. For example, the #3 ranking of U of Chicago is pretty much fake. Personally I think UC Berkeley's ranking is downgraded, perhaps due to its financial problems in the recent years. Nonetheless, the admission to UCB is indeed more academic performance driven, while Ivy League schools are weighing more on students' full package.

 

[SkatingMusic]

I'm also sensing that getting into a top Ivy League school is a goal he set for himself. He is willing to travel the extra miles literally to make it happen. I'm thrilled for him.

 

[Cookie511]

Unless one wants to study computer science, it's a no brainer to choose Yale over Berkeley.

Pretty much true. For CS, CMU, MIT, Stanford, and UCB are tied at #1 ranking.

Ivy League schools are generally weak on STEM subjects, except Cornell.

 

[livetoskate]

Just to throw in some thoughts late in the conversation:
Johns Hopkins is in a bad area with no skating rink around. I can only think of a rink in Laurel, Maryland where Michael Weiss used to train, but that would still be at least a half hour or more drive into the burbs.

Berkeley: no skating rink around. The Berkeley Iceland closed down years ago. The nearest rink would be in Oakland, a long walk and BART ride, plus more walking in the streets of downtown Oakland to get to. Oh-- as a Cal grad, yeah those required science classes are extremely competitive and overcrowded. I was in Chem 1A with at least 500 people, jammed into an auditorium so full that some people had to sit on steps, and that wasn't even the only Chem1A class offered that semester. It sure did a great job weeding me out of being pre-med! Just today I was telling a relative not to go to Berkeley (it would be out of state tuition for him).

Yale: one of the top schools in the nation with its own rink. And the alma mater of Sarah Hughes!

I just wonder if Nathan plans to get coached by Rafael through Skype. I hope he can manage his training with the rigorous academics of Yale, as well as the normal distractions of being a college freshman.

 

[SkatingMusic]

You cannot trust this list entirely. For example, the #3 ranking of U of Chicago is pretty much fake. Personally I think UC Berkeley's ranking is downgraded, perhaps due to its financial problems in the recent years. Nonetheless, the admission to UCB is indeed more academic performance driven, while Ivy League schools are weighing more on students' full package.

"The admission to UCB is indeed more academic performance driven, while Ivy League schools are weighing more on students' full package" It's true. Though the way to read is that you need top GAPs to get into UCB. You need top GAPs plus very compelling total package to get into a top Ivy League school. I've been monitoring the college admission patterns very closely for personal reason. e.g. in a highly competitive high school, typically the top 5% aim for the top ivy league schools. The next 10% target UCB.

 

[SkatingMusic]

I've never in my life heard of someone being forced to go to YALE of all places because they had no other options in the whole world. I've also never in my life heard of an Olympian, National Champion (I'll leave out worlds since it's recent) and overall brilliant and talented young man with perfect test scores being turned down by everyone but one of the top schools in the country.

It just doesn't make sense. It's obviously what he decided for himself. Maybe he really liked the doggy mascot for all we know. I'm sure he'll let fans know more later and also what he's going to do in the future in regards to his career.

I really want to be cornered into a situation where my only option is YALE

 

[SkatingMusic]

I don't know about California Asian kids, but I do know for lots of Asian Parents, HPYSM would be the first choice schools if 1) their kids can get in 2) they can afford the tuition.


Again, Johns Hopkins medical school and Johns Hopkins undergrad study are two different things. In terms of prestige, HPYSM undergrad is way better. I am only answering you posts his siblings go to California schools, which is not entirely true.

Yes I second that. HPYSM is the list!

 

[Cookie511]

Just to throw in some thoughts late in the conversation:
Johns Hopkins is in a bad area with no skating rink around. I can only think of a rink in Laurel, Maryland where Michael Weiss used to train, but that would still be at least a half hour or more drive into the burbs.

Berkeley: no skating rink around. The Berkeley Iceland closed down years ago. The nearest rink would be in Oakland, a long walk and BART ride, plus more walking in the streets of downtown Oakland to get to.

Yale: one of the top schools in the nation with its own rink. And the alma mater of Sarah Hughes!

I just wonder if Nathan plans to get coached by Rafael through Skype. I hope he can manage his training with the rigorous academics of Yale, as well as the normal distractions of being a college freshman.

May he could be coached by someone from Michigan or Ross Miner's retired coach?? I am just making it up

Good luck, Nathan!!!

Yale is a really tough choice.....

PS: I have a colleague whose entire family graduated from Yale with 7 degrees combined. And she told me she regretted spending $1M at Yale as none of her kids academically benefitted that much from the high standard Yale education!

 

[Cookie511]

Yes I second that. HPYSM is the list!

I know kids that rejected MIT and went to a liberal art college and kids that went to Harvard and MIT and had to quite after a year.

HPYSM is not the best for everyone. There are so many top universities and colleges in US. Finding the right one is the key, like in a marriage

 

[mandylazio]

How about being trained in Toronto? It’s not that far from Yale. I know it’s not probable but it could be a potential choice.

 

[Cookie511]

And I know at least 10 people who absolutely hated their time at UC Berkeley - this is all individual and really has nothing to do with Nathan at this point.

UCB is very tough. Their average GPA in STEM area is 2.7. It is not surprising that many kids suffer from low GPA there.

 

[hhh]

Or he may not! It’s not any of my business! And he’s got to pack for a cross-country move. And then haul all his stuff into a dorm room. [emoji23] I don’t need any updates; I just hope he enjoys himself.

But, yeah, the idea that Yale is a bad university cracks me up. Again: assuming Nathan plans to go on to any kind of post-undergraduate studies, Yale is a more than excellent choice. More than that, it’s his choice, and I seriously doubt he made it for lack of options. I wish him the best and hope he gets to experience the universal joy of an all-nighter fueled by ramen and Red Bull. [emoji14]

Exactly, whatever he shares for media purpose/fan curiosity or don’t share, as long as he’s happy with the school. The Red Bull cracks me up, those long nights... I hope his diet will be sustainable for his training, maybe he needs a few food endorsements for the next few years haha