New York Teen Harold Ekeh Gets Accepted to All Eight Ivy League Schools

[mimi85]

Good news story - loved how he got this far. Great kid!

With no expectations, New York teenager Harold Ekeh applied to 13 colleges, hoping to "maybe" get into Stony Brook University, about an hour east of his home in Elmont, Long Island.

Then, in recent weeks, the cascade of reply letters came pouring in: Harvard. Yes. Yale. Yes. Princeton. Yes. Not only did he get accepted to all of the schools he applied to, those include all eight Ivy League institutions.

"It's very, like, stunning — it's like getting hit with a brick, honestly," Ekeh, a 17-year-old senior at Elmont Memorial High School, told NBC News. "When you see congratulations, you're like, wow your hard work has paid off, definitely."

The straight-A student has accomplished the rare feat of getting into all of the nation's Ivies — crediting his parents' work ethic for setting an example and a desire to strive in his adopted homeland after emigrating from Nigeria 10 years ago.

<snip>
Read more:

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/harold-ekeh-17-long-island-gets-accepted-all-eight-ivy-n337506

[cantbeserious]

1. Congratulations On His Personal Success - However, He Is On The Road To Become Part Of The 1%

The 1% intentionally select individuals to seed America with future success stories that can then be used to justify a meritocracy that does not exist.

The 1% own and control the system.

Make no mistake.

[Heidi]

2. He's a black kid AND an immigrant from Nigeria.

Unless the world changes a whole hell of a lot before he graduates, I seriously doubt that the 1 percent is going to let him anywhere near the reins of power.

[cantbeserious]

3. The 1% Will Identify Him And Others As Tokens That Come Through The Ivy Leagues

The pedigree provides the appearance of success and credibility.

Token positions in the future but no real power.

[melman]

9. Well, you picked the right username

So you've got that going for you.

[cantbeserious]

16. Ridicule - A Common Technique Used When Nothing Better Is Offered

eom

[LanternWaste]

36. Much as your unsupported statements, prognostications and prophecies about the student's future.

"A Common Technique Used When Nothing Better Is Offered..."

Much as your unsupported statements, prognostications and prophecies about the student's future.

[cantbeserious]

56. See Post 23 From A Harvard Graduate - Be Careful - One Might Not Like The Insight

eom

[romanic]

11. Nice of you to refer to Harold

as a "token". Cause ya know, there's not a lot of successful black people that work hard and earn good money out there. /sarcasm

[Heidi]

21. I personally wish him every success.

Unlike many in the 1 percent, this young man will have earned whatever success he achieves.

[longship]

4. You speak utter rubbish here.

You are projecting your political and emotional opinions on a situation that you know nothing about. Your claims are utter tosh.

Shame on you for maligning a person's motives, one who has obviously worked very hard to get to where he is.

How dare you!

[cantbeserious]

5. His Personal Achievements Were Recognized - That The 1% Will Leverage That Is Also Recognized

eom

[romanic]

8. Jealous much?

You sound like one of those bitter cynics that never accomplished one whiff of success in the eyes of society. Don't shit on this young black man's hard earned success with your foil wrapped turd of an "opinion".

[cantbeserious]

13. Let's See

- Naval Officer
- Commercial Pilot
- BSEE
- MBA

Enough credentials?

[romanic]

20. You got the credentials.

Yet you lack the ability to congratulate someone else for achieving great success and instead want to make it into some conspiracy. That's very sad.

[cantbeserious]

24. Congratulations Provided Upthread

eom

[yeoman6987]

31. I was in the Navy 24 years and can't imagine one of the

Officers having that attitude. I can see it now, "well why send him to C School when he may want to get a commission later on and be in the elite of the Navy". Can't have those nasty enlisted getting near me as an officer....how nasty would that be. I'd have to talk to them too. Yikes!

[cantbeserious]

32. Nearing 60 - I No Longer Swallow Indoctrination Or Propaganda Willingly

eom

[yeoman6987]

52. Good for you. Hopefully you are enjoying retirement away from

The youth at least in regard to career guidance because your replies seem to show contempt for success.

[cantbeserious]

55. Reread The Thread - His Success Was Clearly Acknowledged

eom

[NCTraveler]

44. How does a Naval Officer....

have an immediate negative reaction to a young person who displays great effort and foresight? I have a number of friends who are officers and they would all read this story and feel good about the future of America.

[cantbeserious]

54. Congratulated His Success Above - Lament His Forthcoming Abuse By The 1%

eom

[NCTraveler]

62. Completely imagined abuse. nt.

[RedCappedBandit]

10. lmfao

You don't know this kid. You have no idea what his motivations are, what he wishes to study, nor what he'll decide to do with that knowledge and power after he graduates.

Not everybody who attends a good school is a tool of the 1%.

[cantbeserious]

14. The Ivy Leagues Are Finishing Schools For The 1% And Their Future Minions

eom

[RedCappedBandit]

15. That Doesn't Apply To Every Single Student.

[cantbeserious]

17. Maybe Not All - But Certainly Many To Most

eom

[RedCappedBandit]

19. Yeah? Prove it.

Point to some research that shows that "most" graduates of good schools go on to do nothing more than have an "appearance of success and credibility", as you say.

You're full of it. Many people work their asses off to get into these schools, and work their asses off to do well, and work their asses off afterwards to use the footing they've acquired to pay it forward.

[cantbeserious]

27. See Post Below From A Harvard Graduate - Be Careful - One Might Not Like The Insight

eom

[RedCappedBandit]

34. Columbia student.

Yeah, there are many 1%ers at elite universities. That goes without saying. That doesn't mean there aren't also many diligent working class people attending such schools who have positive intentions to use the power gained through their education for good. Your tone in this thread delegitimizes the efforts of hard working students and the assertion that they're either tools or the spawn of the elite is blatantly incorrect.

There are countless flaws we can discuss regarding the culture of higher-education, especially ivy-league schools and their elite peers. Dismissing all students as pawns is an obnoxious way to go about it.

"One might not like the insight"

Perfect continuation of your pretentious attitude.

[cantbeserious]

57. All Students Was Never Stated

eom

[RedCappedBandit]

61. Your insinuation was clear.

"Many to most". I asked you to support that statement, you deflected. Figures.

[mimi85]

47. Are you always this negative? nt

If so, I honestly feel sorry for you - bleeding heart that I am.

[cantbeserious]

58. See Post 23 From A Harvard Graduate - Be Careful - One Might Not Like The Insight

eom

[starroute]

23. I went to Harvard, and you're completely right

It took me twenty years to figure out why I'd always felt like an outsider there, why I spent my free time hanging out with the geeks at MIT instead, or why Harvard left me with deep feelings of inadequacy that took me all that time to get past.

What I realized then was that the bright public school students like me and my friends were window dressing. The school was really run for the children of wealth and privilege who were being groomed to take over in the next generation. The most high-profile extracurricular activities were intended to train those people and not for the rest of us. And that the best we were being promised were well-paying careers -- and the chance that a tiny minority would enter the actual elite.

[cantbeserious]

25. Thank You For Sharing - Thank You For Your Honesty

eom

[Capt. Obvious]

12. He should turn down the offers and go to DeVry

[KittyWampus]

18. I find your position to be very paternalistic. He only got through cause "they" let him through.

Reducing things down to some shadowy "1%" is also a cop-out.

[cantbeserious]

28. See Post 23 From A Harvard Graduate - Be Careful - One Might Not Like The Insight

eom

[LanternWaste]

37. I imagine many people believe anecdotal evidence is an actual conclusion-- though one may not like t

I imagine many people believe anecdotal evidence is an actual conclusion-- though one may not like to hear it.

[yeoman6987]

29. My gosh. Total nonsense

Rather he drop the acceptance and attend along Island CC to ensure he stays away from being in the 1 percent. I have seen outlandish posts before but this one takes the cake by a million.

[cantbeserious]

30. See Post 23 From A Harvard Graduate - Be Careful - One Might Not Like The Insight

eom

[NCTraveler]

46. What does one person, posting on an anonoumous message board,.....

have to do with your point? That post is also in contradiction to your initial post in this thread.

[tenderfoot]

49. That is a silly disruptive post

and that's all there is to it.

[freshwest]

6. Congratulations, Harold. May your future be bright! n/t

[LeftishBrit]

7. Good for him!!!

[MBS]

22. I hope he has the good sense to choose the place that's truly best for him

... and not be swayed by other people's opinions or by distracting, irrelevant issues such as "prestige".
From the article, it sounds like he will make a good and wise decision, for the right reasons, and that he will make the most of his educational opportunities, as he clearly already has.
Good for him!

[KamaAina]

26. Well, he is leaning toward Yale

Signed,

KamaAina, Y'85, cum laude

[MBS]

38. I sense approval on your part

[mnhtnbb]

40. I thought the article said he was leaning towards Columbia?

[KamaAina]

41. The last article I read said Yale.

It's not like it's that far. There's a ferry from Bridgeport (20 miles from New Haven) to Long Island.

[mnhtnbb]

42. So, I checked some more articles. Yes, Yale!

(My youngest son is a first year grad student at Yale School of Drama.)

He loves it. Feels like he finally "found his people" as he said last fall.

[HockeyMom]

33. Stony Brook School of Medicine isn't small potatoes

The University is known for it's Sciences, State Funding for Research, and a State Teaching Hospital. Of course, it doesn't have the name recognition of the Ivy's but.........

I went back to college in my 40's. Suffolk Community College. I cannot tell you how many SCC grads applied to Stony Brook with 3.0/3.5 GPA's and were rejected by Stony Brook as College Transfer Students. Surprised both them, and me. Count the number of your College Honor Societies? Maybe.

Good luck to him, wherever he chooses. He has a very bright future ahead of him.

[hifiguy]

35. Big props for him, that is a stunning accomplishment.

Hope he chooses well and wisely and makes the most of his great opportunity. Given how smart this kid has to be, I have no doubt he will.

[malthaussen]

43. I dunno, seems like a waste of money.

Back when I was applying for colleges in '73, the cost just to apply to an Ivy League school was non-trivial. Given that tuition has grown by what, a thousand percent since then, I can't imagine the application is cheap now, though admittedly I have no data on the subject. Sending off apps to all of them seems like overkill, but perhaps I just need a different perspective.

-- Mal

[mimi85]

48. Yes, you do need a diff perspective.

I'm sure he'll be the recipient of grants, scholarships, etc. Or maybe he'll set up a GoFundMe page -

[Initech]

60. You might be missing a couple of zeros there.

[Blue_Tires]

45. There's being bright, and then there's just showing off

[cwydro]

50. I'm sure we will hear more about this young man.

[RKP5637]

51. K&R

[treestar]

53. Congratulations kid

wow, he must be smart!

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

59. He has my congratulations and best wishes for a successful medical career

Some of my favorite nurses have been from Nigeria, so if he has half of their compassion he is going to be a great physician.