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One if my students, years ago, bult an amazing laptop (that's what we called it) and was very proud of it. He mentioned it in an application to an Ivy League u

One if my students, years ago, bult an amazing laptop (that's what we called it) and was very proud of it. He mentioned it in an application to an Ivy League university, but did not know to call it a cyberdeck. They refused him admission because he did not know that term. The lesson is: There are millions if bright kids who reinvent things, but are denied even admission to college because they are not part of the in-crows that knows the jargon. I wish I could remember his name. Also, the one my student built was quite rugged. That might be what impressed me most about it. Making it rugged is another level of skil that most makers never obtain.

jcoder 3y ago
You’re saying the university denied their application because they referred to their homebrew device as a “laptop” and not a “cyberdeck”? I’m far from any of the worlds involved, but that just seems extremely unlikely to be the reason. In fact I’d expect the opposite—the uni not understanding that an applicant’s “cyberdeck” is actually a homemade laptop—a concept anyone can grasp
mysteria 3y ago
How did you know that he was refused admission because he called it a laptop? This all sounds very strange to me.
LeafItAlone 3y ago
> He mentioned it in an application to an Ivy League university, but did not know to call it a cyberdeck. They refused him admission because he did not know that term. > The lesson is: There are millions if bright kids who reinvent things, but are denied even admission to college because they are not part of the in-crows that knows the jargon. If it’s any consolation, the chances are they would have met the same response even if using “cyberdeck”. Millions of otherwise similarly qualified people have been rejected from Ivy League universities because there are only a limited number of sports each year and many more applicants. Despite what one may think, unless you really stand out (do something national news worthy, legacy, or come from a family rich enough to get a building name after you) there is definitely luck involved in getting the right admissions workers to notice your application. One project in an admissions packet usually won’t make the cut.
- ungamedplayer 3y ago
  Are you an ivy grad? If so.. well defended.
  - ungamedplayer 3y ago
    Oh, I tickled some nerves there judging by the downvotes.
gymbeaux 3y ago
I’d be more impressed if they built something without even realizing it used to exist in yesteryear

jcoder 3y ago

You’re saying the university denied their application because they referred to their homebrew device as a “laptop” and not a “cyberdeck”? I’m far from any of the worlds involved, but that just seems extremely unlikely to be the reason. In fact I’d expect the opposite—the uni not understanding that an applicant’s “cyberdeck” is actually a homemade laptop—a concept anyone can grasp

mysteria 3y ago

How did you know that he was refused admission because he called it a laptop? This all sounds very strange to me.

LeafItAlone 3y ago

> He mentioned it in an application to an Ivy League university, but did not know to call it a cyberdeck. They refused him admission because he did not know that term. > The lesson is: There are millions if bright kids who reinvent things, but are denied even admission to college because they are not part of the in-crows that knows the jargon. If it’s any consolation, the chances are they would have met the same response even if using “cyberdeck”. Millions of otherwise similarly qualified people have been rejected from Ivy League universities because there are only a limited number of sports each year and many more applicants. Despite what one may think, unless you really stand out (do something national news worthy, legacy, or come from a family rich enough to get a building name after you) there is definitely luck involved in getting the right admissions workers to notice your application. One project in an admissions packet usually won’t make the cut.

ungamedplayer 3y ago
Are you an ivy grad? If so.. well defended.
- ungamedplayer 3y ago
  Oh, I tickled some nerves there judging by the downvotes.

gymbeaux 3y ago

I’d be more impressed if they built something without even realizing it used to exist in yesteryear