. Wigbomb wrote: I couldn't be more proud of our Prodigy Overachievers! Sput, Striker, you have a freaky online family here beaming with self-satisfaction over your exemplary scholastic performance. (like we had anything to do with it! Well, we did recognize budding superkids and recruit 'em, that counts!)
Striker, a little more meticulous attention to communication detail - spelling, syntax, punctuation - and nothing can stop you. As a communication professional I can tell you, nothing will make you more impressive to college recruiters...and nothing will undermine you faster....than either powerful or sloppy written and verbal communication skills. I know many of us type on phones (I'm king of sucking at that...but I take ten minutes to type a correctly structured, flaw-free text message rather than ever send something sub-standard with my name on it) ... but the fact is, how you present yourself is even more important than what you're presenting. Genius, perfect grades, monster SAT scores...all wither in the face of sloppy written or verbal presentation. Literacy is my personal wheelhouse but I think the guys will bear me out. You have so much to offer, offer it in a form that cannot be easily ignored. End of sermon.
Okay...not quite the end: as examples of how big a difference a well written note can make, you have only to look at any post or in-game banter by Luna or Calvin. It's inspiring to see such respect for language. Inspiring not only to other kids, but to we mean old morons as well.
I am not a communication professional, but I will second Wig's remarks. It is very important to be able to present yourself well. I will also add that you need to know your audience. You have to "be real" with everyone, but it helps if you can talk to, as opposed to over or under, the individual that you are speaking with. This, however, does not apply when applying for universities, writing resumes, and during (most) job interviews. If in doubt, make sure you have a friend like Wig who can look over the really important things for you.
With that said, my roots are in education, but I've spent my life in a very blue collar world. Therefore, I'm the king of lazy typing, slang words, and generally sounding like a hick. Actually, I enjoy sounding like a hick. People underestimating you can work to your benefit at times. Know your audience.
Best of luck to you in your endeavors