Predicting Success

Many years ago, when I was a college director of admissions, I created a formula for predicting a student’s grades in the freshman year at my school. The prediction was accurate in seventy-five percent of the cases within half a letter grade, so if I predicted a 3.0 average, the chances were three out of four the student would earn a grade between 2.5 and 3.5.

The formula depended on two factors ——  high school rank in class and the results of the College Board Scholastic Aptitude Tests. 

The one factor which couldn't be measured but would more accurately estimate a candidate’s level of achievement is a student’s determination to succeed. As a matter of fact, if resolve and commitment to succeed could be measured, the other factors would be much less significant.

In almost anything we do in life, determination will often define the degree to which we are successful.

God has endowed each of us with varying abilities, but no one is limited in the desire and effort to accomplish his goals in whatever he chooses to do.

These wise words from the Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Ikeda say it well: “The determination to win is the better part of winning.” 

Blessings from Gpa Westerdahl