Thinking about college

[Anonymous]

When did your kid start thinking about college? By “thinking about”, I mean focusing on stats and awards and curating a list of ECs that they thought fit together well and would look good to college. I assume around middle school? DS is a 10th grader and says he wants to go to a top school, but hasn’t made any effort to win competitions or do research etc.

[Anonymous]

Your job as a parent is to help him understand that there are way more "top schools" than he's currently characterizing that way.

[Anonymous]

No need to win comps or do research, but they should be focused on extracurriculars

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your job as a parent is to help him understand that there are way more "top schools" than he's currently characterizing that way.

This

[Anonymous]

Too late for 10th grader. I hope he has a 1550

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too late for 10th grader. I hope he has a 1550

DS: 1580 SAT rejected from T25.

[Anonymous]

My kids are just not that calculated. They are smart and like learning so work hard in school, and have interests and passions and curiosities that they explore and spend time on. Those things pull together for college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too late for 10th grader. I hope he has a 1550

DS: 1580 SAT rejected from T25.

Damn!!!

[Anonymous]

Process now starts in 2nd grade in many places. Need to get into an advanced academic program for any chance of a useful education.

At this point testing well will help as will a weighted GPA of 4.5 or higher. Discovering a passion and having leadership positions in activities related to that passion should start tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When did your kid start thinking about college? By “thinking about”, I mean focusing on stats and awards and curating a list of ECs that they thought fit together well and would look good to college. I assume around middle school? DS is a 10th grader and says he wants to go to a top school, but hasn’t made any effort to win competitions or do research etc.

Most people around here start thinking about colleges for their kids when the parents themselves are in middle school. If you wait until after conception, it’s probably too late.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When did your kid start thinking about college? By “thinking about”, I mean focusing on stats and awards and curating a list of ECs that they thought fit together well and would look good to college. I assume around middle school? DS is a 10th grader and says he wants to go to a top school, but hasn’t made any effort to win competitions or do research etc.

Don’t worry, you still have time to dump DH & marry a Kennedy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Process now starts in 2nd grade in many places. Need to get into an advanced academic program for any chance of a useful education.

At this point testing well will help as will a weighted GPA of 4.5 or higher. Discovering a passion and having leadership positions in activities related to that passion should start tomorrow.

Sure. You keep believing that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When did your kid start thinking about college? By “thinking about”, I mean focusing on stats and awards and curating a list of ECs that they thought fit together well and would look good to college. I assume around middle school? DS is a 10th grader and says he wants to go to a top school, but hasn’t made any effort to win competitions or do research etc.

I’d bet 90% or more of the kids who claim their “dream school” 🙄 since middle school is X highly selective university comes either overtly or at least subtly from their parents. It’s just not a normal thing for as many 11-12 year olds to be myopically focused on that as appears to be the case around here.

[Anonymous]

Goodness. I wasn't even thinking about it the summer before my senior year (was too busy chasing chicks) and ended up at a T50. Your kid will be fine. Chill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Goodness. I wasn't even thinking about it the summer before my senior year (was too busy chasing chicks) and ended up at a T50. Your kid will be fine. Chill.

How did you swing that?