Tricks and “lifehacks” that help getting into a better college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok we all know about the straightforward things like good grades and extracurricular achievements, right?
What are some other things that aren’t obvious, may not be exactly ethical (but are legal!) and maybe cumbersome but that help?
So far I have thought about:
- quitting jobs and becoming low income for 6 years (2 years before college and 4 years of college)
- moving to a state that sends few people to certain colleges
- homeschooling
- giving the kid a Hispanic last name and not checking the race on application (no lying involved so..)
- transferring kid to a mediocre but safe high school

I mean I know most of these sound crazy but let’s entertain the thoughts?

- assets are considered as well as income
- geographic diversity is not a hook; still plenty of students looking to apply
- there are many reasons to homeschool. College admission is not one of them. Expect to need dual enrollment grades.
- even checking the box, Hispanic isn't as big a hook as you might think

Transferring to a mediocre but safe high school is the best suggestion in this list. It's realistic and the higher the GPA, the better. Just make sure sufficient AP courses and the student's desired activities are offered.

Interestingly, everyone vying to buy a house in a "good" school district (as opposed to a a good enough, say, rated 5-7) told me that the peer group is crucial, and they want their kids to be surrounded by certain kind of kids. Wouldn't then moving to a mediocre high school completely defeat the purpose?

My kids attend a mediocre HS in Mcps. She is one of the top in her class and even though most of the school is not academically inclined, there are enough black and Hispanic kids that are so if a college had to pick, they would not go for the white kid. We don’t care. There are plenty of other schools out there that provide a great education, even if they aren’t “name brand”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:choosing a less common major on the common app

True but only to a certain extent. You need to back it up with your curricular and extracurriculars. I don't think colleges will buy it when a kid who does mainly CS classes and clubs declares Latin as his major

DP but if his HS classes are a good mix of everything it should be fine?

Need to demonstratel passion. Taking a class in european history isn’t the same as having participated in history clubs, taken AP classes in the topic and perhaps having travelled and studied history as a hobby… something you can speak to in your essay. A colleagues son had a huge passion Greek history, studied the language, travelled Greece extensively with historical tour groups, and attended a local Greek church. He was not Greek himself, but was clearly able to show his authentic interest in pursuing a Classics major. And yes, it helped him get into Princeton which unbelievable does not allow you to easily switch majors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apply as a minority even if you're white.

This can have consequences though
Stretching the truth yes, but outright lying?

This could be a Federal offense, depending. At the very least, it can get your child thrown out of school, and a permanent notation on their transcript (ie: the transfer credits would be no good).

Boy, are you people more stupid than I suspected!

I honestly don’t know, unless you are someone fairly well known (Warren) or have a falling out with your parents (that pretend black girl, forgot her name), who is going to investigate? Do they even call high schools to check?

If you apply for FAFSA, your race will be listed on your tax returns.

[Anonymous]

I know someone whose child wanted to go to MIT; did not get in out of high school; (even went to HS in another STATE to help achieve this goal); the kid then went to CC, took up fencing, and eventually got into MIT as a transfer/ fencer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you’re an Asian male, apply to SLACs as a humanities major.

You know you don’t apply into majors at SLACs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Live in a college town or very close to a college, and send your kid to the “best” high school there. For example, move to Philly & send your child to Germantown Friends School to strategize getting into Penn.

While GFS was a major feeder to Penn in years past, it has not seen the same admit numbers in the past few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok we all know about the straightforward things like good grades and extracurricular achievements, right?
What are some other things that aren’t obvious, may not be exactly ethical (but are legal!) and maybe cumbersome but that help?
So far I have thought about:
- quitting jobs and becoming low income for 6 years (2 years before college and 4 years of college)
- moving to a state that sends few people to certain colleges
- homeschooling
- giving the kid a Hispanic last name and not checking the race on application (no lying involved so..)
- transferring kid to a mediocre but safe high school

I mean I know most of these sound crazy but let’s entertain the thoughts?

The thought I'm entertaining is that your list is designed to give the kid a sh***y high school experience for which he or she will resent the hell out of you. Especially if your kid is engaged and interested in academics and is bored senseless for four years of a mediocre high school. Or loathes the state where you move. Or you and your spouse end up fighting because you'rre stressed by being artificially low-income, and the kids hate the fighting. Oh, and extracurriculars your kid might want to do -- and gosh, tiger mom, extracurriculars they NEED to do for that big ol' admission you crave! -- are far less available when youre in Podunk at Mediocre High School and you're poor too.

But you knew all that and came here to stir up s**t, didn't you?

And giving a kid a Hispanic last name, even if you don't check it on the applications, when you are not Hispanic? Still lying. But you know that too.

Anyone can take a Hispanic last name, that’s not a crime.
Checking the box is lying but having a name isn’t. Not sure it would help in admissions though, without the box I mean

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:pay $5K for a private college counselor to write your kids essays and advise on the best way to build a college resume

pay $5 for private tutor to boost your kids test scores.

Here’s my concern: how creative are advisors with college resumes? Won’t they tell me obvious things for my money, like get the hardest classes and excel at a sport?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to a so-so college located in an economic hotbed, such as a CUNY or San Jose State.

SJSU has become hard to get into

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you’re an Asian male, apply to SLACs as a humanities major.

I think it might apply to white males as well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This gotta be one of the best

1 take a gap year

2 apply Columbia as GS

Acceptance rate over 30%

GS students are second-class citizens at Columbia.

GS sit in the same classes and get the same degree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok we all know about the straightforward things like good grades and extracurricular achievements, right?
What are some other things that aren’t obvious, may not be exactly ethical (but are legal!) and maybe cumbersome but that help?
So far I have thought about:
- quitting jobs and becoming low income for 6 years (2 years before college and 4 years of college)
- moving to a state that sends few people to certain colleges
- homeschooling
- giving the kid a Hispanic last name and not checking the race on application (no lying involved so..)
- transferring kid to a mediocre but safe high school

I mean I know most of these sound crazy but let’s entertain the thoughts?

You have lost perspective. Step away from your kid’s college process before you break them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok we all know about the straightforward things like good grades and extracurricular achievements, right?
What are some other things that aren’t obvious, may not be exactly ethical (but are legal!) and maybe cumbersome but that help?
So far I have thought about:
- quitting jobs and becoming low income for 6 years (2 years before college and 4 years of college)
- moving to a state that sends few people to certain colleges
- homeschooling
- giving the kid a Hispanic last name and not checking the race on application (no lying involved so..)
- transferring kid to a mediocre but safe high school

I mean I know most of these sound crazy but let’s entertain the thoughts?

How is giving the kid a Hispanic last name not lying?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok we all know about the straightforward things like good grades and extracurricular achievements, right?
What are some other things that aren’t obvious, may not be exactly ethical (but are legal!) and maybe cumbersome but that help?
So far I have thought about:
- quitting jobs and becoming low income for 6 years (2 years before college and 4 years of college)
- moving to a state that sends few people to certain colleges
- homeschooling
- giving the kid a Hispanic last name and not checking the race on application (no lying involved so..)
- transferring kid to a mediocre but safe high school

I mean I know most of these sound crazy but let’s entertain the thoughts?

How is giving the kid a Hispanic last name not lying?

Checking the wrong box is lying. Changing one’s last name? Don’t think so

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok we all know about the straightforward things like good grades and extracurricular achievements, right?
What are some other things that aren’t obvious, may not be exactly ethical (but are legal!) and maybe cumbersome but that help?
So far I have thought about:
- quitting jobs and becoming low income for 6 years (2 years before college and 4 years of college)
- moving to a state that sends few people to certain colleges
- homeschooling
- giving the kid a Hispanic last name and not checking the race on application (no lying involved so..)
- transferring kid to a mediocre but safe high school

I mean I know most of these sound crazy but let’s entertain the thoughts?

How is giving the kid a Hispanic last name not lying?

Checking the wrong box is lying. Changing one’s last name? Don’t think so

Wtf? You want to teach your kid that going to Harvard is more important than not be a phoney con artist? Why? Harvard is a good college but it's still just a college.