Craziest “pointy” narratives that worked this cycle

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can college admissions officers fall for this cr*p? A blog? Seriously?

If I was back in college and choosing classmates, I'd love to have one who was interested and enthusiastic enough about something to create a blog with regular and thoughtful writing or videos. But not one who was doing it just to get into college or with the assistance of a college counselor.

No you wouldn’t. Because the actually pointy kids (I have one) are often neurodivergent and not polished with great social skills.

So true! Mine is like this and it makes me so sad that other college students can't see her for the amazing person she is.

[Anonymous]

When just evaluating raw stats (grades + test scores), there is less divergence between Ivy/Ivy+ admits, and T50 public universities - especially in STEM. So, to get into top privates, students need contrived BS to differentiate themselves.

Furthermore, as prices for privates moves closer to $100k per year, high quality non-wealthy students are piling into publics, thus driving up admission requirements. When kids with >1525 (SAT), heavy ECs, high GPA, etc. are getting rejected from CS at UMD (just one example), it's obvious that things are changing. If we fast-forward 20 years, I wonder if Ivy League will be as elite (as compared to publics) as it's perceived today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When just evaluating raw stats (grades + test scores), there is less divergence between Ivy/Ivy+ admits, and T50 public universities - especially in STEM. So, to get into top privates, students need contrived BS to differentiate themselves.

Furthermore, as prices for privates moves closer to $100k per year, high quality non-wealthy students are piling into publics, thus driving up admission requirements. When kids with >1525 (SAT), heavy ECs, high GPA, etc. are getting rejected from CS at UMD (just one example), it's obvious that things are changing. If we fast-forward 20 years, I wonder if Ivy League will be as elite (as compared to publics) as it's perceived today.

We're having that discussion with our high schooler now. Not sure the Ivy prestige will continue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When just evaluating raw stats (grades + test scores), there is less divergence between Ivy/Ivy+ admits, and T50 public universities - especially in STEM. So, to get into top privates, students need contrived BS to differentiate themselves.

Furthermore, as prices for privates moves closer to $100k per year, high quality non-wealthy students are piling into publics, thus driving up admission requirements. When kids with >1525 (SAT), heavy ECs, high GPA, etc. are getting rejected from CS at UMD (just one example), it's obvious that things are changing. If we fast-forward 20 years, I wonder if Ivy League will be as elite (as compared to publics) as it's perceived today.

We're having that discussion with our high schooler now. Not sure the Ivy prestige will continue.

It's already happening with less elite privates (there was another thread on this topic). Why pay $80k a year for a school barely in top 100 when good public options exist with stronger programs and great outcomes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think my kid wrote a "pointy" essay all on their own. They had almost no ECs, but they do a lot of creative stuff in their free time. Like writing novels, comics, etc. Introvert stuff.

I thought this wasn't going to be exciting enough, for colleges, that they'd know how common Wattpad and ao3 are with the kids, but the essay was sincere and genuine and it seems to have opened a lot of doors I didn't expect.

That's really cool. Does your kid still write?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading the NY mag article today (https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/college-admissions-educational-consultants-command-education.html)

And it made me wonder what were the successful, pointy (or otherwise surprising) narratives that you saw that worked in your student community this year?
Both authentic and manufactured narrative's?
Private school or public?
Region?

Not because I want to emulate them (and I have a senior anyway)… But bc I think more widespread visibility into these types of practices / shenanigans will be helpful to all.

Both my kid and friend had great pointy narratives. My kid as a blend of arts and stem interests, friend focused on service, starting with home situation that inspired passion for blend of economics and service.

Neither was a shenanigan. These were authentic. The supposition that it's all curated or a sham is whack. That may be true for some but not the majority. Many of the friends at my kid's college are genuinely pointy or multi-spikey. Interesting, bright, talented people.