Discussed by a former Vanderbilt AO here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/v6bdz7/the_type_of_ecs_i_wish_i_saw_more_of_as_a/ "There are ECs that are impressive and there are ECs that are memorable – and they aren’t always the same. I’ve reviewed countless applications from debate champions, but only one from a girl who plays drums in a Led Zeppelin cover band. I’ve seen a lot of varsity tennis, but only one student who was a Pokémon card game champion. Heck, when I applied to college, I focused my activities section on volunteering, debate, and school clubs while completely failing to mention fronting a sloppy punk rock band where we wrote songs, released an album, and played a bunch of shows. I want you to broaden the scope of what you value as extracurricular engagement." |
Translation: we want to do everything to curb Asian population. |
Our W high school has a few hundred varsity athletes. So yeah, in spite of all the work your kid puts in, they look just like every other kid at the school. It really irked me because DS put huge amounts of time and effort into his sport, while other seniors did not and sat the bench. Yet everyone puts the same entry in the common app. JV and Varsity sports are the same line too, so unless a school looks closely, they won’t know if the applicant was playing JV or Varsity. I get the distinct feeling that the AOs really don’t give a sh*t about sports, even though we all know what they can teach. Your students should do what they want to do. There is no longer a manic combination - like back in the day where Ivy men were always varsity athletes. |
*magic |
Unless you are a recruited athlete, there really is no distinction between all the other athletes. I don't think anyone even cares at all about a captain or not. However, if you are a recruited athlete (a true recruited athlete) then your admissions process is a cake walk. |
this guy seems extremely immature. |
Looks like the drive-by-insult troll has found this thread. |
College admissions is a scam. There is no clear cut way that works for Ivy League. Think about who profits from this crazy athletics madness that we all buy into? Travel sports, competitions etc.. and from such a young age too. Kids miss out on their childhood and parents miss out on the time with their kids and family.. all in the name of college admissions.. lets face it, we are all sheep and don’t want to be left behind in this race to nowhere. |
Don't buy in. One of my kids refused the athletics madness (sports competitions). Did great in the app process (many T20 admits). Had a very unique distinctive hobby though that took up a LOT of time. Ask your kid what they like. Are they curious? Do they spend time watching videos on YouTube? Podcast? Develop and nature those interests. |
Agree. It pains me to see parents giving in to travel sports. The money alone. Money that could be put into a college fund. We’ve spent too much on kid activities ourselves, and I kick myself. |
Competition for top schools will generally increase not decline. The population cliff may not be what you think it is. There is a huge third generation hispanic population that is going to flood the market, their parents are middle class and focused on their kids getting the education that they never got. This is (combined with immigration) is going to be more than enough to counter the 1% shrinking of graduating class sizes. The value of educational pedigree has only increased and the population of people seeking that pedigree will only increase. Sure, a lot of lower tier colleges and universities will go out of business but the most selective schools will continue to be very selective. |
You're not "opting out" You were on the outside looking in and decided not to look anymore. |
Things will get more normalized when test scores are required again. Trying to read the tea leaves without any frikking tea leaves has been difficult for the admissions committees. |
I don't think test scores will be required again for outside of top 20 anytime soon. |
Test scores a better predictor of success after college than almost anything else. Everything from peer reviewed publications to financial success to scientific accomplishments. If a 1600 SAT ukelele player is somehow more prone to success than a 1600 violin player, I would bet it has more to do with their risk tolerance and willingness to do new things. |