All these smart kids are getting rejected across the board

[Anonymous]

I am hearing about these kids who have near perfect grades, super high SAT scores and strong extracurricular activities and they are getting rejected across the board. The parents are well educated professionals. The kids are getting rejected from their parents’ alma maters.

I feel like this same kids would be ivy bound 20-30 years ago.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure but I believe that there are way more kids applying to college than there was 20-30 years ago. And college's have not grown in size. So yes, more rejections.

[Anonymous]

Every can’t go to the same 10-20 schools. The people with broad horizons, who opted out of applying to places that reject 90%+ of applications, are doing just fine.

[Anonymous]

Are you new here?

[Anonymous]

Times have changed and schools are seeking out more diversity. Students need to look beyond the same top schools for other opportunities. These accomplished students will do well anywhere. Their parents need to stop obsessing about name-brand recognition.

[Anonymous]

There are more kids these days. Gotta cast a wider net. Set realistic expectations. Basically, don't over think it - honestly, most any school will do if you get good grades and take advantage of your university's opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Not news, OP. Are you just now tuning into the college wars?

I don't know how old your kids are, but please realize now that admission gets more competitive every year, and more expensive!

If your child has straight As, a few APs and a few average extra-curriculars, they can get into UMD full pay, no merit aid.
They might be rejected from UVA. Forget about Ivies or anything approaching that.

Now if that shocks you, you'd better get up to speed really quickly!

[Anonymous]

Unless OP has young elementary students. We are in a bubble of lots of high school now but there is a much smaller cohort coming.

[Anonymous]

When “across the board” means the same 20 schools- sorry, there aren’t enough seats. Especially when those schools have a lot of factors to balance, beyond GPAs, scores, and ECs. Those students need to widen their horizons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When “across the board” means the same 20 schools- sorry, there aren’t enough seats. Especially when those schools have a lot of factors to balance, beyond GPAs, scores, and ECs. Those students need to widen their horizons.

This. Expectations these days are out of control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am hearing about these kids who have near perfect grades, super high SAT scores and strong extracurricular activities and they are getting rejected across the board. The parents are well educated professionals. The kids are getting rejected from their parents’ alma maters.

I feel like this same kids would be ivy bound 20-30 years ago.

This is not happening. Stop the fear mongering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Times have changed and schools are seeking out more diversity. Students need to look beyond the same top schools for other opportunities. These accomplished students will do well anywhere. Their parents need to stop obsessing about name-brand recognition.

The diversity pool has expanded too.

Admission advantages now also go to LGTBQI+ applicants, different SES status, other-abled students, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Times have changed and schools are seeking out more diversity. Students need to look beyond the same top schools for other opportunities. These accomplished students will do well anywhere. Their parents need to stop obsessing about name-brand recognition.

The diversity pool has expanded too.

Admission advantages now also go to LGTBQI+ applicants, different SES status, other-abled students, etc.

Who still comprise a small minority of students at these schools. The desire to point fingers at everyone else runs strong in white people.

[Anonymous]

Right. No one got into college this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless OP has young elementary students. We are in a bubble of lots of high school now but there is a much smaller cohort coming.

Op here. My kids are in elementary and preschool. I’m just surprised that these super smart kids are getting rejected from every school they applied to.