My child is very smart but doesn't do many extras, would this be a good reason to ephasize tests?

[Anonymous]

My child is very intelligent and tests very well.

SATs are going to be very high but we don't have many extras to submit

furthermore he has built businesses on roblox selling games, hiring people, creating backend servers etc. how can we showcase this and does that help offset lack of extras?

[Anonymous]

That is an extra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is an extra.

I am looking at other kid's extras and they are in like 2 sports year round, nation honor, volunteering etc.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely include the roblox business.
High SATs are good, but they are just one piece of a portfolio. Has he won any awards? Done any volunteering? In NHS? Any activities there? Church or similar? Volunteering? Any clubs at school lije coding club? Any leadership there?

Brainstorm together, and you might find some activities. Also, he might think about what he could add. Club involvement or leadership? Helping with lights, sound or effects for the drama department? Volunteer with a voding camp or nonprofit., etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is an extra.

I am looking at other kid's extras and they are in like 2 sports year round, nation honor, volunteering etc.

Personally I think the Roblox business sounds more impressive than any of these other things. They built that themselves and if they hire people that's clear leadership.

The only thing I might add is some sort of service or volunteering to show that they also care about their community. Could they volunteer to help with computers somewhere (like a non profit)? Could they offer a computer/coding class for free to an after school program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is an extra.

I am looking at other kid's extras and they are in like 2 sports year round, nation honor, volunteering etc.

Personally I think the Roblox business sounds more impressive than any of these other things. They built that themselves and if they hire people that's clear leadership.

The only thing I might add is some sort of service or volunteering to show that they also care about their community. Could they volunteer to help with computers somewhere (like a non profit)? Could they offer a computer/coding class for free to an after school program?

Yes 100% agree with this. Make sure to add activities that gives back to his/her community.
Just grow the business maybe forming a llc.

[Anonymous]

I agree re roblox business being a strong activity! there is very little room to describe activities in the common app - the best activities are ones that can be woven into essays/supplements and starting one’s own business is a much better platform for that (sorts essays are tired and predictable). The only except for sports I’d make is as a recruited athlete, in thise cases sports are obviously determinative!

[Anonymous]

I think the OP’s child sounds very one-dimensional and really needs to get out there and do something to show that they care about others and the broader community. Without that, they are not going to get accepted into a top college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the OP’s child sounds very one-dimensional and really needs to get out there and do something to show that they care about others and the broader community. Without that, they are not going to get accepted into a top college.

This...also admissions officers want to see that a student can handle multiple activities AND maintain good grades. Any smart kid can get good grades and prep for SAT if they are only focusing on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the OP’s child sounds very one-dimensional and really needs to get out there and do something to show that they care about others and the broader community. Without that, they are not going to get accepted into a top college.

This...also admissions officers want to see that a student can handle multiple activities AND maintain good grades. Any smart kid can get good grades and prep for SAT if they are only focusing on that.

PP again. Disagree. The days of needing to be a "well rounded student" are long gone. This kid clearly has strength and passion in tech, probably to a level that surpasses any available activity in his school. Doing real-world stuff that he created himself will make him stand out so much more than a kid who plays a sport and belongs to a few clubs. Also, he sounds like the kind of kid who perhaps won't need much prep to do well. I definitely wouldn't sacrifice any time in the business to do something 200 other kids at his school are probably doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the OP’s child sounds very one-dimensional and really needs to get out there and do something to show that they care about others and the broader community. Without that, they are not going to get accepted into a top college.

This...also admissions officers want to see that a student can handle multiple activities AND maintain good grades. Any smart kid can get good grades and prep for SAT if they are only focusing on that.

PP again. Disagree. The days of needing to be a "well rounded student" are long gone. This kid clearly has strength and passion in tech, probably to a level that surpasses any available activity in his school. Doing real-world stuff that he created himself will make him stand out so much more than a kid who plays a sport and belongs to a few clubs. Also, he sounds like the kind of kid who perhaps won't need much prep to do well. I definitely wouldn't sacrifice any time in the business to do something 200 other kids at his school are probably doing.

What schools would help harness this focus on tech and avoid all that well-rounded stuff? Who makes these rules and are they outdated and still in use? The most successful people are business leaders who are into tech, why the focus on well rounded?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree re roblox business being a strong activity! there is very little room to describe activities in the common app - the best activities are ones that can be woven into essays/supplements and starting one’s own business is a much better platform for that (sorts essays are tired and predictable). The only except for sports I’d make is as a recruited athlete, in thise cases sports are obviously determinative!

My child was told only Olympic level athletes should write about sports. OP I think your kid will be fine! There is no one way to stand out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is an extra.

I am looking at other kid's extras and they are in like 2 sports year round, nation honor, volunteering etc.

But your kid is different. Stop thinking there is a formula.

Celebrate the kid you have. Don't send the message that he needs to fit some cookie cutter image.

He should be honest about his unique mix of strengths, and a school that values that will welcome him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is an extra.

I am looking at other kid's extras and they are in like 2 sports year round, nation honor, volunteering etc.

But your kid is different. Stop thinking there is a formula.

Celebrate the kid you have. Don't send the message that he needs to fit some cookie cutter image.

He should be honest about his unique mix of strengths, and a school that values that will welcome him.

I agree, but the new admissions format de-emphasize traditional excellence of high test scores. How do we let them know he's doing something out of the ordinary and not get passed if he doesn't have the 10000x activities and volunteering? FYI we also are looking for a place that will help propel his business and tech interests. Any suggestions for schools that look for future tech leaders would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is an extra.

I am looking at other kid's extras and they are in like 2 sports year round, nation honor, volunteering etc.

But your kid is different. Stop thinking there is a formula.

Celebrate the kid you have. Don't send the message that he needs to fit some cookie cutter image.

He should be honest about his unique mix of strengths, and a school that values that will welcome him.

I agree, but the new admissions format de-emphasize traditional excellence of high test scores. How do we let them know he's doing something out of the ordinary and not get passed if he doesn't have the 10000x activities and volunteering? FYI we also are looking for a place that will help propel his business and tech interests. Any suggestions for schools that look for future tech leaders would be helpful.

He can write about his business in his essay. Look for schools that have programs for entrepreneurship. One place to start looking is Babson College. There's a profile of it here: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/2021/07/02/babson-college-ma/

And here's a list of others: https://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/the-experts-choice-colleges-for-the-budding-entrepreneur/124/

Being unique and self-driven is a huge benefit for standing out vs. the routine sports/clubs HS student.