What extracurriculars would you *not* mention, because they reek of privilege/other negatives?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you draw the line at reporting something super-expensive (sailing, pilot's license, climbing internationally, equestrian)?
Or other things that just say "I'm rich" (unpaid internships, especially ones where you have to be connected -- banks, senators, etc.)?

You would mention all of these. There is nothing you would not mention. But you have an odd idea about what is rich stuff. Horses sort of but lots of people have horses and ride that do not have a lot of moeny. Sailing is not rich. We gre up poor ont he coast and we had a sailboat and on a team at the local club that cost $25 to join. Flying is not for rich people and neither is climbing. Those types of interships you mention do not exist junior year of high school.

Sure they do. My son interned for a senator beginning in spring of sophomore year, and for the entire summer between sophomore and junior year. There was at least one other intern his age there at the same time.

I actually do have to wonder if a Capitol Hill internship for a high school student is a definite sign of privilege via big campaign donations. Or parent connections. Or both. Not saying that is the case PP but to be honest for those of us who have experience working on the Hill, that is what immediately comes to mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you draw the line at reporting something super-expensive (sailing, pilot's license, climbing internationally, equestrian)?
Or other things that just say "I'm rich" (unpaid internships, especially ones where you have to be connected -- banks, senators, etc.)?

You would mention all of these. There is nothing you would not mention. But you have an odd idea about what is rich stuff. Horses sort of but lots of people have horses and ride that do not have a lot of moeny. Sailing is not rich. We gre up poor ont he coast and we had a sailboat and on a team at the local club that cost $25 to join. Flying is not for rich people and neither is climbing. Those types of interships you mention do not exist junior year of high school.

Sure they do. My son interned for a senator beginning in spring of sophomore year, and for the entire summer between sophomore and junior year. There was at least one other intern his age there at the same time.

I actually do have to wonder if a Capitol Hill internship for a high school student is a definite sign of privilege via big campaign donations. Or parent connections. Or both. Not saying that is the case PP but to be honest for those of us who have experience working on the Hill, that is what immediately comes to mind.

NP- So you speak for everyone that "works" (not much work happens there) on the hill?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you draw the line at reporting something super-expensive (sailing, pilot's license, climbing internationally, equestrian)?
Or other things that just say "I'm rich" (unpaid internships, especially ones where you have to be connected -- banks, senators, etc.)?

You would mention all of these. There is nothing you would not mention. But you have an odd idea about what is rich stuff. Horses sort of but lots of people have horses and ride that do not have a lot of moeny. Sailing is not rich. We gre up poor ont he coast and we had a sailboat and on a team at the local club that cost $25 to join. Flying is not for rich people and neither is climbing. Those types of interships you mention do not exist junior year of high school.

Sure they do. My son interned for a senator beginning in spring of sophomore year, and for the entire summer between sophomore and junior year. There was at least one other intern his age there at the same time.

In a way, so what? Do folks not realize that colleges want money and connections? It makes for great alumni. Yes, they want first Gen and diversity but they want money and connections as well.
I actually do have to wonder if a Capitol Hill internship for a high school student is a definite sign of privilege via big campaign donations. Or parent connections. Or both. Not saying that is the case PP but to be honest for those of us who have experience working on the Hill, that is what immediately comes to mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you draw the line at reporting something super-expensive (sailing, pilot's license, climbing internationally, equestrian)?
Or other things that just say "I'm rich" (unpaid internships, especially ones where you have to be connected -- banks, senators, etc.)?

You would mention all of these. There is nothing you would not mention. But you have an odd idea about what is rich stuff. Horses sort of but lots of people have horses and ride that do not have a lot of moeny. Sailing is not rich. We gre up poor ont he coast and we had a sailboat and on a team at the local club that cost $25 to join. Flying is not for rich people and neither is climbing. Those types of interships you mention do not exist junior year of high school.

Sure they do. My son interned for a senator beginning in spring of sophomore year, and for the entire summer between sophomore and junior year. There was at least one other intern his age there at the same time.

I actually do have to wonder if a Capitol Hill internship for a high school student is a definite sign of privilege via big campaign donations. Or parent connections. Or both. Not saying that is the case PP but to be honest for those of us who have experience working on the Hill, that is what immediately comes to mind.

I'm the PP whose son was an intern. He started with an internship with a state senator, and applied three times for the senator internship (rejected the first two times.) We are not politically connected and in our entire lifetimes neither I nor my husband has ever donated a penny to any politician at any level. This is something my child wanted and went after on his own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you draw the line at reporting something super-expensive (sailing, pilot's license, climbing internationally, equestrian)?
Or other things that just say "I'm rich" (unpaid internships, especially ones where you have to be connected -- banks, senators, etc.)?

You would mention all of these. There is nothing you would not mention. But you have an odd idea about what is rich stuff. Horses sort of but lots of people have horses and ride that do not have a lot of moeny. Sailing is not rich. We gre up poor ont he coast and we had a sailboat and on a team at the local club that cost $25 to join. Flying is not for rich people and neither is climbing. Those types of interships you mention do not exist junior year of high school.

Sure they do. My son interned for a senator beginning in spring of sophomore year, and for the entire summer between sophomore and junior year. There was at least one other intern his age there at the same time.

I actually do have to wonder if a Capitol Hill internship for a high school student is a definite sign of privilege via big campaign donations. Or parent connections. Or both. Not saying that is the case PP but to be honest for those of us who have experience working on the Hill, that is what immediately comes to mind.

NP- So you speak for everyone that "works" (not much work happens there) on the hill?

No, but I am willing to bet that "everyone" on the Hill has an inkling of how connections and family ties help with internships. Add on that the kid is only in HS and, yeah, people may not say but they know your kid did not get the position solely based on merit!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you draw the line at reporting something super-expensive (sailing, pilot's license, climbing internationally, equestrian)?
Or other things that just say "I'm rich" (unpaid internships, especially ones where you have to be connected -- banks, senators, etc.)?

You would mention all of these. There is nothing you would not mention. But you have an odd idea about what is rich stuff. Horses sort of but lots of people have horses and ride that do not have a lot of moeny. Sailing is not rich. We gre up poor ont he coast and we had a sailboat and on a team at the local club that cost $25 to join. Flying is not for rich people and neither is climbing. Those types of interships you mention do not exist junior year of high school.

Sure they do. My son interned for a senator beginning in spring of sophomore year, and for the entire summer between sophomore and junior year. There was at least one other intern his age there at the same time.

FWIW my DD did a House internship in high school and a Senate one in college. We have given no big bucks to anyone. She did it all in her own

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter got her private pilot’s license. Darn straight she’s including it in her activities. She wants to be an engineer, most likely aerospace. The girl loves flight. Straights As and in advanced classes and very strong in STEM. And feels most fulfilled in flight. And we’re fortunate to have a lot of money and to have been able to pay for flight lessons. Now she she’s starting to give back to through volunteering to fly for causes she believes in. It’s great.

Side track….this sounds so cool. My 9th grader DS is really interested in learning to fly, but we are relatively poor. Is there any way to get a private license for a young person if you don’t have a lot of money? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

My DS dud civil air patrol and got his flight license before applying. He did mention it but he was also applying to Aerospace engineering. He got in to aerospace engineering at Georgia tech, Purdue, UVA etc. it’s very expensive if you do the lessons and flight requirements privately

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter got her private pilot’s license. Darn straight she’s including it in her activities. She wants to be an engineer, most likely aerospace. The girl loves flight. Straights As and in advanced classes and very strong in STEM. And feels most fulfilled in flight. And we’re fortunate to have a lot of money and to have been able to pay for flight lessons. Now she she’s starting to give back to through volunteering to fly for causes she believes in. It’s great.

Side track….this sounds so cool. My 9th grader DS is really interested in learning to fly, but we are relatively poor. Is there any way to get a private license for a young person if you don’t have a lot of money? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I have a child who will earn their PPL in the next few months (you have to be 17 - they're still 16.) I would look at Civil Air Patrol (there should be a chapter near you) -- my child did not participate in this, but I understand they offer scholarships and other ways of getting free or reduced cost air time. Also visit the FB group "Raising Aviation Teens" and the subreddit r/flying. Both of those list scholarships that can help. Another thing people do is go to a "cheaper" area (like Arizona) for a week and fly a few hours a day. This area is just super expensive for lessons, plane rental, and fuel. The only other general advice would be prepare for every lesson so you are getting the most out of it and can minimize the hours the child needs before they sit for the exams. (The minimum hours for a PPL is 40; the average is 55. My kid will probably be around 57 hours. I think they could have shaved off 4 hours or so if they had done more ground school prep early in the process, but we just didn't know.)

Oh, and before you get started, make sure your child can pass the medical clearance. There are a lot of things for which the FAA will deny a permit. Use of antidepressants, Adderall, etc. is a common one.

Pp here whose daughter flies. Completely agree with what the poster above responded. Look to civil air patrol, and note, the different CAP programs are pretty different from each other so you may want to look at ones that might not be closest to your home if better for your needs.

Thanks for this information!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAT/ACT

LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When teens go on "missions" or "service trips" to developing countries. No one is impressed by those.

Why is this and what are these?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who is the bozo who keeps insisting lacrosse is just for private school kids? Most publics across the country have lacrosse teams. It just isn't the rarefied sport you'd like to pretend it is.

In general, the only high level public school lacrosse is played in New York State and in the NYC suburbs. There's nothing wrong with this.

You must have missed the public schools around Baltimore and Southern Maryland that fill up top ten D1 programs. Agreed that the privates are even more competitive in area like Calvert Hall but plenty of elite level publics in MD.

please name one of these programs

[Anonymous]

Schools already know you are rich by the school your kid attends and the FA info. You are going to be able to hide that info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do you draw the line at reporting something super-expensive (sailing, pilot's license, climbing internationally, equestrian)?
Or other things that just say "I'm rich" (unpaid internships, especially ones where you have to be connected -- banks, senators, etc.)?

Are you talking about essays or listing activities? The college will know if the parents have money between zip code, if applying ED (likely full pay), possibly the high school. So at that point are you rich and idle or rich and involved in a passion like equestrian, sailing etc.? Now with the essay they may be trying to figure out more of who you are an individual and how you will contribute as a person to their college community. This where there could be a fine line to not come off as entitled or parents having money being your whole personality trait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schools already know you are rich by the school your kid attends and the FA info. You are going to be able to hide that info.

Why would you want to? Full pay is an advantage at many schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When teens go on "missions" or "service trips" to developing countries. No one is impressed by those.

Why is this and what are these?

They're service learning trips sponsored by various Christian organizations. You pay some money and your kid visits and country (or sometimes another state) and does some volunteer work and gets some cultural exposure. They are frequently a week or so. It's pay to play. Lots of kids who go on them will then write a generally terrible application essay about "what I learned on my mission trip." The essay usually shows that 1) the student was extremely privileged and sheltered before the trip and 2) hasn't learned a thing about their own privilege despite going on the trip. That type of essay isn't going to help with admissions. It also may tweak biases against white, UMC devout Christians. I wouldn't list the activity and I wouldn't have my kid write a mission trip essay.