I can’t say this to my kid’s face, of course, but...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm very sorry. That sounds really tough and the result of a lot of bad luck. I agree with all the posters telling you that you have to get a counselor or head master to work the phone for you on schools that waitlisted your kid as part of yield protection. Even public school counselors have some heft in that situation.

As a cautionary tale for others, I think it means that you have to put in the effort for demonstrated interest to your safety schools. Perhaps make sure to include your parents' alma mater and visit (for us, that was Ohio State). And you definitely have to reconsider what you think is a "match" -- schools like Emory and Tulane can never be a match, even if they were in the past and even if you know kids with lower stats get in.

This is what I don't get. Straight As, 6 APs, 1550 on the SAT, strong essay and recs. How can this not be a match at Emory, Vandy, Tulane? These schools are now filled with valedictorians with 1600s???

Fwiw, my kids are really young so I don't have a dog in this fight. I'm just baffled that a kid with straight As and 1550 can't get into Tulane now. Again, they're filling all their freshman seats with kids who were shoe-ins for Harvard 20 years ago?

I want someone to answer this too. This is really bizarre. I know a kid down the street who's mother has been bragging night and day about Emory. 1400 SAT.

ITS ALL ABOUT DEMONSTRATED INTEREST!!!
if the kid wasn't clear and forward with that interest, he will not (EVER) be admitted. Custom essays, interviews, emails, online sessions. ALL OF IT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yield protection is real. Case and Emory are definitely practicing yield protection. Your DC might have a good outcome in the end from the waitlist if a commitment to a school can be demonstrated.

I agree with one PP that for the rest of the world, stats are the determining factor, and the process is more predictable.

I don't know. It really depends on what private OP is talking about. If it's ilke a Whittle, McLean School, or Burke, Emory would be a reach regardless of GPA. If she's talking St. Albans or Sidwell, that's a different story.

This is what the SAT is for. He got a 1550. How is that not an automatic in at Emory if that was his first choice?

So everyone who gets a 1550 on the SAT should be automatically admitted to a school if they declare it a first choice? That would be interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is everyone else doing in his school? Is it the school or there’s something wrong with his application that you haven’t noticed.

This is OP. It has been tough at his school but kids have certainly got in places.

I won’t tell you his entire list in case anyone is reading this and can figure out who he is, but here is a partial.

Waitlist: Case, Tulane, VErmont
Rejected: Northeastern, Vandy, Tulane, Emory

wow, with > 1500 SAT? Isn't it back to being scored out of 1600 again these days? what the heck is going on?

This year, most colleges are either test optional or test blind. So SAT/ACT is the last and the least consideration by colleges. And to demonstrate their commitment to the test policy, colleges have to accept 30 to 50 percent among the students who did not submit a test score.

Is it going to stay like that or is that just a one off for the pandemic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You grossly overestimate the power that a college counselor, even from an elite school, has. With connections, they may be able to help with process, but a threat would almost certainly backfire.

No I am NOT overestimating the power. They have plenty of power and it is their JOB. And yes it matters, even to top colleges. I have seen it happen with personal experience, even with Yale. A counselor worth a damn in a department with a trusted reputation from colleges has tremendous influence. Why do you think selective colleges visit high schools? They can even take them off the visitation list if they want.

Please note I am not saying the counselor 100% can get this student admitted. I am not. But if there is any chance they would take him, the counselor has tremendous influence when they go to bat for a particular kid.

Anonymous wrote:As demonstrated, Emory is having no trouble filling its spots and wouldn't without kids from school X. And, parents with kids at school X who think Emory might be a fit, aren't going to hold back based on the counselor's pride being hurt a prior year.

You grossly underestimate the competition for top kids. These are not customers in a restaurant where everyone's money is green. If a counselor tells a top kid "Don't bother with Emory" or any other school, it WILL have an influence and colleges don't want this. If the statement is backed up by Naviance data showing 36s rejected....

I repeat: I have seen this work multiple times, and I will not say more than that. Believe me or not, that's your choice. But what do you have to lose by trying?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is in a similar boat. 3.9 GPA at a Big 3, perfect ACT score (36 on all sections), waitlisted at UChicago, WashU and Emory so far. College counselor had called Emory a match/likely for him.

Then get that damned counselor on the phone with Emory admission today and make them get him off the waitlist or he will discourage any kid from your HS from applying there in the future.

And yes, this actually matters. Colleges do not like to see applicants from good HS drop off.

BINGO. Yes, this happens and yes it works. Esp if a big name private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yield protection is real. Case and Emory are definitely practicing yield protection. Your DC might have a good outcome in the end from the waitlist if a commitment to a school can be demonstrated.

I agree with one PP that for the rest of the world, stats are the determining factor, and the process is more predictable.

I don't know. It really depends on what private OP is talking about. If it's ilke a Whittle, McLean School, or Burke, Emory would be a reach regardless of GPA. If she's talking St. Albans or Sidwell, that's a different story.

This is what the SAT is for. He got a 1550. How is that not an automatic in at Emory if that was his first choice?

So everyone who gets a 1550 on the SAT should be automatically admitted to a school if they declare it a first choice? That would be interesting.

No, I was saying the SAT is for when admissions don't know much about the kid's school. It's hard to compare schools and grades at different schools. So I thought that was what SAT and AP tests are for.

[Anonymous]

Your situation is not "horrible" and you should not be "crushed." Every year there are kids who get in nowhere.

Your kid got into one of the schools on the list that HE CREATED. It was supposed to be a school that he could see himself attending. It sounds like he is still onboard with that plan. You are one more parent on this site who thought your kid would do better. I am sorry, but this is how he did. Your job now is to convince him you are proud of what he has accomplished (he did still work hard and do well in high school, this does not change that). You need to remind him (and yourself) why you put that school on his list.

Just take a deep breath, and look forward to the next phase of your child's growth.

PS-my child got into 7 schools but PICKED the one that was ranked lowest. Different than your situation, but I still had to hold my tongue and support her. She has EXCELLED at that school. Sometimes being a big fish in a small pond can work really well. My child's confidence has increased, and she gets recognition from professors that might not happen at a school where she was the middle of the pack. This can work well, I promise you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yield protection is real. Case and Emory are definitely practicing yield protection. Your DC might have a good outcome in the end from the waitlist if a commitment to a school can be demonstrated.

I agree with one PP that for the rest of the world, stats are the determining factor, and the process is more predictable.

I don't know. It really depends on what private OP is talking about. If it's ilke a Whittle, McLean School, or Burke, Emory would be a reach regardless of GPA. If she's talking St. Albans or Sidwell, that's a different story.

This is what the SAT is for. He got a 1550. How is that not an automatic in at Emory if that was his first choice?

So everyone who gets a 1550 on the SAT should be automatically admitted to a school if they declare it a first choice? That would be interesting.

No, I was saying the SAT is for when admissions don't know much about the kid's school. It's hard to compare schools and grades at different schools. So I thought that was what SAT and AP tests are for.

Two kids both have all As in their AP classes. But one kid got all 5s and the other got some 3s and 4s. You know who mastered the material and who did not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is everyone else doing in his school? Is it the school or there’s something wrong with his application that you haven’t noticed.

This is OP. It has been tough at his school but kids have certainly got in places.

I won’t tell you his entire list in case anyone is reading this and can figure out who he is, but here is a partial.

Waitlist: Case, Tulane, VErmont
Rejected: Northeastern, Vandy, Tulane, Emory

OP, hang in there. You and your son may be pleasantly surprised with not only admission but also with a substantial merit scholarship to boot. Last year my DC, with similar stats, a single "B", and many APs, was waitlisted at Emory and Case only to then be offered admission and merit scholarships to equal COA to in-state public university. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your situation is not "horrible" and you should not be "crushed." Every year there are kids who get in nowhere.

Your kid got into one of the schools on the list that HE CREATED. It was supposed to be a school that he could see himself attending. It sounds like he is still onboard with that plan. You are one more parent on this site who thought your kid would do better. I am sorry, but this is how he did. Your job now is to convince him you are proud of what he has accomplished (he did still work hard and do well in high school, this does not change that). You need to remind him (and yourself) why you put that school on his list.

Just take a deep breath, and look forward to the next phase of your child's growth.

PS-my child got into 7 schools but PICKED the one that was ranked lowest. Different than your situation, but I still had to hold my tongue and support her. She has EXCELLED at that school. Sometimes being a big fish in a small pond can work really well. My child's confidence has increased, and she gets recognition from professors that might not happen at a school where she was the middle of the pack. This can work well, I promise you.

lol this totally detracts from your message prior. I hope you know that.

You had to "hold your tongue" based on her pick (from a list she created as you emphasize)? You were just as caught up in rankings as OP then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is everyone else doing in his school? Is it the school or there’s something wrong with his application that you haven’t noticed.

This is OP. It has been tough at his school but kids have certainly got in places.

I won’t tell you his entire list in case anyone is reading this and can figure out who he is, but here is a partial.

Waitlist: Case, Tulane, VErmont
Rejected: Northeastern, Vandy, Tulane, Emory

OP, hang in there. You and your son may be pleasantly surprised with not only admission but also with a substantial merit scholarship to boot. Last year my DC, with similar stats, a single "B", and many APs, was waitlisted at Emory and Case only to then be offered admission and merit scholarships to equal COA to in-state public university. Best of luck.

She should make sure her son has shown a ton of interest to Case and has a college admissions counselor working furiously on an outreach plan ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Anyone listing colleges that have below 20% yield a “match” school are delusional and unfamiliar with the process. Big state schools with honors programs are your safety and if you get the application in early, you will likely receive merit money. All 3 of my kids received scholarships from their safety. My dtr who is caught up in this crazy year currently, who got merit from UW, a very respectable school btw, even said how much easier it is to get excited about a safety when they offer merit because they want you, vs schools like UVA who deferred you because they are protecting their yield, among other reasons.

[Anonymous]

If it's all about playing the yield protection game, then how are kids sending out 20 apps?

They're customizing 20 different apps? Each with a different set of essays, interviews, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Sometimes I wonder if there is some red flag language in one letter of recommendation? Seen by all schools? Parents are not supposed to see those (we were advised to check the box keeping them anonymous). Is this possible? Nothing direct, but some code for him being problematic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is everyone else doing in his school? Is it the school or there’s something wrong with his application that you haven’t noticed.

This is OP. It has been tough at his school but kids have certainly got in places.

I won’t tell you his entire list in case anyone is reading this and can figure out who he is, but here is a partial.

Waitlist: Case, Tulane, VErmont
Rejected: Northeastern, Vandy, Tulane, Emory

wow, with > 1500 SAT? Isn't it back to being scored out of 1600 again these days? what the heck is going on?

This year, most colleges are either test optional or test blind. So SAT/ACT is the last and the least consideration by colleges. And to demonstrate their commitment to the test policy, colleges have to accept 30 to 50 percent among the students who did not submit a test score.

+1 This is absolutely what is going on.