“Applying to college” is practically an EC

[Anonymous]

Takes so much time.

… I know, not for everyone… but for many on this board, takes so much time

[Anonymous]

Yep, this will be the new trend to write it as an EC
For how many hours are you thinking of listing this activity?

[Anonymous]

The top 10-15 colleges are such work. Some have 3-4 200-250 word essays and then a few short answers, then graded paper or a video, etc etc

It’s the kids applying to the top schools that really have so much to do. I was glad to see UVA has nothing extra- beyond common app this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The top 10-15 colleges are such work. Some have 3-4 200-250 word essays and then a few short answers, then graded paper or a video, etc etc

It’s the kids applying to the top schools that really have so much to do. I was glad to see UVA has nothing extra- beyond common app this year.

As the parent of a musician preparing for auditions, I would say they are up there too.

[Anonymous]

Just apply to 5-6 colleges. Make sure 3 are safeties or sure shots.

Pick 2-3 target/reaches.

It's chill.

College apps are only hard for reachy strivers.

[Anonymous]

It is. I learned the hard way. Hire a by-the-hour reputable college counselor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just apply to 5-6 colleges. Make sure 3 are safeties or sure shots.

Pick 2-3 target/reaches.

It's chill.

College apps are only hard for reachy strivers.

But if you’re not a top student it’s not really clear what safeties are. My kid will be applying to a million schools most of which are considered “safeties” on this board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just apply to 5-6 colleges. Make sure 3 are safeties or sure shots.

Pick 2-3 target/reaches.

It's chill.

College apps are only hard for reachy strivers.

Ha, do you know to which crowd you are talking on here? The ones who think 1540 is a bad SAT score because it didn't cross 1550, UVA is the mostest awesomest nothing like VATech, crowd.

[Anonymous]

If applying to 10-15 schools where each has 3-6 short supplemental questions or 1-2 long is too daunting in addition to the most rigorous high school senior courses, then the ivy/plus schools themselves will not be a fit should they get in. Students who end up successful there write quickly, are efficient with studying, juggle research/TA/ECs and still have fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is. I learned the hard way. Hire a by-the-hour reputable college counselor.

Not needed and a waste of $

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If applying to 10-15 schools where each has 3-6 short supplemental questions or 1-2 long is too daunting in addition to the most rigorous high school senior courses, then the ivy/plus schools themselves will not be a fit should they get in. Students who end up successful there write quickly, are efficient with studying, juggle research/TA/ECs and still have fun.

Why are you assuming everyone who is applying to college is applying to ivy/plus schools.

Many schools that aren’t ivy/plus also require essays. And chasing merit often requires applying to more schools. Also scholarship applications are a whole other EC worth of work.

[Anonymous]

It’s absolutely a choice to make it take up the amount of space some people do. The digging around on the internet, the strategizing, the questioning things that don’t even matter. It’s a choice. It’s not normal, though hanging out in this board will make you think it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just apply to 5-6 colleges. Make sure 3 are safeties or sure shots.

Pick 2-3 target/reaches.

It's chill.

College apps are only hard for reachy strivers.

But if you’re not a top student it’s not really clear what safeties are. My kid will be applying to a million schools most of which are considered “safeties” on this board.

I had that kid last year. She got an early admit through niche direct admissions. She applied to three other schools, all with admissions rates above 60% (and got into all of them with merit). Only one had a supplement. The process was much easier for her than for kids applying to lottery schools. You really don't need to apply to a million schools.

[Anonymous]

Yeah but, by that definition, everyone who is applying to college is doing the same EC (i.e., applying to college) so it doesn't count.

[Anonymous]

Only for the crowd that aims for the top 50, has super-involved parents (mostly) and spends a lot of money and time on things like college visits, test prep, etc. most of the world does not live like this.