White low income male with average grades and ECs - will the “I couldn’t afford more” angle help?

[Anonymous]

So there’s a teen I am trying to help who is white and low income, has a mix of As and Bs (GPA will probably be around 3.5), has one sport (he isn’t good at it), a part time job and a couple of hobbies like reading and sewing.

The goal is to help him get into one of the UCs, maybe some private schools, not T10 or anything but a decent school. He won’t be majoring in STEM.

Should I advise him to pursue an angle in his essays and PIQs where he writes about his life in low income housing, working to support his family, helping his grandparents? Will this help offset his mediocre grades and ECs? Or it doesn’t matter and he can write about his passion for reading or sewing for example?

[Anonymous]

How does he compare to classmates?

Where is he from?

[Anonymous]

Why are there so many CA people on this website???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are there so many CA people on this website???

I'll allow it.

[Anonymous]

No, don't beg or make excuses for academics. Let AO figure it out.
Mention the job because it's an EC activity. Mention something about teamwork of neighbors working together to help each other out and mentor the younger ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So there’s a teen I am trying to help who is white and low income, has a mix of As and Bs (GPA will probably be around 3.5), has one sport (he isn’t good at it), a part time job and a couple of hobbies like reading and sewing.

The goal is to help him get into one of the UCs, maybe some private schools, not T10 or anything but a decent school. He won’t be majoring in STEM.

Should I advise him to pursue an angle in his essays and PIQs where he writes about his life in low income housing, working to support his family, helping his grandparents? Will this help offset his mediocre grades and ECs? Or it doesn’t matter and he can write about his passion for reading or sewing for example?

I think he should leverage his family background.

I'm not sure the sewing angle does much because I'm assuming it doesn't connect to intended major. If it did, then maybe.

It would be very helpful to do some career interest inventories with this kid. If his grades are mediocre, does he have a clear plan for investigating majors? How do you know which UCs will fit best. Are you hoping that getting him into a "better" UC might transform his situation? Maybe it's better to target a "just right" campus?

[Anonymous]

It’s tricky. He should mention his circumstances but not in a “woe is me” way. Maybe when he talks about his passion for sewing mention that it grew out of the need to be creative on a very limited budget or doing alterations for the second hand clothing he’s got. I think it’s also important that his guidance counselor or whoever is writing the letter from his school also talks about his circumstances if it’s not obvious from the address/school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So there’s a teen I am trying to help who is white and low income, has a mix of As and Bs (GPA will probably be around 3.5), has one sport (he isn’t good at it), a part time job and a couple of hobbies like reading and sewing.

The goal is to help him get into one of the UCs, maybe some private schools, not T10 or anything but a decent school. He won’t be majoring in STEM.

Should I advise him to pursue an angle in his essays and PIQs where he writes about his life in low income housing, working to support his family, helping his grandparents? Will this help offset his mediocre grades and ECs? Or it doesn’t matter and he can write about his passion for reading or sewing for example?

How lazy and rude and who cares? Isn’t this most of America. Or maybe he’s on the high end of the most of white America from the look of things.

[Anonymous]

I would play up the sewing in his essay.

Talk about how difficult it has been to have a hobby that is considered “feminine.”

Maybe have him give sewing lessons to other disadvantaged kids.

Talk about how sewing is a great creative outlet that has allowed him to express his unique artistic talent.

Maybe have him sew some garments for a play or homeless shelter so he can talk about how helping others is so fulfilling.

Or he can go to goodwill and get cheap fabrics that he can use to make artisitic textiles, clothes for the needy, etc…

there are a million ways he can spin the sewing angle.

[Anonymous]

He sounds like a normal kid with normal options. He should just go to state school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does he compare to classmates?

Where is he from?

Very average. He is in CA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, don't beg or make excuses for academics. Let AO figure it out.
Mention the job because it's an EC activity. Mention something about teamwork of neighbors working together to help each other out and mentor the younger ones.

Yes, I didn’t mean outright excuses, just how much he should stress the need for a job and the fact that he can’t afford a ton of ECs. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So there’s a teen I am trying to help who is white and low income, has a mix of As and Bs (GPA will probably be around 3.5), has one sport (he isn’t good at it), a part time job and a couple of hobbies like reading and sewing.

The goal is to help him get into one of the UCs, maybe some private schools, not T10 or anything but a decent school. He won’t be majoring in STEM.

Should I advise him to pursue an angle in his essays and PIQs where he writes about his life in low income housing, working to support his family, helping his grandparents? Will this help offset his mediocre grades and ECs? Or it doesn’t matter and he can write about his passion for reading or sewing for example?

I think he should leverage his family background.

I'm not sure the sewing angle does much because I'm assuming it doesn't connect to intended major. If it did, then maybe.

It would be very helpful to do some career interest inventories with this kid. If his grades are mediocre, does he have a clear plan for investigating majors? How do you know which UCs will fit best. Are you hoping that getting him into a "better" UC might transform his situation? Maybe it's better to target a "just right" campus?

He isn’t sure of his major yet, just that it’s not STEM.
I was hoping name recognition would help him a little if he got into a more prestigious UC.

[Anonymous]

Isn’t there a “family assistance” question on Common App? If there’s not, in addition to job, I’d list whatever caretaking responsibilities for grandparents he does under ECs.

If the sewing has a measurable output, I’d mention it (like they sew dresses & sell them or make X to donate at Y place)

[Anonymous]

Just got done talking to my son’s counselor last year and we talked about the UC essays.

UC wants to know about your kid so the essays, a bit unlike the Common App one and supplemental ones of other schools (often only one) are like an extended conversation with the AOs. That’s why there are 4 of them.

So, yes, I suggest selecting prompts that enable him to highlight his background and personal experiences that you mention within the context of what he wants to accomplish at a UC. Personally, I think low key and matter of fact is best, this is who I am, this is how my experiences have shaped as a person, without coming across as a victim, and this is what I want to become with the benefit of a UC education.

Of course, you can apply to all 9 UCs and there is no reason not to, and I see the best chances of admission as UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis. All are social mobility schools and Riverside is especially underrated. UC also evaluates applicants in the context of the other applicants from your school and the rigor of courses available. Chances are better if he is non-business and non-STEM.

If you already know all this, appreciate your patience, and I hope for the best for him.