Thinking about reading…

[Anonymous]

When I think about what makes a successful person, almost everyone is a voracious reader of news as well as books for pleasure. I wish there was a way to reward this behavior in the college process. (I feel like kids can just lie if asked how many books they have read this year or what they have read lately). But my hunch is that kids who read a lot do better in college and in life.

Amy I wrong in thinking this important habit doesn’t seem to matter these days?

[Anonymous]

They are deeper thinkers, and write better essays.

That's how they are rewarded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are deeper thinkers, and write better essays.

That's how they are rewarded.

I wish that were the case but most of the essays are so short that a non-reader could probably write a great essay (not to mention AI the thing).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are deeper thinkers, and write better essays.

That's how they are rewarded.

I wish that were the case but most of the essays are so short that a non-reader could probably write a great essay (not to mention AI the thing).

Deeper thinkers do write better essays.

[Anonymous]

It does matter for success. But yes, most kids barely read. My own child does not despite being a bookworm through elementary and middle school. I am around a lot of teens, and I notice the most knowledgeable high schoolers are readers, even today.

[Anonymous]

I will add it is extremely difficult to find time to read. Teens are stretched thin, and have very little downtime - between demanding athletics, jobs, AP course loads, extracurriculars, arduous college applications and (importantly) social media distractions. When I was growing up, I had hours of leisure time.

[Anonymous]

Think beyond college admissions.

Team sports, if not recruitable, is currently not helpful to college admissions even if you made varsity captain. The benefit of participating in team sports is obvious. Many kids are still doing it, it just doesn't impact college admissions.

[Anonymous]

We are thinking beyond college admissions but I am focusing this thread on admissions bc it is a college-focused discussion group.

My kid does tons of stuff bc they want to (not for admissions) but it is hard not to ponder how the system doesn’t seem to reward behavior that seem to be benchmark for high function and success.

[Anonymous]

My college sophomore always was and still is a huge reader. He reads a ton of history books. He has a book with him when waiting for appointments, etc. He is a deep thinker, always praised by teachers/profs, etc. He had perfect scores in reading and English first try, no prep on ACT. He is very strong in stem too- but the reading helps in all areas.

My college senior reads a ton for school, but much less outside of school assignments. I do think iPhone/social media plays into this and we have always had limits- so it’s not as bad as most of his friends.

Reading does make smarter people.

[Anonymous]

^ high school senior, not college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My college sophomore always was and still is a huge reader. He reads a ton of history books. He has a book with him when waiting for appointments, etc. He is a deep thinker, always praised by teachers/profs, etc. He had perfect scores in reading and English first try, no prep on ACT. He is very strong in stem too- but the reading helps in all areas.

My college senior reads a ton for school, but much less outside of school assignments. I do think iPhone/social media plays into this and we have always had limits- so it’s not as bad as most of his friends.

Reading does make smarter people.

Oh and my reader is an athlete, year round. Still reads for pleasure. You don’t see how much time is wasted scrolling and on the iPhone. He’s at an Ivy and still gobbles up books on free time.

[Anonymous]

You can add it in as an activity - one of 10. Form and lead book clubs. Make sure teachers know your kid is well read; they’ll put that on the LOR. Talk about it in the interview.

There are examples of the activity online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I think about what makes a successful person, almost everyone is a voracious reader of news as well as books for pleasure. I wish there was a way to reward this behavior in the college process. (I feel like kids can just lie if asked how many books they have read this year or what they have read lately). But my hunch is that kids who read a lot do better in college and in life.

Amy I wrong in thinking this important habit doesn’t seem to matter these days?

It makes a difference in how they perform in school and on standardized tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I think about what makes a successful person, almost everyone is a voracious reader of news as well as books for pleasure. I wish there was a way to reward this behavior in the college process. (I feel like kids can just lie if asked how many books they have read this year or what they have read lately). But my hunch is that kids who read a lot do better in college and in life.

Amy I wrong in thinking this important habit doesn’t seem to matter these days?

It makes a difference in how they perform in school and on standardized tests.

The point is high school courses are watered down and standardized tests are too easy to make a difference for these deep thinker and readers. The reward mechanism is not sufficient.

[Anonymous]

I have a teen who is a passionate reader, and also generally enjoys literature, writing, even poetry. It does feel a bit like a lost art form from another era. Critical and deep thinking seems even more valuable now to counter and supplement technology, AI, automation, etc.