Did you use an independent college counselor for introverted kid? Please share your experience
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Anonymous
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DD is a sophomore and high-achieving academically but does not have passions or interests that would make her stand out in college applications. Good at sports, but probably not going to be a recruited athlete. Great grades (3.9+ unweighted) and 1550+ SATs. Shy and reserved and not into the leadership positions that the HYPSM-level schools seem to be into. Kind, compassionate, and a good friend but is a typical introvert.
Our college counseling office doesn't work with students until junior year. We're thinking a college counseling firm could help her explore ECs for this summer that might help her be a more competitive applicant for Ivies, SLACs, and other top-tier schools. Please share any experience with private firms, especially IvyWise, Crimson, and Empowerly, or local independent counselors. TIA. |
Anonymous
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Why do you need a college counselor to encourage her to explore her interests?
I'm surprised she's already taken the SATs by January of 10th grade. |
Anonymous
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Honestly if she doesn’t already have some interests by now, she’s probably already hampered her chances of getting into an Ivy. Those chances are vanishingly small even for the best of the best academic students who excel in sports and have a lengthy and impressive EC resume packed with leadership.
Is Ivy her goal, or yours? |
Anonymous
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Have her do research in a topic she’s interested in. That’s the perfect EC for an introverted kid. There are paid places like Polygence that can match her with a mentor who can guide her. Expect to pay $3-$4K for the service.
Free is obviously better, but she’ll need to cold email professors at nearby universities to get a research opportunity, which doesn’t sound like something she’d do if she’s introverted. |
Anonymous
Not her goal but of possible interest. She’s not set on Ivies by any means. Could also be interested in SLACs. She has interests but none that have emerged as a passion, unless it’s being a good and thoughtful friend. She’s the one all her friends turn to when they’re down, stressed, needing a hug. Too bad that’s not something that can be listed as an EC. Would really appreciate experiences with college counselors rather than people posting to let me know that my poor 15-year-old DD has already messed up her chances for top colleges. |
Anonymous
| DP here but I also have an introverted HS and this OP is asking a good question. I would appreciate hearing answers too! |
Anonymous
Do all top colleges care about EC? Why not just great grades, good at learning and being a kind person? What does she want to major in college? |
Anonymous
| Sounds like a “standard strong” student. It could be an idea to do a session with an independent counselor to just brainstorm schools you THINK she may be interested in and gauge what would need to be done to have any reasonable chance. Having a sounding board to provide realistic outcomes would be time and money well spent. |
Anonymous
PP, this is OP, and yes all top colleges care about ECs. I do alumni interviews for my HYP alma mater and have seen many applicants with perfect GPAs and SAT scores turned away. Outside of having a disadvantaged background, which DD does not, what distinguishes students are ECs and teacher recommendations. Great grades and being good at learning are a baseline. Sadly, being a good person seems less important than quantifiable achievements. DD is definitely a humanities type. Looking at English, Comp Lit, maybe History as possible majors, but she is not sure. The college admissions process is professionalizing our kids at too young an age. I had no idea what I wanted to major in college as a sophomore in high school. |
Anonymous
Thanks. Can you recommend any good independent counselors? |
Anonymous
Her coaches encouraged her to take them early. For athletes, having SAT scores under your belt early is helpful for recruitment. Also, if a student has taken geometry and algebra II, and they have strong verbal skills, the best time to take the SAT is soon after they’ve finished those two math classes. |
Anonymous
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What is your goal? You say she doesn't have a HYPSM level "passion" - is that what you want the counselor to create? If you are content for her to go to a good college, she is fine, there is no problem here.
I would want my kid to explore their interests just to develop as a person. If I were you I'd get one of those directories of summer programs if they still exist (if not, I'm sure it's online), and page through. Does going to study in France appeal to her? Would she want to try a summer language course at Middlebury? Would she like to volunteer at a hospital or animal shelter? Is she interested in taking music lessons? Etc. Something she is intrigued by is going to be better than what someone else directs her to. |
Anonymous
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It’s a DCUM thing to go off-topic, but so far none of the responses have actually answered the question posed.
If you don’t have a recommendation for an independent college counselor or experience supporting an introverted kid through college applications, could you please post elsewhere? |
Anonymous
| I’ve got an introverted freshman and this is exactly why we hired a college counselor this year. Encourage ECs both in school and outside school. Long term commitment can be as important as leadership. |
Anonymous
Assuming you’re having a good experience with your counselor, can you share their name? |