High test score kids who didn't get in where they thought they would

[Anonymous]

URM here. There is so much hate on Asian on DCUM. And no, these haters are not URMs. More likely bitter, small, pathetic shit stirring haters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lesson: apply undecided arts & sciences

1000+, stay away from CS, engineering & business majors

Really hate this kind of bad advice. Essentially asking kids to lie about their passion. What happens to integrity.

These brilliant kids, if not in at ivies, still end up in very top school like Georgia tech, Harvey Mudd, CMU.

You know darn well that for 75% of these kids business, CS, & engineering aren’t their passion but just a gateway into what they think will make them 6 figures. That’s what all this hullabaloo is about. Getting into a top school with the right major for the best ROI, good connections and networking, and opportunities so that your DC has a 6 figure job waiting for them at graduation. Please don’t start with this passion stuff. We all know why there’s an influx of these majors.

Will disagree. You can't get through an engineering degree if you don't have a passion for it. It's no one's la-di-dah fallback major. No student half-asses a degree in engineering. The students who try are out after freshman year. The people graduating with engineering degrees do tend to have a passion for designing and building things.

As for business, that attracts a lot of practical people who feel a profound need to be able to support a family. That's not a terrible thing at all. Maybe they love sociology or fine arts more, but they have both feet on the ground and will save those interests for hobbies or secondary career options. We all wish there were better economic options in 2025 for passion majors. But reality is reality, and some realize that earlier than others.

For CS, the days of the easy coding and a comfortable life are completely done. No one is choosing to major in CS today because they expect an easy glide through life. CS majors currently have the worst unemployment numbers of all majors. A student majoring in Computer Science today is as hardcore and passionate as an Art History major. They are not doing it for the career prospects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lesson: apply undecided arts & sciences

1000+, stay away from CS, engineering & business majors

Really hate this kind of bad advice. Essentially asking kids to lie about their passion. What happens to integrity.

These brilliant kids, if not in at ivies, still end up in very top school like Georgia tech, Harvey Mudd, CMU.

You know darn well that for 75% of these kids business, CS, & engineering aren’t their passion but just a gateway into what they think will make them 6 figures. That’s what all this hullabaloo is about. Getting into a top school with the right major for the best ROI, good connections and networking, and opportunities so that your DC has a 6 figure job waiting for them at graduation. Please don’t start with this passion stuff. We all know why there’s an influx of these majors.

My oldest followed their passion and we allowed it. We even encouraged it. Be happy and all that. Graduated with a BFA Art degree and now 2 years out of college. Currently working full time retail for $18 an hour and doing side gigs in their art field. We pay DC’s rent, phone, insurance, etc. in a big city. It sucks. Younger child is getting a business degree. Probably would prefer history, but we are happy with the choice. Already had a summer internship making $$$. I have decided that following your passion is only great if your parents are willing to support you for 10years post grad. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lesson: apply undecided arts & sciences

1000+, stay away from CS, engineering & business majors

Really hate this kind of bad advice. Essentially asking kids to lie about their passion. What happens to integrity.

These brilliant kids, if not in at ivies, still end up in very top school like Georgia tech, Harvey Mudd, CMU.

You know darn well that for 75% of these kids business, CS, & engineering aren’t their passion but just a gateway into what they think will make them 6 figures. That’s what all this hullabaloo is about. Getting into a top school with the right major for the best ROI, good connections and networking, and opportunities so that your DC has a 6 figure job waiting for them at graduation. Please don’t start with this passion stuff. We all know why there’s an influx of these majors.

My oldest followed their passion and we allowed it. We even encouraged it. Be happy and all that. Graduated with a BFA Art degree and now 2 years out of college. Currently working full time retail for $18 an hour and doing side gigs in their art field. We pay DC’s rent, phone, insurance, etc. in a big city. It sucks. Younger child is getting a business degree. Probably would prefer history, but we are happy with the choice. Already had a summer internship making $$$. I have decided that following your passion is only great if your parents are willing to support you for 10years post grad. YMMV.

Business + History double major is a popular combination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Asian unhooked kid from non dmv, 3.94 uw gpa( high rigor), 1570 one try, good ECs and leadship positions, no national awards/crazy non for profits to show for, rejected at uva (ooo), upenn econ, but in at upitt honors with merit, umd (legacy), case western (merit), and attends nyu stern concentrating in finance.

My DS is also unhooked and has almost the same stats but 4.0/valedictorian and got in RD to four top-10/ivy as well as got Rodman scholar at uva(Echols for engineers). No national awards or nonprofit founding but did have two state-level honors as well as competitive admission summer programs(free not pay to play) and leadership with ECs.

Lol, those are big differences

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most high-scoring kids wind up at the major flagships (Michigan, Georgia, Purdue, Rutgers, etc.). There just aren’t that many seats at the elite privates, and many of them are reserved for wealthy/connected/athletic students.

It’s not only a matter of there being a limited number of seats at elite privates. Once you get away from the coasts & a handful of wealthy suburbs elsewhere, you will find lots of brilliant kids who are perfectly content with their state’s flagship or other decent school that offers them a big scholarship. Of course nobody on the coasts can comprehend this, but….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lesson: apply undecided arts & sciences

1000+, stay away from CS, engineering & business majors

Really hate this kind of bad advice. Essentially asking kids to lie about their passion. What happens to integrity.

These brilliant kids, if not in at ivies, still end up in very top school like Georgia tech, Harvey Mudd, CMU.

You know darn well that for 75% of these kids business, CS, & engineering aren’t their passion but just a gateway into what they think will make them 6 figures. That’s what all this hullabaloo is about. Getting into a top school with the right major for the best ROI, good connections and networking, and opportunities so that your DC has a 6 figure job waiting for them at graduation. Please don’t start with this passion stuff. We all know why there’s an influx of these majors.

Will disagree. You can't get through an engineering degree if you don't have a passion for it. It's no one's la-di-dah fallback major. No student half-asses a degree in engineering. The students who try are out after freshman year. The people graduating with engineering degrees do tend to have a passion for designing and building things.

As for business, that attracts a lot of practical people who feel a profound need to be able to support a family. That's not a terrible thing at all. Maybe they love sociology or fine arts more, but they have both feet on the ground and will save those interests for hobbies or secondary career options. We all wish there were better economic options in 2025 for passion majors. But reality is reality, and some realize that earlier than others.

For CS, the days of the easy coding and a comfortable life are completely done. No one is choosing to major in CS today because they expect an easy glide through life. CS majors currently have the worst unemployment numbers of all majors. A student majoring in Computer Science today is as hardcore and passionate as an Art History major. They are not doing it for the career prospects.

Truth.

[Anonymous]

Read something today online from an IEC that said 90% of the oversubscribed major spots (CS, eng, business, and even bio/psych in some cases) are "allocated" at top schools after the early rounds...... (yes, even for schools that "don't admit by major" - they can't admit an entire freshman class of only CS kids).

So, for the high stats kids in the oversubscribed majors, they are just playing a game of roulette in RD. It works out for those kids who offer something else to the AO (geographic diversity, unusual accolades, talent/ability, or hooks).

I know this isn't rocket science, but I do think it explains some of the "shocking and disappointing" outcomes we hear about in RD for high stats kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read something today online from an IEC that said 90% of the oversubscribed major spots (CS, eng, business, and even bio/psych in some cases) are "allocated" at top schools after the early rounds...... (yes, even for schools that "don't admit by major" - they can't admit an entire freshman class of only CS kids).

So, for the high stats kids in the oversubscribed majors, they are just playing a game of roulette in RD. It works out for those kids who offer something else to the AO (geographic diversity, unusual accolades, talent/ability, or hooks).

I know this isn't rocket science, but I do think it explains some of the "shocking and disappointing" outcomes we hear about in RD for high stats kids.

Curious where you saw this?

My oldest child is applying this year with a very undersubscribed major and even with Naviance data etc., it's difficult to figure out where she stands relative to other applicants. Literally almost everyone at her high school seems to be applying in one of the 5 majors you mention (maybe economics too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read something today online from an IEC that said 90% of the oversubscribed major spots (CS, eng, business, and even bio/psych in some cases) are "allocated" at top schools after the early rounds...... (yes, even for schools that "don't admit by major" - they can't admit an entire freshman class of only CS kids).

So, for the high stats kids in the oversubscribed majors, they are just playing a game of roulette in RD. It works out for those kids who offer something else to the AO (geographic diversity, unusual accolades, talent/ability, or hooks).

I know this isn't rocket science, but I do think it explains some of the "shocking and disappointing" outcomes we hear about in RD for high stats kids.

Curious where you saw this?

My oldest child is applying this year with a very undersubscribed major and even with Naviance data etc., it's difficult to figure out where she stands relative to other applicants. Literally almost everyone at her high school seems to be applying in one of the 5 majors you mention (maybe economics too).

Not sure an undersubscribed major would make that big of a difference. Everywhere is crowded. There is no research done supporting that position at highly selective colleges. A few posters like to repeat that assertion again and again. But really not well supported.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read something today online from an IEC that said 90% of the oversubscribed major spots (CS, eng, business, and even bio/psych in some cases) are "allocated" at top schools after the early rounds...... (yes, even for schools that "don't admit by major" - they can't admit an entire freshman class of only CS kids).

So, for the high stats kids in the oversubscribed majors, they are just playing a game of roulette in RD. It works out for those kids who offer something else to the AO (geographic diversity, unusual accolades, talent/ability, or hooks).

I know this isn't rocket science, but I do think it explains some of the "shocking and disappointing" outcomes we hear about in RD for high stats kids.

Curious where you saw this?

My oldest child is applying this year with a very undersubscribed major and even with Naviance data etc., it's difficult to figure out where she stands relative to other applicants. Literally almost everyone at her high school seems to be applying in one of the 5 majors you mention (maybe economics too).

Not sure an undersubscribed major would make that big of a difference. Everywhere is crowded. There is no research done supporting that position at highly selective colleges. A few posters like to repeat that assertion again and again. But really not well supported.

If you have solid EC’s that support the major and an academic record to back it up, it matters. DS in at two top 5’s with a 1530 SAT. White, private school, full pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read something today online from an IEC that said 90% of the oversubscribed major spots (CS, eng, business, and even bio/psych in some cases) are "allocated" at top schools after the early rounds...... (yes, even for schools that "don't admit by major" - they can't admit an entire freshman class of only CS kids).

So, for the high stats kids in the oversubscribed majors, they are just playing a game of roulette in RD. It works out for those kids who offer something else to the AO (geographic diversity, unusual accolades, talent/ability, or hooks).

I know this isn't rocket science, but I do think it explains some of the "shocking and disappointing" outcomes we hear about in RD for high stats kids.

Curious where you saw this?

My oldest child is applying this year with a very undersubscribed major and even with Naviance data etc., it's difficult to figure out where she stands relative to other applicants. Literally almost everyone at her high school seems to be applying in one of the 5 majors you mention (maybe economics too).

Not sure an undersubscribed major would make that big of a difference. Everywhere is crowded. There is no research done supporting that position at highly selective colleges. A few posters like to repeat that assertion again and again. But really not well supported.

It can make a difference if you are truly invested in that major - and have evidence for that undersubscribed major in 4 places (transcript, ECs, LOR and essays). A student with a demonstrated interest in a less common major/field may stand out more. But you can't "game" it without the backup evidence.

A quick google search shows:
https://www.collegeraptor.com/explore-careers/articles/careers-internships/10-least-common-majors/
https://www.koppelmangroup.com/blog/2022/2/9/top-10-least-popular-majors-at-stanford
https://www.commandeducation.com/resource/applying-to-unpopular-majors/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31MvGs-j4RQ&t=17s

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read something today online from an IEC that said 90% of the oversubscribed major spots (CS, eng, business, and even bio/psych in some cases) are "allocated" at top schools after the early rounds...... (yes, even for schools that "don't admit by major" - they can't admit an entire freshman class of only CS kids).

So, for the high stats kids in the oversubscribed majors, they are just playing a game of roulette in RD. It works out for those kids who offer something else to the AO (geographic diversity, unusual accolades, talent/ability, or hooks).

I know this isn't rocket science, but I do think it explains some of the "shocking and disappointing" outcomes we hear about in RD for high stats kids.

Curious where you saw this?

My oldest child is applying this year with a very undersubscribed major and even with Naviance data etc., it's difficult to figure out where she stands relative to other applicants. Literally almost everyone at her high school seems to be applying in one of the 5 majors you mention (maybe economics too).

Not sure an undersubscribed major would make that big of a difference. Everywhere is crowded. There is no research done supporting that position at highly selective colleges. A few posters like to repeat that assertion again and again. But really not well supported.

It can make a difference if you are truly invested in that major - and have evidence for that undersubscribed major in 4 places (transcript, ECs, LOR and essays). A student with a demonstrated interest in a less common major/field may stand out more. But you can't "game" it without the backup evidence.

A quick google search shows:
https://www.collegeraptor.com/explore-careers/articles/careers-internships/10-least-common-majors/
https://www.koppelmangroup.com/blog/2022/2/9/top-10-least-popular-majors-at-stanford
https://www.commandeducation.com/resource/applying-to-unpopular-majors/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31MvGs-j4RQ&t=17s

But these links are all from private counseling services. They make a living by selling this type of "strategy." I would only take it with a grain of salt.
There isn't any official breakdown of acceptance rates by major. At ivies, I suspect the acceptance rates are pretty much the same if there is no separate admission. At least I haven't seen any.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read something today online from an IEC that said 90% of the oversubscribed major spots (CS, eng, business, and even bio/psych in some cases) are "allocated" at top schools after the early rounds...... (yes, even for schools that "don't admit by major" - they can't admit an entire freshman class of only CS kids).

So, for the high stats kids in the oversubscribed majors, they are just playing a game of roulette in RD. It works out for those kids who offer something else to the AO (geographic diversity, unusual accolades, talent/ability, or hooks).

I know this isn't rocket science, but I do think it explains some of the "shocking and disappointing" outcomes we hear about in RD for high stats kids.

Curious where you saw this?

My oldest child is applying this year with a very undersubscribed major and even with Naviance data etc., it's difficult to figure out where she stands relative to other applicants. Literally almost everyone at her high school seems to be applying in one of the 5 majors you mention (maybe economics too).

Not sure an undersubscribed major would make that big of a difference. Everywhere is crowded. There is no research done supporting that position at highly selective colleges. A few posters like to repeat that assertion again and again. But really not well supported.

It can make a difference if you are truly invested in that major - and have evidence for that undersubscribed major in 4 places (transcript, ECs, LOR and essays). A student with a demonstrated interest in a less common major/field may stand out more. But you can't "game" it without the backup evidence.

A quick google search shows:
https://www.collegeraptor.com/explore-careers/articles/careers-internships/10-least-common-majors/
https://www.koppelmangroup.com/blog/2022/2/9/top-10-least-popular-majors-at-stanford
https://www.commandeducation.com/resource/applying-to-unpopular-majors/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31MvGs-j4RQ&t=17s

But these links are all from private counseling services. They make a living by selling this type of "strategy." I would only take it with a grain of salt.
There isn't any official breakdown of acceptance rates by major. At ivies, I suspect the acceptance rates are pretty much the same if there is no separate admission. At least I haven't seen any.

Np.
Our private's CCO had 6 admissions officers come in last year for a roundtable. They basically said the reason they love our progressive private is how well prepared for the humanities everyone is and they know when kids declare a humanities major they mean it.

Its truly inconceivable that a college doesn't take into account a major. But, it doesn't make it easier per se.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read something today online from an IEC that said 90% of the oversubscribed major spots (CS, eng, business, and even bio/psych in some cases) are "allocated" at top schools after the early rounds...... (yes, even for schools that "don't admit by major" - they can't admit an entire freshman class of only CS kids).

So, for the high stats kids in the oversubscribed majors, they are just playing a game of roulette in RD. It works out for those kids who offer something else to the AO (geographic diversity, unusual accolades, talent/ability, or hooks).

I know this isn't rocket science, but I do think it explains some of the "shocking and disappointing" outcomes we hear about in RD for high stats kids.

Curious where you saw this?

My oldest child is applying this year with a very undersubscribed major and even with Naviance data etc., it's difficult to figure out where she stands relative to other applicants. Literally almost everyone at her high school seems to be applying in one of the 5 majors you mention (maybe economics too).

Not sure an undersubscribed major would make that big of a difference. Everywhere is crowded. There is no research done supporting that position at highly selective colleges. A few posters like to repeat that assertion again and again. But really not well supported.

It can make a difference if you are truly invested in that major - and have evidence for that undersubscribed major in 4 places (transcript, ECs, LOR and essays). A student with a demonstrated interest in a less common major/field may stand out more. But you can't "game" it without the backup evidence.

A quick google search shows:
https://www.collegeraptor.com/explore-careers/articles/careers-internships/10-least-common-majors/
https://www.koppelmangroup.com/blog/2022/2/9/top-10-least-popular-majors-at-stanford
https://www.commandeducation.com/resource/applying-to-unpopular-majors/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31MvGs-j4RQ&t=17s

This is what my kid had and she was accepted at a top 15 school despite mediocre SATs