How is your gifted kid doing at a lower-ranked college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Better than she would have at a "higher-ranked" college. She's crushing her classes, doing killer research with her professor, which will turn into a stellar senior thesis. She has great recommendations lined up for grad school and has enjoyed her time immensely at her low-stress, less competative, "lower-ranked" college. Plus, she much prefers the company of the down-to-earth students as opposed to the privileged snobs she'd encounter at a "highr-ranked" school.

Yes, thank you. this is the outcome I seek, but will it happen?

It is solely up to your daughter. It really doesn’t sound like she currently has a great attitude in high school. If she goes to what she perceives to be a lower ranked college and has the same attitude, then no it will not happen. If she goes to lower ranked college and decides to take advantage of all the opportunities presented to her for being the big fish in the little pond, then yes it will happen.

Only she can decide her fate. Does she realize that?

+1

I was a "gifted" kid who did well in HS (at which time no one was calling me gifted anymore because that's nomenclature for little kids). Through a bad string of luck, and some crappy advice about financial aid, I ended up at my state's flagship over the SLAC of my dreams, where I'd been admitted on early decision.

I did very well, found my peers, and developed much closer relationships with my professors than you would expect for a school that size. But you know what else I did? I never once thought I was better than the "hicks" and "stoners" who had wanted the flagship all along. I realized that I'd relied on bad advice, and I knew I had one chance to work my a** off and make up for the lack of a selective undergrad degree with a top-notch graduate program.

Your child will find their intellectual peers literally anywhere. The question is whether she is willing to buckle down and do the work.

[Anonymous]

I think the term "college is what you make of it" applies here.

However, it sounds like OPs kid does well when surrounded by other gifted kids. Not sure what the answer is, but perhaps she would not be happy being around regular students at a state flagship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is a junior, and her only options for college are in-state because of our family's financial situation. She has a 3.88 at a good public high school, one sport, no ECs to speak of. She hates high school with a passion, thinks it's idiotic, all her classes are stupid, hates the administration and its crazy rules and incompetence, etc. She does the work because her friends do it, but she has no enthusiasm for school at all.

She went to CTY at Johns Hopkins for three summers, where she really blossomed. She told me recently those were the happiest weeks of her life. Her CTY teachers said she was "exceptional" and "outstanding."

I'm not bragging, I'm worried. I fear she'll be unhappy and unchallenged in college. We can't afford to send her to a CTY-like top college. If you have a similarly gifted kid who went to a lower-ranked college, how did s/he do? Did your child find a peer group? Were the classes interesting/challenging enough? Any advice most appreciated.

I know know where you live but UVa and UMD will be hard nuts to crack with that stat. A lot of kids to CTY (mine included), it doesn't mean anything as far as college admission is concern.

Did OP get FA to attend CTY? Those programs are expensive, which is why we never sent our twice exceptional kids.

I disagree. CTY could make or break a competitive application. The question is, is it enough to get FA from an Ivy or top ranked school?

[Anonymous]

How much does CTY buy you in college admissions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is a junior, and her only options for college are in-state because of our family's financial situation. She has a 3.88 at a good public high school, one sport, no ECs to speak of. She hates high school with a passion, thinks it's idiotic, all her classes are stupid, hates the administration and its crazy rules and incompetence, etc. She does the work because her friends do it, but she has no enthusiasm for school at all.

She went to CTY at Johns Hopkins for three summers, where she really blossomed. She told me recently those were the happiest weeks of her life. Her CTY teachers said she was "exceptional" and "outstanding."

I'm not bragging, I'm worried. I fear she'll be unhappy and unchallenged in college. We can't afford to send her to a CTY-like top college. If you have a similarly gifted kid who went to a lower-ranked college, how did s/he do? Did your child find a peer group? Were the classes interesting/challenging enough? Any advice most appreciated.

I know know where you live but UVa and UMD will be hard nuts to crack with that stat. A lot of kids to CTY (mine included), it doesn't mean anything as far as college admission is concern.

Did OP get FA to attend CTY? Those programs are expensive, which is why we never sent our twice exceptional kids.

I disagree. CTY could make or break a competitive application. The question is, is it enough to get FA from an Ivy or top ranked school?

No.

CTY is not a factor in college admissions. Don't know where you got that, but it's not true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is a junior, and her only options for college are in-state because of our family's financial situation. She has a 3.88 at a good public high school, one sport, no ECs to speak of. She hates high school with a passion, thinks it's idiotic, all her classes are stupid, hates the administration and its crazy rules and incompetence, etc. She does the work because her friends do it, but she has no enthusiasm for school at all.

She went to CTY at Johns Hopkins for three summers, where she really blossomed. She told me recently those were the happiest weeks of her life. Her CTY teachers said she was "exceptional" and "outstanding."

I'm not bragging, I'm worried. I fear she'll be unhappy and unchallenged in college. We can't afford to send her to a CTY-like top college. If you have a similarly gifted kid who went to a lower-ranked college, how did s/he do? Did your child find a peer group? Were the classes interesting/challenging enough? Any advice most appreciated.

I know know where you live but UVa and UMD will be hard nuts to crack with that stat. A lot of kids to CTY (mine included), it doesn't mean anything as far as college admission is concern.

Did OP get FA to attend CTY? Those programs are expensive, which is why we never sent our twice exceptional kids.

I disagree. CTY could make or break a competitive application. The question is, is it enough to get FA from an Ivy or top ranked school?

No.

CTY is not a factor in college admissions. Don't know where you got that, but it's not true.

Here is what we know about OPs child:

3.88 GPA
CTY
Needs FA

Where can she get in?

[Anonymous]

OP, regardless of grades and scores, I think your DD can find a college where students value the sorts of thing your DD does. You just have to spend some time looking for particular qualities, and not just at the most elite schools.

One resource I found helpful was reading reviews of individual schools at Unigo.com. Even if there are just a few reviews, I feel that I can get a decent feel for the school.

For example, I looked at the same question for two different schools often recommended on DCUM: "Are there intellectual conversations?" (listed under "Campus Topics"). At School A, 8% of respondents said "we save it for the classroom," and 34% said "Sometimes, but not often," so 42% total for those two lower categories. At School B, no students said "we save it for the classroom," and only 8% said "Sometimes, but not often." In contrast, 76% said "There's usually intelligent conversation to be found." and 16% said "All the time, including weekends." So students at School B seem much more engaged intellectually outside of classes.

Looking further at the stats, I see that School A is "more selective" (42% accepted) while School B is "selective," (74% accepted). Your DD might have a better shot at School B, AND it might be a better fit if she's looking for peers interested in intellectual discussions outside of class.

Yes, the surveys only include some students, so use due diligence. But I think reading about schools--of all selectivity levels--can help you and your DD identify schools where she can find "her people" and be challenged intellectually.

[Anonymous]

I believe the JHU undergrad application asks if an applicant had done CTY. It's a factor in JHU, although I imagine it's only one of many factors.

[Jennae]

Mine aren't old enough for college yet, but my view is that you're going to get a good education at just about any college. The quality of teaching may be lower at community colleges and junior colleges, but even that I'm not sure of. If your child is going to a university, they should be plenty challenged and have opportunities to learn from people that do work and research in their field. Whether that's at Harvard or not doesn't much matter to me outside of the name recognition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, regardless of grades and scores, I think your DD can find a college where students value the sorts of thing your DD does. You just have to spend some time looking for particular qualities, and not just at the most elite schools.

One resource I found helpful was reading reviews of individual schools at Unigo.com. Even if there are just a few reviews, I feel that I can get a decent feel for the school.

For example, I looked at the same question for two different schools often recommended on DCUM: "Are there intellectual conversations?" (listed under "Campus Topics"). At School A, 8% of respondents said "we save it for the classroom," and 34% said "Sometimes, but not often," so 42% total for those two lower categories. At School B, no students said "we save it for the classroom," and only 8% said "Sometimes, but not often." In contrast, 76% said "There's usually intelligent conversation to be found." and 16% said "All the time, including weekends." So students at School B seem much more engaged intellectually outside of classes.

Looking further at the stats, I see that School A is "more selective" (42% accepted) while School B is "selective," (74% accepted). Your DD might have a better shot at School B, AND it might be a better fit if she's looking for peers interested in intellectual discussions outside of class.

Yes, the surveys only include some students, so use due diligence. But I think reading about schools--of all selectivity levels--can help you and your DD identify schools where she can find "her people" and be challenged intellectually.

OR... what school B students count as intellectual conversations isn’t on the same plane as what students from school A consider to be intellectual conversations...
See, completely meaningless, PP. don’t waste your time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is a junior, and her only options for college are in-state because of our family's financial situation. She has a 3.88 at a good public high school, one sport, no ECs to speak of. She hates high school with a passion, thinks it's idiotic, all her classes are stupid, hates the administration and its crazy rules and incompetence, etc. She does the work because her friends do it, but she has no enthusiasm for school at all.

She went to CTY at Johns Hopkins for three summers, where she really blossomed. She told me recently those were the happiest weeks of her life. Her CTY teachers said she was "exceptional" and "outstanding."

I'm not bragging, I'm worried. I fear she'll be unhappy and unchallenged in college. We can't afford to send her to a CTY-like top college. If you have a similarly gifted kid who went to a lower-ranked college, how did s/he do? Did your child find a peer group? Were the classes interesting/challenging enough? Any advice most appreciated.

I know know where you live but UVa and UMD will be hard nuts to crack with that stat. A lot of kids to CTY (mine included), it doesn't mean anything as far as college admission is concern.

Did OP get FA to attend CTY? Those programs are expensive, which is why we never sent our twice exceptional kids.

I disagree. CTY could make or break a competitive application. The question is, is it enough to get FA from an Ivy or top ranked school?

No.

CTY is not a factor in college admissions. Don't know where you got that, but it's not true.

Here is what we know about OPs child:

3.88 GPA
CTY
Needs FA

Where can she get in?

Not any top college, but beyond that we need info on AP exams and SAT/ACT that OP has not wished to share.

[Anonymous]

Most gifted middle class kids are in the same boat OP. Tale as old as time. Rich kids parents can pay + poorer kids get aid. As cold as it may sound, your child will need to join the state school bandwagon. Take honors courses. My dh + I were middle class schlubs at nowhere state u. + are now multi- millionaires. Many Americans share our story. Your child should be fine. Just avoid making a federal case out of it.

[Anonymous]

Jennae wrote:Mine aren't old enough for college yet, but my view is that you're going to get a good education at just about any college. The quality of teaching may be lower at community colleges and junior colleges, but even that I'm not sure of. If your child is going to a university, they should be plenty challenged and have opportunities to learn from people that do work and research in their field. Whether that's at Harvard or not doesn't much matter to me outside of the name recognition.

Oy what would make someone say such a thing. How many colleges did you attend? Do you work in higher ed? You really think low performing atmosphere, peer group and low watt professors at backwater colleges have no impact of your child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there really people who make over $250k and won’t send their kid to a SLAC? 😲

Yes, but that’s for educational reasons!

I'm thinking this entire thread doesn't apply as much to STEM majors. This child sounds like an angst-filled philosophy or other liberal arts major, which is fine -- no shade -- just that the same concerns don't really apply, as it's often that a public university that is better for these majors.

OP, has your daughter taken a standardized test recently? If she gets a high score, she might be able to get merit money to bring the cost down enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, regardless of grades and scores, I think your DD can find a college where students value the sorts of thing your DD does. You just have to spend some time looking for particular qualities, and not just at the most elite schools.

One resource I found helpful was reading reviews of individual schools at Unigo.com. Even if there are just a few reviews, I feel that I can get a decent feel for the school.

For example, I looked at the same question for two different schools often recommended on DCUM: "Are there intellectual conversations?" (listed under "Campus Topics"). At School A, 8% of respondents said "we save it for the classroom," and 34% said "Sometimes, but not often," so 42% total for those two lower categories. At School B, no students said "we save it for the classroom," and only 8% said "Sometimes, but not often." In contrast, 76% said "There's usually intelligent conversation to be found." and 16% said "All the time, including weekends." So students at School B seem much more engaged intellectually outside of classes.

Looking further at the stats, I see that School A is "more selective" (42% accepted) while School B is "selective," (74% accepted). Your DD might have a better shot at School B, AND it might be a better fit if she's looking for peers interested in intellectual discussions outside of class.

Yes, the surveys only include some students, so use due diligence. But I think reading about schools--of all selectivity levels--can help you and your DD identify schools where she can find "her people" and be challenged intellectually.

OR... what school B students count as intellectual conversations isn’t on the same plane as what students from school A consider to be intellectual conversations...
See, completely meaningless, PP. don’t waste your time.

Do you not accept that different schools are different? School A: 46% say Greek life is "everything," while School B has no Greek life. Still indistinguishable to you?