Do parents help set up these non profits and businesses?

[Anonymous]

Of course it's 99% parent-done. It's such a waste of resources. If a kid really wanted to help they would probably be better off working for/fundraising for an established non-profit rather than putting the effort into starting something new that will last only long enough to get accepted to college.

[Anonymous]

yes, we knew a girl who in 6th grade "went to Africa to build houses" with a charity she established. hahahahahahah

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kindergartener has a nonprofit with a pretty good online advertising team.

Hoping to direct admit to HBS after 2nd grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course it's 99% parent-done. It's such a waste of resources. If a kid really wanted to help they would probably be better off working for/fundraising for an established non-profit rather than putting the effort into starting something new that will last only long enough to get accepted to college.

Op here. I hate that we have to do this. I guess it is better than letting my boys play video games all day. I will let them brainstorm and come up with a business plan.

[Anonymous]

Yes OP, the parents do this.

[Anonymous]

OP. You are missing the sarcasm. Yes, when this is done, it is mostly the parents.

But DO NOT do this. You will look like an idiot. It sort of worked to get kids in a few years ago, but colleges caught on, and now your kid will (appropriately) look like a douche.

[Anonymous]

The colleges can tell if it is the kids or parents idea, easily, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes but you are three years behind. We used it to get our kids into ivies.

He is still in middle school. I feel confident he will have the grades and test scores but if I just left it to him, he would probably play 2-3 sports and not much else. I know that isn’t enough these days.

This activity has probably jumped the shark. If your kid creates something super unique - I know a kid who devised an easy to use test for a rare blood disorder - then go for it. But unless your family has some long connection with the activity, then it is like the mission trips of yesteryear.

There were a few kids in DC's HS class who created a food/wares pantry for restaurant and service workers in COVID - based in a beach community. It really filled a void and was probably done with college admissions in mind. None of the kids got into an Ivy, but, again, it filled a void until outdoor dining took off.

[Anonymous]

OP, most of the time high schoolers are not establishing non-profits or getting fancy internships without a lot of parental help. I hope that most AOs have figured that out, but who knows. The best advice we got was to have our DCs participate in ECs that are authentic to them because it makes high school more enjoyable and when it's time to apply for college, there's a consistent and believable story to tell. Oldest DD (an unhooked student who had great grades/test scores/recommendations, but didn't have any ECs beyond varsity sports and other school engagement) just finished sophomore year at an ivy. Younger sibling (graduating this year) had the same, but did have a very unique summer project that fit her interests and showed a lot of initiative. She is headed to HYP this fall. High school should be it's own experience. Not everything needs to be done with an eye towards college admissions.

[Anonymous]

its not it's -- sorry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, most of the time high schoolers are not establishing non-profits or getting fancy internships without a lot of parental help. I hope that most AOs have figured that out, but who knows. The best advice we got was to have our DCs participate in ECs that are authentic to them because it makes high school more enjoyable and when it's time to apply for college, there's a consistent and believable story to tell. Oldest DD (an unhooked student who had great grades/test scores/recommendations, but didn't have any ECs beyond varsity sports and other school engagement) just finished sophomore year at an ivy. Younger sibling (graduating this year) had the same, but did have a very unique summer project that fit her interests and showed a lot of initiative. She is headed to HYP this fall. High school should be it's own experience. Not everything needs to be done with an eye towards college admissions.

My kid is more likely to teach tennis to low income kids or something like that. We are not creating a non profit that obviously parents set up. I do want my kids to brainstorm and come up with business ideas. Think that would be a productive summer activity. My older kids are 12 and 14.

[Anonymous]

When I did this in high school, it was completely my own idea. My parents had nothing to do with it, nor would they have known how. But yes, in college I noticed some peers had started nonprofits that were also funded by their uber wealthy parents.

[Anonymous]

AKA Bar Mitzvah and then Eagle Scout/ Gold Star projects.

[Anonymous]

A superstar at our high school published papers, has an internship before college has even started, is a member of multiple clubs and maybe captain of a sports team?

You don't have to start a nonprofit and it's dumb, IMO. I started one as an adult -- that is still going strong -- and the paperwork alone is a big pain. Time can be better spent elsewhere than on a fake nonprofit startup.

Win some national awards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, most of the time high schoolers are not establishing non-profits or getting fancy internships without a lot of parental help. I hope that most AOs have figured that out, but who knows. The best advice we got was to have our DCs participate in ECs that are authentic to them because it makes high school more enjoyable and when it's time to apply for college, there's a consistent and believable story to tell. Oldest DD (an unhooked student who had great grades/test scores/recommendations, but didn't have any ECs beyond varsity sports and other school engagement) just finished sophomore year at an ivy. Younger sibling (graduating this year) had the same, but did have a very unique summer project that fit her interests and showed a lot of initiative. She is headed to HYP this fall. High school should be it's own experience. Not everything needs to be done with an eye towards college admissions.

You are leaving something out or you're a troll. Donated a building? Legacy? Something. Your normal and average kid did not get accepted to HYP without a hook.

Full pay?