Parents getting sibling’s hopes up for top 10+ Michigan when there is no chance

[Anonymous]

Where did OP say this kid was in MCPS?
If they were in a private school there would be 15 grades over 3 years or in DCPS 18 grades.

I can't with this stupidity. The OP never said this kid was in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

OP, college counselor here. There's no way your sister will be admitted to Maryland or Michigan with her grades, even with context described.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Is this a troll? Most ED/EA deadlines are Nov 1st.

Obviously the deadlines are Nov 1. Ergo the verbiage in the original post about submitting the two apps a few days after the deadline since the supplements are lacking.

Hmm. Well, if you're not a troll, you should give a veneer of help, so that in this heightened state of stress, nobody can come back and accuse you of sabotaging your sister's chances at an Ivy. For some reason, I feel your family would stoop that low. Polish off her supplementals, she sends them in whenever, and that's it. She doesn't get in, she gets into the tier below UMD, and after much water under the bridge has passed, I'm sure she'll be a little miffed that her parents made her stress out so much during fall of senior year.

I understand that YOU are angry that your parents don't see the difference in work ethic/achievement between you and your siblings. Maybe secretly they know, but they can't help rolling the dice again.

They realize the difference in grades, etc. But like you intimated, it is a lottery to them. They think there is some chance. What they fail to realize is college admissions, particularly at elite schools, are not a lottery when you do not meet some of the basic criteria-- grades/blemished transcript, etc. You can argue it gets to lottery level schools are choosing between applicants that have the required stats to get in.

+1 You only get to purchase a lottery ticket if your have the resume for it. If you don't, no ticket for you. You are just throwing away your time and money

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This has to be a troll. I don't think it's mathematically possible to have a 3.5 with multiple Cs and a D.

Yes, it is, especially if you have a lot of As to balance things out.

Let's say there are 18 grades from 3 years of school.
15 As plus 2 Cs plus 1 D
= 3.5

So this kid has all straight As plus 2 Cs and 1 D?

Seems unlikely that every other grade was a straight A.

Seems like she has one subject that she really struggles with, hence a C, C, and D for the first 3 years of HS in that subject?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a kid cannot apply to college on their own, then maybe they shouldn't be applying.

Hahaha Then 90% wouldn’t go to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where did OP say this kid was in MCPS?
If they were in a private school there would be 15 grades over 3 years or in DCPS 18 grades.

I can't with this stupidity. The OP never said this kid was in MCPS.

She didn’t say they weren’t either. We just don’t know. So it could be a number of different grade scenarios.

[Anonymous]

Unless it's changed in the last couple of years, Michigan doesn't count 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think your perspective and advice are right on (except for sending in late apps, unless she's reached out to an AO about it).

My 2nd kid is also applying to sib's top school w/5% acceptance, but her UW GPA is 3.96 in a magnet program with lots of magnet and AP classes. And, she has a variety of excellent ECs and awards. But, she is well aware that this is still a big reach and that she needs to love her safeties and targets. If she had your sister's stats, I would advise her same as you.

You picked some great college options for her. Marist is beautiful. SMCM is a gem -- have heard nothing but great things about it.

I hope she listens to you. Keep us posted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where did OP say this kid was in MCPS?
If they were in a private school there would be 15 grades over 3 years or in DCPS 18 grades.

I can't with this stupidity. The OP never said this kid was in MCPS.

DP. With SMCM, Towson and UMD on the list, she must be MD resident and likely MCPS. Is this rant worth the outrage?

[Anonymous]

So OP you think your sister isn’t as smart as you and the first thing you thought is to post that here? Mean sister!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So OP you think your sister isn’t as smart as you and the first thing you thought is to post that here? Mean sister!

That's not even remotely how OP's post came across. 🙄

[Anonymous]

Honestly, don’t feel responsible and don’t feel like you need to be the dose of reality—that will come soon enough with declines. Help a little bit on essay edits and call it a day for Michigan. You can be more helpful by positively hyping up more realistic schools (you do not need to point out they are more realistic—just say you have friends that really like them—maybe suggest Pitt with rolling admissions/optional essay?

[Anonymous]

Posting results to date if at all helpful to anyone.

Accepted
UMBC
Towson
St. Mary’s
Union College
St. Olaf

Deferred
Alma Mater with ~5% acceptance rate (ED)
Case Western

Rejected
Macalester

Super thrilled about the LAC acceptances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless it's changed in the last couple of years, Michigan doesn't count 9th grade.

They do now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Posting results to date if at all helpful to anyone.

Accepted
UMBC
Towson
St. Mary’s
Union College
St. Olaf

Deferred
Alma Mater with ~5% acceptance rate (ED)
Case Western

Rejected
Macalester

Super thrilled about the LAC acceptances.

Looks like you did a good job of helping your sib with the likely list. Pat on the back for you!