Parent of Junior here - Is this year extra bad or is this how it is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD recognizes that even with a 4.3 gpa, APs, and interesting ECs, admission to her top choices is iffy. High stats kids are a dime a dozen.

She will also apply to schools that are much less selective where she’s confident she would be accepted, probably with significant merit aid. If she ends up attending one of her lower-ranked choices, she will likely have plenty of her college fund left over for grad school.

Can you suggest some of the schools that your DD would be considering? Every place my similar DC is looking that used to be a safety or target has moved up at least one level. What's a good safety for someone who has worked so hard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a big focus on rural kids by AOs - have a friend at Ivy in a leadership role - and rural, whether Wyoming, Hawaii or WV is the golden ticket this year.

💯 and trauma

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a big focus on rural kids by AOs - have a friend at Ivy in a leadership role - and rural, whether Wyoming, Hawaii or WV is the golden ticket this year.

I'm not moving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a big focus on rural kids by AOs - have a friend at Ivy in a leadership role - and rural, whether Wyoming, Hawaii or WV is the golden ticket this year.

💯 and trauma

Wasn't there just a post on here about AOs being tired of reading about trauma all the time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a big focus on rural kids by AOs - have a friend at Ivy in a leadership role - and rural, whether Wyoming, Hawaii or WV is the golden ticket this year.

I'm not moving.

Too late.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a big focus on rural kids by AOs - have a friend at Ivy in a leadership role - and rural, whether Wyoming, Hawaii or WV is the golden ticket this year.

💯 and trauma

Wasn't there just a post on here about AOs being tired of reading about trauma all the time?

Not rural isolationism/trauma /alienation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to realize that your kid looks like a million other kids from the outside. A gazillion kids are taking 5 APs, etc. They. All. Look. The. Same.

So what makes your kid different from the rest? What makes him tick as a human being? What's his thing? Who is he? And you can't mention any numbers, or stats.

X1000 there’s absolutely nothing on a transcript that will make your kid stand out unless they are graduating 3 years ahead of time. Nothing.

The standout items are the things not on a transcript - life lessons, commitment to something, initiative not related to class assignments, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a big focus on rural kids by AOs - have a friend at Ivy in a leadership role - and rural, whether Wyoming, Hawaii or WV is the golden ticket this year.

I'm not moving.

Too late.

This is irrelevant. The question is about 4 vs. 5 APs and if that really makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD recognizes that even with a 4.3 gpa, APs, and interesting ECs, admission to her top choices is iffy. High stats kids are a dime a dozen.

She will also apply to schools that are much less selective where she’s confident she would be accepted, probably with significant merit aid. If she ends up attending one of her lower-ranked choices, she will likely have plenty of her college fund left over for grad school.

Can you suggest some of the schools that your DD would be considering? Every place my similar DC is looking that used to be a safety or target has moved up at least one level. What's a good safety for someone who has worked so hard?

Where are you located? Va, Md, DC or somewhere else? I can give better suggestions if I know where you would be in-state.

[Anonymous]

I think you raise an excellent point about whether it is worth doing this arms race if they are not going to be considered competitive anyway.

I wouldn't turn down a flex period. I don't think the colleges are even aware of it. All they are focusing on is what you are taking, and several APs is strong rigor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Next year is supposed to be a population cliff so it should be easier but who knows? I think the question is will your kid be burnt out or can he handle one more ap class? Probably best to compromise- don’t do flex but also don’t do another ap just to have it especially if he’s not into the subject. is there a class he’s more interested in like at a community college if he’s allowed to cross enroll?

This is incorrect, next year is peak. The decrease won’t start until 2026, and it isn’t really a cliff, more like a very gentle

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to realize that your kid looks like a million other kids from the outside. A gazillion kids are taking 5 APs, etc. They. All. Look. The. Same.

So what makes your kid different from the rest? What makes him tick as a human being? What's his thing? Who is he? And you can't mention any numbers, or stats.

X1000 there’s absolutely nothing on a transcript that will make your kid stand out unless they are graduating 3 years ahead of time. Nothing.

The standout items are the things not on a transcript - life lessons, commitment to something, initiative not related to class assignments, etc.

So is this an argument NOT to take all AP classes? Or, do you still need 5 APs to even get a chance to show you stand out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD recognizes that even with a 4.3 gpa, APs, and interesting ECs, admission to her top choices is iffy. High stats kids are a dime a dozen.

She will also apply to schools that are much less selective where she’s confident she would be accepted, probably with significant merit aid. If she ends up attending one of her lower-ranked choices, she will likely have plenty of her college fund left over for grad school.

Can you suggest some of the schools that your DD would be considering? Every place my similar DC is looking that used to be a safety or target has moved up at least one level. What's a good safety for someone who has worked so hard?

Where are you located? Va, Md, DC or somewhere else? I can give better suggestions if I know where you would be in-state.

Virginia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you raise an excellent point about whether it is worth doing this arms race if they are not going to be considered competitive anyway.

I wouldn't turn down a flex period. I don't think the colleges are even aware of it. All they are focusing on is what you are taking, and several APs is strong rigor.

Agree with this.

Clemson WAS brutal this year. There's not going to be any guarantee next year. Your kid sounds like a strong student. Just make sure he picks some safeties he really likes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to realize that your kid looks like a million other kids from the outside. A gazillion kids are taking 5 APs, etc. They. All. Look. The. Same.

So what makes your kid different from the rest? What makes him tick as a human being? What's his thing? Who is he? And you can't mention any numbers, or stats.

X1000 there’s absolutely nothing on a transcript that will make your kid stand out unless they are graduating 3 years ahead of time. Nothing.

The standout items are the things not on a transcript - life lessons, commitment to something, initiative not related to class assignments, etc.

So is this an argument NOT to take all AP classes? Or, do you still need 5 APs to even get a chance to show you stand out?

Depends on your peer group/high school