ISO a college that really cares about leadership

[Anonymous]

* ND likes our HS and they accept a couple kids every year with this GPA (and reject more).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:private school kid. feeder school and yes, we will talk to guidance counselor again, probably twice. not dc, not ny.
3.75 GPA in a school that deflates - if this had been 3.8 or so a lot more doors would be open, but it is what it is.
1550 SAT
best in-school leadership possible, including elected school leadership and faculty awards.
best LOR
some regional/state awards in things like debate/debate adjacent.

I'm not at all worried about him in life - he's mature, he's kind, he's good at what he's good at, he just doesnt put the time to get the A in things he doesnt care about, like Spanish. Which is frustrating to me, sure, but it's fine.

Full pay, humanities, not hooked.

Every kid in the last 20 years who has his same school position at the his school has gone to HYP. That's not happening. And we have plenty of safeties he'd be happy with. Just trying to find reaches and targets - the higher up the rankings, the more the colleges with know his school and his position in school. But that GPA. Lower down the rankings and I think random admissions readers might not know school, certainly won't know position.

GC says ND will is an "almost safety". I've put it on the reach side because I just think his GPA makes nothing except true safeties feel secure. And I'm not sure ND is a fit - but maybe.

Any other reaches? IOW, which T30 schools will sometimes take a kid with lower GPA. (not counting athletes, questbridge, donor etc)

You might want to read this thread.
It was VERY helpful for my non-DMV private kid who went through the process last year - not top 10% but going to a T10....but its a school where at least the top 25-30% gets into T25 (and in most years its a higher %).

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1218940.page

[Anonymous]

SLAC would be a great choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
GPA too low for HYP, I think. Might try Princeton. I think it's a super reach.

HYPMS are super reaches for everyone.

I don't think they are unlikely for your DC because of his GPA. It certainly crosses the threshold. But I think his profile is not that level yet. I wouldn't even consider trying Princeton, it's a waste of time. Focusing on T20 or even T15. SLACs as well.

Of course you also got to find a few safeties (not ND!) that your DC would love to attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
GPA too low for HYP, I think. Might try Princeton. I think it's a super reach.

HYPMS are super reaches for everyone.

I don't think they are unlikely for your DC because of his GPA. It certainly crosses the threshold. But I think his profile is not that level yet. I wouldn't even consider trying Princeton, it's a waste of time. Focusing on T20 or even T15. SLACs as well.

Of course you also got to find a few safeties (not ND!) that your DC would love to attend.

She said she had "plenty of safeties she'd be happy with". No need for your commentary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does “ elected school leadership” mean? If it is something like Student Body President and the kids has excellent LORs (best of career type, not best of year) I recommend your kid apply to HYS. Stanford AOs literally COUNT the number of leadership positions a kid has. They are not looking for what impact the kid has had, just the count. Yale cares a ton about how the kid has made use of the resources available to them — so if it is leadership and using those resources to impact a local community, Yale would be good. Harvard loves student body presidents and best of career LORs, so…..

I know you said not HYP, but I’d encourage your kid to reach a bit while having zero expectations.

But don't REA to any of them (maybe P).....wasted at HYS

Yes, I forgot to say don’t REA — in general, don’t REA if you are unhooked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
GPA too low for HYP, I think. Might try Princeton. I think it's a super reach.

HYPMS are super reaches for everyone.

I don't think they are unlikely for your DC because of his GPA. It certainly crosses the threshold. But I think his profile is not that level yet. I wouldn't even consider trying Princeton, it's a waste of time. Focusing on T20 or even T15. SLACs as well.

Of course you also got to find a few safeties (not ND!) that your DC would love to attend.

She said she had "plenty of safeties she'd be happy with". No need for your commentary.

Sorry, OP. Just saw that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:* ND likes our HS and they accept a couple kids every year with this GPA (and reject more).

OK, that's good. I dinged it on the first page because kids from my son's private are having a TOUGH time getting in there the past couple of years. I think the leadership will definitely help, though.

Glad he likes SLACs ... he should have plenty of good ones to choose from. Would he like a Colgate/Hamilton?

[Anonymous]

Try for P - why not?

But do a lot of research (they like academic independence - does your kid have some sort of independent project?; they like community impact; they like extraordinary passion; and they want memorable & unique ECs).

If not hooked (URM, legacy, FGLI, Donor, Faculty), you really need to dig deep on a pointy narrative for your kid to stand out. Create a new post with all ECs/majors/classes etc and ask for feedback (here or reddit).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:* ND likes our HS and they accept a couple kids every year with this GPA (and reject more).

OK, that's good. I dinged it on the first page because kids from my son's private are having a TOUGH time getting in there the past couple of years. I think the leadership will definitely help, though.

Glad he likes SLACs ... he should have plenty of good ones to choose from. Would he like a Colgate/Hamilton?

Colgate is where kids with a 3.5 go from our HS.

[Anonymous]

Find a niche major OP. You said humanities - but what exactly.

If history, it might not be "niche" enough.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if Williams likes leadership, but they really admit a wider than usual GPA range from our school. imo, they have a good process and take engaged kids. they reject a ton of highest GPA kids, while accepting some lower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try for P - why not?

But do a lot of research (they like academic independence - does your kid have some sort of independent project?; they like community impact; they like extraordinary passion; and they want memorable & unique ECs).

If not hooked (URM, legacy, FGLI, Donor, Faculty), you really need to dig deep on a pointy narrative for your kid to stand out. Create a new post with all ECs/majors/classes etc and ask for feedback (here or reddit).

For unhooked, Princeton is unrealistic for this kid. Zero chance.
Colgate and Hamilton, like another poster said, is for 3.5 or slightly below kids.
His focus should be T20, T15, or SWAP, Bowdoin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:* ND likes our HS and they accept a couple kids every year with this GPA (and reject more).

OK, that's good. I dinged it on the first page because kids from my son's private are having a TOUGH time getting in there the past couple of years. I think the leadership will definitely help, though.

Glad he likes SLACs ... he should have plenty of good ones to choose from. Would he like a Colgate/Hamilton?

Colgate is where kids with a 3.5 go from our HS.

OP He has safeties in this range that we've visited, he's kept up demonstrated interest, etc. Feel good about safeties! I actually think his current list has too many safeties.

[Anonymous]

Vandy luvs leadership - kid would be a shoo in