Distinguishing your application

[Anonymous]

I strongly recommend setting out to solve a problem.

Here is a problem in my community. My town, my county, or state. This is what's happening. This is what they should do. Do the research. Explain what would be needed to make her plan successful. Talk about how the classes and opportunities at this T15 will help her get there.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

She needs a serious academic focus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless she wants T15/ivy she does not need to do anything else than have top grades with max or close to max rigor and a couple of ECs she cares about. She has enough ECs for most schools below T15. She should make sure scores grades and coursework are up to par for the schools she is targeting T16-30. Below that it gets easier.

If she wants T15/ivy she’d better be very close to the top of her class at public, or for a private/top magnet like TJ, top10% or at least 15%, and she better have maxed out on rigor plus have great LOR that indicate she will be a good citizen on campus in and out of the classroom. She needs to show deep involvement with at least two ECs and needs to be able to convey why she cares about them. Some academic accolades/awards would be nice such as acceptance to selective summer programs or local/regional awards at a minimum. As a junior it is a little late to develop a deep EC interest that is genuine.

She is looking for T15/Ivy....
She has the grades, the rigor, and a 1520. Retaking.
Looking at political science, public policy, or sociology. Natl counseling firm thinks it's a stretch given no national awards or published research. They said her application is indistinguishable from thousands of other high-achieving girls interested in poli sci.
They are suggesting an ED1 to Emory, which seems strange (ED2 there might make sense?)

What types of things might make her distinctive or memorable enough to be admitted?

Do NOT do ED to Emory, especially if she goes to a feeder, as you have mentioned. Consider Cornell (public policy school), UChicago, and Northwestern for ED. ED2 Emory if she likes it enough.

It's a bit late, but to stand out, an independent project with measurable, targeted community impact would significantly help. That or a prestigious/impressive internship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I strongly recommend setting out to solve a problem.

Here is a problem in my community. My town, my county, or state. This is what's happening. This is what they should do. Do the research. Explain what would be needed to make her plan successful. Talk about how the classes and opportunities at this T15 will help her get there.

Good luck.

Agree. I would add she should get started on implementing the plan if at all possible.

Media exposure helps as well so she should put herself out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless she wants T15/ivy she does not need to do anything else than have top grades with max or close to max rigor and a couple of ECs she cares about. She has enough ECs for most schools below T15. She should make sure scores grades and coursework are up to par for the schools she is targeting T16-30. Below that it gets easier.

If she wants T15/ivy she’d better be very close to the top of her class at public, or for a private/top magnet like TJ, top10% or at least 15%, and she better have maxed out on rigor plus have great LOR that indicate she will be a good citizen on campus in and out of the classroom. She needs to show deep involvement with at least two ECs and needs to be able to convey why she cares about them. Some academic accolades/awards would be nice such as acceptance to selective summer programs or local/regional awards at a minimum. As a junior it is a little late to develop a deep EC interest that is genuine.

DP
This was really helpful, thank you!

[Anonymous]

OP, she sounds amazing. No matter where she goes, she'll be successful. Please copy this comment and put it in your phone. I am kidding. And then look at it in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years.

[Anonymous]

I am NOT kidding! I meant to say.

[Anonymous]

My daughter got into HYP w similar but..

- National MUN award
- critical language capability but not fluency
- essay prize in narrow geopolitical issue
-1530 sat

I'd say try to get the sat up a bit but that's not such a big deal. Nailing down a state or national award is important. Does she do debate?

I'd ask her to focus on an issue and write about in it school newspaper, john Locke essay , local newspaper. Topical but not already front page stuff. Something that came up via debate or MUN maybe. Korean internal politics. Looking at high speed rails in Japan vs LA. Something like that.

T15 always tough

But Georgetown isn't nearly as hard
Cornell policy school if really wants ivy
Macalaster w merit. IR/govt dept as strong as Georgetown for cheaper price.
Scripps as safety w access to CMC and Pomona majors

I wouldn't ED to Emory unless she wants it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter got into HYP w similar but..

- National MUN award
- critical language capability but not fluency
- essay prize in narrow geopolitical issue
-1530 sat

I'd say try to get the sat up a bit but that's not such a big deal. Nailing down a state or national award is important. Does she do debate?

I'd ask her to focus on an issue and write about in it school newspaper, john Locke essay , local newspaper. Topical but not already front page stuff. Something that came up via debate or MUN maybe. Korean internal politics. Looking at high speed rails in Japan vs LA. Something like that.

T15 always tough

But Georgetown isn't nearly as hard
Cornell policy school if really wants ivy
Macalaster w merit. IR/govt dept as strong as Georgetown for cheaper price.
Scripps as safety w access to CMC and Pomona majors

I wouldn't ED to Emory unless she wants it

I don’t mean to offend. But it’s a surprise that this is all for HYP. I knew several girls have similar profiles including what you list. They went o T25-30. I may I ask what’s the prize level of her essay? National, international, etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter got into HYP w similar but..

- National MUN award
- critical language capability but not fluency
- essay prize in narrow geopolitical issue
-1530 sat

I'd say try to get the sat up a bit but that's not such a big deal. Nailing down a state or national award is important. Does she do debate?

I'd ask her to focus on an issue and write about in it school newspaper, john Locke essay , local newspaper. Topical but not already front page stuff. Something that came up via debate or MUN maybe. Korean internal politics. Looking at high speed rails in Japan vs LA. Something like that.

T15 always tough

But Georgetown isn't nearly as hard
Cornell policy school if really wants ivy
Macalaster w merit. IR/govt dept as strong as Georgetown for cheaper price.
Scripps as safety w access to CMC and Pomona majors

I wouldn't ED to Emory unless she wants it

I don’t mean to offend. But it’s a surprise that this is all for HYP. I knew several girls have similar profiles including what you list. They went o T25-30. I may I ask what’s the prize level of her essay? National, international, etc?

If it’s a feeder private, it is not surprising at all. Or if kid is a legacy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter got into HYP w similar but..

- National MUN award
- critical language capability but not fluency
- essay prize in narrow geopolitical issue
-1530 sat

I'd say try to get the sat up a bit but that's not such a big deal. Nailing down a state or national award is important. Does she do debate?

I'd ask her to focus on an issue and write about in it school newspaper, john Locke essay , local newspaper. Topical but not already front page stuff. Something that came up via debate or MUN maybe. Korean internal politics. Looking at high speed rails in Japan vs LA. Something like that.

T15 always tough

But Georgetown isn't nearly as hard
Cornell policy school if really wants ivy
Macalaster w merit. IR/govt dept as strong as Georgetown for cheaper price.
Scripps as safety w access to CMC and Pomona majors

I wouldn't ED to Emory unless she wants it

Yes, Cornell ILR is not as hard, especially if NY residents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter got into HYP w similar but..

- National MUN award
- critical language capability but not fluency
- essay prize in narrow geopolitical issue
-1530 sat

I'd say try to get the sat up a bit but that's not such a big deal. Nailing down a state or national award is important. Does she do debate?

I'd ask her to focus on an issue and write about in it school newspaper, john Locke essay , local newspaper. Topical but not already front page stuff. Something that came up via debate or MUN maybe. Korean internal politics. Looking at high speed rails in Japan vs LA. Something like that.

T15 always tough

But Georgetown isn't nearly as hard
Cornell policy school if really wants ivy
Macalaster w merit. IR/govt dept as strong as Georgetown for cheaper price.
Scripps as safety w access to CMC and Pomona majors

I wouldn't ED to Emory unless she wants it

Yes, Cornell ILR is not as hard, especially if NY residents.

Brooks (public policy) is not the same as ILR.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter got into HYP w similar but..

- National MUN award
- critical language capability but not fluency
- essay prize in narrow geopolitical issue
-1530 sat

I'd say try to get the sat up a bit but that's not such a big deal. Nailing down a state or national award is important. Does she do debate?

I'd ask her to focus on an issue and write about in it school newspaper, john Locke essay , local newspaper. Topical but not already front page stuff. Something that came up via debate or MUN maybe. Korean internal politics. Looking at high speed rails in Japan vs LA. Something like that.

T15 always tough

But Georgetown isn't nearly as hard
Cornell policy school if really wants ivy
Macalaster w merit. IR/govt dept as strong as Georgetown for cheaper price.
Scripps as safety w access to CMC and Pomona majors

I wouldn't ED to Emory unless she wants it

Just curious how you think IR at JHU or Tufts compare to these other schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter got into HYP w similar but..

- National MUN award
- critical language capability but not fluency
- essay prize in narrow geopolitical issue
-1530 sat

I'd say try to get the sat up a bit but that's not such a big deal. Nailing down a state or national award is important. Does she do debate?

I'd ask her to focus on an issue and write about in it school newspaper, john Locke essay , local newspaper. Topical but not already front page stuff. Something that came up via debate or MUN maybe. Korean internal politics. Looking at high speed rails in Japan vs LA. Something like that.

T15 always tough

But Georgetown isn't nearly as hard
Cornell policy school if really wants ivy
Macalaster w merit. IR/govt dept as strong as Georgetown for cheaper price.
Scripps as safety w access to CMC and Pomona majors

I wouldn't ED to Emory unless she wants it

Yes, Cornell ILR is not as hard, especially if NY residents.

Brooks (public policy) is not the same as ILR.....

You are right, they are not. But these two are of a same level of selectivity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter got into HYP w similar but..

- National MUN award
- critical language capability but not fluency
- essay prize in narrow geopolitical issue
-1530 sat

I'd say try to get the sat up a bit but that's not such a big deal. Nailing down a state or national award is important. Does she do debate?

I'd ask her to focus on an issue and write about in it school newspaper, john Locke essay , local newspaper. Topical but not already front page stuff. Something that came up via debate or MUN maybe. Korean internal politics. Looking at high speed rails in Japan vs LA. Something like that.

T15 always tough

But Georgetown isn't nearly as hard
Cornell policy school if really wants ivy
Macalaster w merit. IR/govt dept as strong as Georgetown for cheaper price.
Scripps as safety w access to CMC and Pomona majors

I wouldn't ED to Emory unless she wants it

Yes, Cornell ILR is not as hard, especially if NY residents.

Brooks (public policy) is not the same as ILR.....

You are right, they are not. But these two are of a same level of selectivity.

Based on the #s Brooks has fewer slots and might be more difficult in RD.