Extracurriculars

[Anonymous]

I just went through this with my DD and the process Strips away the blinders too late. It's like they literally put all the applicants in a sieve and shake them down until they land were they are "supposed" to be. I know that's it's not a coincidence that my daughter's SAT scores absolutely match the college she is going to. My daughter had great scores but obscenely high Math scores. Her college has above average sat scores but obscenely high Math scores. That's just the way it works. If you go and look at a school's stats you will be very upset about the average GPA of entering freshmen. No they do not recalculate. That is something they stopped doing twenty years ago. Be happy with who your child is and support what she wants to do. Let go of the rest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I guess my point is for her not to exhaust herself. Her goal is to at least try to get her business idea off the ground as she thinks that would be an accomplishment that really sets her apart.

If she is interested in business. I recommend Miami University (in Ohio- not Florida). It is a top ranked Business school and not as difficult to get into overall. They also have a generous financial aid package based on grades and SAT scores.

[Anonymous]

My daughter has not taken the SAT/ACT yet, so we don't know where she'll land on that end. She'll probably take them both for the first time next Spring.

Also, regarding GPA most of the college we visited say that they look at the last two years. So, she can work to pull her grades up, but at the same time is in a very demanding program. I do worry that some of her teachers have been unnecessarily harsh graders. Her English teacher, for example, told parents most students in his class would be getting Cs!

Also, how much does an upward trend in grades over junior and senior year matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I guess my point is for her not to exhaust herself. Her goal is to at least try to get her business idea off the ground as she thinks that would be an accomplishment that really sets her apart.

This is so much more important that her grades or what college she goes to. If she has it in her to start her own business, I would not worry about the rest. She's going to do fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the college. Some like the dedication shown by kids who only do a few things but have done them for long periods. I highly recommend your daughter do an interview when she applies, it will really help back up her passions.

Spoken like a true novice to the college admissions process. Most colleges don't do or even consider interviews, and the ones that do typically only assign it minimal weight. I wouldn't count on turning a decision around on the basis of an interview.

The bottom line is that extracurriculars play a distant third in the process at best, behind grades, test scores and probably URM status. In some schools they don't matter at all, and in every school where they do matter, a couple of extracurriculars seen all the way through school will trump the "serial joiner" every time.

Based on your decription of what your DD is up to, I'd say she's fine on the extracurricular front for many, many good colleges. Maybe not Harvard, but she won't get in there with a B average anyway.

I'd stop worrying so much about extras and encourage her to pull her grades up the best she can, without stressing her out. Beyond that, I'd leave her alone.

Your post just proves that ignorance and arrogance is an unbeatable combination!

OP, do not listen to this ignorant poster. We went through the college admissions process last year. Many colleges do encourage and some require admissions interviews. We discovered that interviews are helpful to admissions counselors in deciding how interested your child is in their school. The only colleges DC didn't get into (or was waitlisted) were colleges that DC didn't visit or interview at, including some of her safety schools. If you can visit the college, definitely schedule an interview!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the college. Some like the dedication shown by kids who only do a few things but have done them for long periods. I highly recommend your daughter do an interview when she applies, it will really help back up her passions.

Spoken like a true novice to the college admissions process. Most colleges don't do or even consider interviews, and the ones that do typically only assign it minimal weight. I wouldn't count on turning a decision around on the basis of an interview.

The bottom line is that extracurriculars play a distant third in the process at best, behind grades, test scores and probably URM status. In some schools they don't matter at all, and in every school where they do matter, a couple of extracurriculars seen all the way through school will trump the "serial joiner" every time.

Based on your decription of what your DD is up to, I'd say she's fine on the extracurricular front for many, many good colleges. Maybe not Harvard, but she won't get in there with a B average anyway.

I'd stop worrying so much about extras and encourage her to pull her grades up the best she can, without stressing her out. Beyond that, I'd leave her alone.

Your post just proves that ignorance and arrogance is an unbeatable combination!

OP, do not listen to this ignorant poster. We went through the college admissions process last year. Many colleges do encourage and some require admissions interviews. We discovered that interviews are helpful to admissions counselors in deciding how interested your child is in their school. The only colleges DC didn't get into (or was waitlisted) were colleges that DC didn't visit or interview at, including some of her safety schools. If you can visit the college, definitely schedule an interview!

Define "many." U-Va, for example, doesn't require or encourage interviews and is on record that "demonstrated interest" is not a factor in admissions. I highly doubt that Miami of Ohio requires or encourages interviews as well. If your DC didn't get into some of her "safety" schools, all that tells me is that you handled the process wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the college. Some like the dedication shown by kids who only do a few things but have done them for long periods. I highly recommend your daughter do an interview when she applies, it will really help back up her passions.

Spoken like a true novice to the college admissions process. Most colleges don't do or even consider interviews, and the ones that do typically only assign it minimal weight. I wouldn't count on turning a decision around on the basis of an interview.

The bottom line is that extracurriculars play a distant third in the process at best, behind grades, test scores and probably URM status. In some schools they don't matter at all, and in every school where they do matter, a couple of extracurriculars seen all the way through school will trump the "serial joiner" every time.

Based on your decription of what your DD is up to, I'd say she's fine on the extracurricular front for many, many good colleges. Maybe not Harvard, but she won't get in there with a B average anyway.

I'd stop worrying so much about extras and encourage her to pull her grades up the best she can, without stressing her out. Beyond that, I'd leave her alone.

Your post just proves that ignorance and arrogance is an unbeatable combination!

OP, do not listen to this ignorant poster. We went through the college admissions process last year. Many colleges do encourage and some require admissions interviews. We discovered that interviews are helpful to admissions counselors in deciding how interested your child is in their school. The only colleges DC didn't get into (or was waitlisted) were colleges that DC didn't visit or interview at, including some of her safety schools. If you can visit the college, definitely schedule an interview!

The above information is not correct. First, it is not clear which interview the poster is referring to but the "interview" related to the college admission process is not scheduled by the applicant. The interview is set up by the alumni interviewer and the specific date/time is agreed to by both sides. Visits to colleges have no influence on the admission decisions and "interviews" with "school alumni" have virtually non to zero impact on the admission decision as well.

Indicating that the applicant is "full-Pay" will impact the admission decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter has not taken the SAT/ACT yet, so we don't know where she'll land on that end. She'll probably take them both for the first time next Spring.

Also, regarding GPA most of the college we visited say that they look at the last two years. So, she can work to pull her grades up, but at the same time is in a very demanding program. I do worry that some of her teachers have been unnecessarily harsh graders. Her English teacher, for example, told parents most students in his class would be getting Cs!

Also, how much does an upward trend in grades over junior and senior year matter.

It's more accurate to say that most colleges weigh the junior and senior years more highly than the earlier years -- not that they wholly ignore the earlier years. And, yes, an upward trend is definitely rewarded. Remember, though, that colleges will only be seeing the first semester of senior year grades, not the whole year, so you're already well past the middle of the race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I guess my point is for her not to exhaust herself. Her goal is to at least try to get her business idea off the ground as she thinks that would be an accomplishment that really sets her apart.

If you mean set her apart in the college admissions process, sorry to burst your/her bubble, but it won't. Not with a B average. With a B average she's not getting into a top college unless she's an underrepresented minority (maybe) or a recruited athlete. You really need to refocus here. She can have ten extracurriculars AND her own business and still all anyone's gonna care about is the B average. You're kidding yourself if you thin otherwise.

Where did the OP say anything about getting into a "top college"?

A B student isn't going for a top college. Most kids aren't. DCUM is so skewed with all these hyper-competitive parents who want their kids in at HYP!!

OP -- let your child do what she loves! She'll get into a great college. There are lots of great schools that aren't rated "top" on DCUM!

One thing I learned, directly from one admissions officer at a "top" college: Having a lot of ECs won't make much difference. It matters that your child is interested in something. One EC is plenty! Really. As long as she really loves it/cares about it. That's all it takes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the college. Some like the dedication shown by kids who only do a few things but have done them for long periods. I highly recommend your daughter do an interview when she applies, it will really help back up her passions.

Spoken like a true novice to the college admissions process. Most colleges don't do or even consider interviews, and the ones that do typically only assign it minimal weight. I wouldn't count on turning a decision around on the basis of an interview.

The bottom line is that extracurriculars play a distant third in the process at best, behind grades, test scores and probably URM status. In some schools they don't matter at all, and in every school where they do matter, a couple of extracurriculars seen all the way through school will trump the "serial joiner" every time.

Based on your decription of what your DD is up to, I'd say she's fine on the extracurricular front for many, many good colleges. Maybe not Harvard, but she won't get in there with a B average anyway.

I'd stop worrying so much about extras and encourage her to pull her grades up the best she can, without stressing her out. Beyond that, I'd leave her alone.

Your post just proves that ignorance and arrogance is an unbeatable combination!

OP, do not listen to this ignorant poster. We went through the college admissions process last year. Many colleges do encourage and some require admissions interviews. We discovered that interviews are helpful to admissions counselors in deciding how interested your child is in their school. The only colleges DC didn't get into (or was waitlisted) were colleges that DC didn't visit or interview at, including some of her safety schools. If you can visit the college, definitely schedule an interview!

The above information is not correct. First, it is not clear which interview the poster is referring to but the "interview" related to the college admission process is not scheduled by the applicant. The interview is set up by the alumni interviewer and the specific date/time is agreed to by both sides. Visits to colleges have no influence on the admission decisions and "interviews" with "school alumni" have virtually non to zero impact on the admission decision as well.

Indicating that the applicant is "full-Pay" will impact the admission decision.

I agree that full pay is useful. Not applying for FA can help your child as long as you are applying to a college that does not meet 100% of financial need. In that case, FA status makes no difference.

Also, this poster has no idea what s/he is talking about. Are you a high school troll? Get back to class!

Interviews are scheduled by the applicant. My DD applied to several selective SLACS, and she scheduled interviews at all of them. Our high school invited admissions officers from a bunch of selective colleges to visit, and many of those admissions officers told us parents that interviews, while not always necessary, can influence admissions decisions. They help the admissions officer decide whether the kid is really interested in the college, or just phoning it in. They will not make or break an application, but in this competitive environment, anything that gives a kid a slight advantage is worth pursuing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the college. Some like the dedication shown by kids who only do a few things but have done them for long periods. I highly recommend your daughter do an interview when she applies, it will really help back up her passions.

Spoken like a true novice to the college admissions process. Most colleges don't do or even consider interviews, and the ones that do typically only assign it minimal weight. I wouldn't count on turning a decision around on the basis of an interview.

The bottom line is that extracurriculars play a distant third in the process at best, behind grades, test scores and probably URM status. In some schools they don't matter at all, and in every school where they do matter, a couple of extracurriculars seen all the way through school will trump the "serial joiner" every time.

Based on your decription of what your DD is up to, I'd say she's fine on the extracurricular front for many, many good colleges. Maybe not Harvard, but she won't get in there with a B average anyway.

I'd stop worrying so much about extras and encourage her to pull her grades up the best she can, without stressing her out. Beyond that, I'd leave her alone.

Your post just proves that ignorance and arrogance is an unbeatable combination!

OP, do not listen to this ignorant poster. We went through the college admissions process last year. Many colleges do encourage and some require admissions interviews. We discovered that interviews are helpful to admissions counselors in deciding how interested your child is in their school. The only colleges DC didn't get into (or was waitlisted) were colleges that DC didn't visit or interview at, including some of her safety schools. If you can visit the college, definitely schedule an interview!

The above information is not correct. First, it is not clear which interview the poster is referring to but the "interview" related to the college admission process is not scheduled by the applicant. The interview is set up by the alumni interviewer and the specific date/time is agreed to by both sides. Visits to colleges have no influence on the admission decisions and "interviews" with "school alumni" have virtually non to zero impact on the admission decision as well.

Indicating that the applicant is "full-Pay" will impact the admission decision.

I agree that full pay is useful. Not applying for FA can help your child as long as you are applying to a college that does not meet 100% of financial need. In that case, FA status makes no difference.

Also, this poster has no idea what s/he is talking about. Are you a high school troll? Get back to class!

Interviews are scheduled by the applicant. My DD applied to several selective SLACS, and she scheduled interviews at all of them. Our high school invited admissions officers from a bunch of selective colleges to visit, and many of those admissions officers told us parents that interviews, while not always necessary, can influence admissions decisions. They help the admissions officer decide whether the kid is really interested in the college, or just phoning it in. They will not make or break an application, but in this competitive environment, anything that gives a kid a slight advantage is worth pursuing.

Learn to write more clearly!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the college. Some like the dedication shown by kids who only do a few things but have done them for long periods. I highly recommend your daughter do an interview when she applies, it will really help back up her passions.

Spoken like a true novice to the college admissions process. Most colleges don't do or even consider interviews, and the ones that do typically only assign it minimal weight. I wouldn't count on turning a decision around on the basis of an interview.

The bottom line is that extracurriculars play a distant third in the process at best, behind grades, test scores and probably URM status. In some schools they don't matter at all, and in every school where they do matter, a couple of extracurriculars seen all the way through school will trump the "serial joiner" every time.

Based on your decription of what your DD is up to, I'd say she's fine on the extracurricular front for many, many good colleges. Maybe not Harvard, but she won't get in there with a B average anyway.

I'd stop worrying so much about extras and encourage her to pull her grades up the best she can, without stressing her out. Beyond that, I'd leave her alone.

Your post just proves that ignorance and arrogance is an unbeatable combination!

OP, do not listen to this ignorant poster. We went through the college admissions process last year. Many colleges do encourage and some require admissions interviews. We discovered that interviews are helpful to admissions counselors in deciding how interested your child is in their school. The only colleges DC didn't get into (or was waitlisted) were colleges that DC didn't visit or interview at, including some of her safety schools. If you can visit the college, definitely schedule an interview!

The above information is not correct. First, it is not clear which interview the poster is referring to but the "interview" related to the college admission process is not scheduled by the applicant. The interview is set up by the alumni interviewer and the specific date/time is agreed to by both sides. Visits to colleges have no influence on the admission decisions and "interviews" with "school alumni" have virtually non to zero impact on the admission decision as well.

Indicating that the applicant is "full-Pay" will impact the admission decision.

I agree that full pay is useful. Not applying for FA can help your child as long as you are applying to a college that does not meet 100% of financial need. In that case, FA status makes no difference.

Also, this poster has no idea what s/he is talking about. Are you a high school troll? Get back to class!

Interviews are scheduled by the applicant. My DD applied to several selective SLACS, and she scheduled interviews at all of them. Our high school invited admissions officers from a bunch of selective colleges to visit, and many of those admissions officers told us parents that interviews, while not always necessary, can influence admissions decisions. They help the admissions officer decide whether the kid is really interested in the college, or just phoning it in. They will not make or break an application, but in this competitive environment, anything that gives a kid a slight advantage is worth pursuing.

OP here. We have been told by every school we have visited that has an option to interview that it is useful. It certainly doesn't hurt.

As things are shaping up, my DD, of course, is interested in both UVA and WM. As of this writing, these are both reach schools. Maybe schools she is looking at include Southern Methodist University (SMU). Not sure next where things fall next down the list. There are several schools I've asked her to look at because they offer scholarships specific to her program of study and/or our national/ethnic/religious heritage. I think her list will be a combination of state, private schools with student bodies in the 5 - 12K range. She seems most comfortable with that student body size.

I don't get caught up in the HYP hype. I know my DD is not headed there. We are looking for a good school that where she is a good "fit" and where she will get an education that will help her to expand her worldview and help her to spread her wings. Less than 1 percent of US undergraduates attend an Ivy League school, yet the other 99 percent (myself included) still seem to find a path to success.

[Anonymous]

Junior year is really late in the ballgame to be worrying about ECs and with her GPA, she won't get into the super selective colleges anyway. So, don't sweat it OP. She'll end up somewhere where she'll belong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the college. Some like the dedication shown by kids who only do a few things but have done them for long periods. I highly recommend your daughter do an interview when she applies, it will really help back up her passions.

Spoken like a true novice to the college admissions process. Most colleges don't do or even consider interviews, and the ones that do typically only assign it minimal weight. I wouldn't count on turning a decision around on the basis of an interview.

The bottom line is that extracurriculars play a distant third in the process at best, behind grades, test scores and probably URM status. In some schools they don't matter at all, and in every school where they do matter, a couple of extracurriculars seen all the way through school will trump the "serial joiner" every time.

Based on your decription of what your DD is up to, I'd say she's fine on the extracurricular front for many, many good colleges. Maybe not Harvard, but she won't get in there with a B average anyway.

I'd stop worrying so much about extras and encourage her to pull her grades up the best she can, without stressing her out. Beyond that, I'd leave her alone.

Your post just proves that ignorance and arrogance is an unbeatable combination!

OP, do not listen to this ignorant poster. We went through the college admissions process last year. Many colleges do encourage and some require admissions interviews. We discovered that interviews are helpful to admissions counselors in deciding how interested your child is in their school. The only colleges DC didn't get into (or was waitlisted) were colleges that DC didn't visit or interview at, including some of her safety schools. If you can visit the college, definitely schedule an interview!

The above information is not correct. First, it is not clear which interview the poster is referring to but the "interview" related to the college admission process is not scheduled by the applicant. The interview is set up by the alumni interviewer and the specific date/time is agreed to by both sides. Visits to colleges have no influence on the admission decisions and "interviews" with "school alumni" have virtually non to zero impact on the admission decision as well.

Indicating that the applicant is "full-Pay" will impact the admission decision.

I agree that full pay is useful. Not applying for FA can help your child as long as you are applying to a college that does not meet 100% of financial need. In that case, FA status makes no difference.

Also, this poster has no idea what s/he is talking about. Are you a high school troll? Get back to class!

Interviews are scheduled by the applicant. My DD applied to several selective SLACS, and she scheduled interviews at all of them. Our high school invited admissions officers from a bunch of selective colleges to visit, and many of those admissions officers told us parents that interviews, while not always necessary, can influence admissions decisions. They help the admissions officer decide whether the kid is really interested in the college, or just phoning it in. They will not make or break an application, but in this competitive environment, anything that gives a kid a slight advantage is worth pursuing.

OP here. We have been told by every school we have visited that has an option to interview that it is useful. It certainly doesn't hurt.

As things are shaping up, my DD, of course, is interested in both UVA and WM. As of this writing, these are both reach schools. Maybe schools she is looking at include Southern Methodist University (SMU). Not sure next where things fall next down the list. There are several schools I've asked her to look at because they offer scholarships specific to her program of study and/or our national/ethnic/religious heritage. I think her list will be a combination of state, private schools with student bodies in the 5 - 12K range. She seems most comfortable with that student body size.

I don't get caught up in the HYP hype. I know my DD is not headed there. We are looking for a good school that where she is a good "fit" and where she will get an education that will help her to expand her worldview and help her to spread her wings. Less than 1 percent of US undergraduates attend an Ivy League school, yet the other 99 percent (myself included) still seem to find a path to success.

"Solid B average" won't cut it for UVA/WM so those are beyond reach unless URM applies.

[Anonymous]

What is URM?