Question for Parents of Students Admitted to Top 25 Colleges

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not one person has shared a name …. This thread is a brag sheet for parents of kids at T20s.

We used the college lady, Diana specifically. She used to work at fka Wilson, so many JR parents use her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this question has probably been asked many times before, but I wanted to reach out specifically to parents whose kids were admitted to a top 25 schools, either in the most recent admissions cycle or in the past few years.

Which college consultant (if any) did you use, and how was your experience?

Please, no snark , just hoping for genuine, firsthand recommendations or feedback from those who have real information to share.

Thanks in advance!

none, it is truly not needed.
got into multiple T10s unhooked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has been wild to read. I am not in DC, but my kid attends a public high school in an affluent suburb on the west coast. Everyone I know has a college counselor. Yes, everyone. It's like orthodontics; yes, occasionally someone does not need it, but I think 80-90% of parents and kids could use some help and there's zero shame around using a college counselor. That said, it's a huge industry and there are many affordable options (unlike orthos).

It’s sad this board has been completely taken over by maga. They want moms stay home to take care of larlos’ college applications. They want to feed to moms fear and anxiety, that nothing is good enough until you drop everything professional and tend to a silly college admission game themselves.

huh? my kid is at an ivy unhooked and most of their friends there have dual working parent households. The vast majority of the kids who get ivy+ admissions from our HS are dual working parents, often at least one a doctor or lawyer. No one is staying home to be a college counselor to their kid. true top kids do not need paid college counseling services or extensive advice from mom or dad. they read all the websites of the schools on their own and from that one can get a great idea of what each school is seeking. tours and admission-officer sessions also give hints. top kids take notes and refer to them when writing apps.
you underestimate the level of preparedness and focus of the very top high schoolers.

[Anonymous]

Well over on the Princeton thread of of their first years, 24 percent reported using a private counselor / and that’s just the ones who were honest about it. So maybe all these top level prepared kids are getting a bit more help than it seems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has been wild to read. I am not in DC, but my kid attends a public high school in an affluent suburb on the west coast. Everyone I know has a college counselor. Yes, everyone. It's like orthodontics; yes, occasionally someone does not need it, but I think 80-90% of parents and kids could use some help and there's zero shame around using a college counselor. That said, it's a huge industry and there are many affordable options (unlike orthos).

It’s sad this board has been completely taken over by maga. They want moms stay home to take care of larlos’ college applications. They want to feed to moms fear and anxiety, that nothing is good enough until you drop everything professional and tend to a silly college admission game themselves.

huh? my kid is at an ivy unhooked and most of their friends there have dual working parent households. The vast majority of the kids who get ivy+ admissions from our HS are dual working parents, often at least one a doctor or lawyer. No one is staying home to be a college counselor to their kid. true top kids do not need paid college counseling services or extensive advice from mom or dad. they read all the websites of the schools on their own and from that one can get a great idea of what each school is seeking. tours and admission-officer sessions also give hints. top kids take notes and refer to them when writing apps.
you underestimate the level of preparedness and focus of the very top high schoolers.

This. I never even saw/read any of my kid's essays. Got in everywhere applied, including T15.
The only thing I did was give kid the contact info for a virtual/in another state SAT tutor. Said if they wanted to set up a few sessions to go for it and tell the tutor to send me the bill. Oh, and kid would come ask for the credit card every time ready to submit an application

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this question has probably been asked many times before, but I wanted to reach out specifically to parents whose kids were admitted to a top 25 schools, either in the most recent admissions cycle or in the past few years.

Which college consultant (if any) did you use, and how was your experience?

Please, no snark , just hoping for genuine, firsthand recommendations or feedback from those who have real information to share.

Thanks in advance!

Admitted to two top 25. No counselor. We are bright enough, good wtiters and wouldn’t pay for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has been wild to read. I am not in DC, but my kid attends a public high school in an affluent suburb on the west coast. Everyone I know has a college counselor. Yes, everyone. It's like orthodontics; yes, occasionally someone does not need it, but I think 80-90% of parents and kids could use some help and there's zero shame around using a college counselor. That said, it's a huge industry and there are many affordable options (unlike orthos).

It’s sad this board has been completely taken over by maga. They want moms stay home to take care of larlos’ college applications. They want to feed to moms fear and anxiety, that nothing is good enough until you drop everything professional and tend to a silly college admission game themselves.

huh? my kid is at an ivy unhooked and most of their friends there have dual working parent households. The vast majority of the kids who get ivy+ admissions from our HS are dual working parents, often at least one a doctor or lawyer. No one is staying home to be a college counselor to their kid. true top kids do not need paid college counseling services or extensive advice from mom or dad. they read all the websites of the schools on their own and from that one can get a great idea of what each school is seeking. tours and admission-officer sessions also give hints. top kids take notes and refer to them when writing apps.
you underestimate the level of preparedness and focus of the very top high schoolers.

For kids below the top level, having an attorney parent is an advantage. College admissions is similar to a law and motion department in superior court. Deadlines for filing motions, concise pleadings, persuasive advocacy.

[Anonymous]

We used private prep for SAT prep over the summer before Junior Year and also for essay idea brainstorming. We were very happy with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has been wild to read. I am not in DC, but my kid attends a public high school in an affluent suburb on the west coast. Everyone I know has a college counselor. Yes, everyone. It's like orthodontics; yes, occasionally someone does not need it, but I think 80-90% of parents and kids could use some help and there's zero shame around using a college counselor. That said, it's a huge industry and there are many affordable options (unlike orthos).

It’s sad this board has been completely taken over by maga. They want moms stay home to take care of larlos’ college applications. They want to feed to moms fear and anxiety, that nothing is good enough until you drop everything professional and tend to a silly college admission game themselves.

huh? my kid is at an ivy unhooked and most of their friends there have dual working parent households. The vast majority of the kids who get ivy+ admissions from our HS are dual working parents, often at least one a doctor or lawyer. No one is staying home to be a college counselor to their kid. true top kids do not need paid college counseling services or extensive advice from mom or dad. they read all the websites of the schools on their own and from that one can get a great idea of what each school is seeking. tours and admission-officer sessions also give hints. top kids take notes and refer to them when writing apps.
you underestimate the level of preparedness and focus of the very top high schoolers.

THIS! If your kid can't do it on their own, they don't have what it takes. Sorry to inform you tiger parents that you can't force brilliance.

[Anonymous]

Some of us just like doing it….
There’s that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this question has probably been asked many times before, but I wanted to reach out specifically to parents whose kids were admitted to a top 25 schools, either in the most recent admissions cycle or in the past few years.

Which college consultant (if any) did you use, and how was your experience?

Please, no snark , just hoping for genuine, firsthand recommendations or feedback from those who have real information to share.

Thanks in advance!

DC went to a top 25 college. We didn't use a college consultant at all. I would not have been comfortable doing so as I feel it reeks of privilege. DC homeschooled, so we didn't even go through the normal high school process. DC was recruited for both music and sport (mostly sport), offered scholarships, and had a choice of top 25 colleges. Kid had a great experience in college and is now in a PhD program. Maybe your money might be better spent on music lessons or athletics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has been wild to read. I am not in DC, but my kid attends a public high school in an affluent suburb on the west coast. Everyone I know has a college counselor. Yes, everyone. It's like orthodontics; yes, occasionally someone does not need it, but I think 80-90% of parents and kids could use some help and there's zero shame around using a college counselor. That said, it's a huge industry and there are many affordable options (unlike orthos).

It’s sad this board has been completely taken over by maga. They want moms stay home to take care of larlos’ college applications. They want to feed to moms fear and anxiety, that nothing is good enough until you drop everything professional and tend to a silly college admission game themselves.

huh? my kid is at an ivy unhooked and most of their friends there have dual working parent households. The vast majority of the kids who get ivy+ admissions from our HS are dual working parents, often at least one a doctor or lawyer. No one is staying home to be a college counselor to their kid. true top kids do not need paid college counseling services or extensive advice from mom or dad. they read all the websites of the schools on their own and from that one can get a great idea of what each school is seeking. tours and admission-officer sessions also give hints. top kids take notes and refer to them when writing apps.
you underestimate the level of preparedness and focus of the very top high schoolers.

For kids below the top level, having an attorney parent is an advantage. College admissions is similar to a law and motion department in superior court. Deadlines for filing motions, concise pleadings, persuasive advocacy.

True. It’s like breathing for me at this point. And DC has definitely absorbed it over the years.

I see this as part of advantage that kids of well-educated, uber-professional parents (and legacies) start with in life. It’s also we’re strongly in favor of colleges proactively seeking and prioritizing true first-gen students. Thise kids have done it so much more autonomously.

Though DH and I have tried to stay hands off, we know DC has grown up in an environment that provided tons of opportunity. Yes, they’re truly talented and hard-working and have earned everything they’ve achieved. But we won’t pretend they “did it on their own” or are “self-made.” Cheers to the kids who are. They deserve the best!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has been wild to read. I am not in DC, but my kid attends a public high school in an affluent suburb on the west coast. Everyone I know has a college counselor. Yes, everyone. It's like orthodontics; yes, occasionally someone does not need it, but I think 80-90% of parents and kids could use some help and there's zero shame around using a college counselor. That said, it's a huge industry and there are many affordable options (unlike orthos).

It’s sad this board has been completely taken over by maga. They want moms stay home to take care of larlos’ college applications. They want to feed to moms fear and anxiety, that nothing is good enough until you drop everything professional and tend to a silly college admission game themselves.

huh? my kid is at an ivy unhooked and most of their friends there have dual working parent households. The vast majority of the kids who get ivy+ admissions from our HS are dual working parents, often at least one a doctor or lawyer. No one is staying home to be a college counselor to their kid. true top kids do not need paid college counseling services or extensive advice from mom or dad. they read all the websites of the schools on their own and from that one can get a great idea of what each school is seeking. tours and admission-officer sessions also give hints. top kids take notes and refer to them when writing apps.
you underestimate the level of preparedness and focus of the very top high schoolers.

For kids below the top level, having an attorney parent is an advantage. College admissions is similar to a law and motion department in superior court. Deadlines for filing motions, concise pleadings, persuasive advocacy.

True. It’s like breathing for me at this point. And DC has definitely absorbed it over the years.

I see this as part of advantage that kids of well-educated, uber-professional parents (and legacies) start with in life. It’s also we’re strongly in favor of colleges proactively seeking and prioritizing true first-gen students. Thise kids have done it so much more autonomously.

Though DH and I have tried to stay hands off, we know DC has grown up in an environment that provided tons of opportunity. Yes, they’re truly talented and hard-working and have earned everything they’ve achieved. But we won’t pretend they “did it on their own” or are “self-made.” Cheers to the kids who are. They deserve the best!!

Lawyer mom here (retired)...my kids have also absorbed it. Now they counsel their peers on creating their own application brands, persuasive application narratives etc. Kind of funny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has been wild to read. I am not in DC, but my kid attends a public high school in an affluent suburb on the west coast. Everyone I know has a college counselor. Yes, everyone. It's like orthodontics; yes, occasionally someone does not need it, but I think 80-90% of parents and kids could use some help and there's zero shame around using a college counselor. That said, it's a huge industry and there are many affordable options (unlike orthos).

It’s sad this board has been completely taken over by maga. They want moms stay home to take care of larlos’ college applications. They want to feed to moms fear and anxiety, that nothing is good enough until you drop everything professional and tend to a silly college admission game themselves.

huh? my kid is at an ivy unhooked and most of their friends there have dual working parent households. The vast majority of the kids who get ivy+ admissions from our HS are dual working parents, often at least one a doctor or lawyer. No one is staying home to be a college counselor to their kid. true top kids do not need paid college counseling services or extensive advice from mom or dad. they read all the websites of the schools on their own and from that one can get a great idea of what each school is seeking. tours and admission-officer sessions also give hints. top kids take notes and refer to them when writing apps.
you underestimate the level of preparedness and focus of the very top high schoolers.

THIS! If your kid can't do it on their own, they don't have what it takes. Sorry to inform you tiger parents that you can't force brilliance.

Oh blow it out your ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has been wild to read. I am not in DC, but my kid attends a public high school in an affluent suburb on the west coast. Everyone I know has a college counselor. Yes, everyone. It's like orthodontics; yes, occasionally someone does not need it, but I think 80-90% of parents and kids could use some help and there's zero shame around using a college counselor. That said, it's a huge industry and there are many affordable options (unlike orthos).

It’s sad this board has been completely taken over by maga. They want moms stay home to take care of larlos’ college applications. They want to feed to moms fear and anxiety, that nothing is good enough until you drop everything professional and tend to a silly college admission game themselves.

huh? my kid is at an ivy unhooked and most of their friends there have dual working parent households. The vast majority of the kids who get ivy+ admissions from our HS are dual working parents, often at least one a doctor or lawyer. No one is staying home to be a college counselor to their kid. true top kids do not need paid college counseling services or extensive advice from mom or dad. they read all the websites of the schools on their own and from that one can get a great idea of what each school is seeking. tours and admission-officer sessions also give hints. top kids take notes and refer to them when writing apps.
you underestimate the level of preparedness and focus of the very top high schoolers.

This. I never even saw/read any of my kid's essays. Got in everywhere applied, including T15.
The only thing I did was give kid the contact info for a virtual/in another state SAT tutor. Said if they wanted to set up a few sessions to go for it and tell the tutor to send me the bill. Oh, and kid would come ask for the credit card every time ready to submit an application

I'm not sure when "I never read my kids' essays" become the humblebrag du jour, but it must be because I hear it all the time.