“Impressive” Colleges

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

USMA at West Point
USNA--Annapolis
USAFA--Colorado Springs

This, and surprised it took four pages before someone mentioned them.

+ 1000

Also follows with the how they got in and what they're going to do afterwards. Those kids are beasts academically, physically, and mentally. Tap or drummed out otherwise.

I've had the pleasure of knowing more than a dozen grads (mostly WP and Annapolis). With one exception, all were humble and just exuded a quiet strength until the pressure was on. And then. They really, really shinned. They had are the kind of person I'd want on my side in any kind of a fight (court room, board room, battlefield).

Academically their stats are significantly lower than other schools like in T50.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I know so many beyond brilliant kids getting shut out, this is all starting to get meaningless to me.

My first thought when I hear someone got into a school like this in 2023 is what, arbitrary institutional priority/sob story/connection do you have?

My siblings and I have all of our degrees from the schools mentioned on this thread. I have little hope that the same will be true for my kids/nieces/nephews, despite stellar profiles. They will probably end up at state schools or lesser known privates and will hopefully thrive and do great things.

This plus their especially strong groupthink tendencies leaves me far less impressed than I used to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I know so many beyond brilliant kids getting shut out, this is all starting to get meaningless to me.

My first thought when I hear someone got into a school like this in 2023 is what, arbitrary institutional priority/sob story/connection do you have?

My siblings and I have all of our degrees from the schools mentioned on this thread. I have little hope that the same will be true for my kids/nieces/nephews, despite stellar profiles. They will probably end up at state schools or lesser known privates and will hopefully thrive and do great things.

So true. I look back on what it took for me to get into an elite school and there's no way I'd get in today.
My son works so hard and there's zero chance of getting into an Ivy or little Ivy. I'm not saying it's owed to him but it's sad that the process has become so arbitrary. Perfect grades, SAT's and activities seem meaningless. These kids kill themselves and in the end, have little to show for it.

I keep hearing people value colleges less and less but admissions stats aren't backing that up.

The process is not arbitrary at all. Instead, elite schools operate pursuant to a fairly clear set of rules where the most privileged continue to enjoy advantages, just not as many as they used to; URMs get bonus points (or their equivalent) based on race or ethnicity; and unhooked White and Asian kids effectively get points deducted because those elite or once-elite schools have decided those kids don’t need and won’t get the boost that a degree from one of those schools might be expected to provide.

It is what it is. Kids should excel for the sake of excelling, or for preparing them for the next stage of their lives, not because it will assure them of an admission to a particular school. The Black girl who founds a new Black Student Union at her school may well end up at Harvard; the Asian boy who aces every exam may end up at UMCP or VT; and one can reasonably hope and expect they’ll both go on to have successful, productive lives.

Glad you have it all figured out. But as long as these 'elite' schools have institutional priorities, that they purposely keep hidden to drive up applications numbers and rankings, it is actually completely arbitrary to the students who have no hope of deciphering it.

I doubt that. They see what happens with their older siblings and with really bright kids in upper grades. They know what’s happening, and they congratulate their peers for wherever they end up deciding to attend school.

The parents and grandparents, on the other hand, are less likely to have a clue and then they project their confusion and in some cases disappointment onto their kids. In some cases, the kids internalize that and then spout the “I don’t know why I worked so hard for X years” line, but generally they know exactly what’s going on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I know so many beyond brilliant kids getting shut out, this is all starting to get meaningless to me.

My first thought when I hear someone got into a school like this in 2023 is what, arbitrary institutional priority/sob story/connection do you have?

My siblings and I have all of our degrees from the schools mentioned on this thread. I have little hope that the same will be true for my kids/nieces/nephews, despite stellar profiles. They will probably end up at state schools or lesser known privates and will hopefully thrive and do great things.

So true. I look back on what it took for me to get into an elite school and there's no way I'd get in today.
My son works so hard and there's zero chance of getting into an Ivy or little Ivy. I'm not saying it's owed to him but it's sad that the process has become so arbitrary. Perfect grades, SAT's and activities seem meaningless. These kids kill themselves and in the end, have little to show for it.

I keep hearing people value colleges less and less but admissions stats aren't backing that up.

The process is not arbitrary at all. Instead, elite schools operate pursuant to a fairly clear set of rules where the most privileged continue to enjoy advantages, just not as many as they used to; URMs get bonus points (or their equivalent) based on race or ethnicity; and unhooked White and Asian kids effectively get points deducted because those elite or once-elite schools have decided those kids don’t need and won’t get the boost that a degree from one of those schools might be expected to provide.

It is what it is. Kids should excel for the sake of excelling, or for preparing them for the next stage of their lives, not because it will assure them of an admission to a particular school. The Black girl who founds a new Black Student Union at her school may well end up at Harvard; the Asian boy who aces every exam may end up at UMCP or VT; and one can reasonably hope and expect they’ll both go on to have successful, productive lives.

Glad you have it all figured out. But as long as these 'elite' schools have institutional priorities, that they purposely keep hidden to drive up applications numbers and rankings, it is actually completely arbitrary to the students who have no hope of deciphering it.

I doubt that. They see what happens with their older siblings and with really bright kids in upper grades. They know what’s happening, and they congratulate their peers for wherever they end up deciding to attend school.

The parents and grandparents, on the other hand, are less likely to have a clue and then they project their confusion and in some cases disappointment onto their kids. In some cases, the kids internalize that and then spout the “I don’t know why I worked so hard for X years” line, but generally they know exactly what’s going on.

This is exactly right. I have asked older relatives to stop talking about college in front of DS. They have no idea how the landscape has changed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please no judgement here. What are the colleges that “impress” you? If you hear someone went there, you think to yourself, “wow, that’s an elite school?”

West Point and Annapolis

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, I would not automatically be impressed with ANY of these colleges. It all depends on HOW they got in!

and WHAT they are studying

To an extent. Pretty much any field (with possibly some exceptions) can be impressive if that's what they are interested and good in

Pretty much any college is impressive then

You missed the part where I said it all depends on HOW the student got in

This last how comment is just sad. Did someone less deserving also get "your" promotion?

You seem to have problems with reading comprehension

So HOW is important but ultimately WHAT is it.

Most of ALDC or URM probably take easy majors.

The impressive real brains would be doing math, physics, CS, engineering, etc.

A. where do you go?
B. Yale
A. wow, what do you study
B. Art history, communication, etc.
A. Eh... ok

LOL you clearly have not met any Yale art history majors. I am a SVP at a hedge fund, and I am actively involved in recruiting. Our incoming class of analysts has an art history major from Yale and one from Harvard. We also extended an offer to a Yale history major but he declined and is going to Goldman instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, I would not automatically be impressed with ANY of these colleges. It all depends on HOW they got in!

and WHAT they are studying

To an extent. Pretty much any field (with possibly some exceptions) can be impressive if that's what they are interested and good in

Pretty much any college is impressive then

You missed the part where I said it all depends on HOW the student got in

This last how comment is just sad. Did someone less deserving also get "your" promotion?

You seem to have problems with reading comprehension

So HOW is important but ultimately WHAT is it.

Most of ALDC or URM probably take easy majors.

The impressive real brains would be doing math, physics, CS, engineering, etc.

A. where do you go?
B. Yale
A. wow, what do you study
B. Art history, communication, etc.
A. Eh... ok

LOL you clearly have not met any Yale art history majors. I am a SVP at a hedge fund, and I am actively involved in recruiting. Our incoming class of analysts has an art history major from Yale and one from Harvard. We also extended an offer to a Yale history major but he declined and is going to Goldman instead.

I know one, a high school but ok

LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, I would not automatically be impressed with ANY of these colleges. It all depends on HOW they got in!

and WHAT they are studying

To an extent. Pretty much any field (with possibly some exceptions) can be impressive if that's what they are interested and good in

Pretty much any college is impressive then

You missed the part where I said it all depends on HOW the student got in

This last how comment is just sad. Did someone less deserving also get "your" promotion?

You seem to have problems with reading comprehension

So HOW is important but ultimately WHAT is it.

Most of ALDC or URM probably take easy majors.

The impressive real brains would be doing math, physics, CS, engineering, etc.

A. where do you go?
B. Yale
A. wow, what do you study
B. Art history, communication, etc.
A. Eh... ok

LOL you clearly have not met any Yale art history majors. I am a SVP at a hedge fund, and I am actively involved in recruiting. Our incoming class of analysts has an art history major from Yale and one from Harvard. We also extended an offer to a Yale history major but he declined and is going to Goldman instead.

I know one, a high school but ok

LOL

A hgh school teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

USMA at West Point
USNA--Annapolis
USAFA--Colorado Springs

This, and surprised it took four pages before someone mentioned them.

+ 1000

Also follows with the how they got in and what they're going to do afterwards. Those kids are beasts academically, physically, and mentally. Tap or drummed out otherwise.

I've had the pleasure of knowing more than a dozen grads (mostly WP and Annapolis). With one exception, all were humble and just exuded a quiet strength until the pressure was on. And then. They really, really shinned. They had are the kind of person I'd want on my side in any kind of a fight (court room, board room, battlefield).

Academically their stats are significantly lower than other schools like in T50.

https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-scores-for-colleges source dated Dec 22

I concede they're not tippy top but their incoming average SATs in the low 1300s (the high 80s-low 90s percentile) still puts them in some very good company -- along with schools like Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, and Penn State. According to the same source, the #1 "ranked" school (Princeton) barely makes the T20 when it comes to average SAT scores so there are lots of way to cut that cake, statistically speaking, of course.

As this board has thoroughly discussed, with TO, reported SATs will likely have less meaning over time as kids with only the very best scores will probably report them. That said, as best I can determine, none of the main Service Academies are currently TO so I'd expect their numbers to be somewhat lower. On the other hand, all Ivy League schools are currently TO. As a side note: kids with any sort of health issues that do not affect academic performance (like vision uncorrectable to 20/20, a food allergy, or scoliosis) need not apply. And ADHD, even and especially w/meds? Nope, you're out too. So who knows how many other top candidates don't even bother with the lengthy application process, much less stand a chance of admittance.

All-in-all, though, Service Academy kids, in my opinion, are the total package: mind, body, and soul.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, I would not automatically be impressed with ANY of these colleges. It all depends on HOW they got in!

and WHAT they are studying

To an extent. Pretty much any field (with possibly some exceptions) can be impressive if that's what they are interested and good in

Pretty much any college is impressive then

You missed the part where I said it all depends on HOW the student got in

This last how comment is just sad. Did someone less deserving also get "your" promotion?

You seem to have problems with reading comprehension

So HOW is important but ultimately WHAT is it.

Most of ALDC or URM probably take easy majors.

The impressive real brains would be doing math, physics, CS, engineering, etc.

A. where do you go?
B. Yale
A. wow, what do you study
B. Art history, communication, etc.
A. Eh... ok

LOL you clearly have not met any Yale art history majors. I am a SVP at a hedge fund, and I am actively involved in recruiting. Our incoming class of analysts has an art history major from Yale and one from Harvard. We also extended an offer to a Yale history major but he declined and is going to Goldman instead.

+1

Yale history majors do just fine. Many employers just want to know if you can think and write.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please no judgement here. What are the colleges that “impress” you? If you hear someone went there, you think to yourself, “wow, that’s an elite school?”

Whatever school you did NOT attend, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ASU

lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very impressed - HYPSM Caltech Wharton
Impressed - Columbia, Penn, Chicago, Northwestern, Duke, Brown, Dartmouth

I would remove "Wharton" from the "Very impressed" category, but otherwise agree.

Caltech is kind of overrated - not nearly as prestigious as MIT unless you're in the know (especially if you're in academia), and Wharton really when it comes to IB and consulting. Duke and NW are kind of overblown too on this forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

USMA at West Point
USNA--Annapolis
USAFA--Colorado Springs

This, and surprised it took four pages before someone mentioned them.

+ 1000

Also follows with the how they got in and what they're going to do afterwards. Those kids are beasts academically, physically, and mentally. Tap or drummed out otherwise.

I've had the pleasure of knowing more than a dozen grads (mostly WP and Annapolis). With one exception, all were humble and just exuded a quiet strength until the pressure was on. And then. They really, really shinned. They had are the kind of person I'd want on my side in any kind of a fight (court room, board room, battlefield).

Academically their stats are significantly lower than other schools like in T50.

https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-scores-for-colleges source dated Dec 22

I concede they're not tippy top but their incoming average SATs in the low 1300s (the high 80s-low 90s percentile) still puts them in some very good company -- along with schools like Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, and Penn State. According to the same source, the #1 "ranked" school (Princeton) barely makes the T20 when it comes to average SAT scores so there are lots of way to cut that cake, statistically speaking, of course.

As this board has thoroughly discussed, with TO, reported SATs will likely have less meaning over time as kids with only the very best scores will probably report them. That said, as best I can determine, none of the main Service Academies are currently TO so I'd expect their numbers to be somewhat lower. On the other hand, all Ivy League schools are currently TO. As a side note: kids with any sort of health issues that do not affect academic performance (like vision uncorrectable to 20/20, a food allergy, or scoliosis) need not apply. And ADHD, even and especially w/meds? Nope, you're out too. So who knows how many other top candidates don't even bother with the lengthy application process, much less stand a chance of admittance.

All-in-all, though, Service Academy kids, in my opinion, are the total package: mind, body, and soul.

There are ton of 1450 -1500 SAT kids who played any sort of varsity sports in T50 schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

USMA at West Point
USNA--Annapolis
USAFA--Colorado Springs

This, and surprised it took four pages before someone mentioned them.

+ 1000

Also follows with the how they got in and what they're going to do afterwards. Those kids are beasts academically, physically, and mentally. Tap or drummed out otherwise.

I've had the pleasure of knowing more than a dozen grads (mostly WP and Annapolis). With one exception, all were humble and just exuded a quiet strength until the pressure was on. And then. They really, really shinned. They had are the kind of person I'd want on my side in any kind of a fight (court room, board room, battlefield).

Academically their stats are significantly lower than other schools like in T50.

https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-scores-for-colleges source dated Dec 22

I concede they're not tippy top but their incoming average SATs in the low 1300s (the high 80s-low 90s percentile) still puts them in some very good company -- along with schools like Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, and Penn State. According to the same source, the #1 "ranked" school (Princeton) barely makes the T20 when it comes to average SAT scores so there are lots of way to cut that cake, statistically speaking, of course.

As this board has thoroughly discussed, with TO, reported SATs will likely have less meaning over time as kids with only the very best scores will probably report them. That said, as best I can determine, none of the main Service Academies are currently TO so I'd expect their numbers to be somewhat lower. On the other hand, all Ivy League schools are currently TO. As a side note: kids with any sort of health issues that do not affect academic performance (like vision uncorrectable to 20/20, a food allergy, or scoliosis) need not apply. And ADHD, even and especially w/meds? Nope, you're out too. So who knows how many other top candidates don't even bother with the lengthy application process, much less stand a chance of admittance.

All-in-all, though, Service Academy kids, in my opinion, are the total package: mind, body, and soul.

There are ton of 1450 -1500 SAT kids who played any sort of varsity sports in T50 schools

I am so not sure why you continue to counter-post when the OP specifically said

Please no judgement here. What are the colleges that “impress” you? If you hear someone went there, you think to yourself, “wow, that’s an elite school?”

Sure, there are many varsity athletes at T50 schools, some of which might also have high academic stats. But all Service Academy admits have to meet strict fitness and health requirements in addition to having academic credentials.

I never said SA kids were better than T50 kids, just that they impressed me. They need not qualify their attendance at their alma mater with what sport they played or what (inter)national competition they represent their institution in or how they spent their first few years after graduation.

Let it go.