Getting shut out of selective/competitive private schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS with 3.82 (high rigor); 33 ACT and non-Stem /business /Econ major (true humanities major) with strong pointy related ECs.
Private selective non-DMV high school.

He’s finished with his RD apps.
Deferred from both NU (ED) and Tulane (EA).

He’s got a bunch of decisions from large flagships coming in next month. Concerned he falls into that middle space and may get dinged everywhere else.

Similar situation for my kid last year and he ended up doing very well. At a top ten teach from RD round and got into top EA reach in January.

Thoughts on chances for these reaches:

Colgate
Bucknell
Middlebury
Wesleyan
Williams
Wake
Emory
Vanderbilt
Wash U
Rice
Brown

Thoughts on chancing him?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS with 3.82 (high rigor); 33 ACT and non-Stem /business /Econ major (true humanities major) with strong pointy related ECs.
Private selective non-DMV high school.

He’s finished with his RD apps.
Deferred from both NU (ED) and Tulane (EA).

He’s got a bunch of decisions from large flagships coming in next month. Concerned he falls into that middle space and may get dinged everywhere else.

Thoughts on chances for these reaches:

Colgate
Bucknell
Middlebury
Wesleyan
Williams
Wake
Emory
Vanderbilt
Wash U
Rice
Brown

Thoughts on chancing him?

OP Update:

Colgate - admitted
Bucknell - admitted
Middlebury - WL
Wesleyan - admitted
Williams - rejected
Wake - WL
Emory - admitted
Vanderbilt - rejected
Wash U - rejected
Rice - admitted !!
Brown - admitted !!
Northwestern - rejected
Tulane - WL

Crazy!
- Good highly tailored essays/ applications make a big difference (I don’t think he reused any of the essays other than PS and spent weeks customizing and finalizing. I did help with editing).
- very niche non-Stem major and unique long duration ECs that are atypical of HS student
- Getting extra letters of recommendations where schools will allow a third (and fourth)recommendation also may have made a difference.
- Adding more detailed information into the “additional information” section of the common app to really showcase interests and Personality
- unique videos

- Kid is going to 2 more admitted students events this month.

Thank you everyone for all of the advice.
Think the private school counseling office really helped here.
Non-DMV private.

Congratulations!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would think he would get into Colgate and bucknell. He should have some true safeties.

Maybe Bucknell, but Colgate should have been an ED. This is the problem that ED has created. There is a huge range of schools that slightly less than perfect kids can only get into ED, but you can only ED to one. If it’s a miss, you fall pretty far down the list.

+1
It's so, so hard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a college consultant. Pick 2 or 3 schools and help him do a very deep dive on the application. On the supplemental essays, laser focus on for example why WashU - what class, what professor, what club then circle back and tie in the common app essay and the activities so that the entire application hangs well together. Rinse and repeat for the next school. This is exhausting so hard to do for every school on your list. Many students think that once the common app essay and activities are complete that they are set in stone. GL

Agree, focus on Supplementals!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS with 3.82 (high rigor); 33 ACT and non-Stem /business /Econ major (true humanities major) with strong pointy related ECs.
Private selective non-DMV high school.

He’s finished with his RD apps.
Deferred from both NU (ED) and Tulane (EA).

He’s got a bunch of decisions from large flagships coming in next month. Concerned he falls into that middle space and may get dinged everywhere else.

Thoughts on chances for these reaches:

Colgate
Bucknell
Middlebury
Wesleyan
Williams
Wake
Emory
Vanderbilt
Wash U
Rice
Brown

Thoughts on chancing him?

OP Update:

Colgate - admitted
Bucknell - admitted
Middlebury - WL
Wesleyan - admitted
Williams - rejected
Wake - WL
Emory - admitted
Vanderbilt - rejected
Wash U - rejected
Rice - admitted !!
Brown - admitted !!
Northwestern - rejected
Tulane - WL

Crazy!
- Good highly tailored essays/ applications make a big difference (I don’t think he reused any of the essays other than PS and spent weeks customizing and finalizing. I did help with editing).
- very niche non-Stem major and unique long duration ECs that are atypical of HS student
- Getting extra letters of recommendations where schools will allow a third (and fourth)recommendation also may have made a difference.
- Adding more detailed information into the “additional information” section of the common app to really showcase interests and Personality
- unique videos

- Kid is going to 2 more admitted students events this month.

Thank you everyone for all of the advice.
Think the private school counseling office really helped here.
Non-DMV private.

Congratulations!!!

A lot of "congrats" for the white male.

If this was a URM with the same profile and acceptances ( i.e. Ivy) there would be a whole bunch of " you just got accepted because..." comments.

And you know it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS with 3.82 (high rigor); 33 ACT and non-Stem /business /Econ major (true humanities major) with strong pointy related ECs.
Private selective non-DMV high school.

He’s finished with his RD apps.
Deferred from both NU (ED) and Tulane (EA).

He’s got a bunch of decisions from large flagships coming in next month. Concerned he falls into that middle space and may get dinged everywhere else.

Thoughts on chances for these reaches:

Colgate
Bucknell
Middlebury
Wesleyan
Williams
Wake
Emory
Vanderbilt
Wash U
Rice
Brown

Thoughts on chancing him?

I’d put Bucknell and Colgate both as likely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS with 3.82 (high rigor); 33 ACT and non-Stem /business /Econ major (true humanities major) with strong pointy related ECs.
Private selective non-DMV high school.

He’s finished with his RD apps.
Deferred from both NU (ED) and Tulane (EA).

He’s got a bunch of decisions from large flagships coming in next month. Concerned he falls into that middle space and may get dinged everywhere else.

Thoughts on chances for these reaches:

Colgate
Bucknell
Middlebury
Wesleyan
Williams
Wake
Emory
Vanderbilt
Wash U
Rice
Brown

Thoughts on chancing him?

OP Update:

Colgate - admitted
Bucknell - admitted
Middlebury - WL
Wesleyan - admitted
Williams - rejected
Wake - WL
Emory - admitted
Vanderbilt - rejected
Wash U - rejected
Rice - admitted !!
Brown - admitted !!
Northwestern - rejected
Tulane - WL

Crazy!
- Good highly tailored essays/ applications make a big difference (I don’t think he reused any of the essays other than PS and spent weeks customizing and finalizing. I did help with editing).
- very niche non-Stem major and unique long duration ECs that are atypical of HS student
- Getting extra letters of recommendations where schools will allow a third (and fourth)recommendation also may have made a difference.
- Adding more detailed information into the “additional information” section of the common app to really showcase interests and Personality
- unique videos

- Kid is going to 2 more admitted students events this month.

Thank you everyone for all of the advice.
Think the private school counseling office really helped here.
Non-DMV private.

Read the thread.
This is from last year./cycle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS with 3.82 (high rigor); 33 ACT and non-Stem /business /Econ major (true humanities major) with strong pointy related ECs.
Private selective non-DMV high school.

He’s finished with his RD apps.
Deferred from both NU (ED) and Tulane (EA).

He’s got a bunch of decisions from large flagships coming in next month. Concerned he falls into that middle space and may get dinged everywhere else.

Thoughts on chances for these reaches:

Colgate
Bucknell
Middlebury
Wesleyan
Williams
Wake
Emory
Vanderbilt
Wash U
Rice
Brown

Thoughts on chancing him?

OP Update:

Colgate - admitted
Bucknell - admitted
Middlebury - WL
Wesleyan - admitted
Williams - rejected
Wake - WL
Emory - admitted
Vanderbilt - rejected
Wash U - rejected
Rice - admitted !!
Brown - admitted !!
Northwestern - rejected
Tulane - WL

Crazy!
- Good highly tailored essays/ applications make a big difference (I don’t think he reused any of the essays other than PS and spent weeks customizing and finalizing. I did help with editing).
- very niche non-Stem major and unique long duration ECs that are atypical of HS student
- Getting extra letters of recommendations where schools will allow a third (and fourth)recommendation also may have made a difference.
- Adding more detailed information into the “additional information” section of the common app to really showcase interests and Personality
- unique videos

- Kid is going to 2 more admitted students events this month.

Thank you everyone for all of the advice.
Think the private school counseling office really helped here.
Non-DMV private.

Congratulations!!!

A lot of "congrats" for the white male.

If this was a URM with the same profile and acceptances ( i.e. Ivy) there would be a whole bunch of " you just got accepted because..." comments.

And you know it.

I must be awful to be such a miserable human being, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS with 3.82 (high rigor); 33 ACT and non-Stem /business /Econ major (true humanities major) with strong pointy related ECs.
Private selective non-DMV high school.

He’s finished with his RD apps.
Deferred from both NU (ED) and Tulane (EA).

He’s got a bunch of decisions from large flagships coming in next month. Concerned he falls into that middle space and may get dinged everywhere else.

Thoughts on chances for these reaches:

Colgate
Bucknell
Middlebury
Wesleyan
Williams
Wake
Emory
Vanderbilt
Wash U
Rice
Brown

Thoughts on chancing him?

OP Update:

Colgate - admitted
Bucknell - admitted
Middlebury - WL
Wesleyan - admitted
Williams - rejected
Wake - WL
Emory - admitted
Vanderbilt - rejected
Wash U - rejected
Rice - admitted !!
Brown - admitted !!
Northwestern - rejected
Tulane - WL

Crazy!
- Good highly tailored essays/ applications make a big difference (I don’t think he reused any of the essays other than PS and spent weeks customizing and finalizing. I did help with editing).
- very niche non-Stem major and unique long duration ECs that are atypical of HS student
- Getting extra letters of recommendations where schools will allow a third (and fourth)recommendation also may have made a difference.
- Adding more detailed information into the “additional information” section of the common app to really showcase interests and Personality
- unique videos

- Kid is going to 2 more admitted students events this month.

Thank you everyone for all of the advice.
Think the private school counseling office really helped here.
Non-DMV private.

Congratulations!!!

A lot of "congrats" for the white male.

If this was a URM with the same profile and acceptances ( i.e. Ivy) there would be a whole bunch of " you just got accepted because..." comments.

And you know it.

I must be awful to be such a miserable human being, PP.

They're not wrong, and you know it. NP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS with 3.82 (high rigor); 33 ACT and non-Stem /business /Econ major (true humanities major) with strong pointy related ECs.
Private selective non-DMV high school.

He’s finished with his RD apps.
Deferred from both NU (ED) and Tulane (EA).

He’s got a bunch of decisions from large flagships coming in next month. Concerned he falls into that middle space and may get dinged everywhere else.

Thoughts on chances for these reaches:

Colgate
Bucknell
Middlebury
Wesleyan
Williams
Wake
Emory
Vanderbilt
Wash U
Rice
Brown

Thoughts on chancing him?

I'm guessing ED2 is closed? If not, see if you can go ED2 at Tulane or another target.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS with 3.82 (high rigor); 33 ACT and non-Stem /business /Econ major (true humanities major) with strong pointy related ECs.
Private selective non-DMV high school.

He’s finished with his RD apps.
Deferred from both NU (ED) and Tulane (EA).

He’s got a bunch of decisions from large flagships coming in next month. Concerned he falls into that middle space and may get dinged everywhere else.

Thoughts on chances for these reaches:

Colgate
Bucknell
Middlebury
Wesleyan
Williams
Wake
Emory
Vanderbilt
Wash U
Rice
Brown

Thoughts on chancing him?

OP Update:

Colgate - admitted
Bucknell - admitted
Middlebury - WL
Wesleyan - admitted
Williams - rejected
Wake - WL
Emory - admitted
Vanderbilt - rejected
Wash U - rejected
Rice - admitted !!
Brown - admitted !!
Northwestern - rejected
Tulane - WL

Crazy!
- Good highly tailored essays/ applications make a big difference (I don’t think he reused any of the essays other than PS and spent weeks customizing and finalizing. I did help with editing).
- very niche non-Stem major and unique long duration ECs that are atypical of HS student
- Getting extra letters of recommendations where schools will allow a third (and fourth)recommendation also may have made a difference.
- Adding more detailed information into the “additional information” section of the common app to really showcase interests and Personality
- unique videos

- Kid is going to 2 more admitted students events this month.

Thank you everyone for all of the advice.
Think the private school counseling office really helped here.
Non-DMV private.

Congratulations!!!

A lot of "congrats" for the white male.

If this was a URM with the same profile and acceptances ( i.e. Ivy) there would be a whole bunch of " you just got accepted because..." comments.

And you know it.

Other than brown and maaaybe Rice, none of that raises an eyebrow.

I'd want to know what the pointy ECs are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS with 3.82 (high rigor); 33 ACT and non-Stem /business /Econ major (true humanities major) with strong pointy related ECs.
Private selective non-DMV high school.

He’s finished with his RD apps.
Deferred from both NU (ED) and Tulane (EA).

He’s got a bunch of decisions from large flagships coming in next month. Concerned he falls into that middle space and may get dinged everywhere else.

Thoughts on chances for these reaches:

Colgate
Bucknell
Middlebury
Wesleyan
Williams
Wake
Emory
Vanderbilt
Wash U
Rice
Brown

Thoughts on chancing him?

I'm guessing ED2 is closed? If not, see if you can go ED2 at Tulane or another target.

This was from 2023.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, 33 ACT is weak for this list.
I’d apply TO to most of these schools

That's low score for WES. DD got in TO
(had a 32) but over 4.0 IB private not DMV.

[Anonymous]

Sorry you couldn't get into