Ivy day 2026

[Anonymous]

I think the "drastic increase" take on Brown's admission trends is incorrect, if you read this closely: "The number of first-generation students admitted to the University remained consistent with the class of 2029, with 19% of admitted students being the first in their families to attend college. There was a 15% increase in applicants who will be the first in their families to graduate." So, there were more applicants, but the admitted numbers were consistent with the past. https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2026/03/brown-admits-5-35-of-applicants-to-class-of-2030

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our family friend’s son was confident (overly so, imho😔) he’d get into one of the Ivies. He was getting so emotionally distressed after last night’s disappointing rejections. He was a regular high stats kid but with mediocre ECs. Any suggestions on how to console him? It’s hard to tell him his profile was not nearly good enough for any Ivy without hurting him. (We know many high stats kids with much better ECs getting shut out of the Ivies. They’re, though somewhat disappointed, weren’t surprised at all.)

PS. He applied to a bunch of safeties in addition to a bunch of Ivies. We’re wondering why their college counselor didn’t tell them to add a bunch of targets. I know college counselors are not well paid and we shouldn’t place too much expectation on them. But my kid and I only picked up the information along the way on the internet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our family friend’s son was confident (overly so, imho😔) he’d get into one of the Ivies. He was getting so emotionally distressed after last night’s disappointing rejections. He was a regular high stats kid but with mediocre ECs. Any suggestions on how to console him? It’s hard to tell him his profile was not nearly good enough for any Ivy without hurting him. (We know many high stats kids with much better ECs getting shut out of the Ivies. They’re, though somewhat disappointed, weren’t surprised at all.)

You dont need to console him, he has own family. You did not seem to really have much confidence in the kid by the tone in your post. He will be fine after her processes the news in the next couple of days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family friend’s son was confident (overly so, imho😔) he’d get into one of the Ivies. He was getting so emotionally distressed after last night’s disappointing rejections. He was a regular high stats kid but with mediocre ECs. Any suggestions on how to console him? It’s hard to tell him his profile was not nearly good enough for any Ivy without hurting him. (We know many high stats kids with much better ECs getting shut out of the Ivies. They’re, though somewhat disappointed, weren’t surprised at all.)

You dont need to console him, he has own family. You did not seem to really have much confidence in the kid by the tone in your post. He will be fine after her processes the news in the next couple of days.

+1

Consoling him is not your job.

IF he reaches out to you … or IF you see him and he initiates a conversation about his college results … just listen warmly and with empathy.

Acknowledge his feelings (“that’s so disappointing - I’m sorry”) without trying to reframe or “on the bright side” things for him.

This is HIS life experience, not yours. He needs to feel his feelings - even the hard ones - without the adults in his life trying to rush him past them into appreciating what he DOES have etc.

He’ll get there. Just listen with warmth and empathy if he reaches out.

If he doesn’t reach out, PLEASE WAIT UNTIL HE CHOOSES A SCHOOL, and then congratulate him and celebrate the news the same way you would if it had been his absolute first choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family friend’s son was confident (overly so, imho😔) he’d get into one of the Ivies. He was getting so emotionally distressed after last night’s disappointing rejections. He was a regular high stats kid but with mediocre ECs. Any suggestions on how to console him? It’s hard to tell him his profile was not nearly good enough for any Ivy without hurting him. (We know many high stats kids with much better ECs getting shut out of the Ivies. They’re, though somewhat disappointed, weren’t surprised at all.)

PS. He applied to a bunch of safeties in addition to a bunch of Ivies. We’re wondering why their college counselor didn’t tell them to add a bunch of targets. I know college counselors are not well paid and we shouldn’t place too much expectation on them. But my kid and I only picked up the information along the way on the internet.

Unless he’s asking you, MYOB. Seriously. 😳

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our family friend’s son was confident (overly so, imho😔) he’d get into one of the Ivies. He was getting so emotionally distressed after last night’s disappointing rejections. He was a regular high stats kid but with mediocre ECs. Any suggestions on how to console him? It’s hard to tell him his profile was not nearly good enough for any Ivy without hurting him. (We know many high stats kids with much better ECs getting shut out of the Ivies. They’re, though somewhat disappointed, weren’t surprised at all.)

Why do YOU need to "console" him?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family friend’s son was confident (overly so, imho😔) he’d get into one of the Ivies. He was getting so emotionally distressed after last night’s disappointing rejections. He was a regular high stats kid but with mediocre ECs. Any suggestions on how to console him? It’s hard to tell him his profile was not nearly good enough for any Ivy without hurting him. (We know many high stats kids with much better ECs getting shut out of the Ivies. They’re, though somewhat disappointed, weren’t surprised at all.)

You dont need to console him, he has own family. You did not seem to really have much confidence in the kid by the tone in your post. He will be fine after her processes the news in the next couple of days.

+1

Consoling him is not your job.

IF he reaches out to you … or IF you see him and he initiates a conversation about his college results … just listen warmly and with empathy.

Acknowledge his feelings (“that’s so disappointing - I’m sorry”) without trying to reframe or “on the bright side” things for him.

This is HIS life experience, not yours. He needs to feel his feelings - even the hard ones - without the adults in his life trying to rush him past them into appreciating what he DOES have etc.

He’ll get there. Just listen with warmth and empathy if he reaches out.

If he doesn’t reach out, PLEASE WAIT UNTIL HE CHOOSES A SCHOOL, and then congratulate him and celebrate the news the same way you would if it had been his absolute first choice.

Thanks. This is really helpful! (His parents were venting to us. I was just stunned by the distress they described.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family friend’s son was confident (overly so, imho😔) he’d get into one of the Ivies. He was getting so emotionally distressed after last night’s disappointing rejections. He was a regular high stats kid but with mediocre ECs. Any suggestions on how to console him? It’s hard to tell him his profile was not nearly good enough for any Ivy without hurting him. (We know many high stats kids with much better ECs getting shut out of the Ivies. They’re, though somewhat disappointed, weren’t surprised at all.)

You dont need to console him, he has own family. You did not seem to really have much confidence in the kid by the tone in your post. He will be fine after her processes the news in the next couple of days.

+1

Consoling him is not your job.

IF he reaches out to you … or IF you see him and he initiates a conversation about his college results … just listen warmly and with empathy.

Acknowledge his feelings (“that’s so disappointing - I’m sorry”) without trying to reframe or “on the bright side” things for him.

This is HIS life experience, not yours. He needs to feel his feelings - even the hard ones - without the adults in his life trying to rush him past them into appreciating what he DOES have etc.

He’ll get there. Just listen with warmth and empathy if he reaches out.

If he doesn’t reach out, PLEASE WAIT UNTIL HE CHOOSES A SCHOOL, and then congratulate him and celebrate the news the same way you would if it had been his absolute first choice.

Thanks. This is really helpful! (His parents were venting to us. I was just stunned by the distress they described.)

Hope his parents have other friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family friend’s son was confident (overly so, imho😔) he’d get into one of the Ivies. He was getting so emotionally distressed after last night’s disappointing rejections. He was a regular high stats kid but with mediocre ECs. Any suggestions on how to console him? It’s hard to tell him his profile was not nearly good enough for any Ivy without hurting him. (We know many high stats kids with much better ECs getting shut out of the Ivies. They’re, though somewhat disappointed, weren’t surprised at all.)

You dont need to console him, he has own family. You did not seem to really have much confidence in the kid by the tone in your post. He will be fine after her processes the news in the next couple of days.

+1

Consoling him is not your job.

IF he reaches out to you … or IF you see him and he initiates a conversation about his college results … just listen warmly and with empathy.

Acknowledge his feelings (“that’s so disappointing - I’m sorry”) without trying to reframe or “on the bright side” things for him.

This is HIS life experience, not yours. He needs to feel his feelings - even the hard ones - without the adults in his life trying to rush him past them into appreciating what he DOES have etc.

He’ll get there. Just listen with warmth and empathy if he reaches out.

If he doesn’t reach out, PLEASE WAIT UNTIL HE CHOOSES A SCHOOL, and then congratulate him and celebrate the news the same way you would if it had been his absolute first choice.

Thanks. This is really helpful! (His parents were venting to us. I was just stunned by the distress they described.)

then you are REALLY not the right person for this job. step way way way back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family friend’s son was confident (overly so, imho😔) he’d get into one of the Ivies. He was getting so emotionally distressed after last night’s disappointing rejections. He was a regular high stats kid but with mediocre ECs. Any suggestions on how to console him? It’s hard to tell him his profile was not nearly good enough for any Ivy without hurting him. (We know many high stats kids with much better ECs getting shut out of the Ivies. They’re, though somewhat disappointed, weren’t surprised at all.)

You dont need to console him, he has own family. You did not seem to really have much confidence in the kid by the tone in your post. He will be fine after her processes the news in the next couple of days.

+1

Consoling him is not your job.

IF he reaches out to you … or IF you see him and he initiates a conversation about his college results … just listen warmly and with empathy.

Acknowledge his feelings (“that’s so disappointing - I’m sorry”) without trying to reframe or “on the bright side” things for him.

This is HIS life experience, not yours. He needs to feel his feelings - even the hard ones - without the adults in his life trying to rush him past them into appreciating what he DOES have etc.

He’ll get there. Just listen with warmth and empathy if he reaches out.

If he doesn’t reach out, PLEASE WAIT UNTIL HE CHOOSES A SCHOOL, and then congratulate him and celebrate the news the same way you would if it had been his absolute first choice.

Thanks. This is really helpful! (His parents were venting to us. I was just stunned by the distress they described.)

Of course they’re feeling distress.

Be a good friend. Listen. Be kind.

That means stop trying to figure out how they got to where they are now - where things might have “gone wrong”.

And don’t try to problem solve with or for them. I promise you, they’ll figure it out and come out just fine.

Being a friend sometimes means letting someone vent and share their distress. Even if we couldn’t imagine “letting our self end up in that situation” ourselves. Even if we feel like they screwed up. Even if we think the reason for their distress is “obvious” to everyone but them.

Ivy decisions came out yesterday. Be kind. Listen without speaking, except to say “I’m sorry” and “My heart aches for you all right now.”

We all wish for what we think would be best for our kids. Sometimes we’re well-informed and realistic. Sometimes we’re not. But we all love our kids and feel sad to see them sad. It’s nice to have friends who understand that.

[Anonymous]

+1 that pp sounds like she is experiencing schadenfreude, not coming from a truly sympathetic place. Who needs “friends” like that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1 that pp sounds like she is experiencing schadenfreude, not coming from a truly sympathetic place. Who needs “friends” like that?

Yes, because what every kid wants to hear in the moment is their strategy was stupid. Good god is she tone deaf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family friend’s son was confident (overly so, imho😔) he’d get into one of the Ivies. He was getting so emotionally distressed after last night’s disappointing rejections. He was a regular high stats kid but with mediocre ECs. Any suggestions on how to console him? It’s hard to tell him his profile was not nearly good enough for any Ivy without hurting him. (We know many high stats kids with much better ECs getting shut out of the Ivies. They’re, though somewhat disappointed, weren’t surprised at all.)

You dont need to console him, he has own family. You did not seem to really have much confidence in the kid by the tone in your post. He will be fine after her processes the news in the next couple of days.

+1

Consoling him is not your job.

IF he reaches out to you … or IF you see him and he initiates a conversation about his college results … just listen warmly and with empathy.

Acknowledge his feelings (“that’s so disappointing - I’m sorry”) without trying to reframe or “on the bright side” things for him.

This is HIS life experience, not yours. He needs to feel his feelings - even the hard ones - without the adults in his life trying to rush him past them into appreciating what he DOES have etc.

He’ll get there. Just listen with warmth and empathy if he reaches out.

If he doesn’t reach out, PLEASE WAIT UNTIL HE CHOOSES A SCHOOL, and then congratulate him and celebrate the news the same way you would if it had been his absolute first choice.

Thanks. This is really helpful! (His parents were venting to us. I was just stunned by the distress they described.)

Of course they’re feeling distress.

Be a good friend. Listen. Be kind.

That means stop trying to figure out how they got to where they are now - where things might have “gone wrong”.

And don’t try to problem solve with or for them. I promise you, they’ll figure it out and come out just fine.

Being a friend sometimes means letting someone vent and share their distress. Even if we couldn’t imagine “letting our self end up in that situation” ourselves. Even if we feel like they screwed up. Even if we think the reason for their distress is “obvious” to everyone but them.

Ivy decisions came out yesterday. Be kind. Listen without speaking, except to say “I’m sorry” and “My heart aches for you all right now.”

We all wish for what we think would be best for our kids. Sometimes we’re well-informed and realistic. Sometimes we’re not. But we all love our kids and feel sad to see them sad. It’s nice to have friends who understand that.

For PP—⬆️ this is the best post I’ve read m here in awhile. You are really good at this. If you aren’t a counselor, you might have a calling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family friend’s son was confident (overly so, imho😔) he’d get into one of the Ivies. He was getting so emotionally distressed after last night’s disappointing rejections. He was a regular high stats kid but with mediocre ECs. Any suggestions on how to console him? It’s hard to tell him his profile was not nearly good enough for any Ivy without hurting him. (We know many high stats kids with much better ECs getting shut out of the Ivies. They’re, though somewhat disappointed, weren’t surprised at all.)

You dont need to console him, he has own family. You did not seem to really have much confidence in the kid by the tone in your post. He will be fine after her processes the news in the next couple of days.

+1

Consoling him is not your job.

IF he reaches out to you … or IF you see him and he initiates a conversation about his college results … just listen warmly and with empathy.

Acknowledge his feelings (“that’s so disappointing - I’m sorry”) without trying to reframe or “on the bright side” things for him.

This is HIS life experience, not yours. He needs to feel his feelings - even the hard ones - without the adults in his life trying to rush him past them into appreciating what he DOES have etc.

He’ll get there. Just listen with warmth and empathy if he reaches out.

If he doesn’t reach out, PLEASE WAIT UNTIL HE CHOOSES A SCHOOL, and then congratulate him and celebrate the news the same way you would if it had been his absolute first choice.

Thanks. This is really helpful! (His parents were venting to us. I was just stunned by the distress they described.)

Of course they’re feeling distress.

Be a good friend. Listen. Be kind.

That means stop trying to figure out how they got to where they are now - where things might have “gone wrong”.

And don’t try to problem solve with or for them. I promise you, they’ll figure it out and come out just fine.

Being a friend sometimes means letting someone vent and share their distress. Even if we couldn’t imagine “letting our self end up in that situation” ourselves. Even if we feel like they screwed up. Even if we think the reason for their distress is “obvious” to everyone but them.

Ivy decisions came out yesterday. Be kind. Listen without speaking, except to say “I’m sorry” and “My heart aches for you all right now.”

We all wish for what we think would be best for our kids. Sometimes we’re well-informed and realistic. Sometimes we’re not. But we all love our kids and feel sad to see them sad. It’s nice to have friends who understand that.

For PP—⬆️ this is the best post I’ve read m here in awhile. You are really good at this. If you aren’t a counselor, you might have a calling.

Thanks. Not a counselor, but I’ve done a lot of therapy. Learned a ton about empathy and how to show up better for others, including my DH and kids. It’s a journey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In at Princeton and U Penn.

1540 SAT
Fairfax Public
2 sport athlete (not recruited)
Fund raised $4000+ for non-profit
President of investment club
3.9/4.0
9 AP's
3 years volunteer work at animal shelter
2 summers working in retail

No hooks, white, male

Wow, it got to be something special, rec letter from vvip?

LOL, his two teachers and supervisor at the animal shelter wrote this letters. But I think he only sent supervisor to some colleges only for some reason.

The only special thing I see is he took a couple of courses that are non-core against all advice. We thought he is just following his interests at that time. His interest turned out to be a girl who is taking that same class. Bombed that class. Went on to repeat that again with the same result which took down his grades which were otherwise all 4.0 in core classes.

What about the girl though?