Brutal Admissions Year!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of my DC's friends was discouraged by the school counselor from applying to the usual high number of 12-15 schools. I've also seen that 'advice' in this forum. DC and parents disregarded the advice and went full throttle. Out of the 15 was admitted to four and will attend the 'reach' school which is Tufts. No Ivy schools were on the list.

I wonder if the family had heeded the advice of the counselor and others offering what they thought was well-meaning advice would this kid be in the same boat as OP.

DC applied to four and got into four.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No acceptances so far. Applied to six, with three rejections (2 after deferrals for EA and ED), and now on 3 waitlists. Was outright rejected by "safety" school. We probably needed a REAL safety (hindsight). Didn't apply to Ivies, but comparably selective schools. It's been sobering. We're now just praying for a wait list spot. So yes, brutal for us anyway.

We are in the opposite position in that DC was 7/7, but none of the schools was really a reach, and most of them are schools that don't get a lot of love on DCUM. Now we are seeing some of DC's classmates get into higher ranked schools that were reaches for them, and wondering if we should have been more insistent that DC aim higher and not be so cautious. But DC seems happy with options so we are making the best of it and telling ourselves you can get a good education at many schools, so why sweat it, particularly after the fact. GL with the wait lists - there will be something out there for your DC.

[Anonymous]

Original poster here. Not sure if I'm indicating that correctly.

I wanted to reply to some of the people who posted replies.

My child is a boy, a national merit semifinalist, 3.8-ish GPA, we are "full pay", private school in DC.

He only applied to six, partly b/c counselor thought he would definitely get in to at least some of schools, but partly because he probably couldn't have done all the essays to apply to more (has some struggles with writing on demand).

It seems to me the takeaway is that b/c my son is not the "perfect" candidate (actually got a C junior year - the horror!), had relatively "weak" extracurriculars (he's more of a cerebral type), that he just didn't measure up to the unreal expectations we impose on kids today. He also missed out on becoming a NM finalist (maybe that C or those extracurriculars - no other red flags).

The biggest bummer is that he's really in it for the academic challenge; HE wanted to apply to these competitive schools and has been looking forward to being part of a community of like-minded kids. He'll still find that wherever he ends up, but it'll be harder. None of his teachers has any doubt that he can handle the academic work.

I know this sounds like, "poor us". We are fortunate to have resources, he's a good kid who'll get in somewhere or transfer somewhere great. And I hope the disappointments will make him all the more determined to do well. The whole thing, though, has left us all feeling chewed up and spit out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Original poster here. Not sure if I'm indicating that correctly.

I wanted to reply to some of the people who posted replies.

My child is a boy, a national merit semifinalist, 3.8-ish GPA, we are "full pay", private school in DC.

He only applied to six, partly b/c counselor thought he would definitely get in to at least some of schools, but partly because he probably couldn't have done all the essays to apply to more (has some struggles with writing on demand).

It seems to me the takeaway is that b/c my son is not the "perfect" candidate (actually got a C junior year - the horror!), had relatively "weak" extracurriculars (he's more of a cerebral type), that he just didn't measure up to the unreal expectations we impose on kids today. He also missed out on becoming a NM finalist (maybe that C or those extracurriculars - no other red flags).

The biggest bummer is that he's really in it for the academic challenge; HE wanted to apply to these competitive schools and has been looking forward to being part of a community of like-minded kids. He'll still find that wherever he ends up, but it'll be harder. None of his teachers has any doubt that he can handle the academic work.

I know this sounds like, "poor us". We are fortunate to have resources, he's a good kid who'll get in somewhere or transfer somewhere great. And I hope the disappointments will make him all the more determined to do well. The whole thing, though, has left us all feeling chewed up and spit out.

Why not apply to Oxford or Cambridge?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Are you serious about Cambridge or Oxford?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Original poster here. Not sure if I'm indicating that correctly.

I wanted to reply to some of the people who posted replies.

My child is a boy, a national merit semifinalist, 3.8-ish GPA, we are "full pay", private school in DC.

He only applied to six, partly b/c counselor thought he would definitely get in to at least some of schools, but partly because he probably couldn't have done all the essays to apply to more (has some struggles with writing on demand).

It seems to me the takeaway is that b/c my son is not the "perfect" candidate (actually got a C junior year - the horror!), had relatively "weak" extracurriculars (he's more of a cerebral type), that he just didn't measure up to the unreal expectations we impose on kids today. He also missed out on becoming a NM finalist (maybe that C or those extracurriculars - no other red flags).

The biggest bummer is that he's really in it for the academic challenge; HE wanted to apply to these competitive schools and has been looking forward to being part of a community of like-minded kids. He'll still find that wherever he ends up, but it'll be harder. None of his teachers has any doubt that he can handle the academic work.

I know this sounds like, "poor us". We are fortunate to have resources, he's a good kid who'll get in somewhere or transfer somewhere great. And I hope the disappointments will make him all the more determined to do well. The whole thing, though, has left us all feeling chewed up and spit out.

OP, this sounds a bit like the system is broken because my kid doesn't get to go where he wanted to. I don't blame you for feeling disappointed, but the system seems to be working the way it always has. There are always more qualified applicants than places at the most competitive schools, and rarely is good but not perfect grades a guarantee of admission anywhere. I don't doubt that your kid is a great kid who enjoys academic challenge but I am also confident there are many schools beyond the six he applied to that would provide that challenge. I really do hope that he finds a spot at a school that provides the challenge he seeks, but I also hope that your "gloom and doom" about the admissions process is vented here, rather than to your kid. There are many many schools at which most kids will succeed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Original poster here. Not sure if I'm indicating that correctly.

I wanted to reply to some of the people who posted replies.

My child is a boy, a national merit semifinalist, 3.8-ish GPA, we are "full pay", private school in DC.

He only applied to six, partly b/c counselor thought he would definitely get in to at least some of schools, but partly because he probably couldn't have done all the essays to apply to more (has some struggles with writing on demand).

It seems to me the takeaway is that b/c my son is not the "perfect" candidate (actually got a C junior year - the horror!), had relatively "weak" extracurriculars (he's more of a cerebral type), that he just didn't measure up to the unreal expectations we impose on kids today. He also missed out on becoming a NM finalist (maybe that C or those extracurriculars - no other red flags).

The biggest bummer is that he's really in it for the academic challenge; HE wanted to apply to these competitive schools and has been looking forward to being part of a community of like-minded kids. He'll still find that wherever he ends up, but it'll be harder. None of his teachers has any doubt that he can handle the academic work.

I know this sounds like, "poor us". We are fortunate to have resources, he's a good kid who'll get in somewhere or transfer somewhere great. And I hope the disappointments will make him all the more determined to do well. The whole thing, though, has left us all feeling chewed up and spit out.

OP, this sounds a bit like the system is broken because my kid doesn't get to go where he wanted to. I don't blame you for feeling disappointed, but the system seems to be working the way it always has. There are always more qualified applicants than places at the most competitive schools, and rarely is good but not perfect grades a guarantee of admission anywhere. I don't doubt that your kid is a great kid who enjoys academic challenge but I am also confident there are many schools beyond the six he applied to that would provide that challenge. I really do hope that he finds a spot at a school that provides the challenge he seeks, but I also hope that your "gloom and doom" about the admissions process is vented here, rather than to your kid. There are many many schools at which most kids will succeed.

Just saw that your kid got into three of the six schools he applied to. What exactly is the nature of your complaint?

[Anonymous]

What are the merits or demerits of going the guaranteed admission route through NVCC to schools like W&M and UVA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Original poster here. Not sure if I'm indicating that correctly.

I wanted to reply to some of the people who posted replies.

My child is a boy, a national merit semifinalist, 3.8-ish GPA, we are "full pay", private school in DC.

He only applied to six, partly b/c counselor thought he would definitely get in to at least some of schools, but partly because he probably couldn't have done all the essays to apply to more (has some struggles with writing on demand).

It seems to me the takeaway is that b/c my son is not the "perfect" candidate (actually got a C junior year - the horror!), had relatively "weak" extracurriculars (he's more of a cerebral type), that he just didn't measure up to the unreal expectations we impose on kids today. He also missed out on becoming a NM finalist (maybe that C or those extracurriculars - no other red flags).

The biggest bummer is that he's really in it for the academic challenge; HE wanted to apply to these competitive schools and has been looking forward to being part of a community of like-minded kids. He'll still find that wherever he ends up, but it'll be harder. None of his teachers has any doubt that he can handle the academic work.

I know this sounds like, "poor us". We are fortunate to have resources, he's a good kid who'll get in somewhere or transfer somewhere great. And I hope the disappointments will make him all the more determined to do well. The whole thing, though, has left us all feeling chewed up and spit out.

Did he apply and get turned down at University of Chicago and/or Johns Hopkins?

[Anonymous]

Wow, I just took a quick look at Cambridge and Oxford. We hadn't even thought about this option , but it looks like they might be perfect! Thank you!

[Anonymous]

OP again. Final message I promise! To respond, he did NOT get into three schools, he's wait-listed at three, one of which is Chicago.

As for the comments about "doom and gloom", I get it. And yes, this has been a GREAT place to vent; people have been very supportive. I think my husband and I have done a pretty good job staying calm and positive while with our son. A few weeks passing since getting results have also helped with perspective.

My best to all the other families going through this stage!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD was accepted to Wisconsin and Michigan, but not UMD, thats brutal to my pocketbook!

Yikes! My blood ran cold reading this post. Has it really gotten that tough at UMD for in-state kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC applied to only two universities, one is arguably the best private university in the country, and the other is arguably the best public university in the country. DC was admitted to both.

And what arguably are those universities ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Final message I promise! To respond, he did NOT get into three schools, he's wait-listed at three, one of which is Chicago.

As for the comments about "doom and gloom", I get it. And yes, this has been a GREAT place to vent; people have been very supportive. I think my husband and I have done a pretty good job staying calm and positive while with our son. A few weeks passing since getting results have also helped with perspective.

My best to all the other families going through this stage!

OP, why did you start this thread, "got into three good schools, but shut down at so many others"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^Then start your own college and you can make the rules.

Even private colleges have to make sure they follow the law.

The law 'worked' when colleges were exclusively white. You do know that there are non-white applicants that are equally or more qualified in grades, scores, ECs, etc.

Absolutely! And those individuals should be getting in on merit! The Supreme Court actually tightened Affirmative Action laws after the reverse discrimination lawsuit against U.Texas at Austin. The Obama Administration's response was to send a letter from the Dept. of Education to college admissions departments telling them that they can essentially still discriminate re: race. Pretty uncalled-for in my opinion.

There's a reason the Constitution was amended back then, and rightfully so. However, to do the same now to (especially) Asians and Caucasians is no better.

This is exactly where affirmative action breaks down, where there is an historically discriminated-against minority that "over performs" in academically competitive admissions. As a result, they basically get totally read out of affirmative action programs and even discriminated against in open-competitive admissions. No matter that many Asian families came to this country in the last few decades, some on rafts and with just the clothes on their backs. They didn't speak English and faced (and still face discrimination) and now their academically successful kids have quotas put on them in college admissions. At the end of the day, affirmative actions is largely a preference program for African-Americans who for various reasons seem more afflicted than other minority groups by the social pathologies that Daniel Patrick Moynihan wrote about in the Sixties. On that basis, it becomes harder and harder to justify.