Help! My kid is a generalist!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I guess I'm new to this. Do kids not have to declare their major when they apply? Or, is that only for a few programs/schools?

Knowing early what your major is going to be when applying to colleges helps when it is Engineering or high demand major.

[Anonymous]

Ever hear of Ben Franklin? Read his autobiography.
You know colleges have interdisciplinary majors now, right?

I will hire a well rounded graduate over a specialist for 9 out of 10 positions. I don't mind if the tech person is a specialist, but for other positions, generalists tend to be the more creative thinkers. They can learn the profession at work. Creative thinking, however, is much harder to teach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine is the same. Never developed a passion. Happy now at Brown.

Mine is the same too and hoping to get into Brown!!!

OP, I'm hoping that the renaissance person comes back in fashion. My kid is in a stem program but is serious about theatre and music and loves history and literature. She's applied for music programs where she can get enough APs to pick up a double major, theatre programs at schools with strong music and academics, and schools that allow for crossover.

She has good safety options and hoping for some more options by the end of the month. Even the safeties will be great places to learn, grow and hone interests and skills.

Everyone seems to value early specialization, but I think there is a lot to be said for crossover talents, skills and interest. And, that's who my kid is. Maybe yours too

[Anonymous]

I’m a lifelong generalist, then at 52.

Also a late bloomer type in every way.

Happy to say that I’m good at (most) everything! I’m highly adaptable, diplomatic, intuitive, observant, articulate, energetic, caring and started a new career last year!

Curious if OP DC is a middle child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both of my kids were good at everything, stellar at nothing. Currently freshmen in college and have already changed ideas on majors a few times but don’t have to commit to anything for another year.

Absolutely nothing wrong with your kid, nothing needs to be done. Let him be a happy learner.

This. Take a deep breath and let him enjoy high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't pointy all the rage now?! From the Admission's offices: we want to see breadth and depth, they say. Whose BS is it? It's the colleges that are driving this bus!

Seems to me it’s the insane parents who spend all of their time reading tea leaves and over-interpreting anecdotal information, then posting on DCUM about it.

[Anonymous]

Even if you truly think college today are only accepting so-called "pointy" kids, buy the time your student applies, they will change what they are allegedly looking for and you will regret having a pointy kid in a well rounded application year.

You should want your child to be authentic, be who he is -- let him figure that out.

[Anonymous]

If you must: curiosity and a willingness to try anything is your child's superpower -- that is where he is pointy.

[Anonymous]

Oh DCUM, never change

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh DCUM, never change

I've been encouraged by the consensus in the responses: Sounds like a great kid, let him pursue his many interests.

I'd be happy if my kids were interested in ANY of the many things your child is interested in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh DCUM, never change

I've been encouraged by the consensus in the responses: Sounds like a great kid, let him pursue his many interests.

I'd be happy if my kids were interested in ANY of the many things your child is interested in.

Exactly! Some of our kids (not necessarily yours, PP) are bumps on a log, so props to whoever’s child is out there exploring their interests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am definitely not hot housing him, but I want him to be happy with one thing above all the others. He's in our regular home public school, so I don't think getting all As is a big deal. I only bring it up to show that his skill level is pretty even (stem vs. humanities). But while his skills are even and he's adept at switching modes, he's not passionate about any one thing. I fear that in college, he'll be equally unable to find his passion, i.e., pick a major, stick with it, and do well in it.

I'm not saying he has to find himself at 15! I just don't want him to graduate college having just gone through the motions, and wind up in a profession he hates. That is not any one's goal, I'm sure.

Of course I'm not sharing any of my concerns with him! He's very happy, and I'm happy. But he doesn't know that in life choices must be made eventually, and I want him to be happy with his choices. How do I help him?

Why do you want him to be happy with one thing above others??? Why? Are you really concerned about what will happen "in college", or are you worried about the college applications?

He sounds like a great kid. He'll figure it out. On the Yale Admissions podcast, they talked about this and said they want a well rounded class that includes pointy kids AND round kids.

In 9th grade he should focus on getting the best grades possible. Next year, he can start worrying about tests. He has ECs, so he needs no changes there.
The pointy-ness is just a narrative you want to be able to manufacture on the applications. Since you have many activities and academic classes he does well in to choose from, this will be easier for your family, not harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I guess I'm new to this. Do kids not have to declare their major when they apply? Or, is that only for a few programs/schools?

If they want pre-med or nursing or stem, certain programs you need to apply to those schools to get the classes and get them done in 4 years. Many kids at colleges are undecided majors though, and don't have to declare until sophomore year.

Happy to have a generalist child in college.

I'm also interviewing for jobs right now, and I'm fascinated to see people's work/education history. Majors in history, english, museum arts, and in jobs that have nothing to do with that, and have climbed the corporate ladder in amazing ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I guess I'm new to this. Do kids not have to declare their major when they apply? Or, is that only for a few programs/schools?

You’re new to what? College in the US? In most top colleges, you don’t have to declare your major till end of sophomore year or sometimes even the beginning of junior year. Spend the first few semesters taking different stuff and then decide.

[Anonymous]

why can't you let him do what he likes? Why does he have to specialize? Let the kid be!