Rising Junior with excellent grades and test scores but no great extracurriculars

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a rising junior at a good DMV private- not one of the "Big 5", but the tier right below.
He has excellent grades (95+), and is scoring in the 1500-1540 range on his practice SATs so far.

The issue is that he is not motivated to do anything outside of what he needs to do at school and has no passion for anything yet. He plays a sport recreationally, volunteers here and there (no leadership position), and it's honestly been like pulling teeth to get him to do anything to stand out.

From everything I know about college admissions so far, they all seem to be after the kid who is great at one particular thing, has a great story, demonstrated leadership and impact ... of course grades and test scores matter but they don't seem to be enough.

What reach schools should he be aiming for?

If you can afford it, this is the perfect profile for the top UK/EU universities. If he can score 5’s on at least 3 AP tests and with a 1500+ SAT, he would be an easy admit at most UK schools (outside Oxbridge since that is a crapshoot and involves other testing/interviews).

In the EU: Copenhagen, Amsterdam, ETH Zurich, Maastricht, Science Po, Paris, Trinity College. If business, Bocconi. These are all top universities that focus on grades/tests. ECs are irrelevant here.

In the UK, just look at the typical top 10: Oxbridge, LSE, Imperial, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Durham, UCL, Bath, Warwick, Exeter

I would take UVA any time over any foreign schools.
Wisconsin and Ohio State are very solid schools, they will take OP easily. Why do we have to go to a fancy European country?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a rising junior at a good DMV private- not one of the "Big 5", but the tier right below.
He has excellent grades (95+), and is scoring in the 1500-1540 range on his practice SATs so far.

The issue is that he is not motivated to do anything outside of what he needs to do at school and has no passion for anything yet. He plays a sport recreationally, volunteers here and there (no leadership position), and it's honestly been like pulling teeth to get him to do anything to stand out.

From everything I know about college admissions so far, they all seem to be after the kid who is great at one particular thing, has a great story, demonstrated leadership and impact ... of course grades and test scores matter but they don't seem to be enough.

What reach schools should he be aiming for?

If you can afford it, this is the perfect profile for the top UK/EU universities. If he can score 5’s on at least 3 AP tests and with a 1500+ SAT, he would be an easy admit at most UK schools (outside Oxbridge since that is a crapshoot and involves other testing/interviews).

In the EU: Copenhagen, Amsterdam, ETH Zurich, Maastricht, Science Po, Paris, Trinity College. If business, Bocconi. These are all top universities that focus on grades/tests. ECs are irrelevant here.

In the UK, just look at the typical top 10: Oxbridge, LSE, Imperial, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Durham, UCL, Bath, Warwick, Exeter

I would take UVA any time over any foreign schools.
Wisconsin and Ohio State are very solid schools, they will take OP easily. Why do we have to go to a fancy European country?

Same. I wouldn't pay for any of those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid applied to Pitt without having to mention any ECs. Like other people have said, a job isn't a bad idea, even in retail or food service or seasonal summer positions. Also pursuing volunteering related to their academic/career interests is a good idea. Maybe they could coach younger kids in the sport that they play, volunteer/work at a related summer camp or referee youth games.

I know a kid who had extremely limited ECs (basically 2 sports) but top stats; in looking at bio/had some minor connections to Russia through lang and culture.
Ended up at T10 as a Russian language and literature major.

How?
Added 2 ECs as a rising junior (became library volunteer and creator of Russian Lit Book Club with active MeetUps) and then did virtual NSLI-Y and a few online seminars/courses in Russian Lit.
Pretty easy formula if the interest is real.

Only for uncommon majors.

Yes, of course - isn't that a given? If a top stats kid doesn't have ECs, every counselor will say apply Arts & Sciences undecided or an uncommon major if an iota of evidence. Esp if male.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a rising junior at a good DMV private- not one of the "Big 5", but the tier right below.
He has excellent grades (95+), and is scoring in the 1500-1540 range on his practice SATs so far.

The issue is that he is not motivated to do anything outside of what he needs to do at school and has no passion for anything yet. He plays a sport recreationally, volunteers here and there (no leadership position), and it's honestly been like pulling teeth to get him to do anything to stand out.

From everything I know about college admissions so far, they all seem to be after the kid who is great at one particular thing, has a great story, demonstrated leadership and impact ... of course grades and test scores matter but they don't seem to be enough.

What reach schools should he be aiming for?

If you can afford it, this is the perfect profile for the top UK/EU universities. If he can score 5’s on at least 3 AP tests and with a 1500+ SAT, he would be an easy admit at most UK schools (outside Oxbridge since that is a crapshoot and involves other testing/interviews).

In the EU: Copenhagen, Amsterdam, ETH Zurich, Maastricht, Science Po, Paris, Trinity College. If business, Bocconi. These are all top universities that focus on grades/tests. ECs are irrelevant here.

In the UK, just look at the typical top 10: Oxbridge, LSE, Imperial, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Durham, UCL, Bath, Warwick, Exeter

I would take UVA any time over any foreign schools.
Wisconsin and Ohio State are very solid schools, they will take OP easily. Why do we have to go to a fancy European country?

There is no arguing in state schools cost benefit vs any foreign university. BUT if he doesnt get in for some reason and the best option is another expensive OOS school or a private with no merit or very little merit, these schools make a lot of sense. There is NOTHING fancy about these schools. The EU schools are very cheap. I would take ANY of the schools mentioned above vs OOS Ohio State or Wisconsin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a rising junior at a good DMV private- not one of the "Big 5", but the tier right below.
He has excellent grades (95+), and is scoring in the 1500-1540 range on his practice SATs so far.

The issue is that he is not motivated to do anything outside of what he needs to do at school and has no passion for anything yet. He plays a sport recreationally, volunteers here and there (no leadership position), and it's honestly been like pulling teeth to get him to do anything to stand out.

From everything I know about college admissions so far, they all seem to be after the kid who is great at one particular thing, has a great story, demonstrated leadership and impact ... of course grades and test scores matter but they don't seem to be enough.

What reach schools should he be aiming for?

If you can afford it, this is the perfect profile for the top UK/EU universities. If he can score 5’s on at least 3 AP tests and with a 1500+ SAT, he would be an easy admit at most UK schools (outside Oxbridge since that is a crapshoot and involves other testing/interviews).

In the EU: Copenhagen, Amsterdam, ETH Zurich, Maastricht, Science Po, Paris, Trinity College. If business, Bocconi. These are all top universities that focus on grades/tests. ECs are irrelevant here.

In the UK, just look at the typical top 10: Oxbridge, LSE, Imperial, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Durham, UCL, Bath, Warwick, Exeter

I would take UVA any time over any foreign schools.
Wisconsin and Ohio State are very solid schools, they will take OP easily. Why do we have to go to a fancy European country?

There is no arguing in state schools cost benefit vs any foreign university. BUT if he doesnt get in for some reason and the best option is another expensive OOS school or a private with no merit or very little merit, these schools make a lot of sense. There is NOTHING fancy about these schools. The EU schools are very cheap. I would take ANY of the schools mentioned above vs OOS Ohio State or Wisconsin.

Completely agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a rising junior at a good DMV private- not one of the "Big 5", but the tier right below.
He has excellent grades (95+), and is scoring in the 1500-1540 range on his practice SATs so far.

The issue is that he is not motivated to do anything outside of what he needs to do at school and has no passion for anything yet. He plays a sport recreationally, volunteers here and there (no leadership position), and it's honestly been like pulling teeth to get him to do anything to stand out.

From everything I know about college admissions so far, they all seem to be after the kid who is great at one particular thing, has a great story, demonstrated leadership and impact ... of course grades and test scores matter but they don't seem to be enough.

What reach schools should he be aiming for?

If you can afford it, this is the perfect profile for the top UK/EU universities. If he can score 5’s on at least 3 AP tests and with a 1500+ SAT, he would be an easy admit at most UK schools (outside Oxbridge since that is a crapshoot and involves other testing/interviews).

In the EU: Copenhagen, Amsterdam, ETH Zurich, Maastricht, Science Po, Paris, Trinity College. If business, Bocconi. These are all top universities that focus on grades/tests. ECs are irrelevant here.

In the UK, just look at the typical top 10: Oxbridge, LSE, Imperial, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Durham, UCL, Bath, Warwick, Exeter

I would take UVA any time over any foreign schools.
Wisconsin and Ohio State are very solid schools, they will take OP easily. Why do we have to go to a fancy European country?

Same. I wouldn't pay for any of those.

Typical small minded American. I agree on UVA for in state. Not sure what OP kid wants to study. But lets say it is Econ or Business. You can get a phenomenal education at a EU school for the price of a SINGLE YEAR of an OOS tuition in the US. You would be saving a ton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a rising junior at a good DMV private- not one of the "Big 5", but the tier right below.
He has excellent grades (95+), and is scoring in the 1500-1540 range on his practice SATs so far.

The issue is that he is not motivated to do anything outside of what he needs to do at school and has no passion for anything yet. He plays a sport recreationally, volunteers here and there (no leadership position), and it's honestly been like pulling teeth to get him to do anything to stand out.

From everything I know about college admissions so far, they all seem to be after the kid who is great at one particular thing, has a great story, demonstrated leadership and impact ... of course grades and test scores matter but they don't seem to be enough.

What reach schools should he be aiming for?

If you can afford it, this is the perfect profile for the top UK/EU universities. If he can score 5’s on at least 3 AP tests and with a 1500+ SAT, he would be an easy admit at most UK schools (outside Oxbridge since that is a crapshoot and involves other testing/interviews).

In the EU: Copenhagen, Amsterdam, ETH Zurich, Maastricht, Science Po, Paris, Trinity College. If business, Bocconi. These are all top universities that focus on grades/tests. ECs are irrelevant here.

In the UK, just look at the typical top 10: Oxbridge, LSE, Imperial, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Durham, UCL, Bath, Warwick, Exeter

I would take UVA any time over any foreign schools.
Wisconsin and Ohio State are very solid schools, they will take OP easily. Why do we have to go to a fancy European country?

There is no arguing in state schools cost benefit vs any foreign university. BUT if he doesnt get in for some reason and the best option is another expensive OOS school or a private with no merit or very little merit, these schools make a lot of sense. There is NOTHING fancy about these schools. The EU schools are very cheap. I would take ANY of the schools mentioned above vs OOS Ohio State or Wisconsin.

Yeah, I would take LSE, Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews over Ohio State.

My friend told me McGill is also a great back up for my high stat kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a rising junior at a good DMV private- not one of the "Big 5", but the tier right below.
He has excellent grades (95+), and is scoring in the 1500-1540 range on his practice SATs so far.

The issue is that he is not motivated to do anything outside of what he needs to do at school and has no passion for anything yet. He plays a sport recreationally, volunteers here and there (no leadership position), and it's honestly been like pulling teeth to get him to do anything to stand out.

From everything I know about college admissions so far, they all seem to be after the kid who is great at one particular thing, has a great story, demonstrated leadership and impact ... of course grades and test scores matter but they don't seem to be enough.

What reach schools should he be aiming for?

If you can afford it, this is the perfect profile for the top UK/EU universities. If he can score 5’s on at least 3 AP tests and with a 1500+ SAT, he would be an easy admit at most UK schools (outside Oxbridge since that is a crapshoot and involves other testing/interviews).

In the EU: Copenhagen, Amsterdam, ETH Zurich, Maastricht, Science Po, Paris, Trinity College. If business, Bocconi. These are all top universities that focus on grades/tests. ECs are irrelevant here.

In the UK, just look at the typical top 10: Oxbridge, LSE, Imperial, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Durham, UCL, Bath, Warwick, Exeter

I would take UVA any time over any foreign schools.
Wisconsin and Ohio State are very solid schools, they will take OP easily. Why do we have to go to a fancy European country?

Because Europe makes a mediocre rich kid look higher status.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a rising junior at a good DMV private- not one of the "Big 5", but the tier right below.
He has excellent grades (95+), and is scoring in the 1500-1540 range on his practice SATs so far.

The issue is that he is not motivated to do anything outside of what he needs to do at school and has no passion for anything yet. He plays a sport recreationally, volunteers here and there (no leadership position), and it's honestly been like pulling teeth to get him to do anything to stand out.

From everything I know about college admissions so far, they all seem to be after the kid who is great at one particular thing, has a great story, demonstrated leadership and impact ... of course grades and test scores matter but they don't seem to be enough.

What reach schools should he be aiming for?

If you can afford it, this is the perfect profile for the top UK/EU universities. If he can score 5’s on at least 3 AP tests and with a 1500+ SAT, he would be an easy admit at most UK schools (outside Oxbridge since that is a crapshoot and involves other testing/interviews).

In the EU: Copenhagen, Amsterdam, ETH Zurich, Maastricht, Science Po, Paris, Trinity College. If business, Bocconi. These are all top universities that focus on grades/tests. ECs are irrelevant here.

In the UK, just look at the typical top 10: Oxbridge, LSE, Imperial, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Durham, UCL, Bath, Warwick, Exeter

I would take UVA any time over any foreign schools.
Wisconsin and Ohio State are very solid schools, they will take OP easily. Why do we have to go to a fancy European country?

Same. I wouldn't pay for any of those.

Typical small minded American. I agree on UVA for in state. Not sure what OP kid wants to study. But lets say it is Econ or Business. You can get a phenomenal education at a EU school for the price of a SINGLE YEAR of an OOS tuition in the US. You would be saving a ton.

I agree. I don't know about a SINGLE year for a 3 yr undergrad in the UK, but definitely a saving on 4 yrs of in state college.
$160k total 4 yrs in state versus $90k total 3 yrs UK that's a saving of $70k

[Anonymous]

UCs do not verify extracurricular or voluntary information. He can make up whatever he wants.

[Anonymous]

He needs to lean into the recreational sport and the volunteering, at least in terms of what he says in his essays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UCs do not verify extracurricular or voluntary information. He can make up whatever he wants.

Wrong. The volunteer hours have to be accredited and show up on your HS transcript.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UCs do not verify extracurricular or voluntary information. He can make up whatever he wants.

This does not sound like a good plan.

Large good publics do seem most likely for OP’s kid though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He needs to lean into the recreational sport and the volunteering, at least in terms of what he says in his essays.

I hope it’s not sports and environmental intersection crap again.

[Anonymous]

Honors program at a large public university. They LOVE high stats kids. And the honors programs have perks like better housing/first pick at on campus housing, access to seminars, and more individual and small group opportunities with professors which can help a kid make some really good connections.