schools for student with no extra curriculars

[Anonymous]

I agree - it is her extracurricular and she will probably be able to write eloquently about it and how she's successful dealt with it. Colleges do actually pay attention to that kind of story. Both our kids have lived through some significant stuff (chronic illness, job losses by a parent etc) and have been able to write about it in that section and how it may have affected grades/test scores/ECs or whatever. With her GPA and test scores, she will get the initial look, so they will be reading her essays/short question answers.

Also, I would see if she will consider smaller colleges as she will not be as anonymous and will get some hand holding in a good way for someone like her and a nice cohort with lots of less threatening opportunities for an introvert. Randolph College in VA, McDaniels in MD - there are many more on the CTCL (colleges that change lives) list. A friend whose introverted DD had high grades/scores got significant money at a smaller college that made it feasible and has had a great experience.

[Anonymous]

My DS is very similar. He graduated from high school two years ago, had no ECs, 29 ACT and was in the top five in his class in a very small, well regarded private. What we eventually decided on was finding him a smaller LAC that was close enough to home that he could go home when he needed to.

He is now a very happy sophomore with a 3.8 GPA at a school that fits his needs and is about 45 minutes away from us. It was not as selective as some of the schools his peers decided on - but FWIW he did get into a HYPS but knew that he would not be successful there because he wouldn't have the support he needed. From what I remember, he wrote his common app essay about deciding to switch from public to private in seventh grade and feeling like he was a part of something bigger than himself for the six years he was there.

His social anxiety was so bad with the roommate situation he initially had that we were able to get a medical exemption for housing after his first semester and he now lives in an off campus apartment and has his car if he needs to come home. I would say he probably comes home every other weekend so he has a quiet familiar place to get work done.

He has found a great group of friends in his major who are all quiet, dedicated and driven to succeed - and they have all bonded further by doing charity work through their honor society and going out to dinner at different restaurants. Your DD will find her people if she's in the right environment and has support from you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS is very similar. He graduated from high school two years ago, had no ECs, 29 ACT and was in the top five in his class in a very small, well regarded private. What we eventually decided on was finding him a smaller LAC that was close enough to home that he could go home when he needed to.

He is now a very happy sophomore with a 3.8 GPA at a school that fits his needs and is about 45 minutes away from us. It was not as selective as some of the schools his peers decided on - but FWIW he did get into a HYPS but knew that he would not be successful there because he wouldn't have the support he needed. From what I remember, he wrote his common app essay about deciding to switch from public to private in seventh grade and feeling like he was a part of something bigger than himself for the six years he was there.

His social anxiety was so bad with the roommate situation he initially had that we were able to get a medical exemption for housing after his first semester and he now lives in an off campus apartment and has his car if he needs to come home. I would say he probably comes home every other weekend so he has a quiet familiar place to get work done.

He has found a great group of friends in his major who are all quiet, dedicated and driven to succeed - and they have all bonded further by doing charity work through their honor society and going out to dinner at different restaurants. Your DD will find her people if she's in the right environment and has support from you!

Thanks for sharing your son’s experience. I’m glad he found the right school and he is happy. I hope my daughter will, too. The responses here are definitely helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your DD has really good SATs and GPA so she will get into PLENTY of schools even without ECs if she applies wisely. However, now may be a good time to get her to try to do something (just a little bit) outside her comfort zone – not because it will help her get into college, but because it will help her work on the anxiety while she is still at home and working with her therapist. It doesn’t have to be a competitive or performance activity either. Don’t know if you are in Montgomery County, but something like these teen writing clubs might interest your DD:
http://host.evanced.info/montgomerycountymd/evanced/eventcalendar.asp?kw=write&ln=ALL&ag=teens&nd=15

Small schools may or not be helpful for your DD because there is no correct answer. Some introverts find larger schools and larger classes more comfortable, others thrive in a smaller setting. When looking for schools, pay attention to the types of activities and opportunities available to students so that there will be something that your DD will feel comfortable getting involved in, even if it just a writing or poetry club that meets once a week. Also pay attention to the mental health services available on campus. As a mental health professional, I was amazed by the variability in this at different SLACs we toured but you definitely have to ask to get answers. Some of the “best” schools we visited had very little to help struggling students.

My DD with anxiety is doing well at St. Mary’s College of Maryland because she feels more comfortable in the small, supportive environment. She loves the campus where there are many peaceful and beautiful places to get away from it all and recharge. Also, knowing that she has the option to drive herself home anytime she needs to has really helped. She has rarely used that option, but just knowing she is relatively close to home has helped.

I know it is hard, but try not to stress over the college application process. There really is a school out there for everyone. You sound like a very caring mother who prioritizes the importance of your DDs mental health and happiness and that alone is the most important thing.

Thanks for your thoughtful response. St Mary’s is a school we will definitely consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS is very similar. He graduated from high school two years ago, had no ECs, 29 ACT and was in the top five in his class in a very small, well regarded private. What we eventually decided on was finding him a smaller LAC that was close enough to home that he could go home when he needed to.

He is now a very happy sophomore with a 3.8 GPA at a school that fits his needs and is about 45 minutes away from us. It was not as selective as some of the schools his peers decided on - but FWIW he did get into a HYPS but knew that he would not be successful there because he wouldn't have the support he needed. From what I remember, he wrote his common app essay about deciding to switch from public to private in seventh grade and feeling like he was a part of something bigger than himself for the six years he was there.

His social anxiety was so bad with the roommate situation he initially had that we were able to get a medical exemption for housing after his first semester and he now lives in an off campus apartment and has his car if he needs to come home. I would say he probably comes home every other weekend so he has a quiet familiar place to get work done.

He has found a great group of friends in his major who are all quiet, dedicated and driven to succeed - and they have all bonded further by doing charity work through their honor society and going out to dinner at different restaurants. Your DD will find her people if she's in the right environment and has support from you!

Admission to HYPS with a 29 ACT and no EC's is surprising to me. What do you attribute that acceptance to?

[Anonymous]

Thanks to everyone who has replied to my post. Your feedback has given me some solid ideas and I’m feeling much more optimistic!

[Anonymous]

What if she volunteered with much younger students? Would that be less anxiety producing? Or students with developmental delays? It would build her confidence to make a difference in others’ lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if she volunteered with much younger students? Would that be less anxiety producing? Or students with developmental delays? It would build her confidence to make a difference in others’ lives.

Great idea!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most large State U's are numbers based. You're IN based on SAT/GPA on a sliding scale. Keep the unweighted GPA at 3.8 and above and she will have many merit aid offers. She could likely pay in-state tuition at out of state public. Also, I doubt she will have no EC's. She is likely to have something --- she's just late finding her niche. Maybe President/Officer of an Honor Society.

+1. Your DD has good stats. Admission to most programs at most large public state universities is all a numbers/stats game. Exemptions would be the most selective publics and certain programs like honors colleges or selective majors. Look for colleges where her stats put her in the top 25% of applicants. She’ll be fine!

[Anonymous]

You could also think about encouraging her to get a job. That would definitely "count" as an extra-curricular and there might be some interesting ones out there that could be a good fit for her interests (help at writing camps for kids, work at the library, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Would she consider including a sample of her EC writing as a supplement to her application or even a recording of her singing?

[Anonymous]

writing is an activity, even without competitions on her writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your DD has really good SATs and GPA so she will get into PLENTY of schools even without ECs if she applies wisely. However, now may be a good time to get her to try to do something (just a little bit) outside her comfort zone – not because it will help her get into college, but because it will help her work on the anxiety while she is still at home and working with her therapist. It doesn’t have to be a competitive or performance activity either. Don’t know if you are in Montgomery County, but something like these teen writing clubs might interest your DD:
http://host.evanced.info/montgomerycountymd/evanced/eventcalendar.asp?kw=write&ln=ALL&ag=teens&nd=15

Small schools may or not be helpful for your DD because there is no correct answer. Some introverts find larger schools and larger classes more comfortable, others thrive in a smaller setting. When looking for schools, pay attention to the types of activities and opportunities available to students so that there will be something that your DD will feel comfortable getting involved in, even if it just a writing or poetry club that meets once a week. Also pay attention to the mental health services available on campus. As a mental health professional, I was amazed by the variability in this at different SLACs we toured but you definitely have to ask to get answers. Some of the “best” schools we visited had very little to help struggling students.

My DD with anxiety is doing well at St. Mary’s College of Maryland because she feels more comfortable in the small, supportive environment. She loves the campus where there are many peaceful and beautiful places to get away from it all and recharge. Also, knowing that she has the option to drive herself home anytime she needs to has really helped. She has rarely used that option, but just knowing she is relatively close to home has helped.

I know it is hard, but try not to stress over the college application process. There really is a school out there for everyone. You sound like a very caring mother who prioritizes the importance of your DDs mental health and happiness and that alone is the most important thing.

Thanks for your thoughtful response. St Mary’s is a school we will definitely consider.

This is a great post.

I do want to point out that my introverted kid found small schools claustrophobic and wanted to be able to walk away from campus and be somewhere else. He chose a state flagship in a city.

[Anonymous]

Don't fall into the hype that your college needs to be somewhere on some list or you are doomed. That is simply, flat out wrong.

Next, look at the colleges that change lives and similar small colleges where she will feel socially comfortable. In a small school, she will have the ability to take advantage of many more opportunities. Anywhere she goes, if she does her best in her field of choice, she will have options to take the next step.

Finally, pay attention to distance from home, given her anxiety, she may need your support as she transitions through Freshman year. Also, look for well-developed support programs on campus. Find a place that talks about and touts their program for kids who need extra social/emotional support. Your child has the intelligence to succeed; for now, she needs the emotional support to keep moving forward until she finds her niche.

[Anonymous]

I get the point people make about big schools being comfortable for some introverts, however, as a caution, given the anxiety, a big school can also be a place where it is too easy to disappear, get lost, hide out, and drop out.