Lessons learned: 2025-2026

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 lessons:

GPA is the only thing that really matters. Kid has to have 4.4 and up to be competitive.

SAT cannot make up for a low GPA (eg 4.25 W GPA)

EC's and Essay's do not matter much for STEM.

Outside the T30 - most places are desperate for $$. So admission to schools like Pitt, Penn State, UMN, Oregon State, Arizona - all very good school - is relatively easy. So dont stress.

What if you don't have a weighted gpa?

[Anonymous]

It's easy to get into college if you just ignore the top 30-ish ranked schools. Focus on the next 30-70 schools and pick out 10-12 of those for "best fit" location/program/size.

That's it really. Apply to your state school & flagship and then another 10-ish ranked 30+ onward. You'll have lots of choices & merit! Enjoy.

[Anonymous]

3.75 or above if not weighted.

Agree with PP. GPA overrides all.

It’s really not that complicated and what schools like UVA looks for - hardest courses ( eg Calc B/C , AP Chem, etc) and A’s

But again - this is only true for T20.

After that really it’s VERY easy to get in - As Jeff Sellingo notes in his book - there are plenty of good schools, but people ( parents)
Tend to fall into the trap of prestige, rankings and yield rate..

[Anonymous]

Tailor essays to the personality/ethos/mission of each school. Ie Georgetown - emphasize service and fit with Jesuit values. Michigan - leadership, citizenship. Stanford - entrepreneurship. Brown - free thinking & independence. I could go on, but emphasizing the same set of values for every school will only hurt. Have a few core ones, but tailoring is key.

No "dream schools." ED to the favorite and best fit, but don't let your kid become emotionally attached.

Get pen to paper quickly. Have your kid sit down for 10 minutes and just dump their initial thoughts after reading a prompt.

The SCOIR data typically doesn't lie. It might sting, but if the data looks unfavorable, it's unlikely that your child will be the exception.

[Anonymous]

Agree!

Naviance is a great indicator- just put ur kids gpa on the naviance chart - and u will know

[Anonymous]

Your will never be the exception unless there’s a (big) hook.

Don’t delude yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tailor essays to the personality/ethos/mission of each school. Ie Georgetown - emphasize service and fit with Jesuit values. Michigan - leadership, citizenship. Stanford - entrepreneurship. Brown - free thinking & independence. I could go on, but emphasizing the same set of values for every school will only hurt. Have a few core ones, but tailoring is key.

No "dream schools." ED to the favorite and best fit, but don't let your kid become emotionally attached.

Get pen to paper quickly. Have your kid sit down for 10 minutes and just dump their initial thoughts after reading a prompt.

The SCOIR data typically doesn't lie. It might sting, but if the data looks unfavorable, it's unlikely that your child will be the exception.

PP here again. With this advice, both my kids landed at T10s from ED.

[Anonymous]

Play a sport.
Get good grades.
Score 1450+ in SAT.
Get recruited at a top 30 school.
Apply ED.
Relax.

[Anonymous]

Getting into college now is actually MUCH EASIER now than it was in 2010:

1) Don't focus on top logos and focus instead on what your kid wants to learn, location, vibe, program.

2) Look up which school offers merit aid. Don't pay full price for college when there are so many discounts on offer.

3) Don't do ED unless you're an athlete trying to get on a roster and your kid really wants to play their sport.

4) Don't be sheep following the crowd, make up your own ideas.

5) Do take standardized tests. They are mattering more due to inflated grades and unprepared students.

6) Take rigor that challenges your kid, but won't burn them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Getting into college now is actually MUCH EASIER now than it was in 2010:

1) Don't focus on top logos and focus instead on what your kid wants to learn, location, vibe, program.

2) Look up which school offers merit aid. Don't pay full price for college when there are so many discounts on offer
3) Don't do ED unless you're an athlete trying to get on a roster and your kid really wants to play their sport.

4) Don't be sheep following the crowd, make up your own ideas.

5) Do take standardized tests. They are mattering more due to inflated grades and unprepared students.

6) Take rigor that challenges your kid, but won't burn them out.

Agreed. Life is getting expensive and oil prices going up. Save money. Get merit money if you are smart!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Play a sport.
Get good grades.
Score 1450+ in SAT.
Get recruited at a top 30 school.
Apply ED.
Relax.

And if the above isn't your child, there is a college for them.
They can still live a happy, productive, even economically secure life.
Make a realistic list.
Apply.
Go to admitted student days.
Choose.
Attend.
Relax.

[Anonymous]

Focus on the program/major over overall school ranking, and visit the school and the program department.

Our kid ended applying to a bunch of schools (VT, U of SC, Penn State, JMU range) and reluctantly applied to a high acceptance rate, rolling admission, out of state school (plane ride away), that happened to have an amazing program for her major. After a visit, with an outstanding tour, she fell in love with it, got in (two weeks after applying) with enough merit money to match in-state tuition, and will start there in August. She could have been “one and done” with this school, and not spent extra $$ on apps, plus slogged through the VT special essays, if she had sent her application in September.

She ended being accepted to a few more higher ranked schools, that are more popular (acceptable) in the DMV area, so she has had to explain her choice a few times. She’s also gotten some snide comments from her higher achieving peers. We are proud she is not letting her friends influence her decision.

[Anonymous]

1. Start early - yes, really early, like May/June, with an essay strategy, research on what your top (reach) schools are looking for.

2. Help your kid with the research. It's not a one-man show, esp if you don't have a counselor.

3. Leave essays for weeks at a time and revisit to edit. They will be stronger.

4. Hire an essay editor if you are aiming for HYPSM/T10....essays matter A LOT!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tailor essays to the personality/ethos/mission of each school. Ie Georgetown - emphasize service and fit with Jesuit values. Michigan - leadership, citizenship. Stanford - entrepreneurship. Brown - free thinking & independence. I could go on, but emphasizing the same set of values for every school will only hurt. Have a few core ones, but tailoring is key.

No "dream schools." ED to the favorite and best fit, but don't let your kid become emotionally attached.

Get pen to paper quickly. Have your kid sit down for 10 minutes and just dump their initial thoughts after reading a prompt.

The SCOIR data typically doesn't lie. It might sting, but if the data looks unfavorable, it's unlikely that your child will be the exception.

PP here again. With this advice, both my kids landed at T10s from ED.

Same! We researched what each school valued and tailored accordingly. The one that was most like my son was the one that was easy for him to write the supplementals- and the one he ended up getting into (RD 4% acceptance rate).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't feel pressured to apply anywhere ED1 or ED2. EA, REA and rolling admission are all great options.


Don't apply to 3+ safeties. 2 safeties that your DC would be happy to attend is sufficient.

Too many applications leads to burnout.

Take a trip with your DC that is not college related just to have fun, even if it's only for a long weekend 1:1 and bond and tell them you love them and are proud of them while you are waiting for decisions.

Agree.

Firmly disagree. Once you’ve completed the common app, another safety school costs nothing but the application fee. A deluge of rejections feels miserable. Apply to 1 safety for every reach.

One reason to limit safeties is that a lot of top students have a difficult time finding safeties that they would be happy to attend.