Lessons learned so far: 2024-2025
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Anonymous
Yes and no. I am just finishing up the process for the second time around. First DD was during Covid so we couldn't see many schools. For second DD, she really didn't have much interest in visiting schools but I managed to get her to two big state schools. She went on to apply to only big state schools and now we are visiting where she got in. While I think she is ok with where she applied, I do wonder if it would have been better to take her to see a wider variety of schools and in different parts of the country. It would have given her more to compare and to think about what she is really looking for. |
Anonymous
| I definitely think speaking to admissions officers matters. My dd did for a very random school across the country and ended up getting max merit. She did not get any at a similar school she had no contact with. My ds called a big school with some specific questions about the process, was very polite and I think made a good impression: he got max merit there. Dd applied to the same school, is a stronger student with good ECs and got none. |
Anonymous
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What I’ve learned is that so, so many kids (and their parents) just want to go to the “best school” they get into, without much regard what seems like little regard for which school that is. So they strategize about how to get into any good school — see all the posts here about ED strategy and so much gaming (which major, summer programs, etc).
I think this contributes to some strong kids aiming super high for ED, not out of love for the school but love for the prestige, and with all the games they can. This approach is great for them, but sucks for everyone else who has a different approach (like a kid who doesn’t want to pick one school in October, likes the idea of choices, or isn’t interested in playing games to get into any “best ” school just to be there). My observation (based on several years of observation at a private school, so generally know the kids) is that strong but likely not tippy top kids get into super reach schools and some stronger kids, well, don’t. Yes, I know that every kid is unique and has something to offer. I’m mostly frustrated by schools that say you need “best grades” with “top rigor” but then admit kids who don’t have that in ED and reject kids who DO have that in EA and RD. The process sucks. |
Anonymous
It's not about the "best grades" and "top rigor" - it's about meeting the baseline. After that, it's about what makes you different, what you are passionate about, what your "story" is, and how your energy, interests and "vitality" jump off the application. Know who is reviewing your kid's application - because that informs how they see the world, the way they read, the kinds of comments they will make about your kid in committee. I agree it's frustrating. But it's a game. You don't have to play it. But if you want selective private university choices, learn the rules and help your kid play. |
Anonymous
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I'd suggest going back and listening to Lee Coffin's March 12, 2024 podcast (S5 Episode 7):
https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/follow/admissions-beat-podcast I think it does a good job of explaining the "shaping of the class" process that makes this all feel so random. And there's a lot of focus on (1) kindness being the key attribute Dartmouth looks for and (2) the importance of a narrative in selective college admissions. ++++++++++++++++++++ "Was the class heavy or light on a particular geography at that point? A range of backgrounds of the students' skills and interests, potential majors, activities they might bring with them, what they say they would do when they come to campus, what they'd like to have that experience do to sort of influence them." "And I'd be interested as you observed, one of the things I think would surprise people is how we don't get into the nitty-gritty of the grades and the transcript as much in committee, because the students who have made it to that round have passed that threshold. So we don't spend a lot of time on that essential component. We've already checked that criteria, and it's the more subjective parts of the file that end up being illuminated as we're having our debates." "But more often than not, we are thinking about the well-roundedness of the class we're creating. The conversations that happen inside the classroom or residence hall. The most slippery piece is potential, what potential is represented in this candidacy, and how do we nurture that and help someone achieve their ambitions?" "And it was when there was evidence in the file, when there was evidence in the application of kindness, of decency, of humanity, of humility. And it might've been something that was alluded to in an essay. More importantly, it might've been something said by a counselor, or a teacher, or a peer. Your colleagues and you, you really prized kindness, and you seemed willing at times to admit affirmatively for kindness if all other things being compelling. Can you talk a little bit about why?" Lee basically tells EVERYONE to create a narrative!!! "My first takeaway is that for applicants, your time is well spent on these applications. One of the few things within your control is how you tell your story. Those essays that you agonize over, I would offer that you are wise to agonize over them and sweat over them, because your audience is going to be doing the same. And the time you put in making yourself come alive in an essay, there's a return on that investment. Whether it's an admissions officer sitting in their home late at night, or early in the morning, or in that committee room where it's being discussed. Lee Coffin: And Jack, I would just... Yes, I 100% agree, and the word I would put out there is news you could use, is focus on your narrative. So it's not just your essay, it's the teachers who will recommend you. It's the interview you may or may not have with someone. It's how does your extracurricular profile tell the story about your interests, passions, talents, engagement? But narrative is the word. The data piece is your transcript, and your testing, and the grades you get. That's important. But the narrative that envelops around the data is the story of you. It's your essay. It's not just your essay on the common app. It's the short essays on a supplement. It's anytime you put information together through the various pieces of that application creates your narrative. And what we're reading is that story. And what you witnessed in committee was the presentation of that story to our colleagues." |
Anonymous
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For anyone with a kid applying for any arts (that require portfolio submission)
1. Most, if not all, schools are going to require you to apply by the EA deadline because of portfolio review and interview/audition timelines. Interviews/auditions typically occur from Dec-February; decisions aren't released for many schools until March. 2. Keep a master document of all the portal logins and passwords. The portfolio submissions are done separately from the common app, and you may need to create your main portal login first before you are told where they want you to submit the portfolio. 3. For many schools, you have to pay an additional $35-75 for portfolio review. It's crazy. |
Anonymous
| Applying with intended major of teaching or child development can help a lot. |
Anonymous
Yep — even if you have no intention of ever being a teacher. Just another way to play the game. |
Anonymous
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What AO look for is not what you might think.
This was a particularly good post from a few months ago by a student who saw their AO notes at Duke: https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/1gvg27r/a_look_into_my_duke_admissions_file_or_why_your/ |
Anonymous
your kid is a hustler and will do better than the ivy kid who hasn’t had to work hard. |
Must be amazing. My CS junior at UMD sent out 250+ applications for summer internships in Fall. Got only one response. Went through several rounds to get into a FAANG internship.
Anonymous
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I learned that my kid is super resourceful and responsible. Other than driving him to school tours and handing over my credit card to submit applications, AP scores and SAT scores, he tracked all of his due dates, wrote all of his essays, had his teachers review essays, and did not show them to me until after they were submitted, he did it all on his own. He’s had an extremely successful first semester at VT and got all As in the honors program. He even has an internship interview lined up which i didn’t even expect to happen this year.
Overall i learned that kids can do for themselves and don’t have to lbe managed by mom. I feel like he’s really grown into a resourceful adult. |
Anonymous
This reddit post is exactly why most students are generally going to land about where you would think they would, assuming they cast a wide net in their applications and submit a polished, well-thought-out application. This post, combined with the Dartmouth AO post above, shows why tailored, thoughtful, well-planned applications matter. And matter a lot. |
Anonymous
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The Dartmouth AO podcast from this week with the Brown AO is super interesting.
Note - my kid applied to neither school, but helpful to understand their mindset. |
Anonymous
They address why so many international students or immigrant parents might be frustrated because there is no equation to get in. Worth the listen. Especially the end "merit [and they mean what they value your application for] lives in places you don't always expect"..... think it's what everyone here has been saying for a while - it's not the fancy stuff that gets you in. It's the kid who writes a letter to an elder every day for all 4 years of HS (and his teachers know about it  it's the kid theater kid who was bullied in middle school, who started a costume club for younger kids; its the kid who goes to a private school but is a car mechanic after school.
So many great stories. |
Anonymous
Which episode of the podcast? |