My kid is that check mark that can give you hope…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to be the negative Nelly, but then you've got the flip side which is the X at the top and far right of the screen (high GPA and high SAT scores.) Why is that kid not getting in when all these kids with lower and further left are--criminal record?

Maybe there is something in their application package that makes the school feel like it would not be a good fit? My mom used to teach at a school for math and science and she could always tell when the applicants really didn’t want to be there (despite having top stats); it was usually the parents who wanted them there. Also, sometimes schools just want a variety of students — ones who will participate in ways different from a high-stats kid.

Right? I can't imagine being at a school with nothing but grinding over achievers going elbow to elbow to be king/queen of another mountain. Maybe a balanced community of kids who really want to be there and have something interesting to contribute is the actual point.

Wow, what a bunch of stereotypes you just used on kids who happen to have done well at school and on tests. Do you really not understand that they can be good friends, empathetic classmates, funny, leaders, athletic …, too? They’re just competitive grinds to you? That’s a very limited way of thinking you have, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know, the one on the scattergram that stands out in a sea of Xs. The one you assume is an URM, legacy or athlete? He’s not any of those. He’s just a well-rounded kid with solid, but not outstanding, test scores and a decent, but not spectacular, GPA. He had a uniquely honest essay, so maybe that helped, but honestly, I think he was lucky to fit into a niche they wanted to fill.

So for those of you doing this next year: Make a wish on that check mark all by itself and apply to the reaches.

Congrats first, and I totally agree with the bolded! We were surprised dc got in where he did last year (TO) but he had a brutally honest, well-written essay that we think was key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know, the one on the scattergram that stands out in a sea of Xs. The one you assume is an URM, legacy or athlete? He’s not any of those. He’s just a well-rounded kid with solid, but not outstanding, test scores and a decent, but not spectacular, GPA. He had a uniquely honest essay, so maybe that helped, but honestly, I think he was lucky to fit into a niche they wanted to fill.

So for those of you doing this next year: Make a wish on that check mark all by itself and apply to the reaches.

Congrats first, and I totally agree with the bolded! We were surprised dc got in where he did last year (TO) but he had a brutally honest, well-written essay that we think was key.

Mine too. I mentioned earlier that we were surprised where she got in (Clemson, NC State to name two), but I think her essay really helped. It too was brutally honest. She is only 3.3. and did low SAT but did test optional. Waiting on a few RD but she really doesn't care at this point since she is happy where she got in so far with ED. I think the schools were she got in actually read the whole application. She got denied or deferred from lower ranked schools where I believe they only look at GPA and scores - without even looking at other things or researching the high school. UofSC is one where she was was outright rejected. So look for schools that look at the whole file. There are some schools. I know the top schools do that but I'm talking about other solid schools.

[Anonymous]

What are “brutally honest” and “uniquely honest” essays? As opposed to what?

[Anonymous]

As a UVa alum with a kid at UVa, I generally think that the school's admissions (at least for in-state) are based on almost entirely on numbers, absent some other significant accomplishment/distinguisher. In particular, I think UVa is really looking at grades relative to other students at the same school to admit from the top 8% or so of the class, SAT's are not significantly weighed (if the student has high grades, SATs need to be above a certain floor, like 1300), and essays and activities really don't matter.

When you are looking at Naviance, keep in mind that the grades are from end of senior year, which are often much higher than grades when applying due to the relatively large number of AP classes senior year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you could be describing my son -- unhooked kid with good, but not tippy-top of the class grades, and very good scores. He was accepted at Columbia, which came as a huge shock to the school counselor (the guy's mouth literally gaped open when he heard the news). Like your son, mine wrote one heck of an essay -- a sweet and funny take on being the oldest child with three younger sibs. And I suspect that his recommendations were very strong, with comments about intellectual curiosity, willingness to name the elephant in the room, and ability to make friends with all kinds of kids. I also think it helped that he met twice with the regional admissions rep, who took a liking to him and wrote a little note about how much he liked the essay. So, yeah, it can happen, but, lordy, it was a stressful process.

Congratulations to your son!

My DD's best friend is a legacy at Columbia, a very smart kit with super stats, but middling ECs (1 varsity sport, a few clubs), and she was rejected, which came as a shock to her parents.

It is a mysterious process, but your child stood out, so that's great to hear!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are “brutally honest” and “uniquely honest” essays? As opposed to what?

Hi. I’m OP. Honest in the sense of talking about aspects of their lives/schooling/experiences that might not portray them in the best light. And I’m not talking about “oh, I’m a perfectionist, it’s so difficult.” More like “I really screwed something up, here is what I learned” or “I’m coming to terms with X part of my personality” or “I was really wrong about X and realized it when X happened.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a UVa alum with a kid at UVa, I generally think that the school's admissions (at least for in-state) are based on almost entirely on numbers, absent some other significant accomplishment/distinguisher. In particular, I think UVa is really looking at grades relative to other students at the same school to admit from the top 8% or so of the class, SAT's are not significantly weighed (if the student has high grades, SATs need to be above a certain floor, like 1300), and essays and activities really don't matter.

When you are looking at Naviance, keep in mind that the grades are from end of senior year, which are often much higher than grades when applying due to the relatively large number of AP classes senior year.

Hi. I’m. OP. My kid is certainly not top 8%. If what you say is true, it had to be done distinguisher, but we have no idea what that was. Which gets back to my point that people might as well try because you never know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are “brutally honest” and “uniquely honest” essays? As opposed to what?

Hi. I’m OP. Honest in the sense of talking about aspects of their lives/schooling/experiences that might not portray them in the best light. And I’m not talking about “oh, I’m a perfectionist, it’s so difficult.” More like “I really screwed something up, here is what I learned” or “I’m coming to terms with X part of my personality” or “I was really wrong about X and realized it when X happened.”

Yep my kid too - life changing mistake. Took away hopes of playing college level in his sport and has impacted other things. He owned it. In at 11/12 schools so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are “brutally honest” and “uniquely honest” essays? As opposed to what?

Hi. I’m OP. Honest in the sense of talking about aspects of their lives/schooling/experiences that might not portray them in the best light. And I’m not talking about “oh, I’m a perfectionist, it’s so difficult.” More like “I really screwed something up, here is what I learned” or “I’m coming to terms with X part of my personality” or “I was really wrong about X and realized it when X happened.”

Yep my kid too - life changing mistake. Took away hopes of playing college level in his sport and has impacted other things. He owned it. In at 11/12 schools so far.

I wouldn’t call that type of essay unique. Evryone and his brother does this type of essay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are “brutally honest” and “uniquely honest” essays? As opposed to what?

Hi. I’m OP. Honest in the sense of talking about aspects of their lives/schooling/experiences that might not portray them in the best light. And I’m not talking about “oh, I’m a perfectionist, it’s so difficult.” More like “I really screwed something up, here is what I learned” or “I’m coming to terms with X part of my personality” or “I was really wrong about X and realized it when X happened.”

Yep my kid too - life changing mistake. Took away hopes of playing college level in his sport and has impacted other things. He owned it. In at 11/12 schools so far.

I wouldn’t call that type of essay unique. Evryone and his brother does this type of essay.

I can assure you that’s not true in his case

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are “brutally honest” and “uniquely honest” essays? As opposed to what?

Hi. I’m OP. Honest in the sense of talking about aspects of their lives/schooling/experiences that might not portray them in the best light. And I’m not talking about “oh, I’m a perfectionist, it’s so difficult.” More like “I really screwed something up, here is what I learned” or “I’m coming to terms with X part of my personality” or “I was really wrong about X and realized it when X happened.”

Yep my kid too - life changing mistake. Took away hopes of playing college level in his sport and has impacted other things. He owned it. In at 11/12 schools so far.

I wouldn’t call that type of essay unique. Evryone and his brother does this type of essay.

I can assure you that’s not true in his case

Yeah my kid too mental health and substance use tried to commit suicide and seriously injured as a result

[Anonymous]

OP-were you worried that he would be in over his head?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you could be describing my son -- unhooked kid with good, but not tippy-top of the class grades, and very good scores. He was accepted at Columbia, which came as a huge shock to the school counselor (the guy's mouth literally gaped open when he heard the news). Like your son, mine wrote one heck of an essay -- a sweet and funny take on being the oldest child with three younger sibs. And I suspect that his recommendations were very strong, with comments about intellectual curiosity, willingness to name the elephant in the room, and ability to make friends with all kinds of kids. I also think it helped that he met twice with the regional admissions rep, who took a liking to him and wrote a little note about how much he liked the essay. So, yeah, it can happen, but, lordy, it was a stressful process.

Hi, I'm OP. My son wrote about his relationship with his older sibling.

I’m the PP you’re responding to— that’s so interesting. When I read my son’s essay — after he submitted it — I was really surprised by the depth and specificity of his observations. He captured our family in a way that was insightful , funny and loving, and that also revealed a lot about the person he’s becoming and how he wants to move forward in the world. Was it a unique essay? Clearly not, but I think it fleshed out the stats and resume and offered a snapshot of who he is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP-were you worried that he would be in over his head?

Hi. I'm OP. I am not worried. His intended major is something he's very interested in and has demonstrated an aptitude for. He's been able to juggle school with many other activities, plus a part-time job for much of the year, so in theory he should be able to handle *just* going to class in college.