Is it just me?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone else feel like the whole college process is more about who you know, how many puppies you've rescued from wells, and whether or not you complete the part of the rainbow needed for the brochure that year?

I've officially lost faith in the process and the institutions. And I'm speaking as a mother of a top 1% in her class, who has gotten into a school that others say is impressive.

At this point, I would rather her go to a small private, no-name.

[Anonymous]

I understand what you're saying, but I don't actually feel that way. I still believe you can predict about 80% of non-athletic recruits at the most selective schools by the Academic Index. Top 3 in your class, 2300 SAT/35 ACT, a couple of 770 SAT IIs, and you're probably getting in anywhere you apply.

Don't have those? Probably not.

[Anonymous]

I have really hd a bit of a shock at how many EC's and how accomplished some of these kids are. I'm hoping it's resume padding or my DC will be totally over-run

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand what you're saying, but I don't actually feel that way. I still believe you can predict about 80% of non-athletic recruits at the most selective schools by the Academic Index. Top 3 in your class, 2300 SAT/35 ACT, a couple of 770 SAT IIs, and you're probably getting in anywhere you apply.

Don't have those? Probably not.

Think about the ridiculousness of what you typed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have really hd a bit of a shock at how many EC's and how accomplished some of these kids are. I'm hoping it's resume padding or my DC will be totally over-run

At the very top schools, its really the stats that matter (GPA and test scores). Regardless of what you read on these boards, Unless you have the tope number 2300 plus etc. you are wasting your time...DESPITE A PAGE OR TWO OF ECs!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have really hd a bit of a shock at how many EC's and how accomplished some of these kids are. I'm hoping it's resume padding or my DC will be totally over-run

I can guarantee you the recruiters don't have near that. What's expected is abusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have really hd a bit of a shock at how many EC's and how accomplished some of these kids are. I'm hoping it's resume padding or my DC will be totally over-run

At the very top schools, its really the stats that matter (GPA and test scores). Regardless of what you read on these boards, Unless you have the tope number 2300 plus etc. you are wasting your time...DESPITE A PAGE OR TWO OF ECs!

Not talking the very top schools. VA Tech isn't one. Neither is UVA but they regard themselves as such

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand what you're saying, but I don't actually feel that way. I still believe you can predict about 80% of non-athletic recruits at the most selective schools by the Academic Index. Top 3 in your class, 2300 SAT/35 ACT, a couple of 770 SAT IIs, and you're probably getting in anywhere you apply.

Don't have those? Probably not.

Think about the ridiculousness of what you typed.

I honestly don't understand why that's ridiculous. OP said college admissions is "more about who you know, how many puppies you've rescued from wells."

I think that's a total misperception, at least at the top 1% schools that OP referred to, and one that the schools themselves feed. Instead of touting the "holistic" admissions process and making every kid believe they have a chance, they should be honest about what it really takes to be accepted. And what it takes is pretty much the profile above - maybe Top 10 in your class at the more prestigious private schools.

I also don't think there's anything wrong with that - if they're accepting the top 1 % (which is all they have room for), then that's what it takes to qualify. Again, I just wish the schools would admit it.

[Anonymous]

Most Important Variables in Determining Institutional Fit (for Those Who Start With Focus on Fit):

Factor % Viewing as Most Important
Underrepresented race/ethnicity 42%


Good Lord
!!

[Anonymous]

I think it is over blown on this website. We have are about to have our oldest graduate from HS. He did not save the world, he had one officer position in one of his ECs. He has decent grades, but not stellar (3.9 weighted in FCPS). He will have 7 APs (3 of which are history and don't pertain to the stem he intened to pursue). So far he has been getting 4's. His SAT scores were decent but not spectacular. We decided that he was one and done and did not need to take them again to inch him higher. I would estimate he is in the top 25-20% of his class (FCPS one of the higher "ranked" HS).

We targeted Universities based on his declared area of interest, GPA, SAT scores, Navaince, one- one on one meeting with the college coordinator at our school, Fiske and our budget. Naviance and Fiske are very helpful when gathering data. He applied to 4 schools and got in to all. He will be going to a top ten school in his declared major and is estatic. It was his target school and not his "reach". It is - as far as we can tell- an excellent fit for him.

Listen to the schools, they do a good job of explaining the middle way. Go to the parent events they have. They are informative. There are tons of good schools out there. Visit the schools, step back and let your child lead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it is over blown on this website. We have are about to have our oldest graduate from HS. He did not save the world, he had one officer position in one of his ECs. He has decent grades, but not stellar (3.9 weighted in FCPS). He will have 7 APs (3 of which are history and don't pertain to the stem he intened to pursue). So far he has been getting 4's. His SAT scores were decent but not spectacular. We decided that he was one and done and did not need to take them again to inch him higher. I would estimate he is in the top 25-20% of his class (FCPS one of the higher "ranked" HS).

We targeted Universities based on his declared area of interest, GPA, SAT scores, Navaince, one- one on one meeting with the college coordinator at our school, Fiske and our budget. Naviance and Fiske are very helpful when gathering data. He applied to 4 schools and got in to all. He will be going to a top ten school in his declared major and is estatic. It was his target school and not his "reach". It is - as far as we can tell- an excellent fit for him.

Listen to the schools, they do a good job of explaining the middle way. Go to the parent events they have. They are informative. There are tons of good schools out there. Visit the schools, step back and let your child lead.

My point isn't the kids themselves. My point is what they are expected to 'accomplish' to be 'worthy'. It's obscene!

[Anonymous]

College admission at most large publics are number-based. Intercept of sat/gpa = admit or deny.

I like that approach but parents who seek a private education usually don't. You reap what you sow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:College admission at most large publics are number-based. Intercept of sat/gpa = admit or deny.

I like that approach but parents who seek a private education usually don't. You reap what you sow.

Not true. Publics are required to fill quotas from the state and often they include racial quotas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is over blown on this website. We have are about to have our oldest graduate from HS. He did not save the world, he had one officer position in one of his ECs. He has decent grades, but not stellar (3.9 weighted in FCPS). He will have 7 APs (3 of which are history and don't pertain to the stem he intened to pursue). So far he has been getting 4's. His SAT scores were decent but not spectacular. We decided that he was one and done and did not need to take them again to inch him higher. I would estimate he is in the top 25-20% of his class (FCPS one of the higher "ranked" HS).

We targeted Universities based on his declared area of interest, GPA, SAT scores, Navaince, one- one on one meeting with the college coordinator at our school, Fiske and our budget. Naviance and Fiske are very helpful when gathering data. He applied to 4 schools and got in to all. He will be going to a top ten school in his declared major and is estatic. It was his target school and not his "reach". It is - as far as we can tell- an excellent fit for him.

Listen to the schools, they do a good job of explaining the middle way. Go to the parent events they have. They are informative. There are tons of good schools out there. Visit the schools, step back and let your child lead.

My point isn't the kids themselves. My point is what they are expected to 'accomplish' to be 'worthy'. It's obscene!

My point is that that is not the case. What people/colleges actually expect is much lower than what is in all of theses articles and on this website say. I will also agree with a pp, that grades and level of classes are the número uno. ECs are mainly to distinguish those at the bubble. Plus, parents have the most influence on their children's expectations and feelings of worthiness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:College admission at most large publics are number-based. Intercept of sat/gpa = admit or deny.

I like that approach but parents who seek a private education usually don't. You reap what you sow.

Not true. Publics are required to fill quotas from the state and often they include racial quotas.

The sat/GPA intercept is at the HS level, not the state level, that is how they get regional distribution around the state.