What has surprised you - as your kid comes to the end of this process

[Anonymous]

Now that we’re done, I’m surprised by how personally I’m taking this (awful, terrible, no good) process. My really great kid got rejected from every reach (that are reaches for everyone - he really and truly had the lottery ticket for all of them). I’m mad at myself for not grooming him more and getting him (or getting him to do) all the fake crap that other kids seem to do to for the sole purpose of getting into college. I’m mad that AOs don’t see through the bullshit and keep falling for it. and my feelings aren’t just for my kid, really. I’m sad for all the sincere, genuine kids who are KIDS and do the stuff that needs to be done because it needs to be done (student council, school clubs, tutoring, working real jobs) and get hosed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that we’re done, I’m surprised by how personally I’m taking this (awful, terrible, no good) process. My really great kid got rejected from every reach (that are reaches for everyone - he really and truly had the lottery ticket for all of them). I’m mad at myself for not grooming him more and getting him (or getting him to do) all the fake crap that other kids seem to do to for the sole purpose of getting into college. I’m mad that AOs don’t see through the bullshit and keep falling for it. and my feelings aren’t just for my kid, really. I’m sad for all the sincere, genuine kids who are KIDS and do the stuff that needs to be done because it needs to be done (student council, school clubs, tutoring, working real jobs) and get hosed.

Sorry to hear this. What were stats? Where did he get in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What surprised me the most is how different and strange Stanford's acceptance criteria are. The kids from DD's school who got into Stanford today are mediocre in every way and didn't get into any good school prior to today (public or private).

Whoa? Really???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that we’re done, I’m surprised by how personally I’m taking this (awful, terrible, no good) process. My really great kid got rejected from every reach (that are reaches for everyone - he really and truly had the lottery ticket for all of them). I’m mad at myself for not grooming him more and getting him (or getting him to do) all the fake crap that other kids seem to do to for the sole purpose of getting into college. I’m mad that AOs don’t see through the bullshit and keep falling for it. and my feelings aren’t just for my kid, really. I’m sad for all the sincere, genuine kids who are KIDS and do the stuff that needs to be done because it needs to be done (student council, school clubs, tutoring, working real jobs) and get hosed.

I feel somewhat the opposite. Ive always known “who gets in and why”. It was never about any school clubs.

There are kids at my kids schools shooting daggers at mine bc my kid picked a niche humanities major that matches EC list, national ranking award; there is no evidence or hint of CS or robotics or anything anywhere bc my kid didn’t do that in high school school. Truly a humanities kid and app reads that way. Got into 3 T20 & WL 1 Ivy. Test optional.

The kid shooting daggers applied as language major and had all the CS stuff and robotics and quiz bowl all over ECs along with that state dept language program(s). Leadership in several big school clubs. Nearly perfect stats/scores. Brilliant kid but looked scattered I’m sure it looked liked a back door to CS. The application didn’t hang well and have heard tone of essays a bit righteous and activist (active in pro-Gaza demonstrations). Didn’t get into any ivies. Going to OOS flagship.

You have to market yourself and know what to omit and what to highlight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that we’re done, I’m surprised by how personally I’m taking this (awful, terrible, no good) process. My really great kid got rejected from every reach (that are reaches for everyone - he really and truly had the lottery ticket for all of them). I’m mad at myself for not grooming him more and getting him (or getting him to do) all the fake crap that other kids seem to do to for the sole purpose of getting into college. I’m mad that AOs don’t see through the bullshit and keep falling for it. and my feelings aren’t just for my kid, really. I’m sad for all the sincere, genuine kids who are KIDS and do the stuff that needs to be done because it needs to be done (student council, school clubs, tutoring, working real jobs) and get hosed.

Is your kid a good student? Where did he end up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that we’re done, I’m surprised by how personally I’m taking this (awful, terrible, no good) process. My really great kid got rejected from every reach (that are reaches for everyone - he really and truly had the lottery ticket for all of them). I’m mad at myself for not grooming him more and getting him (or getting him to do) all the fake crap that other kids seem to do to for the sole purpose of getting into college. I’m mad that AOs don’t see through the bullshit and keep falling for it. and my feelings aren’t just for my kid, really. I’m sad for all the sincere, genuine kids who are KIDS and do the stuff that needs to be done because it needs to be done (student council, school clubs, tutoring, working real jobs) and get hosed.

You only need to package yourself for the selective colleges. But I agree, it’s all phony and I am also surprised AO’s fall for it. I have a junior and will be helping them craft a story. Eye roll

We will see how it lands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What surprised me the most is how different and strange Stanford's acceptance criteria are. The kids from DD's school who got into Stanford today are mediocre in every way and didn't get into any good school prior to today (public or private).

Wow, so harsh to talk about kids this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that we’re done, I’m surprised by how personally I’m taking this (awful, terrible, no good) process. My really great kid got rejected from every reach (that are reaches for everyone - he really and truly had the lottery ticket for all of them). I’m mad at myself for not grooming him more and getting him (or getting him to do) all the fake crap that other kids seem to do to for the sole purpose of getting into college. I’m mad that AOs don’t see through the bullshit and keep falling for it. and my feelings aren’t just for my kid, really. I’m sad for all the sincere, genuine kids who are KIDS and do the stuff that needs to be done because it needs to be done (student council, school clubs, tutoring, working real jobs) and get hosed.

I feel somewhat the opposite. Ive always known “who gets in and why”. It was never about any school clubs.

There are kids at my kids schools shooting daggers at mine bc my kid picked a niche humanities major that matches EC list, national ranking award; there is no evidence or hint of CS or robotics or anything anywhere bc my kid didn’t do that in high school school. Truly a humanities kid and app reads that way. Got into 3 T20 & WL 1 Ivy. Test optional.

The kid shooting daggers applied as language major and had all the CS stuff and robotics and quiz bowl all over ECs along with that state dept language program(s). Leadership in several big school clubs. Nearly perfect stats/scores. Brilliant kid but looked scattered I’m sure it looked liked a back door to CS. The application didn’t hang well and have heard tone of essays a bit righteous and activist (active in pro-Gaza demonstrations). Didn’t get into any ivies. Going to OOS flagship.

You have to market yourself and know what to omit and what to highlight.

+1
And there is nothing wrong about marketing oneself. In fact, it is a core life skill. AOs certainly seem to believe so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that we’re done, I’m surprised by how personally I’m taking this (awful, terrible, no good) process. My really great kid got rejected from every reach (that are reaches for everyone - he really and truly had the lottery ticket for all of them). I’m mad at myself for not grooming him more and getting him (or getting him to do) all the fake crap that other kids seem to do to for the sole purpose of getting into college. I’m mad that AOs don’t see through the bullshit and keep falling for it. and my feelings aren’t just for my kid, really. I’m sad for all the sincere, genuine kids who are KIDS and do the stuff that needs to be done because it needs to be done (student council, school clubs, tutoring, working real jobs) and get hosed.

You only need to package yourself for the selective colleges. But I agree, it’s all phony and I am also surprised AO’s fall for it. I have a junior and will be helping them craft a story. Eye roll

We will see how it lands.

Agree with all this. Kid has great target options but I’m regretting not paying for a counselor and packaging her. Sort of felt we couldn’t afford it. She did it all on her own. She had a shot at highly selective reaches and got shut out. The process is tilted to the wealthy. But it’s OK. The opportunities at targets and safeties are still fabulous. She will make the most of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that we’re done, I’m surprised by how personally I’m taking this (awful, terrible, no good) process. My really great kid got rejected from every reach (that are reaches for everyone - he really and truly had the lottery ticket for all of them). I’m mad at myself for not grooming him more and getting him (or getting him to do) all the fake crap that other kids seem to do to for the sole purpose of getting into college. I’m mad that AOs don’t see through the bullshit and keep falling for it. and my feelings aren’t just for my kid, really. I’m sad for all the sincere, genuine kids who are KIDS and do the stuff that needs to be done because it needs to be done (student council, school clubs, tutoring, working real jobs) and get hosed.

Is your kid a good student? Where did he end up?

He is a great student 3.9 (two B+ in 9th in hardest classes others avoided) private with no APs or weighting, highest rigor, NMF, 36, 5s on the APs he took. Teachers give him highest praise (ok, maybe not once in a career student, but all excellent). Genuinely well respected and liked kid with lots of friends across many subgroups. Don’t know where he will end up.

[Anonymous]

I used podcasts, all previously mentioned here, and the FB group application nation. Kid also did an essay workshop/program in summer.

In at 1 T10; 2 T11-20, and WL at several T25.
I think all of those resources helped. You don’t need a fancy counselor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that we’re done, I’m surprised by how personally I’m taking this (awful, terrible, no good) process. My really great kid got rejected from every reach (that are reaches for everyone - he really and truly had the lottery ticket for all of them). I’m mad at myself for not grooming him more and getting him (or getting him to do) all the fake crap that other kids seem to do to for the sole purpose of getting into college. I’m mad that AOs don’t see through the bullshit and keep falling for it. and my feelings aren’t just for my kid, really. I’m sad for all the sincere, genuine kids who are KIDS and do the stuff that needs to be done because it needs to be done (student council, school clubs, tutoring, working real jobs) and get hosed.

I have a lot of sympathy for you (and wonder if I'll feel this way next year: I have a junior). It's tough. At the same time, dh and I are trying hard to keep reiterating to our kid that it truly doesn't matter where you go. My evidence for this is that we both went to Ivies and our lives are normal. We make less than most people. Neither of us had an amazing college experience, and neither of us have worked in fields where it matters where we went. The most successful kids from my high school class went to less selective undergrad schools and did exceptionally well. In the end it is about what you do, not where you go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:‘24. The role of hooks, narratives, and packaging.

1000+ strategy is even more important as stats, and college scene next year will be very different with the death of DEI factors and enrollment cliff!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Pro-Gaza?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:that there is life after just 3 years of a foreign language. as DD heads to a T30-35 school (which ironically has a foreign language proficiency requirement)

Tee hee. Way to rile some folks up!

NP here. Last year we found life at a top ten after just TWO years of foreign language. DC just didn't have room in the schedule, so we let it go and hoped for the best. Took highest courses in math and science, but not language arts. Do not want to rile up, only to relieve stress.