Very high stats kid - which schools should we be considering

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At $150,000 you will get significant financial aid from all the private T20 schools. In all likelihood, those schools will cost less than the state flagship. You just need to get in. Alternatively, there are many schools that will give very significant merit for that 36 ACT. Alabama is the most prominent, and that is a free ride entirely with that score. There are a plenty of options if you look around. I'd start by doing the NPC calculator for the private schools you're interested in. You might be surprised. And then look up best merit for a 36.

This is true. But the kid doesn't have a strong story or application for T20.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At $150k, kid would get substantial financial aid at a top Ivy if they can get in. Worth a flier, but far from a certainty.

Essentially a very low chance for anyone…and even more so with those ECs and service hrs. At least IMO, it would be a throwaway.

Agree the T25 not likely with that resume unless there is a hook. What state are you in op?

One where geographic diversity would help my kid and not hurt them at T50 type schools.

I wasn't sure how dime-a-dozen kids are who have NMSF, non-superscored one-and-done 36 ACT, nearly perfect grades, and a boatload of APs with mostly 5s. Based on this forum, they must be really common. My kid takes the SAT in a couple weeks. I'm guessing that a 1550+ score will do nothing whatsoever to change the kid's profile.

Why biochem? Pick a major that matches the ECs?
5s in US Gov and Euro. And Performance in school plays and mock trial. [NOTE: What were the school plays? If anything historic, might be able to use as evidence for a humanities major too]
Why biochem? Horrible, horrible idea. I would do a multidisciplinary humanities major personally.

If you HAVE to do science, look at majors like:

- Science, Technology & Society (with the thematic area: Policy, Persuasion and the Rhetoric of Science) at Brown. Could tie in mock trial/humanities (and ask US Govt teacher for LOR)
- Science in Human Culture (Northwestern University)

Otherwise, look at some of the below to build on the ECs the kid does have:

- Justice and Peace Studies (Georgetown University) (less common than IR or Govt)
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) (Dartmouth College)
- Religion, Ethics, and Politics (Princeton University)
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies (Cornell University)
- Ethics, Politics, and Economics (Yale University)

If you are from an underrepresented state (which one?), with stats like this, help your kid strengthen their profile. They need more impactful ECs and an award or 2. Are they a writer?
Otherwise, help develop a summer independent project - a few ideas below:

- Interactive Digital Storytelling Project
Combine D&D world-building skills with digital media
Create an interactive narrative experience exploring ethical dilemmas
Could focus on science ethics to bridge biochemistry interests (if staying with science)

- Mock Trial Workshop Series for Underprivileged Students
Develop and lead mock trial workshops for middle school students
Focus on critical thinking, public speaking, and logical reasoning
Create a curriculum that could be replicated easily.

Summer Job
Does your kid have a summer job? Working behind the scenes at a professional theater production would be great. Or even something in period costuming.

I was suggesting pre-law, and for awhile, my kid wanted to do ACLU/social justice type law. I think it would fit much better with their strengths.
My kid is fixated on the medical pharma research because I've been going through cancer treatment for the last 5 years. They will easily get a 5 on the AP Bio exam this year to go with the 5s already earned on AP chem and Calc. So they're not a slouch in STEM.

They will have a senior project, but I doubt there will be any materials available in time for college applications. Amusingly enough, my kid does period and cosplay costuming as a hobby. They're really good with a sewing machine and prop construction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At $150k, kid would get substantial financial aid at a top Ivy if they can get in. Worth a flier, but far from a certainty.

Essentially a very low chance for anyone…and even more so with those ECs and service hrs. At least IMO, it would be a throwaway.

Agree the T25 not likely with that resume unless there is a hook. What state are you in op?

One where geographic diversity would help my kid and not hurt them at T50 type schools.

I wasn't sure how dime-a-dozen kids are who have NMSF, non-superscored one-and-done 36 ACT, nearly perfect grades, and a boatload of APs with mostly 5s. Based on this forum, they must be really common. My kid takes the SAT in a couple weeks. I'm guessing that a 1550+ score will do nothing whatsoever to change the kid's profile.

Why biochem? Pick a major that matches the ECs?
5s in US Gov and Euro. And Performance in school plays and mock trial. [NOTE: What were the school plays? If anything historic, might be able to use as evidence for a humanities major too]
Why biochem? Horrible, horrible idea. I would do a multidisciplinary humanities major personally.

If you HAVE to do science, look at majors like:

- Science, Technology & Society (with the thematic area: Policy, Persuasion and the Rhetoric of Science) at Brown. Could tie in mock trial/humanities (and ask US Govt teacher for LOR)
- Science in Human Culture (Northwestern University)

Otherwise, look at some of the below to build on the ECs the kid does have:

- Justice and Peace Studies (Georgetown University) (less common than IR or Govt)
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) (Dartmouth College)
- Religion, Ethics, and Politics (Princeton University)
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies (Cornell University)
- Ethics, Politics, and Economics (Yale University)

If you are from an underrepresented state (which one?), with stats like this, help your kid strengthen their profile. They need more impactful ECs and an award or 2. Are they a writer?
Otherwise, help develop a summer independent project - a few ideas below:

- Interactive Digital Storytelling Project
Combine D&D world-building skills with digital media
Create an interactive narrative experience exploring ethical dilemmas
Could focus on science ethics to bridge biochemistry interests (if staying with science)

- Mock Trial Workshop Series for Underprivileged Students
Develop and lead mock trial workshops for middle school students
Focus on critical thinking, public speaking, and logical reasoning
Create a curriculum that could be replicated easily.

Summer Job
Does your kid have a summer job? Working behind the scenes at a professional theater production would be great. Or even something in period costuming.

I was suggesting pre-law, and for awhile, my kid wanted to do ACLU/social justice type law. I think it would fit much better with their strengths.
My kid is fixated on the medical pharma research because I've been going through cancer treatment for the last 5 years. They will easily get a 5 on the AP Bio exam this year to go with the 5s already earned on AP chem and Calc. So they're not a slouch in STEM.

They will have a senior project, but I doubt there will be any materials available in time for college applications. Amusingly enough, my kid does period and cosplay costuming as a hobby. They're really good with a sewing machine and prop construction.

Great context. I think your kid could have a MUCH more compelling application than you think.

Research majors like "Science, Technology & Society or similar (I think Stanford, Cornell, & Penn have something like this) - to bridge science ans social justice? How science & med interact with law/ethics/society? Would be good to bring up origin story (how kid became interested due to cancer diagnosis and then move on)

Other majors/academic concentrations Bioethics (Georgetown or Yale); Health Policy (Dartmouth or Brown); Medical Anthropology; and Medical Humanities (Columbia).

Summer project: combine their costuming skills with medical/social justice themes?

- Designing adaptive clothing for cancer patients that maintains dignity while accommodating medical devices
- Creating an exhibit of historically accurate costumes showing how disease and treatment were portrayed in different eras (written or visual)
- Costume therapy (pediatric hospitals or creating costumes and then donating?)

Absolutely include hobbies like this in the EC list - it is what brings the kid's story to LIFE. It already makes your kid much more vibrant and compelling. I love a kid who is good at sewing!! Separate out prop construction from sewing costumes in the activities (e.g., make it 2 different activities).

And the senior project should be detailed in the additional information section. Please have one of the teachers reference it in LOR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At $150k, kid would get substantial financial aid at a top Ivy if they can get in. Worth a flier, but far from a certainty.

Essentially a very low chance for anyone…and even more so with those ECs and service hrs. At least IMO, it would be a throwaway.

Agree the T25 not likely with that resume unless there is a hook. What state are you in op?

One where geographic diversity would help my kid and not hurt them at T50 type schools.

I wasn't sure how dime-a-dozen kids are who have NMSF, non-superscored one-and-done 36 ACT, nearly perfect grades, and a boatload of APs with mostly 5s. Based on this forum, they must be really common. My kid takes the SAT in a couple weeks. I'm guessing that a 1550+ score will do nothing whatsoever to change the kid's profile.

Why biochem? Pick a major that matches the ECs?
5s in US Gov and Euro. And Performance in school plays and mock trial. [NOTE: What were the school plays? If anything historic, might be able to use as evidence for a humanities major too]
Why biochem? Horrible, horrible idea. I would do a multidisciplinary humanities major personally.

If you HAVE to do science, look at majors like:

- Science, Technology & Society (with the thematic area: Policy, Persuasion and the Rhetoric of Science) at Brown. Could tie in mock trial/humanities (and ask US Govt teacher for LOR)
- Science in Human Culture (Northwestern University)

Otherwise, look at some of the below to build on the ECs the kid does have:

- Justice and Peace Studies (Georgetown University) (less common than IR or Govt)
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) (Dartmouth College)
- Religion, Ethics, and Politics (Princeton University)
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies (Cornell University)
- Ethics, Politics, and Economics (Yale University)

If you are from an underrepresented state (which one?), with stats like this, help your kid strengthen their profile. They need more impactful ECs and an award or 2. Are they a writer?
Otherwise, help develop a summer independent project - a few ideas below:

- Interactive Digital Storytelling Project
Combine D&D world-building skills with digital media
Create an interactive narrative experience exploring ethical dilemmas
Could focus on science ethics to bridge biochemistry interests (if staying with science)

- Mock Trial Workshop Series for Underprivileged Students
Develop and lead mock trial workshops for middle school students
Focus on critical thinking, public speaking, and logical reasoning
Create a curriculum that could be replicated easily.

Summer Job
Does your kid have a summer job? Working behind the scenes at a professional theater production would be great. Or even something in period costuming.

I was suggesting pre-law, and for awhile, my kid wanted to do ACLU/social justice type law. I think it would fit much better with their strengths.
My kid is fixated on the medical pharma research because I've been going through cancer treatment for the last 5 years. They will easily get a 5 on the AP Bio exam this year to go with the 5s already earned on AP chem and Calc. So they're not a slouch in STEM.

They will have a senior project, but I doubt there will be any materials available in time for college applications. Amusingly enough, my kid does period and cosplay costuming as a hobby. They're really good with a sewing machine and prop construction.

Thinking of you and your cancer diagnosis.
Also, you might want to join Sara Harberson's FB group: Application Nation 26? It's a monthly fee (maybe $70-80), but I know there were a few parents with cancer diagnoses in recent years, so she knows the best way for applicants to (briefly) discuss in the personal essay and then quickly move on - especially if it impacted an area of study.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At $150k, kid would get substantial financial aid at a top Ivy if they can get in. Worth a flier, but far from a certainty.

+1. Check the numbers. I know at least a few give full tuition if your income is less than "X" amount. Of course, can't count on getting in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At $150k, kid would get substantial financial aid at a top Ivy if they can get in. Worth a flier, but far from a certainty.

Essentially a very low chance for anyone…and even more so with those ECs and service hrs. At least IMO, it would be a throwaway.

Agree the T25 not likely with that resume unless there is a hook. What state are you in op?

One where geographic diversity would help my kid and not hurt them at T50 type schools.

I wasn't sure how dime-a-dozen kids are who have NMSF, non-superscored one-and-done 36 ACT, nearly perfect grades, and a boatload of APs with mostly 5s. Based on this forum, they must be really common. My kid takes the SAT in a couple weeks. I'm guessing that a 1550+ score will do nothing whatsoever to change the kid's profile.

Why biochem? Pick a major that matches the ECs?
5s in US Gov and Euro. And Performance in school plays and mock trial. [NOTE: What were the school plays? If anything historic, might be able to use as evidence for a humanities major too]
Why biochem? Horrible, horrible idea. I would do a multidisciplinary humanities major personally.

If you HAVE to do science, look at majors like:

- Science, Technology & Society (with the thematic area: Policy, Persuasion and the Rhetoric of Science) at Brown. Could tie in mock trial/humanities (and ask US Govt teacher for LOR)
- Science in Human Culture (Northwestern University)

Otherwise, look at some of the below to build on the ECs the kid does have:

- Justice and Peace Studies (Georgetown University) (less common than IR or Govt)
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) (Dartmouth College)
- Religion, Ethics, and Politics (Princeton University)
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies (Cornell University)
- Ethics, Politics, and Economics (Yale University)

If you are from an underrepresented state (which one?), with stats like this, help your kid strengthen their profile. They need more impactful ECs and an award or 2. Are they a writer?
Otherwise, help develop a summer independent project - a few ideas below:

- Interactive Digital Storytelling Project
Combine D&D world-building skills with digital media
Create an interactive narrative experience exploring ethical dilemmas
Could focus on science ethics to bridge biochemistry interests (if staying with science)

- Mock Trial Workshop Series for Underprivileged Students
Develop and lead mock trial workshops for middle school students
Focus on critical thinking, public speaking, and logical reasoning
Create a curriculum that could be replicated easily.

Summer Job
Does your kid have a summer job? Working behind the scenes at a professional theater production would be great. Or even something in period costuming.

I was suggesting pre-law, and for awhile, my kid wanted to do ACLU/social justice type law. I think it would fit much better with their strengths.
My kid is fixated on the medical pharma research because I've been going through cancer treatment for the last 5 years. They will easily get a 5 on the AP Bio exam this year to go with the 5s already earned on AP chem and Calc. So they're not a slouch in STEM.

They will have a senior project, but I doubt there will be any materials available in time for college applications. Amusingly enough, my kid does period and cosplay costuming as a hobby. They're really good with a sewing machine and prop construction.

Assume your kid is part of the Drama Club? If not, have them join officially now and for 12th grade.

Also, sewing (or costuming) should be listed as a long-term EC (like this):

ART
9, 10, 11, 12
Digital artist & painter (independent, freelance)
Create art near daily, sold $700 in commissions, illustrate for schools & clubs, raised $2000 for [redacted] Scholarship [social justice related], sold 104 pieces of [redacted social justice club] merchandise

DRAMA (or ART)
9, 10, 11, 12
Colonial-era costume designer, historical garment restorer & researcher (independent)
Research and hand-sew historically accurate 18th century garments using period-techniques and materials, completed 8 authentic ensembles, serve as costumed interpreter at Colonial Heritage Days, participate in English Country Dance preservation society, conduct museum workshops on historical textile arts.

I would also enroll in some online Coursera-style classes on Costume design, so it shows real dedication. All colleges are looking for people to help with their set productions and costume designs!! [And you could add these "certificates" as ECs if you have room, or in Additional Information]

https://www.thecostumingacademy.com/
https://www.fitnyc.edu/academics/academic-divisions/ccps/noncredit/wardrobe-technician.php
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/21m-732-beginning-costume-design-and-construction-fall-2008/
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/21m-715-the-craft-of-costume-design-fall-2009/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At $150k, kid would get substantial financial aid at a top Ivy if they can get in. Worth a flier, but far from a certainty.

Essentially a very low chance for anyone…and even more so with those ECs and service hrs. At least IMO, it would be a throwaway.

Agree the T25 not likely with that resume unless there is a hook. What state are you in op?

One where geographic diversity would help my kid and not hurt them at T50 type schools.

I wasn't sure how dime-a-dozen kids are who have NMSF, non-superscored one-and-done 36 ACT, nearly perfect grades, and a boatload of APs with mostly 5s. Based on this forum, they must be really common. My kid takes the SAT in a couple weeks. I'm guessing that a 1550+ score will do nothing whatsoever to change the kid's profile.

Why biochem? Pick a major that matches the ECs?
5s in US Gov and Euro. And Performance in school plays and mock trial. [NOTE: What were the school plays? If anything historic, might be able to use as evidence for a humanities major too]
Why biochem? Horrible, horrible idea. I would do a multidisciplinary humanities major personally.

If you HAVE to do science, look at majors like:

- Science, Technology & Society (with the thematic area: Policy, Persuasion and the Rhetoric of Science) at Brown. Could tie in mock trial/humanities (and ask US Govt teacher for LOR)
- Science in Human Culture (Northwestern University)

Otherwise, look at some of the below to build on the ECs the kid does have:

- Justice and Peace Studies (Georgetown University) (less common than IR or Govt)
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) (Dartmouth College)
- Religion, Ethics, and Politics (Princeton University)
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies (Cornell University)
- Ethics, Politics, and Economics (Yale University)

If you are from an underrepresented state (which one?), with stats like this, help your kid strengthen their profile. They need more impactful ECs and an award or 2. Are they a writer?
Otherwise, help develop a summer independent project - a few ideas below:

- Interactive Digital Storytelling Project
Combine D&D world-building skills with digital media
Create an interactive narrative experience exploring ethical dilemmas
Could focus on science ethics to bridge biochemistry interests (if staying with science)

- Mock Trial Workshop Series for Underprivileged Students
Develop and lead mock trial workshops for middle school students
Focus on critical thinking, public speaking, and logical reasoning
Create a curriculum that could be replicated easily.

Summer Job
Does your kid have a summer job? Working behind the scenes at a professional theater production would be great. Or even something in period costuming.

I was suggesting pre-law, and for awhile, my kid wanted to do ACLU/social justice type law. I think it would fit much better with their strengths.
My kid is fixated on the medical pharma research because I've been going through cancer treatment for the last 5 years. They will easily get a 5 on the AP Bio exam this year to go with the 5s already earned on AP chem and Calc. So they're not a slouch in STEM.

They will have a senior project, but I doubt there will be any materials available in time for college applications. Amusingly enough, my kid does period and cosplay costuming as a hobby. They're really good with a sewing machine and prop construction.

Northwestern and Brown like kids who have two totally unrelated academic or EC interests. It's both of their calling cards. I would run NPC for both.
Look at your school's Naviance or SCOIR to see if they've ever taken a kid from your school.
Meet the AO for both at local/regional school fairs and sign up for virtual tours starting now (especially for NU).

[Anonymous]

You lost us at Dungeons and Dragons

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You lost us at Dungeons and Dragons

There's a lot of D&D on admityogi. You would be surprised.

[Anonymous]

great suggestions here. OP come back and give us more intel or information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As you may be aware, few T20-T50s offer big merit. They are reaches without the financial aspect. The big merit scholarships are super reaches. The lower you look in ranking, the more big merit becomes a possibility.

For T20s, there are big scholarships offered to a few students at Duke, Vandy, WashU. Not sure about others. When you expand to T50, there are big scholarships of varying sizes at places like BC (full tuition, very hard to get), full or half tuition at BU, etc. So, you need to be clear to your student about what would be affordable if a top scholarship came through - can you afford the 20k room and board if there was a full tuition scholarship on the table.

It makes sense to give these merit scholarships a shot, though I'd be planning on one of the NMF full rides, and booking a trip to Tuscaloosa at this point, sell the Alabama experience. I have relatives who attended for the big money and loved it.

Thanks for being the one person willing to give a helpful response. We 100% assumed that we would not be able to afford any top schools, and that the state flagship would be our only affordable and decent enough option. I didn't want to sell my kid short, so I wanted to see what else might be on the table. At least for us, there's no point in applying at all if we're unlikely to be able to afford attending.

I'll still probably ask the moderator to delete this thread. This forum is rough.

PP. Ignore the rude responses - that is very typical for this forum.

Do try the Net Price Calculators at some top schools to see if they'd give enough need-based aid. You might, or might not, be pleasantly surprised. Hard for anyone to guess because your assets also impact the college's need calculation.

Since you may be new to the world of college admissions, just to add something about keeping admission expectations realistic, my kid had 3.98/1570 and was outright rejected from: Brown, Columbia, Vandy, Georgetown, USC, UCLA/UCB/UCSD, and BU. Waitlisted Northwestern, Tufts, Michigan, NYU, Northeastern. We can comfortably afford full pay and did not apply for financial aid anywhere. Planning to attend safety state flagship unless one of the waitlists comes through. What might have made a difference: binding Early Decision (ED), which my kid did not do. If you end up finding that top schools may be affordable with need-based aid, and your kid ends up having a top choice among them, then ED is the way to go.

Ouch. And yes, I am new to college admissions. I'm relieved that my kid is perfectly content with the state flagship. I really just didn't want to sell my kid short by doing a one and done application to the state school without seeing what else might work for us. All of the ivies seem to think that we can afford something in the $30k-$40k neighborhood. To me, that feels like a huge stretch and a bad ROI compared to the expected nearly free ride at the state school. The UC schools are definitely a no go, as they would give minimal or no aid and be more expensive than the ivies. I know almost nothing about SLACs.

Here's the thing:
My Test Optional /3.85uw (private) kid got into several of the schools listed above (Northwestern, MI, UCLA, Vanderbilt and USC).....not from California either. Full pay.
The key was outstanding ECs and a tight "fit to major" narrative; stellar LOR. And a humanities major.

So your kid is nothing like OP’s.

Your kid’s outstanding EC’s, full pay status, and a fit to major narrative makes a massive difference. OP…you should stop considering ivies as a no go from a price only perspective. I think your kid’s EC, focus, leadership, awards, etc. profile makes it very unlikely an ivy would admit unless hooked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:11th grader was planning on attending our good but not great state flagship. Admissions is basically guaranteed, and it's nothing like NoVA kids fighting to get into UVA. We're a donut hole family and would need very generous aid to attend anything else, but...
In the course of 11th, kid got a 224 PSAT NMSF index, meaning they're almost guaranteed to be a NMSF. And they just recently got a 36 on the ACT. They didn't really study for either PSAT or ACT. So, which T20 or T50 schools are likely to give exceptionally generous aid or scholarships to a kid with the following stats:

Planned major: biochemistry
-GPA: 3.98 uw with one A- in 9th grade honors English
-APs: 5s in Calc, Chemistry, US Government, Euro History. 4 in English Lit. Will finish high school with 10 APs and another 5 post-APs.
-NMSF
-ACT 36
-EC: okay, but not related at all to the major. Performance in 3 school plays, with a lead role in 1. DM for school Dungeons and Dragons club. 3 years of mock trial.
-community service: okay, but nothing special.

Kid is perfectly content to do the honors college at the state flagship, but we'd like a few other options on the table. Any suggestions?

Apply to WPI, Rochester, CWRU to name a few. All give merit (Rochester gives the least). Those would all be excellent Targets with WPI being a Safety (but know they are test blind so they won't care about or see the 36 ACT at all).

Your kid would find his group at all 3 schools and likely get great merit. Just have to convince CWRU that you would seriously attend with the high stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At $150,000 you will get significant financial aid from all the private T20 schools. In all likelihood, those schools will cost less than the state flagship. You just need to get in. Alternatively, there are many schools that will give very significant merit for that 36 ACT. Alabama is the most prominent, and that is a free ride entirely with that score. There are a plenty of options if you look around. I'd start by doing the NPC calculator for the private schools you're interested in. You might be surprised. And then look up best merit for a 36.

This is true. But the kid doesn't have a strong story or application for T20.

We don't know that. We don't know the kid's geography or the personal experiences or what writing skills he has. Those can make a difference. In any case, it's worth the kid's best shot, even if it's a long shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At $150,000 you will get significant financial aid from all the private T20 schools. In all likelihood, those schools will cost less than the state flagship. You just need to get in. Alternatively, there are many schools that will give very significant merit for that 36 ACT. Alabama is the most prominent, and that is a free ride entirely with that score. There are a plenty of options if you look around. I'd start by doing the NPC calculator for the private schools you're interested in. You might be surprised. And then look up best merit for a 36.

This is true. But the kid doesn't have a strong story or application for T20.

We don't know that. We don't know the kid's geography or the personal experiences or what writing skills he has. Those can make a difference. In any case, it's worth the kid's best shot, even if it's a long shot.

NP:

Presumably with all the details from OP, this would have been included. Writing skills won’t change the ECs and similar story molding info.

[Anonymous]

Be sure to check out the elite publics - UCLA, UCB, U Mich, UVA, etc., as these schools seem to continue to value traditional measures of academic success over the process of packaging a kid as a historic costume designer.