Let naive family waste $1000 on apps to elite colleges or set them straight before flying out?

[Anonymous]

They have a high school senior with a strong GPA but completely mediocre SAT (not a national merit semifinalist) and no hooks. Nothing interesting about her at all. They think she's going to get into Harvard because she has almost all A's at her mediocre school. They're so clueless but I didn't want to be the pessimistic in-law from the big city.

[Anonymous]

Harvard looks for geographic diversity. She might be a stronger candidate than you think. Regardless, MYOB.

[Anonymous]

You sound like an ass OP. MYOB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Harvard looks for geographic diversity. She might be a stronger candidate than you think. Regardless, MYOB.

A white girl in Pennsylvania with college educated parents is not a hook.

[Anonymous]

You really do sound like a jerk. On what planet could you tell someone that you think they have no shot at getting into a certain college without feeling like an asshole?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You really do sound like a jerk. On what planet could you tell someone that you think they have no shot at getting into a certain college without feeling like an asshole?

I worked in admissions before going to grad school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You really do sound like a jerk. On what planet could you tell someone that you think they have no shot at getting into a certain college without feeling like an asshole?

I worked in admissions before going to grad school.

Nothing interesting about you AT ALL...shut your pie hole.

[Anonymous]

You are insufferable OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You really do sound like a jerk. On what planet could you tell someone that you think they have no shot at getting into a certain college without feeling like an asshole?

I worked in admissions before going to grad school.

Well, I can say that I would appreciate your professional opinion and any advice that you could give to my kid - if I were in a similar situation.

You definitely want to keep expectations reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Let them waste the money. If you say to them what you said here you will sound like a complete ass.

[Anonymous]

Can you talk to her about her interests and make some "safety" suggestions.

[Anonymous]

"Wow, that's quite ambitious! I wish you the best of luck. I know it's been nearly impossible to get in there lately -- they're turning away kids with 5.0 GPAs and perfect SAT scores by the hundreds because they have so many flawless applicants from top high schools. What's your safety school?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Wow, that's quite ambitious! I wish you the best of luck. I know it's been nearly impossible to get in there lately -- they're turning away kids with 5.0 GPAs and perfect SAT scores by the hundreds because they have so many flawless applicants from top high schools. What's your safety school?"

This is just another way of trying to put them in their place. Don't be a hater. Just shut up and MYOB, OP.

[Anonymous]

If they are spending $1000 on applications they must know that it is a long shot for their kid to get into those schools. That's a lot of applications...

[Anonymous]

If they wanted your advice they'd ask for it.