I’m worried DD got into too elite of a college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is not applying to any ivies despite the fact he scored 36 on the ACT and has gotten mostly A's through high school. He says he doesn't want the "cut-throat" environment. Not sure where he is getting that impression, but my husband really would like him to apply to Yale just for the heck of it. We toured the school a few weeks ago, and he seemed impressed, so maybe he will. It can't hurt to try, and reading this thread alleviates my fears that it would not be a good fit for him if he were to get in. We are also URM, so that may be a potential hook.

Hi.

For the heck of it? Here's what hurts about trying: he has to write essays while at the same time trying hard to get his other applications done. He wastes people's time if he needs additional references just for Yale. For some of us, the cost isn't trivial (even if we don't qualify for fee waivers).

Why don't you pick an elite school that is actually a good fit?

Congrats on having such an accomplished child!

I am the poster with the "accomplished child." Perhaps "the heck of it" was not good language. DH wants him to apply even though it is not his first choice so that he can decide next year when the time comes if it is even an option. A lot of growth happens in senior year of high school and he may gain more confidence during that time. Yes, he will have to write more essays, but what's a few more?

Seriously, I had no idea we would even have a shot at this. Interesting comments on this thread...will need to reevaluate his list of schools...

Well that makes some sense. Yeah, don't rule it out if there is a shot and the kid likes it, but that still doesn't answer "why Yale?"

As for "what's a few more" - your kid will be seriously, seriously busy in the fall, especially if he's applying to a ton of private schools. Most likely he won't have time for everything so he'll have to decide how best to use his time. Something else important won't get done (like extra time on calculus, or on some research paper, or sleep) if the list of schools is too long. It is really, really stressful. Also, 1) you didn't think Yale was a good fit - so why Yale? 2) Unless you have buckets of money, I'd put some serious effort into the schools betweeen 20 and 50 with good reputations for merit aid. Grad school is expensive, too.

Thanks...he'll be applying EA to most of the schools on his list (not restrictive). The additional "elite" schools he could apply RA, which would stagger the essay work somewhat. He has plenty of safeties...not worried about that! As for the $$, the tuition is already saved, but, yes, it is always nice to have some merit aid and be able to use the 529 for graduate school.

[Anonymous]

I went to an Ivy law school. Many years ago, I wrote a letter to the admissions committee on behalf of one of my employees who was on their waitlist. She was eventually admitted (not simply due to my letter I am sure). She ended up graduating at the top of her class.
Even though admission may have been a reach for your daughter, she may end up blossoming while she is there.