Did your child’s ED submission get blown (not admitted)

[Anonymous]

To those who were surprised their very high stats kid wasn’t admitted ED to a highly selective school: almost all the applicants have state like your child. That means that many, many high stats kids are rejected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MI, had the stats but didn't apply to the honors program. I am convinced they thought they were a safety for high stats kid*, but was really 1st choice.

*perfect test scores, 4.81 wgpa, National Merit Scholar, varsity sports, leadership, etc., and, full pay

Demonstrated interest? I know a kid with a similar profile who did not get in EA. His parents were surprised, but he told them that he probably didn't put in enough "demonstrated interest." HS Class of '21.

What is "enough" demonstrated interest? Visited and did official tour in person. Met with Admissions Officer when they visited their HS. Followed on IG, Twitter and liked everything. Opened emails and clicked on links. When originally differed wrote letter of continuing interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was just another way for a sponsor to give him money, and take a tax deduction. Nathan could have gone to any university.

No, the scholarship was specific to Yale. The school really wanted him to attend and offered daily private ice time for him on their campus rink.

Wow there's a lot of wild revisionist history here about Nathan. He enrolled at Yale several years before the 2022 Bejing Olympics. He took a leave of absence to train for the Games in California with his long-time coach. If Yale gave him private ice, it was not much. For years, local skaters have posted pics and shared stories of Nathan training on local freestyle sessions in CT. And, if he got a full-ride, good for him. Winning the Olympics took a lifetime of sacrifice and training. I'm sure Yale will soldier on financially without his tuition payment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Step-daughter got rejected from Brown ED. She was pretty crushed, especially as the clear valedictorian and frontrunner of her small private since kindergarten (ran out of math classes to take at school since Calc BC in 10th grade, dual-enrolled at local college for math thereafter). She's also just a brilliant human being in general (and I say this as a child developmental psychologist with teenage children of my own), gifted in writing, speech and debate, acting, and languages. I was a little worried for her application because she didn't have as many activities related to school. She felt discouraged from running for student council after losing an election early in high school and instead focused most of her energy in a few outside activities: rowing, Italian and Chinese self-study, and Shakespeare acting. She didn't exactly verbally broadcast her ED application but proudly and confidently wore Brown apparel, so it was common knowledge that she was applying. She took a couple days off of school after the rejection, not that other students applied but were celebrating their own ED admissions. Turns out that nobody really cared about her rejection in a mean spirited way but some did express their own disappointment for her (and what it might mean for their applications). She ended up at a WASP LAC and is happily double-majoring and studying abroad.

When the acceptance rates for Brown and other Ivy League colleges are as low as they are, this kind of behavior is unbalanced. I'm sorry she didn't get in, but more sorry her hopes were so unrealistically high that she suffered such a crushing disappointment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Step-daughter got rejected from Brown ED. She was pretty crushed, especially as the clear valedictorian and frontrunner of her small private since kindergarten (ran out of math classes to take at school since Calc BC in 10th grade, dual-enrolled at local college for math thereafter). She's also just a brilliant human being in general (and I say this as a child developmental psychologist with teenage children of my own), gifted in writing, speech and debate, acting, and languages. I was a little worried for her application because she didn't have as many activities related to school. She felt discouraged from running for student council after losing an election early in high school and instead focused most of her energy in a few outside activities: rowing, Italian and Chinese self-study, and Shakespeare acting. She didn't exactly verbally broadcast her ED application but proudly and confidently wore Brown apparel, so it was common knowledge that she was applying. She took a couple days off of school after the rejection, not that other students applied but were celebrating their own ED admissions. Turns out that nobody really cared about her rejection in a mean spirited way but some did express their own disappointment for her (and what it might mean for their applications). She ended up at a WASP LAC and is happily double-majoring and studying abroad.

When the acceptance rates for Brown and other Ivy League colleges are as low as they are, this kind of behavior is unbalanced. I'm sorry she didn't get in, but more sorry her hopes were so unrealistically high that she suffered such a crushing disappointment.

This post is proof it is easy to be 100% correct and still be unpleasant and unhelpful. You should be ashamed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hopkins

Highest rigor in every class all across the board, sports, all As entire 4 years, overseas program, job, awards, amazing Recs, impressive record etc. The type of kid who is naturally genius, disciplined, and yet still fully involved in community. Would do well anywhere truthfully. But didn’t come from a wealthy family and didn’t win a Nobel peace prize.

Didn’t get in and thankful went a diff route now. I think it’s important to know that rejections hurt but whatever the reason steers you in a diff direction, you’ll appreciate that pivot.

Agree. ED1 WashU. Stats, etc in range. It was not a long desired destination but a "I'd like this place, I might have a shot if I ED so I'll take it" kind of situation. Stung, but is super happy to be going to their destination school and feels like their life will be better because of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Step-daughter got rejected from Brown ED. She was pretty crushed, especially as the clear valedictorian and frontrunner of her small private since kindergarten (ran out of math classes to take at school since Calc BC in 10th grade, dual-enrolled at local college for math thereafter). She's also just a brilliant human being in general (and I say this as a child developmental psychologist with teenage children of my own), gifted in writing, speech and debate, acting, and languages. I was a little worried for her application because she didn't have as many activities related to school. She felt discouraged from running for student council after losing an election early in high school and instead focused most of her energy in a few outside activities: rowing, Italian and Chinese self-study, and Shakespeare acting. She didn't exactly verbally broadcast her ED application but proudly and confidently wore Brown apparel, so it was common knowledge that she was applying. She took a couple days off of school after the rejection, not that other students applied but were celebrating their own ED admissions. Turns out that nobody really cared about her rejection in a mean spirited way but some did express their own disappointment for her (and what it might mean for their applications). She ended up at a WASP LAC and is happily double-majoring and studying abroad.

When the acceptance rates for Brown and other Ivy League colleges are as low as they are, this kind of behavior is unbalanced. I'm sorry she didn't get in, but more sorry her hopes were so unrealistically high that she suffered such a crushing disappointment.

Yeah, I told her dad to be more realistic. it's just that the school has sent other students to Brown recently, both before and after. Most were well-rounded kids whose parents worked at local universities and who did research in those labs. They were pretty high achieving, just not the cream of the crop, taking the highest level classes in each subject. Then again, it could have been that her essays weren't compelling enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Step-daughter got rejected from Brown ED. She was pretty crushed, especially as the clear valedictorian and frontrunner of her small private since kindergarten (ran out of math classes to take at school since Calc BC in 10th grade, dual-enrolled at local college for math thereafter). She's also just a brilliant human being in general (and I say this as a child developmental psychologist with teenage children of my own), gifted in writing, speech and debate, acting, and languages. I was a little worried for her application because she didn't have as many activities related to school. She felt discouraged from running for student council after losing an election early in high school and instead focused most of her energy in a few outside activities: rowing, Italian and Chinese self-study, and Shakespeare acting. She didn't exactly verbally broadcast her ED application but proudly and confidently wore Brown apparel, so it was common knowledge that she was applying. She took a couple days off of school after the rejection, not that other students applied but were celebrating their own ED admissions. Turns out that nobody really cared about her rejection in a mean spirited way but some did express their own disappointment for her (and what it might mean for their applications). She ended up at a WASP LAC and is happily double-majoring and studying abroad.

NP. DD's friend also rejected ED. Brilliant student from top magnet. Tons of awards and great internships. It is just highly rejective with no real bump for ED.

[Anonymous]

ED was a defer and then RD turned out to be deny (there are no WL for ED defers at that school). Eventually other classmates were accepted that met institutional priorities.

However, DC's application lacked important pieces to align to what this school values. Small tweaks with valid experiences/values from DC would have made large leaps in the application but DC wanted zero input. I do think this made a difference.....natural consequences (although I doubt they ever recognized their part in it all and, of course, I didn't say anything)

I don't know if I'd say to do anything different with this DC because of how they approached the entire process. There's nothing we could do from outside. I think DC is at a great match but they are far less enthusiastic. Hopefully that will change once they attend.

For next DC, I will change but this is more based on personality - not strategy.

[Anonymous]

Vanderbilt ED rejection. Kid knew it was a long shot but felt okay taking that risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was just another way for a sponsor to give him money, and take a tax deduction. Nathan could have gone to any university.

No, the scholarship was specific to Yale. The school really wanted him to attend and offered daily private ice time for him on their campus rink.

Wow there's a lot of wild revisionist history here about Nathan. He enrolled at Yale several years before the 2022 Bejing Olympics. He took a leave of absence to train for the Games in California with his long-time coach. If Yale gave him private ice, it was not much. For years, local skaters have posted pics and shared stories of Nathan training on local freestyle sessions in CT. And, if he got a full-ride, good for him. Winning the Olympics took a lifetime of sacrifice and training. I'm sure Yale will soldier on financially without his tuition payment.

Nathan was already an Olympian (2018 Pyeongchang, and had many sponsors that Olympic year) before attending Yale. They did give him private ice though he also trained at nearby rinks.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/christinebrennan/2019/01/26/figure-skating-nationals-yale-nathan-chen-leads-short-program/2689311002/
“Chen practices by himself for an hour to an hour and a half each day at Yale’s Ingalls Rink.”

[Anonymous]

My kid ED’d to a top 5 SLAC and was deferred and then rejected. Waitlisted at another similarly ranked school and accepted by a third. However, she really preferred the first one, the high-reach ED who deferred and ultimately rejected her. Her reasoning was that she wanted to apply ED to a school she would never regret having committed to. Still has some hurt feelings, since she didn’t get in, but she will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ED was a defer and then RD turned out to be deny (there are no WL for ED defers at that school). Eventually other classmates were accepted that met institutional priorities.

However, DC's application lacked important pieces to align to what this school values. Small tweaks with valid experiences/values from DC would have made large leaps in the application but DC wanted zero input. I do think this made a difference.....natural consequences (although I doubt they ever recognized their part in it all and, of course, I didn't say anything)

I don't know if I'd say to do anything different with this DC because of how they approached the entire process. There's nothing we could do from outside. I think DC is at a great match but they are far less enthusiastic. Hopefully that will change once they attend.

For next DC, I will change but this is more based on personality - not strategy.

this is sooo true - my DD did first cut of app / school specific essay then I parachuted in and made several small - but meaningful - course corrections to better align application and essay to perceived school priorities. I suggested in the “why T15 school” essay to add a line or two connecting their priority EC to an existing school group, and mentioning specific classes that align with how she “branded” herself in the application. Two small tweaks - and by no means manufactured (key is that they were authentic), but most kids don’t get this branding aspect and the lens that an AO will be viewing the applications through..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MI, had the stats but didn't apply to the honors program. I am convinced they thought they were a safety for high stats kid*, but was really 1st choice.

*perfect test scores, 4.81 wgpa, National Merit Scholar, varsity sports, leadership, etc., and, full pay

Demonstrated interest? I know a kid with a similar profile who did not get in EA. His parents were surprised, but he told them that he probably didn't put in enough "demonstrated interest." HS Class of '21.

What is "enough" demonstrated interest? Visited and did official tour in person. Met with Admissions Officer when they visited their HS. Followed on IG, Twitter and liked everything. Opened emails and clicked on links. When originally differed wrote letter of continuing interest.

There is no way this actually matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MI, had the stats but didn't apply to the honors program. I am convinced they thought they were a safety for high stats kid*, but was really 1st choice.

*perfect test scores, 4.81 wgpa, National Merit Scholar, varsity sports, leadership, etc., and, full pay

Demonstrated interest? I know a kid with a similar profile who did not get in EA. His parents were surprised, but he told them that he probably didn't put in enough "demonstrated interest." HS Class of '21.

What is "enough" demonstrated interest? Visited and did official tour in person. Met with Admissions Officer when they visited their HS. Followed on IG, Twitter and liked everything. Opened emails and clicked on links. When originally differed wrote letter of continuing interest.

There is no way this actually matters.

NP. Some colleges do, in fact, track email link clicks, time spent on website, etc. and factor it into their yield algorithm. This is not manual; it's automated.