Average kid in an Ivy

[Anonymous]

What do you think of the parents who have normal, average kids who are going to Ivies?

No "hooks", no history or connection, no family who attended, not outstanding in any sport, extracurricular or even grades.

Suspicious?

Do you think the Felicity Huffman thing is alive and well more than we know, in affluent towns?

Do you know an affluent family who has this situation? If so, please chime in. Example: a GMU-level kid going to HYPS? Not railing on GMU, because I know it is a great school. Just an example, and would rather not derail the thread.

I am a little surprised, that's all. Not entirely, but a little. You?

If you have an opinion about the situation (not me, since you don't know me), or have known this to happen, please share.

Me, I'm shaking my head. Not entirely surprised, but yeah, I'm surprised.

[Anonymous]

You probably don't know as much about them as you think you do. You also haven't gone to an Ivy so you really don't know what you're talking about.

[Anonymous]

I think the bottom line is people are likely to hype up their own kid in their minds (his grades aren't perfect, but look at those extracurriculars!!) and dismiss the achievements of kids not their own (assuming every URM would not have gotten in without that "hook," calling a kid average when you don't actually know their scores/GPA/essays). It's much more likely that the kid is actually an exceptional candidate in a way that is not on your radar than that the parents have bribed the kid's way in.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher.

I know one average kid at Brown three years ago. He had no hobbies or activities outside of school and did not socialize or have friends of any kind. He was rude and disrespectful to teachers. His parents, however, were super pushy and would arrive to argue with any teacher who gave their child less than an A in anything.

This was at an international school in a country that happened to be experiencing some conflict. The family was American and the student had no interaction with the local community outside of his family, who moved in an expat bubble. The father, however, emailed me the son's application essay one evening, then arrived at school to offer me money to edit it and to provide a letter of rec. I didn't do either of those things, but I did read the letter, and it 100% fabricated: it was all about the boy volunteering to fight for the rights of locals in the country and experiencing real physical combat, etc., etc. All lies.

None of the American teachers at the school would agree to provide references, but I am sure the father paid off some of the "local hire" teachers, who were all paid far less than the expats and would have been happy to provide references in exchange for $$$

It worked. He got in.

I am sure there are many other average students with steamroller parents who can make things happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher.

I know one average kid at Brown three years ago. He had no hobbies or activities outside of school and did not socialize or have friends of any kind. He was rude and disrespectful to teachers. His parents, however, were super pushy and would arrive to argue with any teacher who gave their child less than an A in anything.

This was at an international school in a country that happened to be experiencing some conflict. The family was American and the student had no interaction with the local community outside of his family, who moved in an expat bubble. The father, however, emailed me the son's application essay one evening, then arrived at school to offer me money to edit it and to provide a letter of rec. I didn't do either of those things, but I did read the letter, and it 100% fabricated: it was all about the boy volunteering to fight for the rights of locals in the country and experiencing real physical combat, etc., etc. All lies.

None of the American teachers at the school would agree to provide references, but I am sure the father paid off some of the "local hire" teachers, who were all paid far less than the expats and would have been happy to provide references in exchange for $$$

It worked. He got in.

I am sure there are many other average students with steamroller parents who can make things happen.

*one average kid who got into Brown three years ago

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher.

I know one average kid at Brown three years ago. He had no hobbies or activities outside of school and did not socialize or have friends of any kind. He was rude and disrespectful to teachers. His parents, however, were super pushy and would arrive to argue with any teacher who gave their child less than an A in anything.

This was at an international school in a country that happened to be experiencing some conflict. The family was American and the student had no interaction with the local community outside of his family, who moved in an expat bubble. The father, however, emailed me the son's application essay one evening, then arrived at school to offer me money to edit it and to provide a letter of rec. I didn't do either of those things, but I did read the letter, and it 100% fabricated: it was all about the boy volunteering to fight for the rights of locals in the country and experiencing real physical combat, etc., etc. All lies.

None of the American teachers at the school would agree to provide references, but I am sure the father paid off some of the "local hire" teachers, who were all paid far less than the expats and would have been happy to provide references in exchange for $$$

It worked. He got in.

I am sure there are many other average students with steamroller parents who can make things happen.

So a straight A student got into Brown? Wow, shocking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You probably don't know as much about them as you think you do. You also haven't gone to an Ivy so you really don't know what you're talking about.

Actually, I have. Which is why it is surprising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the bottom line is people are likely to hype up their own kid in their minds (his grades aren't perfect, but look at those extracurriculars!!) and dismiss the achievements of kids not their own (assuming every URM would not have gotten in without that "hook," calling a kid average when you don't actually know their scores/GPA/essays). It's much more likely that the kid is actually an exceptional candidate in a way that is not on your radar than that the parents have bribed the kid's way in.

Actually, the kids share their grades, so it is generally known. Also, on the same team (not saying which, so don't ask), so stats are known, also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher.

I know one average kid at Brown three years ago. He had no hobbies or activities outside of school and did not socialize or have friends of any kind. He was rude and disrespectful to teachers. His parents, however, were super pushy and would arrive to argue with any teacher who gave their child less than an A in anything.

This was at an international school in a country that happened to be experiencing some conflict. The family was American and the student had no interaction with the local community outside of his family, who moved in an expat bubble. The father, however, emailed me the son's application essay one evening, then arrived at school to offer me money to edit it and to provide a letter of rec. I didn't do either of those things, but I did read the letter, and it 100% fabricated: it was all about the boy volunteering to fight for the rights of locals in the country and experiencing real physical combat, etc., etc. All lies.

None of the American teachers at the school would agree to provide references, but I am sure the father paid off some of the "local hire" teachers, who were all paid far less than the expats and would have been happy to provide references in exchange for $$$

It worked. He got in.

I am sure there are many other average students with steamroller parents who can make things happen.

+1

Yes, but are they willing to do 4 years of homework and in person exams for them; plus, the sport that the student does not excel at?

Not quite Felicity Huffman getting her kid in the pool for a photo op, but not that different.

[Anonymous]

OP if you have any real reason to suspect fraud, report it.

Otherwise stop gossiping about a kid who got good news just because yours did not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the bottom line is people are likely to hype up their own kid in their minds (his grades aren't perfect, but look at those extracurriculars!!) and dismiss the achievements of kids not their own (assuming every URM would not have gotten in without that "hook," calling a kid average when you don't actually know their scores/GPA/essays). It's much more likely that the kid is actually an exceptional candidate in a way that is not on your radar than that the parents have bribed the kid's way in.

Like what? Examples?

Was it the four recreational trips abroad every year? Curious.

[Anonymous]

Of course there are average kids at Ivy's. The stats you see do not include everyone, and they are averages, which means about half the kids they report are below that. Most don't even report average GPAs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course there are average kids at Ivy's. The stats you see do not include everyone, and they are averages, which means about half the kids they report are below that. Most don't even report average GPAs.

Let's just say that I did not attend an Ivy very, very recently - I am old! But I do know what they look for, and this isn't it, hence my anon post. But yes, thank you for pointing that out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the bottom line is people are likely to hype up their own kid in their minds (his grades aren't perfect, but look at those extracurriculars!!) and dismiss the achievements of kids not their own (assuming every URM would not have gotten in without that "hook," calling a kid average when you don't actually know their scores/GPA/essays). It's much more likely that the kid is actually an exceptional candidate in a way that is not on your radar than that the parents have bribed the kid's way in.

Like what? Examples?

Was it the four recreational trips abroad every year? Curious.

Sorry that something nice happened to an 18 year old that you, in your infinite wisdom, had written off as not worthy. May you find peace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the bottom line is people are likely to hype up their own kid in their minds (his grades aren't perfect, but look at those extracurriculars!!) and dismiss the achievements of kids not their own (assuming every URM would not have gotten in without that "hook," calling a kid average when you don't actually know their scores/GPA/essays). It's much more likely that the kid is actually an exceptional candidate in a way that is not on your radar than that the parents have bribed the kid's way in.

Like what? Examples?

Was it the four recreational trips abroad every year? Curious.

Sorry that something nice happened to an 18 year old that you, in your infinite wisdom, had written off as not worthy. May you find peace.

I don't think OP is from the US, and he striver rage is really apparent. She seems to think checking off every box means her child is entitled to go to an Ivy. She doesn't get that Harvard isn't a vending machine where you put the right sports in and an education pops out.