Reply to Introverts in the "socially skewed" college admissions process

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think the larger point is that it's very difficult to get into Harvard (since you mention it in your first para), whether you're an extrovert or an introvert. There is really no school club you can join that would make it more likely.

It's very unlikely EVEN for truly outstanding kids like your child with perfect scores and excellent grades at a top school. I think recognizing that early is helpful in framing your expectations.[/quote]

Oh yes - I totally realize this.  There are no expectations for Harvard.  Granted, a great school like Harvard would probably be on DC's list to "try for" (or if not Harvard, some other equally insanely competitive school) - it is not like this will ever be the goal.  In the end, we would want them to create a broad list of schools that they would be happy to attend.

It's just that using somewhere like Harvard is the perfect example for what I am trying to get at - kids with great grades and test scores are a dime a dozen in their admissions piles - so they are looking for more and it always seems these qualities point to extroverts or to people who go out and win prizes or create/invent things or ideas people.  I feel like there have to be introverts like my child out there and that there are natural ways to be yourself as an introvert but show who you are in these other aspects of what schools are looking for.  So having anecdotes from other parents of highly academic introverts (with not prizes or even regional-level talent) that were successful at uber-competitive admissions (like Harvard) is helpful .

Honestly, don't even know if DC would want to apply to Harvard - but if they chose - Yale or Princeton or Stanford or whatever as their top reach... the same issues would apply.  [/quote]

But you can be an extreme introvert who invents things and wins prizes! Almost all the kids at my kid's school who win science prizes are very quiet and introvertted. This is what I can't quite understand about your post. Perhaps what you really mean is intellectual? Your child is highly intellectual and his/her primary interests are academics, and you are wondering if that itself is valued by colleges? Yes, it is. Will it set your child apart in highly selective admissions? It just depends. Colleges want some super-intellectuals, but they also want rowers, and tennis players, and bassoonists....[/quote]

Sure, child is super intellectual but is NOT the type who would want to participate in competition - just not their thing.  Also wouldn't invent something.  But has very high level understanding of almost all subjects - for example in both math and in history.  Connections they can make are not typical....but they don't go out and sign up for math meets.  My other child is maybe a tad less academic but far more outgoing and a total "ideas" person. This DC is more deeply understanding and can really synthesize and analyze information sent their way.  So when I see colleges talk about the whole picture - the other DC fits the bill perfectly for that - while this one fits the bill for academics.

To be clear - both DCs will succeed and be happy where ever they land -I'm really just looking for some stories to help frame other's experiences.  The examples (and student representatives) given are always extroverts...so it'd be nice to see/hear about others.  Introverts that aren't inventors or prize winners and aren't likely to join competitions.  [/quote]

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