Reply to Senior parents: what has surprised you the most?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I learned a few things about the actual Common App after the fact - and was surprised by:

- Additional Information. Most CCO don't recommend filling out the Additional Info section in the common app. But that appears to run counter to other private college counselors - and might also need to calibrate your entry with what others at your school are doing (See TJ podcast from another thread where AO questioned why Addtl Info section wasn't full).
     - so maybe its HS dependent?
     - interestingly, my kid did include a ton of content in the Addtl Info section for Michigan OOS (and got it), but we removed it for RD apps (things like Coursera and Edx and other online enrichment/education classes; additional ECs and sports awards)

- Career Plans. The Future Plans section of the Common App has now been mentioned hundreds of times here. Prior to this fall, I had no idea counselors use this section to "frame" an application (it was mentioned on that podcast as well as others in the past here - it's how I first learned about it)

- First Choice Major. Major matters a lot. Seeing OOS admissions come in from USC, UT, and Michigan already from our HS has shown how a kid below the top of the class (3.9+uw and 1550+) can get in: you must apply to very small or undersubscribed liberal arts majors. Have seen it in action in our HS. Those kids have been successful while those with higher stats in more popular majors have not been.

- Awards. Learned that many kids put non-academic individual state, regional or national level sports rankings or awards there and have done well with flagships. Didn't realize you can put non-academic stuff there.[/quote]

DD just admitted to UMich OOS LSA for Cognitive Science, agree engineering and business seem like tough admits. she is 4.0/4.7/1530. she listed research projects and published papers in AI section but did not fill out future plans section. she also listed both academic and national sports awards in the awards section.[b] i think you can try and game the system to a degree but still need to stay true to yourself, otherwise will drive yourself crazy. [/b] [/quote]

This is the wisest thing I have seen on this thread and I even wrote a different post.  :p I actually love that your DD left the future plans section blank (I didn't realize you could do that) b/c it was the advice to use the "other" option to write more that finally made me realize there really is no right or wrong way as long as you are showing your true self.  My DD was also admitted to UMich.  Go Blue![/quote]

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