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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I’m happy to share my child’s profile for input if you’re willing. He’s a junior at a Fairfax County public high school (VA, not TJ) with a 4.0 GPA and a 1500 SAT (second attempt, with plans to retake). He’s part of an Engineering CTE, class President and will participate in Boys State due to an interest in leadership (not military-focused). He plays a sport but is not a captain, does not plan to continue it in college, and is not at a recruitment level (keeping the sport private). He has also completed a few STEM-related internships.

While he’s strong in STEM, student leadership, and earns A’s across the board (public school grading context acknowledged), he’s not interested in engineering school specifically. He’s more drawn to entrepreneurship, marketing, maybe economics, but we’re trying to be thoughtful about fit and not add unnecessary pressure by targeting ultra-selective undergraduate business programs.

His profile feels similar to many strong students we know. He’s particularly interested in schools like Tufts, BC, Emory, Vanderbilt, which seem popular among peers. He also really loved visits to WashU and Duke (understandably).

I like some of the safeties being mentioned here and we will chose at least 4. I would appreciate feedback on whether his profile has a realistic shot at some of these more competitive schools. How do students get into these reaches or targets - does ED work? or do they typically end of in safeties? I looked at the acceptances over the past few years at his school and many seem like they have a "hook".[/quote]

Mine is at one of the schools you mentioned.  Single digit acceptance rate, won the lottery. Public HS, no particular hooks.  Very strong standardized test scores (submitted), very strong GPA.  High but not highest rigor across the board, and APs but not a ton.  Did not submit AP exam test scores.  Excellent writer, very strong in some but not all STEM.  Fantastic essay that I saw afterwards - spoke from the heart.  Interesting mix of activities and leadership.  Competitive club sport that continues in college. If there’s a hook I would say also that this kid is super engaging and beloved by teachers, and guess that the LORs were very strong.  Respected leader.  Had a very realistic list that included realistic targets and safeties and EA applications. Accepted RD.  I see a lot of comments here that are unrealistic in terms of definition of targets and safeties.  Be conservative in that regard. And as others always say and as we did - visit targets and safeties and help your student understand they can be happy at many schools.  Give those safeties and targets love, interview if possible - they might be generous with merit. My student did have friends that were disappointed at first but all of them have been very happy where they are. The system is random in some respects but your best defense is good strategy.  And in the end embracing the outcome (or ofc transferring, def have friends whose students have done that and that worked out too).  Good luck and sending good wishes to students going thru this process - that they might also enjoy these years and not be stressed all of the time.  [/quote]

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