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[quote=Anonymous]I kind of understand where the OP is coming from. I graduated in 2020 with a 3.95 UW, a 33 ACT, and 5 APs and a handful of ECs including 2 sports, and while I did push myself in my classes, I didn't try to go all out and secure research positions, additional leadership roles or selective internships. I was happy with my instate options (Pitt and PSU), so I didn't feel like doing much more although it drove my parents a lil crazy that I didn't study for ACT or retake it. Looking back, I could have done a couple more APs, another leadership position in HS and studies for the standardized tests more but it worked out for me.

I understand why parents whose kids are either aiming for T20s or need significant merit aid are concerned when their kids have pretty darn good scores but also could do a little more. However, I do think it will work out since your kid is pretty impressive.

I ended up with merit aid offers of 25k+ from Oberlin, Wooster, Kenyon, Macalester, Case Western, St. Olaf, and Occidental. My cousin with similar scores also got 25k+ from Scripps, Simmons, Mt Holyoke, Bryn Mawr, Smith, Rhodes, Tulane, and Northeastern.

Once you have made the threshold at schools who don't offer full rides, the law of diminishing returns kicks in. I got 32k for Oberlin and 30k Case and a girl with 4.0 and a 36 ACT got 34k from Oberlin and 32.5k from Case.

The class valedictorian was another kid who lamented that she could have done more if she had known more about the admissions process. As a super high achieving kid who had a 4.0 UW, 4 APs, and a couple of sustained ECs, she was aiming for Ivies and ended up in a WASP LAC (ofc these are great schools, not saying they're not) where I hear she is very happy. This year's top 5 needed merit and ended up at Northeastern (2), Kenyon, Case Western, and Muhlenberg.

Good luck to you and your daughter![/quote]

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