Reply to Lessons Learned- College Admissions- If you had to do it all again.....

Forum Index » College and University Discussion

Reply to "Lessons Learned- College Admissions- If you had to do it all again....."

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]What would you do differently?  What advice would you give to yourself one or two years earlier?  [b]Would you have your DC take different courses?[/b] Would you and DC apply to different schools? What did you wish you knew as a parent of a sophomore/junior? Thanks in advance! [/quote]

High school is a good time for parents to practice the gentle art of shutting up and letting your kid decide, even if it means subjecting your friends to the rants you have withheld (try to limit that, too, and provide baked goods or pedicure gift certificates to compensate).

I would have asked sooner if my generally independent kid wanted help, and what kind, and I would have listened.

(I have a kid with very good stats and very limited ECs. I think that kept him out of one place where he probably would have done very well academically, but you know what? Someone who helped make their school's clubs or sports happen got that spot, and I think that's totally fair.)[/quote]

Thanks so much for your advice. We have a very smart, very introverted child. Not enough ECs.  Wonder if you mind sharing the type of school your DC was rejected, or a comparable one. Thanks [/quote]

Big state (not our state) school known for computer science/engineering (is that precise enough to be helpful?). He did get into some selective schools, but not ones with an admit rate below 20%.

Also, don't think an EC has to be a club or sport. If your kid really likes something that isn't school, that's still an activity. Helping with hackathons? Chess tournaments? Maintaining a nature trail? There are things an introvert can do that don't require mingling but do show interests outside of schoolwork, and that matters. My kid did none of those.

But also, getting into a school with a 30% admit rate is still a path towards a happy life. Maybe getting into someplace very good, not jaw-droppingly OH WOW, is a tradeoff your kid is willing to make in exchange for being left alone. [/quote]

Yes, this is very helpful. Appreciate the response and advice.  Thanks![/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics