Anonymous wrote:Don’t apply to a popular major. Pick a rather obscure major. Like tell them you want to major in philosophy rather than poli sci.

Yes

Or classics.

Do the opposite of what everyone else is doing.

Anonymous wrote:I wish we had pushed harder on grades from day 1. Not in a crazy “you can’t have a life” kind of way. But, I was judging grades as they were regarded in my day. And I also thought people still cared about an upward trend. Nothing matters but gpa anymore.

💯

Your reaches are actually improbable
Your likely list is your reach
Your safety schools are actually likely but definitely not safety

Your setting your kid up to be disappointed

Don’t apply to a popular major. Pick a rather obscure major. Like tell them you want to major in philosophy rather than poli sci.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:start crafting ur child’s narrative in middle school - after that it’s too late to appear authentic -

OMG. This ^^ is the kind of "advice" I wish I had never even given a second thought to. I wish I had just not worried so much.

I was assuming that was satire? But I’m with you, I wouldn’t have worried so much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish we had pushed harder on grades from day 1. Not in a crazy “you can’t have a life” kind of way. But, I was judging grades as they were regarded in my day. And I also thought people still cared about an upward trend. Nothing matters but gpa anymore.

Sorry but what year did colleges especially select ones ever care about an upward trend? Like, where was that ever listed in admissions web sites as a consideration? It sounds more like DCUM fable repeated to make moms of underperforming kids feel better about chances.

You should take “underperforming kids” out of your lexicon.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish we had pushed harder on grades from day 1. Not in a crazy “you can’t have a life” kind of way. But, I was judging grades as they were regarded in my day. And I also thought people still cared about an upward trend. Nothing matters but gpa anymore.

Sorry but what year did colleges especially select ones ever care about an upward trend? Like, where was that ever listed in admissions web sites as a consideration? It sounds more like DCUM fable repeated to make moms of underperforming kids feel better about chances.

I’m not sure exactly. I went to an Ivy a very long time ago. I didn’t have the “trend” I referenced, but I just remember that being part of the conversation “schools like to see a trajectory”. I’m not making it up but I certainly can’t pinpoint a source for you. I’ve heard it from friends also, so I don’t think it’s novel.

Anonymous wrote:I wish we had pushed harder on grades from day 1. Not in a crazy “you can’t have a life” kind of way. But, I was judging grades as they were regarded in my day. And I also thought people still cared about an upward trend. Nothing matters but gpa anymore.

Sorry but what year did colleges especially select ones ever care about an upward trend? Like, where was that ever listed in admissions web sites as a consideration? It sounds more like DCUM fable repeated to make moms of underperforming kids feel better about chances.

Anonymous wrote:start crafting ur child’s narrative in middle school - after that it’s too late to appear authentic -

OMG. This ^^ is the kind of "advice" I wish I had never even given a second thought to. I wish I had just not worried so much.

Anonymous wrote:I wish we had pushed harder on grades from day 1. Not in a crazy “you can’t have a life” kind of way. But, I was judging grades as they were regarded in my day. And I also thought people still cared about an upward trend. Nothing matters but gpa anymore.

Agree!

start crafting ur child’s narrative in middle school - after that it’s too late to appear authentic -

I wish we had pushed harder on grades from day 1. Not in a crazy “you can’t have a life” kind of way. But, I was judging grades as they were regarded in my day. And I also thought people still cared about an upward trend. Nothing matters but gpa anymore.

I wish I had never read this forum. Seriously. So much wasted angst. Why am I still here? I wonder too.

The only two helpful things I learned here:

1) UVA only takes the top 5% of the class in state
2) UVA requires four years of the SAME language even if an “advanced diploma” just needs any four. Do not count on the school to explain this to them when they’re making course choices.

If you are UMC white and can’t pay $80,000 a year for school, just get comfortable now that the best you can realistically hope for is merit aid at big state U you hadn’t ever considered.

Any safe advice for early high schoolers? Things you wish your child knew? Things you wish you knew? Activities? Resources? All of it?