Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:25
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Full pay boy. High performing suburban HS of a major city (Boston/DC/NY). No legacy.
Going into his junior year of HS. In the top ten of his class, may end up being valedictorian. He’s very smart, has no leadership or interesting ECs. Minor volunteering, 2 JV sports, not recruitable and may not even make varsity. Ship has sailed for ECs, they would be meaningless at this point and I would not expect joining a club would have any impact on his results.
He is really smart, and likely would do fine at an Ivy, but he won’t get in as he doesn’t stand out at all. Where can a kid with high test scores and top of class at a strong suburban public get into that is still prestigious? What’s his best bet for ED? Could he possibly get into a rice or Cornell?
He has multiple 5s on APs and will have 1500+ on SAT (if he doesn’t get there initially, he will be tutored).
What major? Tell us a bit more about him, so folks can tailor interests. Parents (and some professionals) here have good suggestions.
Are you in-state New York? Would he apply to any contract colleges at Cornell?
For kids like this, our private CCO suggests the following for ED (full pay) - depending on major - but ED is key:
U Chicago
WashU
Rice
At a minimum, have him start working/volunteering this summer.
Places like: library, summer camps, food banks, urban gardens, sports camps or programs.
This is really good advice. Go visit those three schools (or schools in that general cluster, but those are the three I would have suggested starting with as well) and see where he feels the best connection and ED there. If you know you'll be full-pay, ED-ing at his top choice is the way to go.
Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:24
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
Thanks all - he is interested in science. When discussing college he IDed “marine biology” as a possible major. He has zero experience with marine bio other than he took AP bio this year and got a 5 on the exam. I encouraged him to do a two week marine bio program this summer and he wouldn’t do it. He has no motivation aside from doing well in school, which isn’t overly hard for him. This summer he is sleeping in, hanging out with friends at the beach, and golfing. I honestly don’t think he would start a club, or volunteer - he has no interest in spending his time that way and I don’t want to fight over it even if it means getting into a rice/wash U instead of a lower ranked school.
Desire for prestige is coming from him - when he was brainstorming a college list he said his first choice was MIT and then would like to either Penn or Brown. That isn’t realistic.
Desire for prestige is coming from him - when he was brainstorming a college list he said his first choice was MIT and then would like to either Penn or Brown. That isn’t realistic.
Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:22
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
Why do we have high stats no ECs boys keep popping up recently? So many.
Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:17
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
Anonymous wrote:Full pay boy. High performing suburban HS of a major city (Boston/DC/NY). No legacy.
Going into his junior year of HS. In the top ten of his class, may end up being valedictorian. He’s very smart, has no leadership or interesting ECs. Minor volunteering, 2 JV sports, not recruitable and may not even make varsity. Ship has sailed for ECs, they would be meaningless at this point and I would not expect joining a club would have any impact on his results.
He is really smart, and likely would do fine at an Ivy, but he won’t get in as he doesn’t stand out at all. Where can a kid with high test scores and top of class at a strong suburban public get into that is still prestigious? What’s his best bet for ED? Could he possibly get into a rice or Cornell?
He has multiple 5s on APs and will have 1500+ on SAT (if he doesn’t get there initially, he will be tutored).
What major? Tell us a bit more about him, so folks can tailor interests. Parents (and some professionals) here have good suggestions.
Are you in-state New York? Would he apply to any contract colleges at Cornell?
For kids like this, our private CCO suggests the following for ED (full pay) - depending on major - but ED is key:
U Chicago
WashU
Rice
At a minimum, have him start working/volunteering this summer.
Places like: library, summer camps, food banks, urban gardens, sports camps or programs.
Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:14
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
Did you not see this, or is it the same kid?
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1283402.page
I'd look at the suggestions there. Some good ones, like:
get a pt job (can be as an instructor or kids/youth coach in his sport)
- Can he also volunteer with an existing non-profit for his sport locally?
- this fall, join or form 1 club related to an area of academic interest at school.
What is he interested in? What fields?
Any hobbies (fishing? - you can create a whole set of ECs around hobbies like that)?
Where does he volunteer?
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1283402.page
I'd look at the suggestions there. Some good ones, like:
get a pt job (can be as an instructor or kids/youth coach in his sport)
- Can he also volunteer with an existing non-profit for his sport locally?
- this fall, join or form 1 club related to an area of academic interest at school.
What is he interested in? What fields?
Any hobbies (fishing? - you can create a whole set of ECs around hobbies like that)?
Where does he volunteer?
Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:14
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
Anonymous wrote:Full pay boy. High performing suburban HS of a major city (Boston/DC/NY). No legacy.
Going into his junior year of HS. In the top ten of his class, may end up being valedictorian. He’s very smart, has no leadership or interesting ECs. Minor volunteering, 2 JV sports, not recruitable and may not even make varsity. Ship has sailed for ECs, they would be meaningless at this point and I would not expect joining a club would have any impact on his results.
He is really smart, and likely would do fine at an Ivy, but he won’t get in as he doesn’t stand out at all. Where can a kid with high test scores and top of class at a strong suburban public get into that is still prestigious? What’s his best bet for ED? Could he possibly get into a rice or Cornell?
He has multiple 5s on APs and will have 1500+ on SAT (if he doesn’t get there initially, he will be tutored).
As a dyslexia person, I initially read it as "he will be tortured."
Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:11
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
My kid was just like this -- academic superstar, not interested in leadership or starting a club.
Ended up at the state flagship T20 for their major with merit. To get into this LEP from our school district is really tough.
They are doing great. Went in first year as almost a junior with all their credits. At an internship this summer. Will graduate with a dual STEM degree in three years.
Ended up at the state flagship T20 for their major with merit. To get into this LEP from our school district is really tough.
They are doing great. Went in first year as almost a junior with all their credits. At an internship this summer. Will graduate with a dual STEM degree in three years.
Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:06
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
The ship has not sailed. Tell him to start a club at school in the Fall. Also, reach out to professors or use your network for research opportunities. This winter apply to selective summer programs. Volunteer with programs that serve in-need populations. Get a job.
That’s a bunch of things he can do to put on his activities list.
That’s a bunch of things he can do to put on his activities list.
Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:06
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
Anonymous wrote:Full pay boy. High performing suburban HS of a major city (Boston/DC/NY). No legacy.
Going into his junior year of HS. In the top ten of his class, may end up being valedictorian. He’s very smart, has no leadership or interesting ECs. Minor volunteering, 2 JV sports, not recruitable and may not even make varsity. Ship has sailed for ECs, they would be meaningless at this point and I would not expect joining a club would have any impact on his results.
He is really smart, and likely would do fine at an Ivy, but he won’t get in as he doesn’t stand out at all. Where can a kid with high test scores and top of class at a strong suburban public get into that is still prestigious? What’s his best bet for ED? Could he possibly get into a rice or Cornell?
He has multiple 5s on APs and will have 1500+ on SAT (if he doesn’t get there initially, he will be tutored).
You'd be surprised at what you can do with 1.5 years.
What are his interests? Hobbies? What does he read? Watch? What would he do if there was no school and he had 12 hours a day for 30 days a month free?
Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:06
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
Anonymous wrote:Full pay boy. High performing suburban HS of a major city (Boston/DC/NY). No legacy.
Going into his junior year of HS. In the top ten of his class, may end up being valedictorian. He’s very smart, has no leadership or interesting ECs. Minor volunteering, 2 JV sports, not recruitable and may not even make varsity. Ship has sailed for ECs, they would be meaningless at this point and I would not expect joining a club would have any impact on his results.
He is really smart, and likely would do fine at an Ivy, but he won’t get in as he doesn’t stand out at all. Where can a kid with high test scores and top of class at a strong suburban public get into that is still prestigious? What’s his best bet for ED? Could he possibly get into a rice or Cornell?
He has multiple 5s on APs and will have 1500+ on SAT (if he doesn’t get there initially, he will be tutored).
Wow. Poor kid.
Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:05
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
Anonymous wrote:Not too late to start his own club and become founder and president. Bonus if related to potential major. He must have some interest!
OOS flagships are probably strongest shot. Michigan, UVA
This. Mine did it for junior year (and continued senior year) - tied to major. Plus sport. And an outside of school (minor) project.
Got into Michigan OOS.
Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:04
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
Canadian schools. ECs don’t matter. Why are you hung up on “prestige”? Is that you, or him?
Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:02
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
Some SLAC’s would be interested in having more boys, especially in the humanities.
Anonymous
07/18/2025 13:00
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
Not too late to start his own club and become founder and president. Bonus if related to potential major. He must have some interest!
OOS flagships are probably strongest shot. Michigan, UVA
OOS flagships are probably strongest shot. Michigan, UVA
Anonymous
07/18/2025 12:57
Subject: High Stat kid, no interests or leadership, where to apply?
Full pay boy. High performing suburban HS of a major city (Boston/DC/NY). No legacy.
Going into his junior year of HS. In the top ten of his class, may end up being valedictorian. He’s very smart, has no leadership or interesting ECs. Minor volunteering, 2 JV sports, not recruitable and may not even make varsity. Ship has sailed for ECs, they would be meaningless at this point and I would not expect joining a club would have any impact on his results.
He is really smart, and likely would do fine at an Ivy, but he won’t get in as he doesn’t stand out at all. Where can a kid with high test scores and top of class at a strong suburban public get into that is still prestigious? What’s his best bet for ED? Could he possibly get into a rice or Cornell?
He has multiple 5s on APs and will have 1500+ on SAT (if he doesn’t get there initially, he will be tutored).
Going into his junior year of HS. In the top ten of his class, may end up being valedictorian. He’s very smart, has no leadership or interesting ECs. Minor volunteering, 2 JV sports, not recruitable and may not even make varsity. Ship has sailed for ECs, they would be meaningless at this point and I would not expect joining a club would have any impact on his results.
He is really smart, and likely would do fine at an Ivy, but he won’t get in as he doesn’t stand out at all. Where can a kid with high test scores and top of class at a strong suburban public get into that is still prestigious? What’s his best bet for ED? Could he possibly get into a rice or Cornell?
He has multiple 5s on APs and will have 1500+ on SAT (if he doesn’t get there initially, he will be tutored).