Focus on boosting his ECs. Is there something he can volunteer for individually? Like a buddy program for younger students in the district? Something that will show he’s a good kid AND give him a little more social experience.

Also consider adding an EC or two that supports the interest in Latin. Does not need to be in his school. Maybe better if it’s not. Ask ChatGpt for ideas or start a new thread.

Know that one of the common supplemental questions has to do with community - describe a community you’re a part of that is meaningful for you + how that experience will guide you as a student at our school or what communities or groups might you join when you’re here. Bonus if you can weave in a connection to your academic interests.

Working backwards, find a group or community that is a good fit for him now. Something low key with kids or adults he might be comfortable with. (Sometimes nerdy/awkward high school boys are actually more comfortable socially with older adults. Especially if there’s a shared interest.)

And again, this is all good for his personal development, not just his college app.

Anonymous wrote:What t30 universities or t15 lac give the best boost for a competitive public school boy, likely top 5 in his class of 300, sat 1550 who is full pay. DS wants Ivy but he doesn’t have a hook or good enough ECs to realistically get in. He doesn’t have a set major he wants to pursue. His main goal is “name brand” and prestige 🙄.

What we are trying to avoid… wasting ED on a school he would really want, like Penn, where he would be fine academically but realistically won’t get into.

Brown (easier for a male) is the one ivy I'd consider. Otherwise UChicago or go down a level to WashU.

If he’s a junior, he has time to craft an interesting narrative and cool ECs before he needs to apply. If he has the drive to be at an ivy or top20 school, see if he can execute on it.

Other options are BC, U Miami, Tufts, Wake, WashU, Emory, Hopkins, USC, Rice, the elite SLACs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the ECs?

List of “possible” areas of study?

Location preference?

Size preference?

ECs are boring - two jv sports fresh and soph year. One for junior and dropped the others. No clubs. Did two biology focused summer camps but nothing else to show interest.

Possible study - he is gifted at Latin and will take the AP exam this year. So could apply as a Latin major just to be unique. Ultimately he has no idea what he wants to do in life. He’s really smart. He will likely do what smart kids did in the 90s which is go to college and figure out what to really do by going to grad school. Maybe law eventually?

He wants an east coast or Chicago city OR a semi rural SLAC. He liked bowdoin. He is anxious about the nescacs because he is a nerd and they have a lot of athletes. He doesn’t present nerd, he is tall and have average looks and dresses well, but he has limited social skills.

Size- not huge but would be fine with a variety.

Classics major.

Add some heft to ECs:
- join or form the high schools Latin/classics club
- Have him enter some of the Latin Olympiad’s (Certamen team)
- do private Latin tutoring for other kids
- Summer plans: Paideia institute or Calder Classics
- summer internship (auction house; antiquities collectibles) or summer Ancient Rome archeology program

Also get a part time job!

All of this gets a full pay male into Brown ED.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the ECs?

List of “possible” areas of study?

Location preference?

Size preference?

ECs are boring - two jv sports fresh and soph year. One for junior and dropped the others. No clubs. Did two biology focused summer camps but nothing else to show interest.

Possible study - he is gifted at Latin and will take the AP exam this year. So could apply as a Latin major just to be unique. Ultimately he has no idea what he wants to do in life. He’s really smart. He will likely do what smart kids did in the 90s which is go to college and figure out what to really do by going to grad school. Maybe law eventually?

He wants an east coast or Chicago city OR a semi rural SLAC. He liked bowdoin. He is anxious about the nescacs because he is a nerd and they have a lot of athletes. He doesn’t present nerd, he is tall and have average looks and dresses well, but he has limited social skills.

Size- not huge but would be fine with a variety.

UChicago! They have a new summer program ED route

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the ECs?

List of “possible” areas of study?

Location preference?

Size preference?

ECs are boring - two jv sports fresh and soph year. One for junior and dropped the others. No clubs. Did two biology focused summer camps but nothing else to show interest.

Possible study - he is gifted at Latin and will take the AP exam this year. So could apply as a Latin major just to be unique. Ultimately he has no idea what he wants to do in life. He’s really smart. He will likely do what smart kids did in the 90s which is go to college and figure out what to really do by going to grad school. Maybe law eventually?

He wants an east coast or Chicago city OR a semi rural SLAC. He liked bowdoin. He is anxious about the nescacs because he is a nerd and they have a lot of athletes. He doesn’t present nerd, he is tall and have average looks and dresses well, but he has limited social skills.

Size- not huge but would be fine with a variety.

I am not saying to ED there - but visit Carleton and Grinnell
Maybe UVA?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAT 1550? Why wouldn’t he get into Penn?

Also he really should focus on where HE wants to go.

1550 doesn’t get you into Penn. it gets you a slight chance of getting into Penn, but not with no ECs or hooks.

Yes. I understand that. Hence the post.

Anonymous wrote:SAT 1550? Why wouldn’t he get into Penn?

Also he really should focus on where HE wants to go.

Bc he’s maybe not unique enough or pointy enough? Niche? Major is important. Don’t let anyone tell you into not.

Majors to consider depending on transcript & EC alignment (both of which are critical):
- Anthro (cultural track)
- classical civ
- East Asian languages & civilization
- women’s studies
- Hispanic studies
- Jewish studies
- middle eastern languages
- religious studies
- Russian studies

Grades and scores dont get you into Penn. they just get your app reviewed. It’s about what else you offer.

ED should only be used for a student's stop choice. Whether the top choice is a target or high reach. Anything else is a recipe for disappointment and what ifs. Don't worry about "wasting" the ED. Top choice. Period.

Anonymous wrote:What are the ECs?

List of “possible” areas of study?

Location preference?

Size preference?

ECs are boring - two jv sports fresh and soph year. One for junior and dropped the others. No clubs. Did two biology focused summer camps but nothing else to show interest.

Possible study - he is gifted at Latin and will take the AP exam this year. So could apply as a Latin major just to be unique. Ultimately he has no idea what he wants to do in life. He’s really smart. He will likely do what smart kids did in the 90s which is go to college and figure out what to really do by going to grad school. Maybe law eventually?

He wants an east coast or Chicago city OR a semi rural SLAC. He liked bowdoin. He is anxious about the nescacs because he is a nerd and they have a lot of athletes. He doesn’t present nerd, he is tall and have average looks and dresses well, but he has limited social skills.

Size- not huge but would be fine with a variety.

Anonymous wrote:SAT 1550? Why wouldn’t he get into Penn?

Also he really should focus on where HE wants to go.

1550 doesn’t get you into Penn. it gets you a slight chance of getting into Penn, but not with no ECs or hooks.

SAT 1550? Why wouldn’t he get into Penn?

Also he really should focus on where HE wants to go.

What are the ECs?

List of “possible” areas of study?

Location preference?

Size preference?

UChicago is the obvious choice for a kid who is interested in an urban environment.

What t30 universities or t15 lac give the best boost for a competitive public school boy, likely top 5 in his class of 300, sat 1550 who is full pay. DS wants Ivy but he doesn’t have a hook or good enough ECs to realistically get in. He doesn’t have a set major he wants to pursue. His main goal is “name brand” and prestige 🙄.

What we are trying to avoid… wasting ED on a school he would really want, like Penn, where he would be fine academically but realistically won’t get into.