Anonymous
01/11/2026 19:18
Subject: Question about unhooked junior
Anonymous wrote:My unhooked junior is probably going to get two Bs this year (9th and 10th were a mix of A and A-) one in English and one in Math. Hoping he keeps his A’s and A-‘s in his other classes for the rest of the year. DC goes to an IB school so almost all students get the box checked for ‘highest rigor’ if they do the IB diploma requirements (which they all say they are doing at this point). DC has no outstanding EC, just average participation in sports and music and no real awards. ACT superscore is 35. Is not sure about major - DC has interest in engineering, and physics (yes, I realize that the B in math will be a red flag and probably means DC might not be able to handle either of these majors in college). DC also likes history and political science but seems like the B in English will be a red flag here as well. So we are feeling stuck and not sure what to do. Any suggestions to try and salvage this? Will try to get tutors but DC is worried that asking for extra credit or extra work for practice to improve makes it seem like they are ‘grade grubbing’. DC thinks they should strengthen their ECs but I think the transcript is king and they should mainly focus on grades (so the B’s don’t become C’s) for rest of the year. Also any suggestions where DC should be applying for reasonable chance of admission for either type of major would be appreciated. Don’t think DC will want to do more than 10-15 applications. Thx!
Red flag for what? This is ridiculous. Kids can major in liberal arts with a B in english and they can major in STEM with a b in math. It happens all the time.
Anonymous
01/11/2026 19:15
Subject: Question about unhooked junior
For a small private school, two Bs definitely is not going to kill the application. Grades and test scores good enough for any school. It's the other parts of the application.
In selecting schools, look for fit. The essays could be exceptional for a fit school, but just average for another.
In selecting schools, look for fit. The essays could be exceptional for a fit school, but just average for another.
Anonymous
01/11/2026 19:15
Subject: Question about unhooked junior
Is he interested in SLACs? Hard with engineering, but if he doesn't do that, lots of SLACs below the top 5-7 would be reasonable shots.
Lots of schools are possible, though prob not the ultra selective. So I would really focus on what he wants out of a college. He should be able to discern if he wants engineering vs history for example. I would let go of some of the "packaging" stuff and try to have him think deeply about what it is he wants to pursue. From the activities you list it actually seems like being interested in museums/exhibits is a common thread...but that might just be coincidence.
Lots of schools are possible, though prob not the ultra selective. So I would really focus on what he wants out of a college. He should be able to discern if he wants engineering vs history for example. I would let go of some of the "packaging" stuff and try to have him think deeply about what it is he wants to pursue. From the activities you list it actually seems like being interested in museums/exhibits is a common thread...but that might just be coincidence.
Anonymous
01/11/2026 19:10
Subject: Re:Question about unhooked junior
Anonymous wrote:OP here - STEM activities are pretty basic - physics club at school (might be president as a senior), residential engineering camp at state flagship for a week (last summer) , science museum volunteer /counselor for little kids in summer, started rocketry team w friends (but it’s not going great, taking online code academy class /self study to learn python ).
Also basic for history/poli sci - volunteering w local state representative, volunteering with oral history project at museum, observership /shadowing with lawyer that works on civil rights issues, participated in online lecture series about democracy and voting rights, self studied/studying for history AP exam(s).
Thanks for all and any help !
Your DC doesn't need to "salvage" anything. They need to focus, go deeper in one or two areas, maintain their grades, and build a thoughtful college list.
The B's are not catastrophic. The lack of hooks means T20 schools are genuine longshots regardless of what tweaks they make, but there are dozens of excellent schools where they'll be competitive and thrive.
I'd build a thoughtful list AFTER he picks a lane....right now the profile seems scattered and not compelling or directed.
Anonymous
01/11/2026 19:07
Subject: Re:Question about unhooked junior
My DC is similar - any other college suggestions besides Case ?
Anonymous
01/11/2026 19:07
Subject: Re:Question about unhooked junior
Anonymous wrote:OP here again - still working on summer internships - applications being completed - not sure where to focus.
DC attends small private school so naviance is not super helpful. Seems like the ‘top’ kids have gotten admission to Columbia, Brown, U of Chicago, Tufts - but no idea if these students have hooks.
I'd suggest physics and history. Drop the engineering.
The ECs are good, build them out. Pick one lane for summer internship to make that your "primary" major. Which LOR will be stronger? History or STEM? Think about what DC gives to that teacher - pick a narrative for yourself (don't let the teacher define the narrative).
Pick an early ED school. Brown male who is truly interdisciplinary could work if your school has a history. I'd suggest WashU bc its safer.
Anonymous
01/11/2026 18:59
Subject: Question about unhooked junior
Anonymous wrote:You posted this already.
??
Anonymous
01/11/2026 18:56
Subject: Question about unhooked junior
You posted this already.
Anonymous
01/11/2026 18:56
Subject: Question about unhooked junior
EA Case Western
Acceptance with merit to Case Western will give you confidence which schools should be in his RD list. If it went well, he could adjust his RD to all reaches, T20s and top SLACs.
DI is critical in getting an EA acceptance. Plan on an in-person visit.
Acceptance with merit to Case Western will give you confidence which schools should be in his RD list. If it went well, he could adjust his RD to all reaches, T20s and top SLACs.
DI is critical in getting an EA acceptance. Plan on an in-person visit.
Anonymous
01/11/2026 18:55
Subject: Question about unhooked junior
Those sound like great ECs.
Anonymous
01/11/2026 18:54
Subject: Re:Question about unhooked junior
OP here again - still working on summer internships - applications being completed - not sure where to focus.
DC attends small private school so naviance is not super helpful. Seems like the ‘top’ kids have gotten admission to Columbia, Brown, U of Chicago, Tufts - but no idea if these students have hooks.
DC attends small private school so naviance is not super helpful. Seems like the ‘top’ kids have gotten admission to Columbia, Brown, U of Chicago, Tufts - but no idea if these students have hooks.
Anonymous
01/11/2026 18:51
Subject: Re:Question about unhooked junior
OP here - STEM activities are pretty basic - physics club at school (might be president as a senior), residential engineering camp at state flagship for a week (last summer) , science museum volunteer /counselor for little kids in summer, started rocketry team w friends (but it’s not going great , taking online code academy class /self study to learn python ).
Also basic for history/poli sci - volunteering w local state representative, volunteering with oral history project at museum, observership /shadowing with lawyer that works on civil rights issues, participated in online lecture series about democracy and voting rights, self studied/studying for history AP exam(s).
Thanks for all and any help !
, taking online code academy class /self study to learn python ).
Also basic for history/poli sci - volunteering w local state representative, volunteering with oral history project at museum, observership /shadowing with lawyer that works on civil rights issues, participated in online lecture series about democracy and voting rights, self studied/studying for history AP exam(s).
Thanks for all and any help !
Anonymous
01/11/2026 18:40
Subject: Question about unhooked junior
Transcript just gets you in the door. Then they look at ECs, and LOR and essays.
If no notable ECs, the kid might get dropped even in ED to a T35.
What does the naviance show?
If no notable ECs, the kid might get dropped even in ED to a T35.
What does the naviance show?
Anonymous
01/11/2026 18:37
Subject: Question about unhooked junior
For history or poli sci, needs some ECs to also back that up. Same for engineering.
What are the ECs? What internships planned for this summer?
What are the ECs? What internships planned for this summer?
Anonymous
01/11/2026 18:35
Subject: Question about unhooked junior
My unhooked junior is probably going to get two Bs this year (9th and 10th were a mix of A and A-) one in English and one in Math. Hoping he keeps his A’s and A-‘s in his other classes for the rest of the year. DC goes to an IB school so almost all students get the box checked for ‘highest rigor’ if they do the IB diploma requirements (which they all say they are doing at this point). DC has no outstanding EC, just average participation in sports and music and no real awards. ACT superscore is 35. Is not sure about major - DC has interest in engineering, and physics (yes, I realize that the B in math will be a red flag and probably means DC might not be able to handle either of these majors in college). DC also likes history and political science but seems like the B in English will be a red flag here as well. So we are feeling stuck and not sure what to do. Any suggestions to try and salvage this? Will try to get tutors but DC is worried that asking for extra credit or extra work for practice to improve makes it seem like they are ‘grade grubbing’. DC thinks they should strengthen their ECs but I think the transcript is king and they should mainly focus on grades (so the B’s don’t become C’s) for rest of the year. Also any suggestions where DC should be applying for reasonable chance of admission for either type of major would be appreciated. Don’t think DC will want to do more than 10-15 applications. Thx!