Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:25     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:Northwestern & Notre Dame. Any school outside top 25 national universities & top 10 liberal arts colleges.


Definitely not northwestern. They want Interdisciplinary experts….
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:20     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Northwestern & Notre Dame. Any school outside top 25 national universities & top 10 liberal arts colleges.


NU likes two (or three) defined spikes (AND is our middle name)….with awards/accolades in at least one.

Agree WashU

The way to check is the CDS (if ECs are only “considered” it’s not important) = WashU


Just bumped up a thread that covered this: Activities section
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:18     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:ED Emory. They like high stats well rounded kids. RD gets a lot more competitive.

ED1 Emory. Even ED2 gets tough.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:16     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:What about Rice?

Rice would be a good fit but it's too small, low ED acceptance rate.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:15     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
he needs at 1530+
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:14     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:ED Emory. They like high stats well rounded kids. RD gets a lot more competitive.


Yep, Emory RD is like HYP level, 5% admit rate because there are just so few spots left.
This kid should ED.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:13     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:Northwestern & Notre Dame. Any school outside top 25 national universities & top 10 liberal arts colleges.


NU likes two (or three) defined spikes (AND is our middle name)….with awards/accolades in at least one.

Agree WashU

The way to check is the CDS (if ECs are only “considered” it’s not important) = WashU
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:13     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Michigan and UVA
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:12     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
What about Rice?
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:05     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Northwestern & Notre Dame. Any school outside top 25 national universities & top 10 liberal arts colleges.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:02     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Top state flagships
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:02     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
ED Emory. They like high stats well rounded kids. RD gets a lot more competitive.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:02     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Emory ED
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 13:01     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
WashU ED
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 12:57     Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
DS has straight As through 10th grade with high rigor and did very well on the PSAT in 10th (without any prep) so we expect SATs to be good. He has lots of ECs but nothing amazing and not pointy. He is just a really well rounded kid. I feel like he would have been the ideal candidate when I was applying to schools.