The state of college admissions today is quite shocking to me. I graduated high school in 2000, and I got accepted at some really impressive schools and so did my peers. My niece graduates from that same high school in a few weeks. Her GPA is higher than mine was PLUS she captained a Varsity team (I did not play a sport, nor did I hold a leadership position in any of my extracurricular clubs). She was rejected from schools in our home state that my friends and I scoffed at. I just can't believe the difference.

OP, you are just one in a million parents who think their child is a failure because they aren't accepted to an Ivy. What kind of horrible message does that send your child? Most kids don't go to Ivy schools and there are literally thousands of other options. Why be so disheartened over a goal (for your child, not for you!) that is unachievable for most people in the country. Maybe your kid is awesome and lucky (it takes both) and does get accepted. But there are so many other choices that are just as good.

I know a local kid headed to Harvard in the fall. I'm not going to list his credentials because it would be extremely easy to figure out who he is, and I don't think it is particularly kind to splash a child's details all over the internet.

With all of that said, he absolutely deserves it and nothing he has accomplished is impossible for other kids to take on. It took a lot of hard work on both his part and his parents' but he earned every bit of it, and so could anyone else willing to put in those kind of hours.

Anonymous wrote:Jesus. Just give it up. Nobody is entitled to go to Harvard, and your kid will be fine wherever they go, unless you inculcate them with your status obsession and resentment.

+1,000,000

Everyone who wants to go, doesn't get to go, even if they try spectacularly. It doesn't mean they can't get get a good education and great opportunities. There are hundreds of other great schools available for your little superstar.

You can look on college confidential and see profiles of kids that are accepted. They aren't all like what the OP posted.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child has a profile that is close to that but he does not have straight As (3.7) or high SAT ... He is dyslexic, he won't even get accepted to UMD.

PlAys instrument
Hundreds of volunteer hours because he enjoys it starting in 6th
Plays on 2 sports teams at the highest level, always captain
Helped raise $200k with his friend that has cancer
Created his own company
Clubs
Knows sign language
Has worked a summer job since he was in 6th grade
Is a soccer referee

He does these things because he likes them. He will go somewhere good enough and be fine.

Why do you think your son will not get into UMD because he has dyslexia? My DC with dyslexia was admitted to the UMD-CP Honors College this year.

His verbal SAT is too low. His counselor said its not probable. He has all Bs in English.

What was your child's GPA/SAT.

I read your post incorrectly. I thought you were linking your child's dyslexia to the reason he would not be admitted. What accommodations does your child have?

Anonymous wrote:Impressive. Sounds like they deserve it and will be a good fit

+1 Not sure why people think that kids with only high SAT/GPA scores should get into Harvard or any ivy.

Anonymous wrote:My child has a profile that is close to that but he does not have straight As (3.7) or high SAT ... He is dyslexic, he won't even get accepted to UMD.

PlAys instrument
Hundreds of volunteer hours because he enjoys it starting in 6th
Plays on 2 sports teams at the highest level, always captain
Helped raise $200k with his friend that has cancer
Created his own company
Clubs
Knows sign language
Has worked a summer job since he was in 6th grade
Is a soccer referee

He does these things because he likes them. He will go somewhere good enough and be fine.

I'm a professor at UMD and think your child sounds awesome. Love students like your son that excel despite a disability. More likely to work hard in college. I hope your son writes about all he has accomplished with dyslexia for his college essays!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child has a profile that is close to that but he does not have straight As (3.7) or high SAT ... He is dyslexic, he won't even get accepted to UMD.

PlAys instrument
Hundreds of volunteer hours because he enjoys it starting in 6th
Plays on 2 sports teams at the highest level, always captain
Helped raise $200k with his friend that has cancer
Created his own company
Clubs
Knows sign language
Has worked a summer job since he was in 6th grade
Is a soccer referee

He does these things because he likes them. He will go somewhere good enough and be fine.

Why do you think your son will not get into UMD because he has dyslexia? My DC with dyslexia was admitted to the UMD-CP Honors College this year.

His verbal SAT is too low. His counselor said its not probable. He has all Bs in English.

What was your child's GPA/SAT.

Anonymous wrote:My child has a profile that is close to that but he does not have straight As (3.7) or high SAT ... He is dyslexic, he won't even get accepted to UMD.

PlAys instrument
Hundreds of volunteer hours because he enjoys it starting in 6th
Plays on 2 sports teams at the highest level, always captain
Helped raise $200k with his friend that has cancer
Created his own company
Clubs
Knows sign language
Has worked a summer job since he was in 6th grade
Is a soccer referee

He does these things because he likes them. He will go somewhere good enough and be fine.

Why do you think your son will not get into UMD because he has dyslexia? My DC with dyslexia was admitted to the UMD-CP Honors College this year.

My child has a profile that is close to that but he does not have straight As (3.7) or high SAT ... He is dyslexic, he won't even get accepted to UMD.

PlAys instrument
Hundreds of volunteer hours because he enjoys it starting in 6th
Plays on 2 sports teams at the highest level, always captain
Helped raise $200k with his friend that has cancer
Created his own company
Clubs
Knows sign language
Has worked a summer job since he was in 6th grade
Is a soccer referee

He does these things because he likes them. He will go somewhere good enough and be fine.

Jesus. Just give it up. Nobody is entitled to go to Harvard, and your kid will be fine wherever they go, unless you inculcate them with your status obsession and resentment.

Impressive. Sounds like they deserve it and will be a good fit

forgot one:

- summer job (one at ice cream shop, the other at summer camp)

Looking at the profiles for a youth award. This is what two white girls headed to HYPS each have:

- All As (mostly APs)
- Founder of own charity (one is volunteering, the other is youth fitness related)
- Hundreds of volunteering hours at senior center, hospice, homeless shelter, children's hospital (since middle school)
- Raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity (since middle school, no less!)
- One plays musical instrument at very high level
- One plays individual sport at very high level (not playing in college)
- Two years working in research lab at local university
- Top 3 placements at regional science or writing events (since 9th)
- Handful of clubs at school, always an officer position (if not president)
- Doesn't mention ACT/SAT but I think we can fill in the blank
- Theater or debate or editor of school paper
- Super clean cut; outgoing, type A personality
- Bilingual

I don't know how the masses can ever compete with super kids like this.