Anonymous wrote:Make sure they continue to read books for pleasure. So many kids now spend all their time gaming or on social media, and they stop reading except for school. But being a good and voracious reader is the best predictor for doing well in high school and beyond.

+1. And they get very few books assigned in middle school English classes. Plenty of time for reading for pleasure. Fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, whatever they're interested in.

These responses are BS. There are tons of parents in this area prepping MSers for elite colleges. OP was just blunt about it.

The best advice is to let your kids be kids and let them pursue their own interests without the pressure of a parent. Why can’t children enjoy their childhoods? They have their entire grownup lives to feel pressure. Your kids are who they are. Let them be.

Let them decide OP - really. You cannot make your kid into something they don't want to be --- and if you do, they will rebel against it.

-signed parent of one very motivated high school senior with great college choices in a field we know nothing about and a high school freshman that has played about 100 hours of fortnight in the last month. Both will be great.

Make sure they continue to read books for pleasure. So many kids now spend all their time gaming or on social media, and they stop reading except for school. But being a good and voracious reader is the best predictor for doing well in high school and beyond.

No one is prepping their 6th graders for college, OP. Let them play video games while their other activities are cancelled. Colleges don't care what your kid was doing when he was 11.

It is certainly possible to go to engineering school without leadership positions or national sports. I'm not sure where you got the idea that it's not. Boy scouts, robotics, soccer and strong math and science grades will be enough.

The best preparation is fostering independence and true passion. Sounds like maybe a little therapy on the side.

Seriously, my kid is a senior. I saw kids like your this year: perfect scores, perfect grades and curated ECs. Shut out from the Ivy schools their parents so desperately wanted. The schools see through this, then the kids are unhappy and resentful because they have “wasted” high school becoming the “perfect” kid only to disappoint their parents anyway. Let your kids be who they are, encourage but don’t push. Then they won’t hate you and themselves.

They should spend time doing what they are interested in, including limiting screens as you think appropriate. Why does it have to be connected to college admissions?

I feel sorry for your children.

OP here, Ok folks appreciate your kind words. What a mistake I made asking people who are so sad. If you don’t want to offer positive advice next time just move on. Spread kindness and stay safe!

I would make them work on a vaccine for this virus. You could order a junior chemistry set on Amazon, and they could use it to make a vaccine. That would really help them with their college application. Yeah, that’s it.

Troll.

See above ^^

FFS, let them enjoy being kids!

oh my god. back off.

Hi !

I have rising 8th and 7th graders and was wondering what recommendations you have to prepare them ahead for college admissions. I constantly read here that grades aren’t enough and kids should be in a leadership position or play a sport at national level.

One of my DC is in AAP and one non AAP. My AAP kid loves technology and plans on going for an engineering school. While my younger one, non AAP has no clue what he wants to do. They do Boy Scouts, travel soccer and vex robotics outside of school. They very much enjoy these activities but haven’t aced it.

With limited school hours and online they have plenty of time on hand. I would like them to utilize their time and not spend endless hours on video games. Please suggest how to supplement. Thanks in advance.