Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS has been a slog since my kid entered kindergarten. My own school days were happy and fun, but now it just seems like school is something to endure until graduation. The competition, emphasis on grades rather than the joy of learning, pandemic stress, etc. means that it’s doubtful that many will look back fondly on their school years.

It’s sad.

I don’t disagree, but there are equally stressful pressures elsewhere, culturally. If your kid was in the high school my ILs kids go to, they’d be stressing over not making the cheer team, making homecoming or prom queen, generally more drinking, stressing over freshman sorority rush, and also feeling pressured to find a husband (I’m not joking).

Yikes!! Where do your ILs live?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS has been a slog since my kid entered kindergarten. My own school days were happy and fun, but now it just seems like school is something to endure until graduation. The competition, emphasis on grades rather than the joy of learning, pandemic stress, etc. means that it’s doubtful that many will look back fondly on their school years.

It’s sad.

I don’t disagree, but there are equally stressful pressures elsewhere, culturally. If your kid was in the high school my ILs kids go to, they’d be stressing over not making the cheer team, making homecoming or prom queen, generally more drinking, stressing over freshman sorority rush, and also feeling pressured to find a husband (I’m not joking).

Good reality check.

We live in a bubble, but I prefer our bubble to what you describe!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did it kill his spirit? My kid will be a senior next year. Has the application process gotten worse since we were kids?

The process is easier. Fill out one application and write an essay or two and hit submit. I remember filling out 6-8 different applications and maybe 1-2 of the schools had the same essay. There was only regular decision back then so we were doing this smack dab in the middle of senior year. Not fun. My senior wrote his essay at the end of junior year and had his English teacher read it and comment. He filled out the Common App in August and that was it.

I'm glad your senior only had to write one essay, but that's not accurate for many kids. My senior only applied to 5 schools, all in-state. This required:

1 650-word essay (Common App)

PLUS
1 additional 650-word essay
2 350-word essays
4 200-word essays
3-page honors college essay

None of these could be repurposed as the prompts were pretty specific.

That's nothing compared to what many of her friends had to do.

This was a choice. My child also applied to 4 in-state schools. They all had one essay and one had a shorter additional essay. Maybe you should've aimed lower and made the process less stressful.

Anonymous wrote:FCPS has been a slog since my kid entered kindergarten. My own school days were happy and fun, but now it just seems like school is something to endure until graduation. The competition, emphasis on grades rather than the joy of learning, pandemic stress, etc. means that it’s doubtful that many will look back fondly on their school years.

It’s sad.

I don’t disagree, but there are equally stressful pressures elsewhere, culturally. If your kid was in the high school my ILs kids go to, they’d be stressing over not making the cheer team, making homecoming or prom queen, generally more drinking, stressing over freshman sorority rush, and also feeling pressured to find a husband (I’m not joking).

Anonymous wrote:This is why many of us hire college counselors to work with our kids. They breakdown the process so it so it not too overwhelming, give assignments (first draft of xx essay), deadlines, etc.

My child worked with one (granted, we are no longer in the DC area so this was a less than $1k total service). My child applied to 11 schools and several scholarships.

My child ended up attended the school that was the very first one they were admitted to (chose it after all was said and done), and this school had like one essay in addition to the common app personal statement. On one hand I’m glad they had options, but it felt like stress for nothing.

Anonymous wrote:FCPS has been a slog since my kid entered kindergarten. My own school days were happy and fun, but now it just seems like school is something to endure until graduation. The competition, emphasis on grades rather than the joy of learning, pandemic stress, etc. means that it’s doubtful that many will look back fondly on their school years.

It’s sad.

I completely agree. So much testing, not much actual learning.

FCPS has been a slog since my kid entered kindergarten. My own school days were happy and fun, but now it just seems like school is something to endure until graduation. The competition, emphasis on grades rather than the joy of learning, pandemic stress, etc. means that it’s doubtful that many will look back fondly on their school years.

It’s sad.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, largely toxic adults. Every time we see a friend, they will say things like DC is Harvard bound. Even though we know there is very little chance (almost perfect stat, national awards, incredible ECs, leadership). I just want it cut all those adults out of our lives. Those sad puppy words that they are sorry. I mean why? DC will be going to a great school and we are not allowed to be happy. I know. Don’t take their words. But one adult after another and another. These adults are toxic.

I don’t understand why you think you aren’t allowed to be happy. I’m the Pp who is just glad my kid got into college! My nephew is a te rioted Ivy athelete and I’m proud of both boys. So is my family.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, largely toxic adults. Every time we see a friend, they will say things like DC is Harvard bound. Even though we know there is very little chance (almost perfect stat, national awards, incredible ECs, leadership). I just want it cut all those adults out of our lives. Those sad puppy words that they are sorry. I mean why? DC will be going to a great school and we are not allowed to be happy. I know. Don’t take their words. But one adult after another and another. These adults are toxic.

Kind of agree. I have a high achieving junior and everyone is asking us why we are not looking at Harvard and MIT and why I am pushing DC to think about a different tier of schools.

OP here, largely toxic adults. Every time we see a friend, they will say things like DC is Harvard bound. Even though we know there is very little chance (almost perfect stat, national awards, incredible ECs, leadership). I just want it cut all those adults out of our lives. Those sad puppy words that they are sorry. I mean why? DC will be going to a great school and we are not allowed to be happy. I know. Don’t take their words. But one adult after another and another. These adults are toxic.

Anonymous wrote:It is very sad.

This should be the end of their childhoods. When we encourage them to go on to independence and adulthood with confidence.

Too many parents in this area latch onto USNWR rankings, so that their kid’s college becomes (in their minds) an extension of the parent’s resume/accomplishments.

It is Selfish and unhealthy.

(I am not accusing OP of this mindset but think adults really need to consider why/how high school changed into some kind of rat race full of strategic activities, outside consultants and burnt out teens.)

You’re describing such a small minority of high-achieving kids headed for the top 20 schools. My son and his friends are all thrilled they got into college! Just average students, playing sports they love but not close to being recruited, spending time with family and friends.

The kids with a shot at Harvard are probably 1% of the high school seniors.

Poster above. Forgot to add that Senior year has gotten a LOT better. Taking a study hall this semester and under strict instructions to HAVE FUN! Stressed out a bit about making the RIGHT choice (they are all great options, I keep emphasizing there is no wrong choice here). But, once that and APs are done, hoping May/June will change the outlook on Sr year!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did it kill his spirit? My kid will be a senior next year. Has the application process gotten worse since we were kids?

The process is easier. Fill out one application and write an essay or two and hit submit. I remember filling out 6-8 different applications and maybe 1-2 of the schools had the same essay. There was only regular decision back then so we were doing this smack dab in the middle of senior year. Not fun. My senior wrote his essay at the end of junior year and had his English teacher read it and comment. He filled out the Common App in August and that was it.

I'm glad your senior only had to write one essay, but that's not accurate for many kids. My senior only applied to 5 schools, all in-state. This required:

1 650-word essay (Common App)

PLUS
1 additional 650-word essay
2 350-word essays
4 200-word essays
3-page honors college essay

None of these could be repurposed as the prompts were pretty specific.

That's nothing compared to what many of her friends had to do.

Yeah, mine applied to 14 schools of which 11 had specific essays in addition to Common App, some rather long.

Also, because # of students is up, # apps is up and # spaces is same or down (due to 2021 overenrollment), applying to more than you'd expect was necessary, especially if aiming for highly competitive schools. Oddly, DD got in at some of most competitive schools and rejected at the least competitive school. I don't agree w/ shotgunning 20+ apps, but it's kind of like you need 10, unless you've really targetted. Mine should have eliminates a few because her interests shifted, but that's hard to know early on.

This is why many of us hire college counselors to work with our kids. They breakdown the process so it so it not too overwhelming, give assignments (first draft of xx essay), deadlines, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did it kill his spirit? My kid will be a senior next year. Has the application process gotten worse since we were kids?

The process is easier. Fill out one application and write an essay or two and hit submit. I remember filling out 6-8 different applications and maybe 1-2 of the schools had the same essay. There was only regular decision back then so we were doing this smack dab in the middle of senior year. Not fun. My senior wrote his essay at the end of junior year and had his English teacher read it and comment. He filled out the Common App in August and that was it.

I'm glad your senior only had to write one essay, but that's not accurate for many kids. My senior only applied to 5 schools, all in-state. This required:

1 650-word essay (Common App)

PLUS
1 additional 650-word essay
2 350-word essays
4 200-word essays
3-page honors college essay

None of these could be repurposed as the prompts were pretty specific.

That's nothing compared to what many of her friends had to do.