Just chill, people.
I have 2 kids currently in college, one at a top LAC and one at a very competitive Virginia state university. Both are successful and on the Deans List at their respective schools.
As rising sophomores, one worked part-time at a small business, a job they kept through HS, and one was in full-time treatment for mental health issues.
And if you are of the Ivy-or-bust opinion, maybe proactively start therapy for your child now whilst you are putting all that pressure on them.

Anonymous wrote:He was a lifeguard (25-30 hrs/week), summer swim team, driving course, and hung out with friends.

But we weren't focused on creating a life based on college admissions.

Trained to be a beach bum!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curing cancer

My child would be happy to support your child’s efforts through the non-profit they’re starting this summer.

A little late to the game, no?

Why late?

If they don’t have a non-profit going by end of middle school, just don’t even bother.

Anonymous wrote:

We didn't plan the summer based on college applications, though, it's just what he wanted to do.

As schools move away from test scores, I think pursuing actual interests will increasingly be more important to differentiate applicants. Based on our visits, schools are expanding the activities they value so curated resumes filled with expensive activities are falling out of favor.

Whatever make you sleep at night! Visit the thread about Harvard. They are not taking duffers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One week of Scouts camp, one week of space camp, and then starts his fall marching band rehearsals first week of August. The rest of the weeks are hanging at home, seeing friends, going to the pool, playing video games and reading. We didn't plan the summer based on college applications, though, it's just what he wanted to do.

That’s fine.

But kids who wish to be competitive for T50 schools need to think bigger than the above.

Not true. DC who went to summer camp through high school is now at T20.

Must be lacking in melanin.

We didn't plan the summer based on college applications, though, it's just what he wanted to do.

As schools move away from test scores, I think pursuing actual interests will increasingly be more important to differentiate applicants. Based on our visits, schools are expanding the activities they value so curated resumes filled with expensive activities are falling out of favor.

She will be hostessing at a restaurant and babysitting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One week of Scouts camp, one week of space camp, and then starts his fall marching band rehearsals first week of August. The rest of the weeks are hanging at home, seeing friends, going to the pool, playing video games and reading. We didn't plan the summer based on college applications, though, it's just what he wanted to do.

That’s fine.

But kids who wish to be competitive for T50 schools need to think bigger than the above.

People who say this truly don’t know what they’re talking about. The vast majority of kids who get admitted to these schools are living normal teenage lives throughout high school. Sure, they take challenging classes, work hard to get good grades, and participate in ECs, but they also work regular summer jobs and hang out with friends and spend too much time playing video games/making TikToks.

Please people, don’t get warped by this weird and totally unsupported assumption that kids have to program every moment of their lives from middle school on for college admissions.

Ignoring our college counselor and loading up on fancy pay for play programs at Ivys, obvi.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One week of Scouts camp, one week of space camp, and then starts his fall marching band rehearsals first week of August. The rest of the weeks are hanging at home, seeing friends, going to the pool, playing video games and reading. We didn't plan the summer based on college applications, though, it's just what he wanted to do.

That’s fine.

But kids who wish to be competitive for T50 schools need to think bigger than the above.

Not true. DC who went to summer camp through high school is now at T20.

He was a lifeguard (25-30 hrs/week), summer swim team, driving course, and hung out with friends.

But we weren't focused on creating a life based on college admissions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curing cancer

My child would be happy to support your child’s efforts through the non-profit they’re starting this summer.

A little late to the game, no?

Why late?

Summer PE online, and ballet intensives at home studio and a 2-week college program

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curing cancer

My child would be happy to support your child’s efforts through the non-profit they’re starting this summer.

A little late to the game, no?

Science research camp (1 wk); continue volunteering at nature center; camp counselor (2 weeks); summer health class (online); video games/hang out with friends