Anonymous wrote:The biggest predictor will be your particular high school. High stats, strong recs, impressive EC's and awards will help, but I think the differentiator is being able to show personal qualities that have been proven over time that you will be a large producer on campus and beyond. It does them no good to have a bunch of brains that never leave their dorm rooms, they want movers and shakers and contributors. It doesn't have to mean extroverted, it just means thoroughly engaged.

Anonymous wrote:W School with 4/4.9w, 1540 SAT (taken once)

Accepted: WashU (attending), Northwestern, Miami of Ohio, Haverford, and Lehigh

Waitlisted: Duke and Michigan

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Intense? Yikes My kid was that profile is at an Ivy. Not an intense kid but academically, motivated. Doesn’t like intense. He’s a kind, sweet kid. Didn’t ED or REA anywhere.

Nobody can tell you. My kid had the same grades and stats as other friends, but he was the only one in the group to get accepted to multiple T10/20 schools and I could not tell you why. Unhooked. Typical kid- job, sports, ecs. He usually has bad luck so it was a surprise.

It really becomes a lottery at the T10/20s. Every kid has those stats and similar activities.

He just applied where he thought he would like to go. He had no clear first choice so didn’t want to ED.

Humanities or social science major? That matters. Otherwise, probably just a likeable kid who wrote nice essays and had glowing recs. People tend to underestimate the value of plain old likability in the application process. Even elite colleges prefer to admit nice kids they think will be a positive presence on campus.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- the child also has great extracurriculars. Followed their passions even though they didn't go toward activities that have competitions and thus the lack of national level awards. But on the whole I'd say top 2 percent at a rigorous public school, max AP classes, all 5's and 1 4 on 9 AP'a through junior year.

But it is so unclear on how this will all shake out.

These are really great stats. Your kid will definitely get accepted into a good school. Just be prepared for the unexpected. As I stated, when you apply to schools that receive 50,000 - 60,000 plus applications with acceptance rates below 14% everyone has really good stats. My advice is to spread the application net wide and there will definitely be some unexpected wins and losses. Enjoy the ride! I'm glad we are done.

Anonymous wrote:OP here- the child also has great extracurriculars. Followed their passions even though they didn't go toward activities that have competitions and thus the lack of national level awards. But on the whole I'd say top 2 percent at a rigorous public school, max AP classes, all 5's and 1 4 on 9 AP'a through junior year.

But it is so unclear on how this will all shake out.

Anonymous wrote:It appears that it is harder to get into college than when we all applied. But what about for the very high stats kids?

Can some of you please share how it went for your child who went through the process if your kid was max rigor, 1550 plus, top grades, great but not national award winning extracurricular.

My child is having trouble finishing up their college lists and part of the reason is we really just have no idea how it will all go with the reach schools. We also don't know what school is "worth" taking your shot early. This child will be happiest with an intense, highly academic crowd.

Anonymous wrote:OP here- the child also has great extracurriculars. Followed their passions even though they didn't go toward activities that have competitions and thus the lack of national level awards. But on the whole I'd say top 2 percent at a rigorous public school, max AP classes, all 5's and 1 4 on 9 AP'a through junior year.

But it is so unclear on how this will all shake out.

Anonymous wrote:OP here- the child also has great extracurriculars. Followed their passions even though they didn't go toward activities that have competitions and thus the lack of national level awards. But on the whole I'd say top 2 percent at a rigorous public school, max AP classes, all 5's and 1 4 on 9 AP'a through junior year.

But it is so unclear on how this will all shake out.

Anonymous wrote:It appears that it is harder to get into college than when we all applied. But what about for the very high stats kids?

Can some of you please share how it went for your child who went through the process if your kid was max rigor, 1550 plus, top grades, great but not national award winning extracurricular.

My child is having trouble finishing up their college lists and part of the reason is we really just have no idea how it will all go with the reach schools. We also don't know what school is "worth" taking your shot early. This child will be happiest with an intense, highly academic crowd.

Anonymous wrote:It appears that it is harder to get into college than when we all applied. But what about for the very high stats kids?

Can some of you please share how it went for your child who went through the process if your kid was max rigor, 1550 plus, top grades, great but not national award winning extracurricular.

My child is having trouble finishing up their college lists and part of the reason is we really just have no idea how it will all go with the reach schools. We also don't know what school is "worth" taking your shot early. This child will be happiest with an intense, highly academic crowd.