Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 16:30     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It's easy to tell during interviews. The kids who come so polished with pat down answers. Or they bring up stuff they would have only known by looking me up online. I don't ding these kids because they are just doing what they are told. Everything is confirmed when they hand me their resume at the end. Even their thank you email after the interview is coached. Of course, it's good to edit for grammar and content, but it doesn't need to reemphasize all the main points again. It's like someone told them to remind the interviewer of this and this and this. It's not something a normal teen would think to say or write.

The interviews where the kids are natural are more enjoyable. They talk about their families, home life, what they like to do that wasn't conveyed on their app. They might be nervous at first which is normal. My school (top 5) makes it a point to let us know that these are kids and for some it might be their first interview with an adult. They don't get docked for being normal teenagers.



Parents are teaching their kids how to interview and respond to interviews for jobs. They are using college interviews as teaching points, practice. They are telling them how you would respond after a work interview.

Get off of your high horse.

I ding you. lol


I am a parent, and I tell my kids to be themselves. Of course they prep for common questions that are asked and basic etiquette.

But college interviews are not job interviews so help your kids better. Lol to you
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 16:25     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
Anonymous wrote:It's easy to tell during interviews. The kids who come so polished with pat down answers. Or they bring up stuff they would have only known by looking me up online. I don't ding these kids because they are just doing what they are told. Everything is confirmed when they hand me their resume at the end. Even their thank you email after the interview is coached. Of course, it's good to edit for grammar and content, but it doesn't need to reemphasize all the main points again. It's like someone told them to remind the interviewer of this and this and this. It's not something a normal teen would think to say or write.

The interviews where the kids are natural are more enjoyable. They talk about their families, home life, what they like to do that wasn't conveyed on their app. They might be nervous at first which is normal. My school (top 5) makes it a point to let us know that these are kids and for some it might be their first interview with an adult. They don't get docked for being normal teenagers.



Parents are teaching their kids how to interview and respond to interviews for jobs. They are using college interviews as teaching points, practice. They are telling them how you would respond after a work interview.

Get off of your high horse.

I ding you. lol
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 16:23     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
Anonymous wrote:It is not that difficult. Sure AO's do not get paid much, but they are not idiots. I can identify a dozen college counselors, just from reading the app if they advised that student. The activity wordings and essays (word choices, ending) are like DNA fingerprints for anyone who has gone through reading applications for a couple of cycles. You cannot but be turned off by such tactics.

That is why, when I see people spending tons of money on college counselors, it makes me smile.


Nah. With chat gpt everyone sounds like those counselors write them. Thise essays are getting pumped into chat so they churn out similar
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 16:12     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
essays that don't sound like a kid wrote them. kid's essay coach changed his words to hers. i told him to change it back.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 16:11     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If ECs only marginally have something to do with the intended major, that is an obvious sign of coaching.


This makes no sense. My DS’s EC was chorus, yet he majored in biochemistry.


What T20 school did he get into?
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 15:55     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
It's easy to tell during interviews. The kids who come so polished with pat down answers. Or they bring up stuff they would have only known by looking me up online. I don't ding these kids because they are just doing what they are told. Everything is confirmed when they hand me their resume at the end. Even their thank you email after the interview is coached. Of course, it's good to edit for grammar and content, but it doesn't need to reemphasize all the main points again. It's like someone told them to remind the interviewer of this and this and this. It's not something a normal teen would think to say or write.

The interviews where the kids are natural are more enjoyable. They talk about their families, home life, what they like to do that wasn't conveyed on their app. They might be nervous at first which is normal. My school (top 5) makes it a point to let us know that these are kids and for some it might be their first interview with an adult. They don't get docked for being normal teenagers.

Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 15:21     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
Anonymous wrote:If ECs only marginally have something to do with the intended major, that is an obvious sign of coaching.


This makes no sense. My DS’s EC was chorus, yet he majored in biochemistry.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 15:16     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
Anonymous wrote:It is not that difficult. Sure AO's do not get paid much, but they are not idiots. I can identify a dozen college counselors, just from reading the app if they advised that student. The activity wordings and essays (word choices, ending) are like DNA fingerprints for anyone who has gone through reading applications for a couple of cycles. You cannot but be turned off by such tactics.

That is why, when I see people spending tons of money on college counselors, it makes me smile.


Are you talking about one in particular?
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 15:10     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
Anonymous wrote:It is not that difficult. Sure AO's do not get paid much, but they are not idiots. I can identify a dozen college counselors, just from reading the app if they advised that student. The activity wordings and essays (word choices, ending) are like DNA fingerprints for anyone who has gone through reading applications for a couple of cycles. You cannot but be turned off by such tactics.

That is why, when I see people spending tons of money on college counselors, it makes me smile.


So what about the essay coach? Same?
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 15:05     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
It is not that difficult. Sure AO's do not get paid much, but they are not idiots. I can identify a dozen college counselors, just from reading the app if they advised that student. The activity wordings and essays (word choices, ending) are like DNA fingerprints for anyone who has gone through reading applications for a couple of cycles. You cannot but be turned off by such tactics.

That is why, when I see people spending tons of money on college counselors, it makes me smile.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 15:05     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
Anonymous wrote:So what’s the answer? No one here agrees.


The things my kid did? Nah, not overcoaching.

The things other kids did and mine didn’t? Yeah, over coaching.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 15:04     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
If you lack genuine talent, no amount of coaching, branding, or prestigious credentials will carry you far—ultimately, it’s survival of the fittest.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 15:03     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
Anonymous wrote:So what’s the answer? No one here agrees.


The answer is very straightforward. Be yourself. It is as simple as that.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 15:01     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
So what’s the answer? No one here agrees.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 15:00     Subject: Signs of an overcoached application
Don’t push Calc in middle school. Total turnoff to AO