Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:29     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Vandy luvs leadership - kid would be a shoo in


Agree. I said that earlier. But has to be ED 1 or 2 (expect a deferral and admit in RD) - at least that's what happens at our private for some kids with this GPA. Like this kid:
https://www.reddit.com/r/collegeresults/comments/1cb98e3/asian_male_humanity_major/

Take a look at what "successful" private HS Princeton profiles look like:
https://www.reddit.com/r/collegeresults/comments/1d12r4o/white_boy_gets_into_25_hypsm/

Interesting profile here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/collegeresults/comments/tvkhv2/white_dude_from_ny_gets_what_he_deserves_probably/


yep my kid is there now - public school unhooked went TO - nothing national level for ECs but strong leadership captain sport and school clubs student gov etc. Must be ED1
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:29     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:FWIW, private feeder IS a hook.

my usual reminder to check out the HW college counseling book for their acceptances. they remove the hooked kids. you'll see Harvard will take a 3.5 kid every year and Middlebury won't.

this is from feeder schools only

https://students.hw.com/Portals/44/handbook0125.pdf?ver=mCSTXqyrt4IYDI-PvMShlQ%3d%3d


There are other factors to consider, AOs don't look at 3.5 in isolation. National awards? Highest rigor? High test scores? Recommendation? All these factors can prove academic competency.


I think that's what this whole post is about. But I think the point was that a lot of schools will automatically drop a 3.5 kid and, ironically, HYPS are not among those schools. this kid will be a long shot but considering the rest of the application has *some* shot.
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:28     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
Anonymous wrote:I also don't think OP should over-focus on leadership. Overall it's a really solid application. Is your school a feeder to Dartmouth?


This is horrible advice.
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:26     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
Anonymous wrote:FWIW, private feeder IS a hook.

my usual reminder to check out the HW college counseling book for their acceptances. they remove the hooked kids. you'll see Harvard will take a 3.5 kid every year and Middlebury won't.

this is from feeder schools only

https://students.hw.com/Portals/44/handbook0125.pdf?ver=mCSTXqyrt4IYDI-PvMShlQ%3d%3d


There are other factors to consider, AOs don't look at 3.5 in isolation. National awards? Highest rigor? High test scores? Recommendation? All these factors can prove academic competency.
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:26     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
Anonymous wrote:Vandy luvs leadership - kid would be a shoo in


Agree. I said that earlier. But has to be ED 1 or 2 (expect a deferral and admit in RD) - at least that's what happens at our private for some kids with this GPA. Like this kid:
https://www.reddit.com/r/collegeresults/comments/1cb98e3/asian_male_humanity_major/

Take a look at what "successful" private HS Princeton profiles look like:
https://www.reddit.com/r/collegeresults/comments/1d12r4o/white_boy_gets_into_25_hypsm/

Interesting profile here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/collegeresults/comments/tvkhv2/white_dude_from_ny_gets_what_he_deserves_probably/
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:25     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
Anonymous wrote:I also don't think OP should over-focus on leadership. Overall it's a really solid application. Is your school a feeder to Dartmouth?


OP the opposite! As a result, we dont send a ton of application there, but still - the data is clear.
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:21     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
I don’t understand how a top leadership kid who knows what he wants in life is outsourcing this to mommy. He should research his schools, apply where he wants and see where the chips fall. It’s not like he’s not going to have good options.
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:19     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
I also don't think OP should over-focus on leadership. Overall it's a really solid application. Is your school a feeder to Dartmouth?
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:17     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
Anonymous wrote:Vandy luvs leadership - kid would be a shoo in


This is interesting to me. Had no idea.
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:16     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
FWIW, private feeder IS a hook.

my usual reminder to check out the HW college counseling book for their acceptances. they remove the hooked kids. you'll see Harvard will take a 3.5 kid every year and Middlebury won't.

this is from feeder schools only

https://students.hw.com/Portals/44/handbook0125.pdf?ver=mCSTXqyrt4IYDI-PvMShlQ%3d%3d
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:14     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
Vandy luvs leadership - kid would be a shoo in
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:11     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:* ND likes our HS and they accept a couple kids every year with this GPA (and reject more).


OK, that's good. I dinged it on the first page because kids from my son's private are having a TOUGH time getting in there the past couple of years. I think the leadership will definitely help, though.

Glad he likes SLACs ... he should have plenty of good ones to choose from. Would he like a Colgate/Hamilton?


Colgate is where kids with a 3.5 go from our HS.


OP He has safeties in this range that we've visited, he's kept up demonstrated interest, etc. Feel good about safeties! I actually think his current list has too many safeties.
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:08     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
Anonymous wrote:Try for P - why not?

But do a lot of research (they like academic independence - does your kid have some sort of independent project?; they like community impact; they like extraordinary passion; and they want memorable & unique ECs).

If not hooked (URM, legacy, FGLI, Donor, Faculty), you really need to dig deep on a pointy narrative for your kid to stand out. Create a new post with all ECs/majors/classes etc and ask for feedback (here or reddit).

For unhooked, Princeton is unrealistic for this kid. Zero chance.
Colgate and Hamilton, like another poster said, is for 3.5 or slightly below kids.
His focus should be T20, T15, or SWAP, Bowdoin.
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:07     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
I don't know if Williams likes leadership, but they really admit a wider than usual GPA range from our school. imo, they have a good process and take engaged kids. they reject a ton of highest GPA kids, while accepting some lower.
Anonymous
Post 07/29/2025 10:07     Subject: ISO a college that really cares about leadership
Find a niche major OP. You said humanities - but what exactly.

If history, it might not be "niche" enough.