"This. My son learned because he was interested in aerospace engineering. He also had to overcome a significant fear of flying, which was his essay. It’s very very time consuming and expensive. There’s also a physical required if you get to licensure. The driving back to and from small rural airports takes a lot of time in the metro area. Towards the end of all of this he joined the CAP. I have no doubt it helped his application to UVA, VTech, Purdue and Georgia Tech but he was applying as an aerospace engineering candidate. He Eve. Flew himself to accepted students day at VT."

Why in the world would a teen need to overcome a significant fear of flying? Did he need to learn to fly in order to go rescue his little brother who was stranded somewhere remote??? This is just bizarre.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/

This. My son learned because he was interested in aerospace engineering. He also had to overcome a significant fear of flying, which was his essay. It’s very very time consuming and expensive. There’s also a physical required if you get to licensure. The driving back to and from small rural airports takes a lot of time in the metro area. Towards the end of all of this he joined the CAP. I have no doubt it helped his application to UVA, VTech, Purdue and Georgia Tech but he was applying as an aerospace engineering candidate. He Eve. Flew himself to accepted students day at VT.

That’s all really amazing! Especially the last sentence.

It was. But I was biting my nails!

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine any reason why it would hurt an application. Why in the world do you think it might hurt?

Agreed, but more importantly, why are you making this decision based on that metric? That is sad.

Can you afford it? How much does it mean to your child? Is it safe?

NOT, “What would an Admissions person think of this?”

Your poor child!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges will think you have a lotlotlot of money. And you do.

Have him find a volunteer gig where his expensive hobby can be useful to someone else.

So is having a lotlotlot of money a hindrance now in college admissions? Rick Singer fallout? Or is it a issue with wanting FA and not receiving any?

Yes, I would imagine there are kids whose parents buy them college admissions - promises of a big donation if Larla gets in. But I'm sure there are plenty of bright children who are hardworking and excel in the classroom but have parents who happen to be extremely wealthy. Just look around the DMV. So we're going to ding them in their college admissions because they happen to have a wealthy hobby?

It is the same issue as the other expensive “pay for play” extracurriculars that some consider a hindrance because they signal privilege. Not sure what rich kids are supposed to do that’s not privileged…

If engineering major is the goal I think it would be great.

It signals to the college that you have money to burn. And colleges like money. I'd say it's a plus.