Just got back from parents weekend at an ivy. My DC commented that it is just isn't the culture of the school to study and just chill. The kids have extraordinarily busy lives. It is a given that they will work their buts off studying, but then during their leisure time they are expected to take advantage of the cultural opportunities -- and they are amazing I admit -- at the university. DC is working harder on ECs now in college than DC ever did in high school, and going to see concerts, guests speakers, etc. I don't want DC to burn out, but it is part of one's broader education outside of the classroom.

Yeah, it's tough. I mean, how do we distinguish Susie the Striver who's not in anything because she literally spends all of her time going after that almighty 4.0 and attending SAT prep classes vs. someone like OP's kid? Colleges really can't tell and I think that's why they just want to see SOMETHING.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:U. Illinois Urbana?

Or U of Illinois Chicago.

OP here, great advice, and following this we looked into McGill and U Illinois Chicago a little bit. McGill we don't think we'll apply to because she's a little scared of being in a whole different country, even if it's not geographically far away. She was intrigued by U Illinois and we're going to an event for a sibling in Chicago soon, so we'll definitely visit and look around a little. I do agree that the emphasis on empty extracurriculars is ridiculous. My daughter doesn't like sports or music. She's not that good. Plus, she "hates people." Spending her time doing things that would be forced and unpleasant won't make her a better student or asset to the community at all. In a way I'm proud of her for quitting music when she didn't like it, she recognized that it would only help with college and she didn't actually like it at all. Thank you guys so much.

Glad to hear you've got a good plan.

In my experience, the emphasis is not on empty extracurriculars at all. In fact, most college admissions counselors recognize an overly padded resume when they see one. Instead, they're are looking for kids who are involved in activities and organizations that they really care about. Lots of learning takes place outside the classroom and colleges have found that kids who deeply pursue their interests tend to have a lot to offer to the college and have the ability to take advantage of what the college has to offer to them.

Best wishes to you and your daughter!

You may be right about what college admissions counselors think, but it is a bit grating. Plenty of very smart, quirky kids who are not joiners have a lot to offer. This obsession with teens having "deep interests" is what leads nutso parents to post here about their 5 year olds that lack a passion in life ...

+100
My kid is just like me -- not a joiner -- so I really can't blame him! That said, he's very smart, funny, well-read, and just a pleasure to be around. It's too bad that kind of thing doesn't really convey on a college application. I hope that colleges start taking note of the many very interesting kids they may be overlooking when searching for that "perfect candidate" with the often made up or exaggerated passions.

We just went through the college process and my middle-of-the-pack kid at a top private HS did amazingly well -- and I don't think that's because she had great extracurriculars, which she did, but rather because all the pieces of her application worked together to tell her story. SLACs want to be able to visualize an applicant, whether you're an award-winning trapeze artist (a "pointy" type) or a class leader (the more traditional well rounded profile). For your daughter, the burden is going to fall to her essay, assuming she wants to go anywhere other than a state school.

As much as stats matter at all competitive schools, these institutions also want to be reasonably confident that you're going to succeed once you're on their campus-- in other words, return after freshman year and graduate in four years, and then venture out in the world and make your mark. Those are equally essential factors in sealing a school's reputation and simply being smart is not a slam dunk for predicting success in college. I agree with other posters that extracurriculars can be overrated. But top schools see PLENTY of applicants who have both -- top scores and grades and outside interests like athletics, theater, and music that have been sustained over many years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:U. Illinois Urbana?

Or U of Illinois Chicago.

OP here, great advice, and following this we looked into McGill and U Illinois Chicago a little bit. McGill we don't think we'll apply to because she's a little scared of being in a whole different country, even if it's not geographically far away. She was intrigued by U Illinois and we're going to an event for a sibling in Chicago soon, so we'll definitely visit and look around a little. I do agree that the emphasis on empty extracurriculars is ridiculous. My daughter doesn't like sports or music. She's not that good. Plus, she "hates people." Spending her time doing things that would be forced and unpleasant won't make her a better student or asset to the community at all. In a way I'm proud of her for quitting music when she didn't like it, she recognized that it would only help with college and she didn't actually like it at all. Thank you guys so much.

U Michigan and U Wisconsin might be worth checking out. They're not too far from Chicago so to speak.

Although if she hates people Michigan may not be the right place. I know there's a group for everyone but it's a very social school.

Speaking of Michigan and totally off topic but I just read on Michigan's website that on campus housing is not guaranteed for upperclassmen.

But I digress.....carry on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:U. Illinois Urbana?

Or U of Illinois Chicago.

OP here, great advice, and following this we looked into McGill and U Illinois Chicago a little bit. McGill we don't think we'll apply to because she's a little scared of being in a whole different country, even if it's not geographically far away. She was intrigued by U Illinois and we're going to an event for a sibling in Chicago soon, so we'll definitely visit and look around a little. I do agree that the emphasis on empty extracurriculars is ridiculous. My daughter doesn't like sports or music. She's not that good. Plus, she "hates people." Spending her time doing things that would be forced and unpleasant won't make her a better student or asset to the community at all. In a way I'm proud of her for quitting music when she didn't like it, she recognized that it would only help with college and she didn't actually like it at all. Thank you guys so much.

Glad to hear you've got a good plan.

In my experience, the emphasis is not on empty extracurriculars at all. In fact, most college admissions counselors recognize an overly padded resume when they see one. Instead, they're are looking for kids who are involved in activities and organizations that they really care about. Lots of learning takes place outside the classroom and colleges have found that kids who deeply pursue their interests tend to have a lot to offer to the college and have the ability to take advantage of what the college has to offer to them.

Best wishes to you and your daughter!

You may be right about what college admissions counselors think, but it is a bit grating. Plenty of very smart, quirky kids who are not joiners have a lot to offer. This obsession with teens having "deep interests" is what leads nutso parents to post here about their 5 year olds that lack a passion in life ...

I would really push to consider a small liberal arts college instead of a big state school. She sounds like she would do better with more nurturing. On the other hand, probably a bigger pool of brighter kids at a big state school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:U. Illinois Urbana?

Or U of Illinois Chicago.

OP here, great advice, and following this we looked into McGill and U Illinois Chicago a little bit. McGill we don't think we'll apply to because she's a little scared of being in a whole different country, even if it's not geographically far away. She was intrigued by U Illinois and we're going to an event for a sibling in Chicago soon, so we'll definitely visit and look around a little. I do agree that the emphasis on empty extracurriculars is ridiculous. My daughter doesn't like sports or music. She's not that good. Plus, she "hates people." Spending her time doing things that would be forced and unpleasant won't make her a better student or asset to the community at all. In a way I'm proud of her for quitting music when she didn't like it, she recognized that it would only help with college and she didn't actually like it at all. Thank you guys so much.

U Michigan and U Wisconsin might be worth checking out. They're not too far from Chicago so to speak.

Although if she hates people Michigan may not be the right place. I know there's a group for everyone but it's a very social school.

I know two like that. One is at UVa, other at William and Mary.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:U. Illinois Urbana?

Or U of Illinois Chicago.

OP here, great advice, and following this we looked into McGill and U Illinois Chicago a little bit. McGill we don't think we'll apply to because she's a little scared of being in a whole different country, even if it's not geographically far away. She was intrigued by U Illinois and we're going to an event for a sibling in Chicago soon, so we'll definitely visit and look around a little. I do agree that the emphasis on empty extracurriculars is ridiculous. My daughter doesn't like sports or music. She's not that good. Plus, she "hates people." Spending her time doing things that would be forced and unpleasant won't make her a better student or asset to the community at all. In a way I'm proud of her for quitting music when she didn't like it, she recognized that it would only help with college and she didn't actually like it at all. Thank you guys so much.

She's not alone. People grate my nerves sometimes too!

Greek town is a stones throw from UIC so if you like Greek food, there are several great restaurants to choose from. Also, the UIC shuttle will take you over to the medical campus where there are several major hospitals including medical and nursing school. Also, the School of Pharmacy and several others. The medical campus is huge and surrounded by dicey neighborhoods but has the best research and medical facilities second to none. A couple of decades ago, UIC didn't have dormitories (commuter school) but now they do. There is still a large number of the student body that does commute. Check and make sure that DC can be dorm accommodated for all four years if necessary.

Just remember that UIC is truly an urban school with the best restaurants, music, museums, art, shopping right at your feet in the great city of Chicago.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:U. Illinois Urbana?

Or U of Illinois Chicago.

OP here, great advice, and following this we looked into McGill and U Illinois Chicago a little bit. McGill we don't think we'll apply to because she's a little scared of being in a whole different country, even if it's not geographically far away. She was intrigued by U Illinois and we're going to an event for a sibling in Chicago soon, so we'll definitely visit and look around a little. I do agree that the emphasis on empty extracurriculars is ridiculous. My daughter doesn't like sports or music. She's not that good. Plus, she "hates people." Spending her time doing things that would be forced and unpleasant won't make her a better student or asset to the community at all. In a way I'm proud of her for quitting music when she didn't like it, she recognized that it would only help with college and she didn't actually like it at all. Thank you guys so much.

U Michigan and U Wisconsin might be worth checking out. They're not too far from Chicago so to speak.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:U. Illinois Urbana?

Or U of Illinois Chicago.

OP here, great advice, and following this we looked into McGill and U Illinois Chicago a little bit. McGill we don't think we'll apply to because she's a little scared of being in a whole different country, even if it's not geographically far away. She was intrigued by U Illinois and we're going to an event for a sibling in Chicago soon, so we'll definitely visit and look around a little. I do agree that the emphasis on empty extracurriculars is ridiculous. My daughter doesn't like sports or music. She's not that good. Plus, she "hates people." Spending her time doing things that would be forced and unpleasant won't make her a better student or asset to the community at all. In a way I'm proud of her for quitting music when she didn't like it, she recognized that it would only help with college and she didn't actually like it at all. Thank you guys so much.

Glad to hear you've got a good plan.

In my experience, the emphasis is not on empty extracurriculars at all. In fact, most college admissions counselors recognize an overly padded resume when they see one. Instead, they're are looking for kids who are involved in activities and organizations that they really care about. Lots of learning takes place outside the classroom and colleges have found that kids who deeply pursue their interests tend to have a lot to offer to the college and have the ability to take advantage of what the college has to offer to them.

Best wishes to you and your daughter!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:U. Illinois Urbana?

Or U of Illinois Chicago.

OP here, great advice, and following this we looked into McGill and U Illinois Chicago a little bit. McGill we don't think we'll apply to because she's a little scared of being in a whole different country, even if it's not geographically far away. She was intrigued by U Illinois and we're going to an event for a sibling in Chicago soon, so we'll definitely visit and look around a little. I do agree that the emphasis on empty extracurriculars is ridiculous. My daughter doesn't like sports or music. She's not that good. Plus, she "hates people." Spending her time doing things that would be forced and unpleasant won't make her a better student or asset to the community at all. In a way I'm proud of her for quitting music when she didn't like it, she recognized that it would only help with college and she didn't actually like it at all. Thank you guys so much.

Anonymous wrote:U. Illinois Urbana?

Or U of Illinois Chicago.

Well, you've got what you've got! She just needs to write a fantastic essay and hope that her scores catch the eye of an admissions officer looking for good stats who is jaded by long lists of boring clubs. Something will work out.