Anonymous wrote:I’m waiting for that person to chime in, “it’s exactly the same this year as it’s always been.”

Which is of course untrue. Over on Reddit some kids say they are getting off the Penn and Columbia waitlists. No word from Penn.

My DC is waiting for non-Ivies but he feels the stakes for him are just as high. He really wants to get in College X even though the place he is committed to is just as good.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Our DC’s guidance counselor told DC it could be months and it’s okay to hold out hope.

I don’t know if she is saying that to just soften the blow or if she truly believes it.

Let’s face it: After school ends counselors don’t really have to deal with the kids anymore. It’s cynical, but maybe she just doesn’t want to deal with the disappointment kids are experiencing at this moment. It’s easy to send them on their way out of HS with hope. Then if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. They don’t have to deal with the ultimate outcome; they are already gone.

I just have a hard time believing it could take months. Maybe a few kids will get lucky down the road, but I don’t think a dam will break and suddenly kids will have a reasonable chance. Again, I could be wrong. I’m not an expert. Maybe I am too pessimistic.

This. At first I -did- think a dam would break but now, unfortunately, I don't. It makes me very sad. A neighbor's son has been shut out of all of the schools on his list and it breaks my heart. He is a great kid applying in a tough year. Even his "safeties" or whatever they are called now either flat out denied him or waitlisted him. We have been so hopeful for him but I think it just isn't going to happen. And it is sad. The 2021 kids have really had some tough breaks.

What is he going to do?

He is going to take a gap year. His choice was community college (we're in NoVa so NOVA is a great option) or work, and he chose work. My husband, his dad and a couple other parents are working together to get a series of jobs lined up (not internships but kinda like) and he will do a 3-month mini-Mission associated with our church. Then he will reapply next year.

He has great SATs, not much to really improve upon because it is 1500+, good APs, good grades, etc. But it is like every school took a look at him said "male, white, UMC = privileged" and unchecked his box. Before everyone screams I will tell you that we are a multi-racial family ourselves so I feel pretty comfortable calling out the racism that I see being used against him.

Anyway, he will survive and he will succeed. But it is a hard lesson for him to learn and us to watch.

Boys generally have an advantage in admissions. Either he didn't choose his safety schools wisely or he needs to work more on his application. Those are the lessons he should take from this - not "racism."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DC’s guidance counselor told DC it could be months and it’s okay to hold out hope.

I don’t know if she is saying that to just soften the blow or if she truly believes it.

Let’s face it: After school ends counselors don’t really have to deal with the kids anymore. It’s cynical, but maybe she just doesn’t want to deal with the disappointment kids are experiencing at this moment. It’s easy to send them on their way out of HS with hope. Then if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. They don’t have to deal with the ultimate outcome; they are already gone.

I just have a hard time believing it could take months. Maybe a few kids will get lucky down the road, but I don’t think a dam will break and suddenly kids will have a reasonable chance. Again, I could be wrong. I’m not an expert. Maybe I am too pessimistic.

This. At first I -did- think a dam would break but now, unfortunately, I don't. It makes me very sad. A neighbor's son has been shut out of all of the schools on his list and it breaks my heart. He is a great kid applying in a tough year. Even his "safeties" or whatever they are called now either flat out denied him or waitlisted him. We have been so hopeful for him but I think it just isn't going to happen. And it is sad. The 2021 kids have really had some tough breaks.

What is he going to do?

He is going to take a gap year. His choice was community college (we're in NoVa so NOVA is a great option) or work, and he chose work. My husband, his dad and a couple other parents are working together to get a series of jobs lined up (not internships but kinda like) and he will do a 3-month mini-Mission associated with our church. Then he will reapply next year.

He has great SATs, not much to really improve upon because it is 1500+, good APs, good grades, etc. But it is like every school took a look at him said "male, white, UMC = privileged" and unchecked his box. Before everyone screams I will tell you that we are a multi-racial family ourselves so I feel pretty comfortable calling out the racism that I see being used against him.

Anyway, he will survive and he will succeed. But it is a hard lesson for him to learn and us to watch.

Anonymous wrote:I’m waiting for that person to chime in, “it’s exactly the same this year as it’s always been.”

Which is of course untrue. Over on Reddit some kids say they are getting off the Penn and Columbia waitlists. No word from Penn.

My DC is waiting for non-Ivies but he feels the stakes for him are just as high. He really wants to get in College X even though the place he is committed to is just as good.

Anonymous wrote:It gets to the point where the kids don’t want to switch schools. My DC is wearing their college shirt around, has found a roommate, signed up for orientation, etc. A month ago they were sure they would jump at spot if they came off the WL, now I don’t see that happening.

Anonymous wrote:Anything lately from Michigan’s waitlist? Hi