Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 16:22     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A few questions for the OP:
1. Top grades and stats? ***YES
2. Thoughts on major? Minor? ***OPEN, LOVES MATH, SCIENCE, LANGUAGE, BUSINESS/ECON. BUT NOT A ROBOTICS/MIT/MATH OLYMPIAD PERSON AT ALL. HE ACES MATH CLASSES BUT DOESN’T DO IT OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL
3. Any evidence for entrepreneurship? What kind? ***SCHOOL CLUB, WINNER OF LOCAL COMPETITION, GRANT APPLICATION PENDING
4. Type of environment he wants (big vs. small?) ***FROM A PARENT PERSPECTIVE, HE ISN’T FUSSY AND DOES WELL IN LOTS OF ENVIRONMENTS BUT IMO HE HAS THE MOST IMPACT IN A SMALLER ENVIRONMENT.
5. Private school, right? Did he do any independent research in HS with a faculty member? What topic? YES RIGOROUS PRIVATE, AND NO.
6. Debate all 4 years? Does he have leadership of any school clubs? WILL BE 3 YEARS DEBATE, SCHOOL CLUB LEADERSHIP.
7. Any ideas on career? Has he had any jobs or internships? ONLY VOLUNTEER WORK. HE HAS A UNIQUE VOLUNTEER POSITION FOR HIS MAIN SPORT, AS AN EXAMPLE.

This sounds like a really strong applicant to me but I just want a few more data points before suggesting schools (including some that have been mentioned).


Hard to be too specific without identifying, but maybe the above in CAPS will help enough?


The majority of private high school students I know who've been admitted to selective universities in recent years (including, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Michigan (OOS), Duke, Columbia, Dartmouth, Penn, and UCLA (OOS) generally had a nice mix of athletics (club and high school w/leadership), decent amount of work with existing non-profits (none of this forming a non-profit), PT employment, and involvement in HS clubs, theater, music, student government, the high school literary journal or weekly newspaper, and other normal high school pursuits. They've done well in the admissions process.

They did try to showcase a particular or focused area of interest via their involvement in some of these clubs - and maybe that "positioning" is what the OP is referring to?

- private college counselor
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 16:20     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
There are so many great places for a kid like this. Mine is going to Wisconsin, and he's ecstatic about it--but he also had offers at a bunch of other schools that would have been terrific, too (including a few that DCUM would proclaim as "better than" Wisconsin).

Just be authentic and then love a school that loves you.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 16:16     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
Anonymous wrote:Are there any colleges/universities that look favorably on a well-rounded kid these days? Excels in range of subjects (but mostly math), high rigor coursework/high test scores, sporty, awards in debate and entrepreneurship but nothing national level, some student leadership, loves being involved at school, lots of volunteer hours, well-liked by teachers. But wouldn’t naturally develop pointy areas just for purposes of developing an application narrative. He thinks that’s phony.


Ofc they do! Most colleges and people want to attract or be well-rounded people - it's more healthy and dynamic. But the very selective, top 20-30 want more narrow-focus super pointy obsessive types. So just stay away from those.

Personally, I'd want to be, befriend or partner with a well-rounded person! Living in the SF Bay area, the pointy people are awkward and not particularly interested or empathetic about things not relevant to their narrow/pointy worldview. It's exhausting and when I meet a well-rounded person it's a positive breath of fresh air!
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 16:15     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
Anonymous wrote:Crazy responses. Someone like that has a decent shop at top schools. Not HYPSM but good schools. The pointiest kids are often awkward and well rounded kids help establish a great campus community.


Any school that is not HYPSMC should be in range.

Kid just needs to do some hard work to decide what kind of school he wants. And write really good distinguishing essays. He may not have it in him (that's the impression the OP gives).
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 16:04     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:literally any college outside the most absurdly selective?


+1000

Step outside the T25-30 and you will find many like that


+1000

There are so many great colleges with wonderful, well-rounded kids and amazing programs. Any school in the "Top 200" will be perfectly adequate and he can have a wonderful experience. Probably lots outside of that too!
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 16:00     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
Anonymous wrote:literally any college outside the most absurdly selective?


+1000

Step outside the T25-30 and you will find many like that
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 15:37     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
Anonymous wrote:If you are full pay, that’s “pointy enough” for some schools these days.

Not at need-blind schools, which are mostly T30.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 15:10     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A few questions for the OP:
1. Top grades and stats? ***YES
2. Thoughts on major? Minor? ***OPEN, LOVES MATH, SCIENCE, LANGUAGE, BUSINESS/ECON. BUT NOT A ROBOTICS/MIT/MATH OLYMPIAD PERSON AT ALL. HE ACES MATH CLASSES BUT DOESN’T DO IT OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL
3. Any evidence for entrepreneurship? What kind? ***SCHOOL CLUB, WINNER OF LOCAL COMPETITION, GRANT APPLICATION PENDING
4. Type of environment he wants (big vs. small?) ***FROM A PARENT PERSPECTIVE, HE ISN’T FUSSY AND DOES WELL IN LOTS OF ENVIRONMENTS BUT IMO HE HAS THE MOST IMPACT IN A SMALLER ENVIRONMENT.
5. Private school, right? Did he do any independent research in HS with a faculty member? What topic? YES RIGOROUS PRIVATE, AND NO.
6. Debate all 4 years? Does he have leadership of any school clubs? WILL BE 3 YEARS DEBATE, SCHOOL CLUB LEADERSHIP.
7. Any ideas on career? Has he had any jobs or internships? ONLY VOLUNTEER WORK. HE HAS A UNIQUE VOLUNTEER POSITION FOR HIS MAIN SPORT, AS AN EXAMPLE.

This sounds like a really strong applicant to me but I just want a few more data points before suggesting schools (including some that have been mentioned).


Hard to be too specific without identifying, but maybe the above in CAPS will help enough?


I know a kid like this (sport volunteer hours, a few in school leadership, varsity athlete and top stats) who ED'd from our private to Vanderbilt, was deferred and got in RD. Maybe consider it for an ED2?
Also, Dartmouth was a great suggestion - but check your school's Naviance or SCOIR to see how ED applicants from your HS do generally (and ask your CCO). Both of those schools were previously suggested.

I'd also add Northwestern - given his multiple interests - that is a plus there with the quarter system and how very EASY it is to double major and minor. They also have a great entrepreneurship minor. https://farley.northwestern.edu/academics-resources/undergraduate-minor.html Northwestern tracks demonstrated interest, though, so make sure you do some online and in-person tours if you are serious about applying.
Rice is another good one, for all the reasons a PP suggested. Make sure to show Rice some personal interest as well (tours).

But all have different feels. Have you visited any of these schools? Perhaps the better angle is to have your kid do some online tours and schedule some in-person visits, then come back here?

His ED choice will be very important, and many of these schools' track demonstrated interest - they don't want to be a top stats kid's backup - so they'll auto-reject or WL your kid if you haven't engaged with the school in person and online. I'd get on that today, if he hasn't already.


^^ if you are at a private school, top schools that track demonstrated interest (Northwestern, Duke, Rice, WashU etc.) will expect in-person on campus visits/tours from full-pay private school kids. Otherwise, they'll assume you are shotgunning.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 15:04     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A few questions for the OP:
1. Top grades and stats? ***YES
2. Thoughts on major? Minor? ***OPEN, LOVES MATH, SCIENCE, LANGUAGE, BUSINESS/ECON. BUT NOT A ROBOTICS/MIT/MATH OLYMPIAD PERSON AT ALL. HE ACES MATH CLASSES BUT DOESN’T DO IT OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL
3. Any evidence for entrepreneurship? What kind? ***SCHOOL CLUB, WINNER OF LOCAL COMPETITION, GRANT APPLICATION PENDING
4. Type of environment he wants (big vs. small?) ***FROM A PARENT PERSPECTIVE, HE ISN’T FUSSY AND DOES WELL IN LOTS OF ENVIRONMENTS BUT IMO HE HAS THE MOST IMPACT IN A SMALLER ENVIRONMENT.
5. Private school, right? Did he do any independent research in HS with a faculty member? What topic? YES RIGOROUS PRIVATE, AND NO.
6. Debate all 4 years? Does he have leadership of any school clubs? WILL BE 3 YEARS DEBATE, SCHOOL CLUB LEADERSHIP.
7. Any ideas on career? Has he had any jobs or internships? ONLY VOLUNTEER WORK. HE HAS A UNIQUE VOLUNTEER POSITION FOR HIS MAIN SPORT, AS AN EXAMPLE.

This sounds like a really strong applicant to me but I just want a few more data points before suggesting schools (including some that have been mentioned).


Hard to be too specific without identifying, but maybe the above in CAPS will help enough?


I know a kid like this (sport volunteer hours, a few in school leadership, varsity athlete and top stats) who ED'd from our private to Vanderbilt, was deferred and got in RD. Maybe consider it for an ED2?
Also, Dartmouth was a great suggestion - but check your school's Naviance or SCOIR to see how ED applicants from your HS do generally (and ask your CCO). Both of those schools were previously suggested.

I'd also add Northwestern - given his multiple interests - that is a plus there with the quarter system and how very EASY it is to double major and minor. They also have a great entrepreneurship minor. https://farley.northwestern.edu/academics-resources/undergraduate-minor.html Northwestern tracks demonstrated interest, though, so make sure you do some online and in-person tours if you are serious about applying.
Rice is another good one, for all the reasons a PP suggested. Make sure to show Rice some personal interest as well (tours).

But all have different feels. Have you visited any of these schools? Perhaps the better angle is to have your kid do some online tours and schedule some in-person visits, then come back here?

His ED choice will be very important, and many of these schools' track demonstrated interest - they don't want to be a top stats kid's backup - so they'll auto-reject or WL your kid if you haven't engaged with the school in person and online. I'd get on that today, if he hasn't already.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 14:59     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
My unhooked well-rounded got into 2 ivies, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, UNC, and UVA. Lots of schools emphasize interdisciplinary thinking and this can be incorporated. I also don’t personally think applying undecided is bad as far as admissions.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 14:47     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
Anonymous wrote:A few questions for the OP:
1. Top grades and stats? ***YES
2. Thoughts on major? Minor? ***OPEN, LOVES MATH, SCIENCE, LANGUAGE, BUSINESS/ECON. BUT NOT A ROBOTICS/MIT/MATH OLYMPIAD PERSON AT ALL. HE ACES MATH CLASSES BUT DOESN’T DO IT OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL
3. Any evidence for entrepreneurship? What kind? ***SCHOOL CLUB, WINNER OF LOCAL COMPETITION, GRANT APPLICATION PENDING
4. Type of environment he wants (big vs. small?) ***FROM A PARENT PERSPECTIVE, HE ISN’T FUSSY AND DOES WELL IN LOTS OF ENVIRONMENTS BUT IMO HE HAS THE MOST IMPACT IN A SMALLER ENVIRONMENT.
5. Private school, right? Did he do any independent research in HS with a faculty member? What topic? YES RIGOROUS PRIVATE, AND NO.
6. Debate all 4 years? Does he have leadership of any school clubs? WILL BE 3 YEARS DEBATE, SCHOOL CLUB LEADERSHIP.
7. Any ideas on career? Has he had any jobs or internships? ONLY VOLUNTEER WORK. HE HAS A UNIQUE VOLUNTEER POSITION FOR HIS MAIN SPORT, AS AN EXAMPLE.

This sounds like a really strong applicant to me but I just want a few more data points before suggesting schools (including some that have been mentioned).


Hard to be too specific without identifying, but maybe the above in CAPS will help enough?
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 14:45     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
Our kid ended up at UVA. Not pointy, very well-rounded with high SAT and high rigor.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 14:33     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:“Pointy” hasn’t been a thing in about 10 years.


They stopped being interested in porcupines. They are looking for unicorns. OP is not at porcupines level.


Naw they just prefer brown and trans people, ideally first generation. And legacies and athletes. No Asians need apply.


Seriously most Asian kids are boring as dirt. Their parents didn't prioritize having a personality. Not all, but i know my fair share. This isn't Asia. Scoring super high on test and gpa doesn’t mean you will be a good addition to a college's incoming class.

- Asian


Hi team, OP here, child is not Asian and we do not have a racial or diversity chip on our shoulder, so we can leave the race/DEI wars out of the conversation. Appreciate all the perspectives otherwise!


He is just impersonating an Asian, to say nasty nasty things about Asian. This Asian hater has appeared in multiple threads doing just that.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 14:29     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
If the stats are there - meaning, very high - I think the southern schools are possible - Duke, Rice, and Vanderbilt. Rice is currently expanding from its traditional STEM focus. They've added a business major and are increasing enrollment so I think they'd look at apps from more generalist students. Also, the good midwestern schools - Notre Dame, WashU, and Chicago. For SLACs, I would imagine Middlebury and Bowdoin. And of course all the state flagships.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 14:27     Subject: What to do if your kid is - gasp - well-rounded?
Anonymous wrote:Lots of kids are well rounded but selective in what they mention on their application. He doesn’t have to mention every single thing. The issue with too much scattered stuff is that rather than well rounded you risk being forgettable or interchangeable from a lot of other applicants.


This 100%. Just posted and reading through this thread. My kid didn't mention some of the scatter/unremarkable stuff that would have distracted from the application. He is at Cornell, but was admitted to several other T25.

The application will have to be really thoughtful and will take time.