Anonymous wrote:Probably would go with a SUNY school. The privates mentioned here are not worth the money they cost. Hopefully he figures things out in college and can get into a good professional school. He will need to work harder in the future though!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:To the OP - I'm sorry that so many nasty people are here. You are asking great questions. Doing your homework. Good luck. I just reported one of the nasty posts to eliminate the clutter. Lots of people are in your boat. Good luck! Sounds like you have a great kid.

I agree that the OP has a "great kid" and that's what I've been saying since the beginning. There's nothing she says about the kid that gives any cause for her to be concerned. It's not "clutter" to push back on random lists of colleges or comments from posters along the lines of "he needs to bring his SATs up" when he hasn't even taken the test yet.

And it's certainly not "clutter" to advise OP not to allow the DCUM crazies to rope her in.

There is a big difference between those who are constructively pushing back on school suggestions and those who are insulting the OP by saying they are nuts for being so concerned and anxious when they have given no indication that this is the case in multiple well-written posts.

I never said the OP was nuts. I said some of the responses are.

You are the only crazies in this thread. If that isn’t apparent to you, seek professional help.

I read the OP's first thread carefully. Many of the other posters did not, as evidenced by the many posters advising her that her son needs to get his SAT scores up, when she made clear that he hasn't even taken them yet, and suggesting the she look at Naviance when she made clear that she already had.

What I took away from my careful reading was that she has a well-rounded and happy 10th grader with many friends who is doing well at a selective NYC high school even if he isn't at the very top of his class. I happen to think that a kid like that can and will do well at many, many colleges. I also think that when dealing with a kid like that it often doesn't help to start "worrying" -- her word -- about college and projecting that worry on the kid. And I'll never understand why posters throw out the names of a half a dozen or so random colleges, many of which are quite dissimilar from one another, in response to every one of these threads.

My initial advice -- that the OP relax and wait things out a little -- still stands. I am not willing to go along with the college admissions frenzy that so many other DCUM poster help to perpetuate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the OP - I'm sorry that so many nasty people are here. You are asking great questions. Doing your homework. Good luck. I just reported one of the nasty posts to eliminate the clutter. Lots of people are in your boat. Good luck! Sounds like you have a great kid.

I agree that the OP has a "great kid" and that's what I've been saying since the beginning. There's nothing she says about the kid that gives any cause for her to be concerned. It's not "clutter" to push back on random lists of colleges or comments from posters along the lines of "he needs to bring his SATs up" when he hasn't even taken the test yet.

And it's certainly not "clutter" to advise OP not to allow the DCUM crazies to rope her in.

There is a big difference between those who are constructively pushing back on school suggestions and those who are insulting the OP by saying they are nuts for being so concerned and anxious when they have given no indication that this is the case in multiple well-written posts.

I never said the OP was nuts. I said some of the responses are.

You are the only crazies in this thread. If that isn’t apparent to you, seek professional help.

I read the OP's first thread carefully. Many of the other posters did not, as evidenced by the many posters advising her that her son needs to get his SAT scores up, when she made clear that he hasn't even taken them yet, and suggesting the she look at Naviance when she made clear that she already had.

What I took away from my careful reading was that she has a well-rounded and happy 10th grader with many friends who is doing well at a selective NYC high school even if he isn't at the very top of his class. I happen to think that a kid like that can and will do well at many, many colleges. I also think that when dealing with a kid like that it often doesn't help to start "worrying" -- her word -- about college and projecting that worry on the kid. And I'll never understand why posters throw out the names of a half a dozen or so random colleges, many of which are quite dissimilar from one another, in response to every one of these threads.

My initial advice -- that the OP relax and wait things out a little -- still stands. I am not willing to go along with the college admissions frenzy that so many other DCUM poster help to perpetuate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apologies that I am posting as a NYC parent but this group is so helpful! My 10th gr DS it a giant NYC selective public school. I feel like he's going to fall between the cracks in college admissions. Too strong for the "awesomely average" group, not strong enough for the 4.0/1500 group. Not super interested in rah-rah and I worry he'll get lost at a giant state school, but also worry he won't find his people at a tiny LAC. Very NOT quirky. Just a normal hard-working bright teenage boy who likes playing sports and "chilling" with his many friends, and likes the challenge of being surrounded by the smart kids at his school. Has a 3.7 and I'm guessing SAT will land somewhere around 1400?? At his school this is middle of the pack - about 20% of kids get into Ivy+. Best subjects are history and math, but will probably apply as a humanities major since there are so freaking many genius STEM kids. The school is so large that Naviance scattergrams look like a giant ink blot and literally everything appears to be a reach. Anyone here have a kid with a comparable profile? We will of course apply to many SUNYs, but want a solid list of privates as well. We are fortunate to be able to pay in full.

MY advice is more general

- Academically dig in a little more to history and math potential major and how that ties into quality of program, alumni, and post graduation plans when building the list. My kid applied with social science area as potential major and also enjoyed math but didn’t have the heavy STEM background to be sure about it as a major or for it to help versus hurt by putting that as intnded major. I think 100% that being at a SLAC made it easier to make the decision to major in math and be in environment where they weren’t starting behind by only taking AP Calc in high school. That said, now looking for a job and not grad school, they wish they had done Math/Econ or something else with Math to help in the job hunt and even the internship experiences prior.

- Socially your kid can probably make it work at a larger school or a medium size SLAC. First they have to decide Greek Life or not. Then how do people not in Greek life either by choice or didn’t get a bid where they wanted or with friends - how are they making friends, finding roommates, being social etc. and does that feel likely for your son if he went there? I wasn’t in Greek Life at what felt like a Greek heavy school and there were times it felt tough. I think the location of not having much to get to without a car off campus gave Greek parties even more social importance. My kids wanted to be more suburban/urban and went for schools where many different people could thrive and you didn’t have to be one way to fit in.


- As for suggested schools, I would have made similar suggestions about American/GW, Pitt, Syracuse, University of Rochester, Richmond, if willing to attend Catholic school look at some of the Catholic colleges on the east Coast, and consider if open to any mid-west colleges.

TY. I don't think he'll major in math. Not math-y enough at the end of the day. Economics, maybe.

The Greek thing is a big open question. I hear schools like Lehigh and Colgate are VERY VERY Greek. I asked DS and his immediate response was "no" but I'm not sure he has a real grasp on what Greek life entails. He's probably seen TikToks of frat hazing and bro behavior and that doesn't appeal to him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apologies that I am posting as a NYC parent but this group is so helpful! My 10th gr DS it a giant NYC selective public school. I feel like he's going to fall between the cracks in college admissions. Too strong for the "awesomely average" group, not strong enough for the 4.0/1500 group. Not super interested in rah-rah and I worry he'll get lost at a giant state school, but also worry he won't find his people at a tiny LAC. Very NOT quirky. Just a normal hard-working bright teenage boy who likes playing sports and "chilling" with his many friends, and likes the challenge of being surrounded by the smart kids at his school. Has a 3.7 and I'm guessing SAT will land somewhere around 1400?? At his school this is middle of the pack - about 20% of kids get into Ivy+. Best subjects are history and math, but will probably apply as a humanities major since there are so freaking many genius STEM kids. The school is so large that Naviance scattergrams look like a giant ink blot and literally everything appears to be a reach. Anyone here have a kid with a comparable profile? We will of course apply to many SUNYs, but want a solid list of privates as well. We are fortunate to be able to pay in full.

MY advice is more general

- Academically dig in a little more to history and math potential major and how that ties into quality of program, alumni, and post graduation plans when building the list. My kid applied with social science area as potential major and also enjoyed math but didn’t have the heavy STEM background to be sure about it as a major or for it to help versus hurt by putting that as intnded major. I think 100% that being at a SLAC made it easier to make the decision to major in math and be in environment where they weren’t starting behind by only taking AP Calc in high school. That said, now looking for a job and not grad school, they wish they had done Math/Econ or something else with Math to help in the job hunt and even the internship experiences prior.

- Socially your kid can probably make it work at a larger school or a medium size SLAC. First they have to decide Greek Life or not. Then how do people not in Greek life either by choice or didn’t get a bid where they wanted or with friends - how are they making friends, finding roommates, being social etc. and does that feel likely for your son if he went there? I wasn’t in Greek Life at what felt like a Greek heavy school and there were times it felt tough. I think the location of not having much to get to without a car off campus gave Greek parties even more social importance. My kids wanted to be more suburban/urban and went for schools where many different people could thrive and you didn’t have to be one way to fit in.


- As for suggested schools, I would have made similar suggestions about American/GW, Pitt, Syracuse, University of Rochester, Richmond, if willing to attend Catholic school look at some of the Catholic colleges on the east Coast, and consider if open to any mid-west colleges.

TY. I don't think he'll major in math. Not math-y enough at the end of the day. Economics, maybe.

The Greek thing is a big open question. I hear schools like Lehigh and Colgate are VERY VERY Greek. I asked DS and his immediate response was "no" but I'm not sure he has a real grasp on what Greek life entails. He's probably seen TikToks of frat hazing and bro behavior and that doesn't appeal to him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the OP - I'm sorry that so many nasty people are here. You are asking great questions. Doing your homework. Good luck. I just reported one of the nasty posts to eliminate the clutter. Lots of people are in your boat. Good luck! Sounds like you have a great kid.

I agree that the OP has a "great kid" and that's what I've been saying since the beginning. There's nothing she says about the kid that gives any cause for her to be concerned. It's not "clutter" to push back on random lists of colleges or comments from posters along the lines of "he needs to bring his SATs up" when he hasn't even taken the test yet.

And it's certainly not "clutter" to advise OP not to allow the DCUM crazies to rope her in.

There is a big difference between those who are constructively pushing back on school suggestions and those who are insulting the OP by saying they are nuts for being so concerned and anxious when they have given no indication that this is the case in multiple well-written posts.

I never said the OP was nuts. I said some of the responses are.

You are the only crazies in this thread. If that isn’t apparent to you, seek professional help.

I read the OP's first thread carefully. Many of the other posters did not, as evidenced by the many posters advising her that her son needs to get his SAT scores up, when she made clear that he hasn't even taken them yet, and suggesting the she look at Naviance when she made clear that she already had.

What I took away from my careful reading was that she has a well-rounded and happy 10th grader with many friends who is doing well at a selective NYC high school even if he isn't at the very top of his class. I happen to think that a kid like that can and will do well at many, many colleges. I also think that when dealing with a kid like that it often doesn't help to start "worrying" -- her word -- about college and projecting that worry on the kid. And I'll never understand why posters throw out the names of a half a dozen or so random colleges, many of which are quite dissimilar from one another, in response to every one of these threads.

My initial advice -- that the OP relax and wait things out a little -- still stands. I am not willing to go along with the college admissions frenzy that so many other DCUM poster help to perpetuate.

OP. First TY for reading my admittedly long post. I appreciate your pointing out (nicely) that I shouldn't be worried at this time. I think it's coming from knowing a bunch of kids going through the process right now at DC's school and similar ones, kids who have absolutely amazing profiles (multivariable calc in 10th grade etc) getting some shocking rejections. I am seeing the importance of having a strategy playing out in real time.

And yes, academically, DS can probably do fine at most colleges (not the tippy top ones, but we're not applying to those!). I suspect he'll wind up with a generic social science major that almost every school offers. I am far more concerned with finding the right social fit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the OP - I'm sorry that so many nasty people are here. You are asking great questions. Doing your homework. Good luck. I just reported one of the nasty posts to eliminate the clutter. Lots of people are in your boat. Good luck! Sounds like you have a great kid.

I agree that the OP has a "great kid" and that's what I've been saying since the beginning. There's nothing she says about the kid that gives any cause for her to be concerned. It's not "clutter" to push back on random lists of colleges or comments from posters along the lines of "he needs to bring his SATs up" when he hasn't even taken the test yet.

And it's certainly not "clutter" to advise OP not to allow the DCUM crazies to rope her in.

There is a big difference between those who are constructively pushing back on school suggestions and those who are insulting the OP by saying they are nuts for being so concerned and anxious when they have given no indication that this is the case in multiple well-written posts.

I never said the OP was nuts. I said some of the responses are.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apologies that I am posting as a NYC parent but this group is so helpful! My 10th gr DS it a giant NYC selective public school. I feel like he's going to fall between the cracks in college admissions. Too strong for the "awesomely average" group, not strong enough for the 4.0/1500 group. Not super interested in rah-rah and I worry he'll get lost at a giant state school, but also worry he won't find his people at a tiny LAC. Very NOT quirky. Just a normal hard-working bright teenage boy who likes playing sports and "chilling" with his many friends, and likes the challenge of being surrounded by the smart kids at his school. Has a 3.7 and I'm guessing SAT will land somewhere around 1400?? At his school this is middle of the pack - about 20% of kids get into Ivy+. Best subjects are history and math, but will probably apply as a humanities major since there are so freaking many genius STEM kids. The school is so large that Naviance scattergrams look like a giant ink blot and literally everything appears to be a reach. Anyone here have a kid with a comparable profile? We will of course apply to many SUNYs, but want a solid list of privates as well. We are fortunate to be able to pay in full.

MY advice is more general

- Academically dig in a little more to history and math potential major and how that ties into quality of program, alumni, and post graduation plans when building the list. My kid applied with social science area as potential major and also enjoyed math but didn’t have the heavy STEM background to be sure about it as a major or for it to help versus hurt by putting that as intnded major. I think 100% that being at a SLAC made it easier to make the decision to major in math and be in environment where they weren’t starting behind by only taking AP Calc in high school. That said, now looking for a job and not grad school, they wish they had done Math/Econ or something else with Math to help in the job hunt and even the internship experiences prior.

- Socially your kid can probably make it work at a larger school or a medium size SLAC. First they have to decide Greek Life or not. Then how do people not in Greek life either by choice or didn’t get a bid where they wanted or with friends - how are they making friends, finding roommates, being social etc. and does that feel likely for your son if he went there? I wasn’t in Greek Life at what felt like a Greek heavy school and there were times it felt tough. I think the location of not having much to get to without a car off campus gave Greek parties even more social importance. My kids wanted to be more suburban/urban and went for schools where many different people could thrive and you didn’t have to be one way to fit in.


- As for suggested schools, I would have made similar suggestions about American/GW, Pitt, Syracuse, University of Rochester, Richmond, if willing to attend Catholic school look at some of the Catholic colleges on the east Coast, and consider if open to any mid-west colleges.

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think he will land at 1400?

At this point, absent a spike, the test score is the best enhancer in his application. Disregard DCUM constant saying test scores are not important. 1500 vs 1400 makes a world of difference in his application.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the OP - I'm sorry that so many nasty people are here. You are asking great questions. Doing your homework. Good luck. I just reported one of the nasty posts to eliminate the clutter. Lots of people are in your boat. Good luck! Sounds like you have a great kid.

I agree that the OP has a "great kid" and that's what I've been saying since the beginning. There's nothing she says about the kid that gives any cause for her to be concerned. It's not "clutter" to push back on random lists of colleges or comments from posters along the lines of "he needs to bring his SATs up" when he hasn't even taken the test yet.

And it's certainly not "clutter" to advise OP not to allow the DCUM crazies to rope her in.

There is a big difference between those who are constructively pushing back on school suggestions and those who are insulting the OP by saying they are nuts for being so concerned and anxious when they have given no indication that this is the case in multiple well-written posts.

I never said the OP was nuts. I said some of the responses are.

You are the only crazies in this thread. If that isn’t apparent to you, seek professional help.

I read the OP's first thread carefully. Many of the other posters did not, as evidenced by the many posters advising her that her son needs to get his SAT scores up, when she made clear that he hasn't even taken them yet, and suggesting the she look at Naviance when she made clear that she already had.

What I took away from my careful reading was that she has a well-rounded and happy 10th grader with many friends who is doing well at a selective NYC high school even if he isn't at the very top of his class. I happen to think that a kid like that can and will do well at many, many colleges. I also think that when dealing with a kid like that it often doesn't help to start "worrying" -- her word -- about college and projecting that worry on the kid. And I'll never understand why posters throw out the names of a half a dozen or so random colleges, many of which are quite dissimilar from one another, in response to every one of these threads.

My initial advice -- that the OP relax and wait things out a little -- still stands. I am not willing to go along with the college admissions frenzy that so many other DCUM poster help to perpetuate.

Anonymous wrote:Apologies that I am posting as a NYC parent but this group is so helpful! My 10th gr DS it a giant NYC selective public school. I feel like he's going to fall between the cracks in college admissions. Too strong for the "awesomely average" group, not strong enough for the 4.0/1500 group. Not super interested in rah-rah and I worry he'll get lost at a giant state school, but also worry he won't find his people at a tiny LAC. Very NOT quirky. Just a normal hard-working bright teenage boy who likes playing sports and "chilling" with his many friends, and likes the challenge of being surrounded by the smart kids at his school. Has a 3.7 and I'm guessing SAT will land somewhere around 1400?? At his school this is middle of the pack - about 20% of kids get into Ivy+. Best subjects are history and math, but will probably apply as a humanities major since there are so freaking many genius STEM kids. The school is so large that Naviance scattergrams look like a giant ink blot and literally everything appears to be a reach. Anyone here have a kid with a comparable profile? We will of course apply to many SUNYs, but want a solid list of privates as well. We are fortunate to be able to pay in full.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the OP - I'm sorry that so many nasty people are here. You are asking great questions. Doing your homework. Good luck. I just reported one of the nasty posts to eliminate the clutter. Lots of people are in your boat. Good luck! Sounds like you have a great kid.

I agree that the OP has a "great kid" and that's what I've been saying since the beginning. There's nothing she says about the kid that gives any cause for her to be concerned. It's not "clutter" to push back on random lists of colleges or comments from posters along the lines of "he needs to bring his SATs up" when he hasn't even taken the test yet.

And it's certainly not "clutter" to advise OP not to allow the DCUM crazies to rope her in.

There is a big difference between those who are constructively pushing back on school suggestions and those who are insulting the OP by saying they are nuts for being so concerned and anxious when they have given no indication that this is the case in multiple well-written posts.

I never said the OP was nuts. I said some of the responses are.

You are the only crazies in this thread. If that isn’t apparent to you, seek professional help.