Anonymous
06/17/2026 13:41
Subject: Strong academics, not much else
Anonymous wrote:Maybe I'm being dense, but what are weak ECs or for that matter, strong ECs? Some of the strong ones are obvious (ex. sports) -- IMO/ISEF/Regeneron/Equivalent arts, humanities recognition. But apparently, nonprofits and working in underprivileged/poor countries are played out. So what's strong (and attainable)? There was the ridiculous Reddit levels of ECs but experience from people who've gone through recent cycles would be helpful.
Natl awards
Leadership
Fit to major
Lots of old threads on that….
I’d look for that….
Anonymous
06/17/2026 13:18
Subject: Re:Strong academics, not much else
is the summer job an actual paid position? if it is and he sticks it out- that right there is a good enough EC. your son will be fine, I know a kid like this who got into Georgetown. there is no reason to act like a performing monkey. visit a few schools within 3 hours and visit to see if he likes them.
Anonymous
06/17/2026 13:12
Subject: Strong academics, not much else
Maybe I'm being dense, but what are weak ECs or for that matter, strong ECs? Some of the strong ones are obvious (ex. sports) -- IMO/ISEF/Regeneron/Equivalent arts, humanities recognition. But apparently, nonprofits and working in underprivileged/poor countries are played out. So what's strong (and attainable)? There was the ridiculous Reddit levels of ECs but experience from people who've gone through recent cycles would be helpful.
Anonymous
06/17/2026 12:54
Subject: Strong academics, not much else
People aren't being realistic. With just high stats and weak ecs -- Hopkins, Georgetown, Penn and Princeton all high reaches and unlikely. Targets might be UMD, Bucknell, Pitt, etc. . .
Anonymous
06/17/2026 12:50
Subject: Re:Strong academics, not much else
Our friends’ very high stats but low ECs was rejected by GW, UVA, and W&M. Attends VT.
Anonymous
06/17/2026 12:12
Subject: Strong academics, not much else
Yes, please!
Anonymous
06/17/2026 12:02
Subject: Strong academics, not much else
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for these suggestions!
34/1500 is my guess based on cold tests run through a prep company (probably will just self study)
No A+ boost; not sure, but DC is likely in top 5% academically
Reads a ton for fun, even Harvard Classics type stuff.
3hr locality for family reasons.
3 hours driving?!?
I think your kid could aim higher successfully, but if that’s the case just ED to UVA.
There are a lot of schools within 3 hours of the DMV.
I’m thinking private, highly selective schools.
OP - private HS and full pay, right?
OP here - I’m honestly surprised at how much engagement this is generating; thank you!
Catholic HS; not full pay. 30k consultant is not in the cards. I do have time, ideas from dcum, and an open dialogue with DC.
If not full pay, look at SLACs… study your school’s matriculation list and notice where kids get in & where they go. That is the best use of your time. After running NPC, ED will matter.
You can also probably help create the English spike mentioned earlier, if you have enough time and energy. I posted about looking for English types of extracurricular activities for my sophomore earlier this year. Do you want me to see if I can find that thread to bump it up?
Anonymous
06/17/2026 11:59
Subject: Strong academics, not much else
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for these suggestions!
34/1500 is my guess based on cold tests run through a prep company (probably will just self study)
No A+ boost; not sure, but DC is likely in top 5% academically
Reads a ton for fun, even Harvard Classics type stuff.
3hr locality for family reasons.
3 hours driving?!?
I think your kid could aim higher successfully, but if that’s the case just ED to UVA.
There are a lot of schools within 3 hours of the DMV.
I’m thinking private, highly selective schools.
OP - private HS and full pay, right?
OP here - I’m honestly surprised at how much engagement this is generating; thank you!
Catholic HS; not full pay. 30k consultant is not in the cards. I do have time, ideas from dcum, and an open dialogue with DC.
Anonymous
06/17/2026 11:43
Subject: Strong academics, not much else
How many people hire counselors to do this kind of stuff and do the counselors ACTUALLY submit things on behalf of the kids?
Anonymous
06/17/2026 10:09
Subject: Strong academics, not much else
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Looking to build a sensible list for a rising junior at a DMV catholic high school.
Academics are relatively strong; if the trend holds, will end up 4.0/4.5 (U/W):
Hon/AP for all progressions of science, social science, math, English, foreign language (Chem, Euro, US, Lang, Lit, BC, MV)
High curiosity and enjoyment of learning, moderate to low ambition. Reads a lot of sci-fi, dystopian fiction, and philosophy, not interested in any activity to turn that into into a “spike”
No notable ECs — 2 different non-cut sports, chess club, summer job at non-profit.
Preference for schools within 3hr drive of DMV.
Thanks for any suggestions!
It's this kind of profile that an expensive college consultant can do wonders with.....similar DS two years ago. Perfect stats and highest rigor.
How much do you want it for your kid? You actually have time, but only your family can decide what's worth it.
Our story:
Hired a $30k counselor before junior year.
Counselor suggested (and truthfully applied for DS - did all of the lifting so we didn't worry or nag) to a variety of local, regional, and natl ECs. Build a legitimate spike in SciFic and English based on his avid reading interests. DS is a crazy reader.
Had 3 new ECs related to scifi/dystopian writing (incl "editor" and writer for an online teen lit magazine; on our local teen library council; on a natl youth council related to book access)
Submitted to some writing contests; won a few.
Attended a high-profile summer writing program before senior year.
Because of his love of reading, his essays were brilliant.
Successful T10/20 run (admitted to 3 Ivies).
At Ivy - applied philosophy and English. Still philosophy. But also Econ. Perfect GPA and loves school. Internship this summer, paying $40k.
If you care (and it sounds like you do, since you are posting here), figure out what you need to do to get him there. Boys bloom later, and only you know your kid. There is NO shame in helping them, so ignore the haters on here.
Most people at our non-DMV private do something like this but never ever talk about it. None of these kids are HYPSM material - and most never even consider it. In fact, most of these types of boys want Duke, Michigan, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, ND, UVA or similar schools - for the sports.
If you learn how to play the game and play up your kids' strengths, some of those will be possible.
OP's kids strengths are reading particularly certain genres. Agree that's where they should lean.
Anonymous
06/17/2026 10:04
Subject: Strong academics, not much else
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for these suggestions!
34/1500 is my guess based on cold tests run through a prep company (probably will just self study)
No A+ boost; not sure, but DC is likely in top 5% academically
Reads a ton for fun, even Harvard Classics type stuff.
3hr locality for family reasons.
3 hours driving?!?
I think your kid could aim higher successfully, but if that’s the case just ED to UVA.
There are a lot of schools within 3 hours of the DMV.
I’m thinking private, highly selective schools.
OP - private HS and full pay, right?
Mostly private, yes, although W&M, Mary Washington, and St Mary’s College of Maryland are public and within distance. There are also dozens of private colleges in PA still within 3 hours with a wide range of selectivity, many of which are generous with merit.
Anonymous
06/17/2026 09:58
Subject: Strong academics, not much else
Anonymous wrote:Looking to build a sensible list for a rising junior at a DMV catholic high school.
Academics are relatively strong; if the trend holds, will end up 4.0/4.5 (U/W):
Hon/AP for all progressions of science, social science, math, English, foreign language (Chem, Euro, US, Lang, Lit, BC, MV)
High curiosity and enjoyment of learning, moderate to low ambition. Reads a lot of sci-fi, dystopian fiction, and philosophy, not interested in any activity to turn that into into a “spike”
No notable ECs — 2 different non-cut sports, chess club, summer job at non-profit.
Preference for schools within 3hr drive of DMV.
Thanks for any suggestions!
It's this kind of profile that an expensive college consultant can do wonders with.....similar DS two years ago. Perfect stats and highest rigor.
How much do you want it for your kid? You actually have time, but only your family can decide what's worth it.
Our story:
Hired a $30k counselor before junior year.
Counselor suggested (and truthfully applied for DS - did all of the lifting so we didn't worry or nag) to a variety of local, regional, and natl ECs. Build a legitimate spike in SciFic and English based on his avid reading interests. DS is a crazy reader.
Had 3 new ECs related to scifi/dystopian writing (incl "editor" and writer for an online teen lit magazine; on our local teen library council; on a natl youth council related to book access)
Submitted to some writing contests; won a few.
Attended a high-profile summer writing program before senior year.
Because of his love of reading, his essays were brilliant.
Successful T10/20 run (admitted to 3 Ivies).
At Ivy - applied philosophy and English. Still philosophy. But also Econ. Perfect GPA and loves school. Internship this summer, paying $40k.
If you care (and it sounds like you do, since you are posting here), figure out what you need to do to get him there. Boys bloom later, and only you know your kid. There is NO shame in helping them, so ignore the haters on here.
Anonymous
06/17/2026 09:38
Subject: Re:Strong academics, not much else
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks!
Waiting for July AP results.
Haven’t taken standardized tests yet, but with coaching, will likely end up around 34/1500.
DC is not catholic, but not opposed to a catholic university.
If he’s reading a lot, is it possible that he’ll get over 1550 on the SAT verbal test?
Whether he doesn’t, maybe he could make Johns Hopkins a reach school.
Also, Penn, Temple and Haverford.
Maybe Johns Hopkins and Penn would be off-limits if he was a premed. But, if he can write and speak well and has interesting ideas, and he wants to major in an undersubscribed humanities major for the love of learning, maybe he could win the lottery at a lottery school.
Example: Is Princeton within a three-hour drive? If so, maybe that could be a reach.
I know people here will say that’s impossible, but how many of those folks have kids who read books for fun?
Depending on where in the DMV you are, Princeton could be 3- 4 hours.
This profile is not really a candidate for Ivies. As + 1500 w/o any significant activities will not land Ivy or top LAC (though w/better SWAT ED, might take a chance on Swat bc of its intense rep). Go for ED at LACs ranked teens to low 20s. See above. Also big schools that admit more by stats (UMD). If OOS, might have a shot at Honors College, but not if MCPS (need better ECs for that from MCPS). UVA is a possibility. Echols would make that open curriculum, but profile is not strong enough for good shot at Echols. OP, Consider the LACs above and a little more distance.
Anonymous
06/17/2026 09:29
Subject: Strong academics, not much else
Anonymous wrote:Look at ED to Northwestern/Amherst/Brown or similar.
If he's a deep philosophical kid, apply philosophy & physics:
https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs/physics-and-philosophy-ab
Get a summer job.
Fiddle around with a hobby.
Add an EC or 2 if you can.
Look at successful profiles:
https://www.reddit.com/r/collegeresults/comments/18lsq3m/queer_stoner_with_no_ecs_but_cracked_academics/
https://www.reddit.com/r/collegeresults/comments/1pryk03/accepted_uchicago_ed/
https://www.reddit.com/r/collegeresults/comments/1d4k2xy/lazy_student_results/
Grades + a few extra pick up ECs are not enough for these schools. Try ED to Hamilton, Vassar or Wes. Vassar might offer best chances for a male. All have open or close to open curriculum. Great schools for high achieving kids. Lots oif faculty depth and great ratios. Not too far. U Rochester also, but a little further out.
Anonymous
06/17/2026 09:27
Subject: Strong academics, not much else
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for these suggestions!
34/1500 is my guess based on cold tests run through a prep company (probably will just self study)
No A+ boost; not sure, but DC is likely in top 5% academically
Reads a ton for fun, even Harvard Classics type stuff.
3hr locality for family reasons.
3 hours driving?!?
I think your kid could aim higher successfully, but if that’s the case just ED to UVA.
There are a lot of schools within 3 hours of the DMV.
I’m thinking private, highly selective schools.
OP - private HS and full pay, right?