Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t admission reps figure this out? If they stopped falling for the hype perhaps their schools would reflect an even more creative class of artsy types? Or whatever types they are seeking.

The smart ones at selective schools have figured this out to some extent. They discount all of the BS summer programs and service trips. But if the parent is conniving enough to play the long game it is hard to cut through the BS.

Anonymous wrote:The parent in the OP's post manufactured her child's entire backstory to fit a narrative she thought would make her an attractive applicant. It is the most cynical and inauthentic approach to college admissions I've heard in recent memory. It has nothing to do with your signing up some random children for a week long course. And your writing is atrocious......did you go to UVA?

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t admission reps figure this out? If they stopped falling for the hype perhaps their schools would reflect an even more creative class of artsy types? Or whatever types they are seeking.

Anonymous wrote:I think its the thoughtful parenting if you can afford it. We would do it and do do it. We have friends kids visit each summer and they have specific interests and parents could do more and refuse so we do it and sign up each kid for a week intensive. I don't get why you would not. One child wants specific major with no experience so why not give them the experience to make sure it is what they want.

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure that this is entirely parent-driven and not child-driven? You said the kid was very happy how it turned out. I think there is nothing wrong with helping out your kid if your kid has an expressed strong interest in a certain area, by helping research schools and summer programs that fit and helping strategize ways to get the kid accepted to a program in that area. A kid may have a passion, but often doesn't have the life experience and knowledge of how to parlay that into a college acceptance in that area. If a parent can do that, why not?

Anonymous wrote:Sure, fine, it worked out. But what if she hadn’t gotten in? Lotta eggs in one basket and could have been a big mess. Also it’s rare for kids that young to know absolutely what they want to study or do, or for that matter where they want to go to school. My first later realized his dream college from a young age wasn’t at all what he wanted when the time came.

Anonymous wrote:Heard re: admission to any particular school: No school should be viewed as a prize to be won. Instead, a case should be made that the school is a logical next step.

Anonymous wrote:Coming up with a Master Plan when the child is in Middle School, and basing all of their choices (for camps, activities, etc) on that...is not being a good parent to me. It is painting that kid into a corner (assigning them to a box, which you have labeled success) when you should all be exploring who they are. By having a breadth of experiences, and pursuing what appeals to them AS THEY GROW into who they are meant to be...they will achieve happiness and fulfillment. NOT by hiring consultants who can rig some artificial childhood that looks good to admissions committees five years later. That is not a healthy, natural childhood.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our son got into a top 20 and would not have without us. We encouraged him to sign up for ECs over the years, prepped him for the ACT, helped him work on a special fundraising project which he talked about in his essay, reviewed and edited his essays (did not rewrite...just gave input), contacted influential alumni who advocated on his behalf, etc. etc. This is how you get into an elite school these days without a hook. It's sad but true.

Lol....will you be going to college with your son to ensure the grad school app is as strong as possible? Why couldn’t your child have done all of these things for himself? My unhooked DD somehow managed to get herself into a top 10 without a four year strategic plan authored and executed by her parents.