Last year, we put down all advanced degrees of parents. But, for occupation we clicked 'other' and inserted language that more accurately defined our work. Otherwise, we would have seemed more affluent and more successful than we are. The AO sees all info on the common app, and I personally believe AO expectations for kids are measured against parents education and occupation - and the assumption of financial resources, guidance, and access. I have also heard that it's OK to show success/wealth bc schools want full pay and future donors. My DH thinks I overthink things but this is a process that vulnerable to human bias. Kid was accepted ED to their super reach and who knows if that parent data mattered or not? On the topic of intended major, my kid chose something totally unrelated to our jobs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can all of you be so obtuse? Colleges want to prioritize kids who’ve faced challenges (see: essay prompt topics, questions about family education, etc on CA), so OP’s concern about their child’s privilege appearing on an application is valid. Sheesh. OP I feel you.

But, regardless, by challenges they mean you need to be first generation to attend college. Dropping the JD isn't going to check that box either.

DP. They can't drop the JD. Each required question leads to another question. There's no way to avoid disclosing the JD without lying in a response.

A poster said parent occupation not required, education is. Couldnt they list the Bachelors, Masters, MPP, PhD but not the JD, if there are even that many lines for education or degrees

The only way to not list the JD is to be untruthful.

Required questions:
Highest education level*
Total number of institutions attended*
College lookup*
Number of degrees your parent received from this college*
Degree received*
Year received*

If you’re not practicing, and you’re not hoping for legacy benefit from the law school, just put the undergrad down and mention SAHP or retired for career.

They will not dig any further. Nor should they.

They will not dig. OP's kid would just have to lie about highest education level.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can all of you be so obtuse? Colleges want to prioritize kids who’ve faced challenges (see: essay prompt topics, questions about family education, etc on CA), so OP’s concern about their child’s privilege appearing on an application is valid. Sheesh. OP I feel you.

But, regardless, by challenges they mean you need to be first generation to attend college. Dropping the JD isn't going to check that box either.

DP. They can't drop the JD. Each required question leads to another question. There's no way to avoid disclosing the JD without lying in a response.

A poster said parent occupation not required, education is. Couldnt they list the Bachelors, Masters, MPP, PhD but not the JD, if there are even that many lines for education or degrees

The only way to not list the JD is to be untruthful.

Required questions:
Highest education level*
Total number of institutions attended*
College lookup*
Number of degrees your parent received from this college*
Degree received*
Year received*

If you’re not practicing, and you’re not hoping for legacy benefit from the law school, just put the undergrad down and mention SAHP or retired for career.

They will not dig any further. Nor should they.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can all of you be so obtuse? Colleges want to prioritize kids who’ve faced challenges (see: essay prompt topics, questions about family education, etc on CA), so OP’s concern about their child’s privilege appearing on an application is valid. Sheesh. OP I feel you.

But, regardless, by challenges they mean you need to be first generation to attend college. Dropping the JD isn't going to check that box either.

DP. They can't drop the JD. Each required question leads to another question. There's no way to avoid disclosing the JD without lying in a response.

A poster said parent occupation not required, education is. Couldnt they list the Bachelors, Masters, MPP, PhD but not the JD, if there are even that many lines for education or degrees

The only way to not list the JD is to be untruthful.

Required questions:
Highest education level*
Total number of institutions attended*
College lookup*
Number of degrees your parent received from this college*
Degree received*
Year received*

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can all of you be so obtuse? Colleges want to prioritize kids who’ve faced challenges (see: essay prompt topics, questions about family education, etc on CA), so OP’s concern about their child’s privilege appearing on an application is valid. Sheesh. OP I feel you.

But, regardless, by challenges they mean you need to be first generation to attend college. Dropping the JD isn't going to check that box either.

DP. They can't drop the JD. Each required question leads to another question. There's no way to avoid disclosing the JD without lying in a response.

A poster said parent occupation not required, education is. Couldnt they list the Bachelors, Masters, MPP, PhD but not the JD, if there are even that many lines for education or degrees

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can all of you be so obtuse? Colleges want to prioritize kids who’ve faced challenges (see: essay prompt topics, questions about family education, etc on CA), so OP’s concern about their child’s privilege appearing on an application is valid. Sheesh. OP I feel you.

But, regardless, by challenges they mean you need to be first generation to attend college. Dropping the JD isn't going to check that box either.

DP. They can't drop the JD. Each required question leads to another question. There's no way to avoid disclosing the JD without lying in a response.

Anonymous wrote:How can all of you be so obtuse? Colleges want to prioritize kids who’ve faced challenges (see: essay prompt topics, questions about family education, etc on CA), so OP’s concern about their child’s privilege appearing on an application is valid. Sheesh. OP I feel you.

As everyone knows, there are many privileged students at top colleges. Are they all hiding it? Of course not. Privilege can be an advantage.

Top colleges are still on edge over federal funding issues.

Anonymous wrote:How can all of you be so obtuse? Colleges want to prioritize kids who’ve faced challenges (see: essay prompt topics, questions about family education, etc on CA), so OP’s concern about their child’s privilege appearing on an application is valid. Sheesh. OP I feel you.

But, regardless, by challenges they mean you need to be first generation to attend college. Dropping the JD isn't going to check that box either.

Anonymous wrote:Among kid's peers, those students interested in medicine and have a parent or both in the field have listed their mom or dad has a MD, or a PhD in sciences or health field. It's a long and difficult area of study, having parents to guide them should be seen as a plus. But yes, as a PP, does listing pre-med seem uncreative?

Lol not a single friend that pursued a MD had a MD parent.

My Uncle is a MD. I saw that and had no interest in it. Then again, his kids and I pursued PhDs. I highly discouraged my kid from following my path.

Anonymous wrote:What you don't want to show is donut hole. If you aren't Pell-grant-level poor, which is hard to imagine for a JD-holder, then being "poor" isn't going to help you.

Yeah unless "retired"

What you don't want to show is donut hole. If you aren't Pell-grant-level poor, which is hard to imagine for a JD-holder, then being "poor" isn't going to help you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the student's app doesn't clearly show disadvantaged, you might as well make sure it clearly shows advantaged. Full pay all the way.

JD and retired attorney was included in all our kids' apps.

But what if student's family can't fully pay?

Then show that you’re poor

And still show the JD?

DP. There really isn't a choice if your student is to answer truthfully.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the student's app doesn't clearly show disadvantaged, you might as well make sure it clearly shows advantaged. Full pay all the way.

JD and retired attorney was included in all our kids' apps.

But what if student's family can't fully pay?

Then show that you’re poor

And still show the JD?

I wouldn’t

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the student's app doesn't clearly show disadvantaged, you might as well make sure it clearly shows advantaged. Full pay all the way.

JD and retired attorney was included in all our kids' apps.

But what if student's family can't fully pay?

Then show that you’re poor

And still show the JD?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the student's app doesn't clearly show disadvantaged, you might as well make sure it clearly shows advantaged. Full pay all the way.

JD and retired attorney was included in all our kids' apps.

But what if student's family can't fully pay?

Then show that you’re poor