Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He says right in the video that he took major risks with his essays and at one point, he says he didn’t even answer Northwestern‘s prompt.

Why are people skipping over this? If you don't answer the college's essay question and submit your own "edgy" essay, you didn't do it right.

They weren’t “edgy”, but “risky”, and “high risk high reward”.

My guess is that if someone would have edited and advised him on how to write a good essay, he would have gotten him into a top 10.

For most people dumping on the kid, how many of your own take AP calculus in 9th and have the drive to self study for AP Physics C because the school offers only algebra based physics? The kid has grit, while the downers see grind.

He will do fine at UCLA, and from what I’ve seen it’s a better fit for him than the other colleges he applied to.

His accomplishments that you mention are yawn. Not real accomplishments. What has he been able to achieve by taking Calculus slightly earlier, or by extending physics to include Calculus? He squandered it by doing nothing with it. Huge yawn.

Sure huge yawn, he should have started a nonprofit with mom’s help or compete in science fair with a topic closely aligned with dads PhD.

Taking calculus in 9th is 2-3 years ahead of the vast majority of students, considering the high school is 4 years it doesn’t make it slightly earlier. What should the kid have done with his Calculus Physics knowledge while in high school?

If you take it before college, what is the difference between taking it in 9th vs 11th? Zero difference.

Now if you could list off advanced math classes that he took, far beyond that, it would be a different situation.

The difference is that it allows taking all of the advanced core classes in high school. How many kids do you know that took all of Calculus BC, Statistics, Physics C, Chemistry, Biology, English (Language and Literature), History (US, European, World), Computer Science A, Foreign Language. These are top rigor courses and he got all As and 5s. I’d even add to this Micro and Macro economics.

That’s a real academic accomplishment. He could have done better with support on the college application process, but UCLA is still very good.

That sounds pretty normal. Again, not an accomplishment. These are just AP classes.

That’s not normal or ordinary. How many of these classes did yours take? The kid checked the box on rigor and grades with all these “just AP” classes. Obviously he had some shortcomings, phoning in the application last minute, weak essays, likely weak LOR since he went to three different high schools, but still has a strong high school record especially in academics.

Still I’d think UCLA is comparable with Cornell Ivy where his brother went and he’ll enter college as a Junior. How’s not graduating UCLA in two years an accomplishment? You really need to get out of your bubble.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He says right in the video that he took major risks with his essays and at one point, he says he didn’t even answer Northwestern‘s prompt.

Why are people skipping over this? If you don't answer the college's essay question and submit your own "edgy" essay, you didn't do it right.

They weren’t “edgy”, but “risky”, and “high risk high reward”.

My guess is that if someone would have edited and advised him on how to write a good essay, he would have gotten him into a top 10.

For most people dumping on the kid, how many of your own take AP calculus in 9th and have the drive to self study for AP Physics C because the school offers only algebra based physics? The kid has grit, while the downers see grind.

He will do fine at UCLA, and from what I’ve seen it’s a better fit for him than the other colleges he applied to.

His accomplishments that you mention are yawn. Not real accomplishments. What has he been able to achieve by taking Calculus slightly earlier, or by extending physics to include Calculus? He squandered it by doing nothing with it. Huge yawn.

Sure huge yawn, he should have started a nonprofit with mom’s help or compete in science fair with a topic closely aligned with dads PhD.

Taking calculus in 9th is 2-3 years ahead of the vast majority of students, considering the high school is 4 years it doesn’t make it slightly earlier. What should the kid have done with his Calculus Physics knowledge while in high school?

If you take it before college, what is the difference between taking it in 9th vs 11th? Zero difference.

Now if you could list off advanced math classes that he took, far beyond that, it would be a different situation.

The difference is that it allows taking all of the advanced core classes in high school. How many kids do you know that took all of Calculus BC, Statistics, Physics C, Chemistry, Biology, English (Language and Literature), History (US, European, World), Computer Science A, Foreign Language. These are top rigor courses and he got all As and 5s. I’d even add to this Micro and Macro economics.

That’s a real academic accomplishment. He could have done better with support on the college application process, but UCLA is still very good.

That sounds pretty normal. Again, not an accomplishment. These are just AP classes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He says right in the video that he took major risks with his essays and at one point, he says he didn’t even answer Northwestern‘s prompt.

Why are people skipping over this? If you don't answer the college's essay question and submit your own "edgy" essay, you didn't do it right.

They weren’t “edgy”, but “risky”, and “high risk high reward”.

My guess is that if someone would have edited and advised him on how to write a good essay, he would have gotten him into a top 10.

For most people dumping on the kid, how many of your own take AP calculus in 9th and have the drive to self study for AP Physics C because the school offers only algebra based physics? The kid has grit, while the downers see grind.

He will do fine at UCLA, and from what I’ve seen it’s a better fit for him than the other colleges he applied to.

His accomplishments that you mention are yawn. Not real accomplishments. What has he been able to achieve by taking Calculus slightly earlier, or by extending physics to include Calculus? He squandered it by doing nothing with it. Huge yawn.

Sure huge yawn, he should have started a nonprofit with mom’s help or compete in science fair with a topic closely aligned with dads PhD.

Taking calculus in 9th is 2-3 years ahead of the vast majority of students, considering the high school is 4 years it doesn’t make it slightly earlier. What should the kid have done with his Calculus Physics knowledge while in high school?

If you take it before college, what is the difference between taking it in 9th vs 11th? Zero difference.

Now if you could list off advanced math classes that he took, far beyond that, it would be a different situation.

The difference is that it allows taking all of the advanced core classes in high school. How many kids do you know that took all of Calculus BC, Statistics, Physics C, Chemistry, Biology, English (Language and Literature), History (US, European, World), Computer Science A, Foreign Language. These are top rigor courses and he got all As and 5s. I’d even add to this Micro and Macro economics.

That’s a real academic accomplishment. He could have done better with support on the college application process, but UCLA is still very good.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He says right in the video that he took major risks with his essays and at one point, he says he didn’t even answer Northwestern‘s prompt.

Why are people skipping over this? If you don't answer the college's essay question and submit your own "edgy" essay, you didn't do it right.

They weren’t “edgy”, but “risky”, and “high risk high reward”.

My guess is that if someone would have edited and advised him on how to write a good essay, he would have gotten him into a top 10.

For most people dumping on the kid, how many of your own take AP calculus in 9th and have the drive to self study for AP Physics C because the school offers only algebra based physics? The kid has grit, while the downers see grind.

He will do fine at UCLA, and from what I’ve seen it’s a better fit for him than the other colleges he applied to.

His accomplishments that you mention are yawn. Not real accomplishments. What has he been able to achieve by taking Calculus slightly earlier, or by extending physics to include Calculus? He squandered it by doing nothing with it. Huge yawn.

Sure huge yawn, he should have started a nonprofit with mom’s help or compete in science fair with a topic closely aligned with dads PhD.

Taking calculus in 9th is 2-3 years ahead of the vast majority of students, considering the high school is 4 years it doesn’t make it slightly earlier. What should the kid have done with his Calculus Physics knowledge while in high school?

If you take it before college, what is the difference between taking it in 9th vs 11th? Zero difference.

Now if you could list off advanced math classes that he took, far beyond that, it would be a different situation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of schools that don’t offer AP classes or exams and still send lots of kids to top 10 colleges.

The context of what is offered at your school and what other peers are taking is what matters. If your school doesn’t offer AP then take the highest level offered. That is irrelevant to this conversation as you aren’t being compared to the kid w 25.

It is relevant. Taking a rigorous course load is possible without APs. Taking the most AP classes is not the point of high school. Nobody cares about AP classes anymore.


Imagine if rather than take 25 APs, which are basic and standard, this kid took half that number, and used his time towards actual college classes at a real college. He could have been doing advanced coursework and gained real expertise in an area of interest.

It’s not possible to get a rigorous courseload without APs in public school. Exception being if it is a competitive “admission only” type public high school like Hunter College HS or TJ

Of course it is. At our local public, Honors Pre-Calc and Honors Calc 3 are both tougher, more rigorous classes than AP Calc AB and BC, which the top kids generally coast through. There's nothing special about APs, they are just a standardized curriculum. Public schools (and individual teachers) can have more rigorous classes if they choose.

Get out. Honors precalc is not harder than AP calc AB or BC, plus you cannot
Take calc III (which vast majority of public don’t offer all) without AP calc AB or BC. The high schools that do offer calc III nearly always weigh it as an AP (if they weigh APs) even if it isn’t an official collage board AP class

You don't see to understand that not every public school is the same as yours.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He says right in the video that he took major risks with his essays and at one point, he says he didn’t even answer Northwestern‘s prompt.

Why are people skipping over this? If you don't answer the college's essay question and submit your own "edgy" essay, you didn't do it right.

They weren’t “edgy”, but “risky”, and “high risk high reward”.

My guess is that if someone would have edited and advised him on how to write a good essay, he would have gotten him into a top 10.

For most people dumping on the kid, how many of your own take AP calculus in 9th and have the drive to self study for AP Physics C because the school offers only algebra based physics? The kid has grit, while the downers see grind.

He will do fine at UCLA, and from what I’ve seen it’s a better fit for him than the other colleges he applied to.

His accomplishments that you mention are yawn. Not real accomplishments. What has he been able to achieve by taking Calculus slightly earlier, or by extending physics to include Calculus? He squandered it by doing nothing with it. Huge yawn.

Sure huge yawn, he should have started a nonprofit with mom’s help or compete in science fair with a topic closely aligned with dads PhD.

Taking calculus in 9th is 2-3 years ahead of the vast majority of students, considering the high school is 4 years it doesn’t make it slightly earlier. What should the kid have done with his Calculus Physics knowledge while in high school?

If you take it before college, what is the difference between taking it in 9th vs 11th? Zero difference.

Now if you could list off advanced math classes that he took, far beyond that, it would be a different situation.

Why would it be a different situation? He’s not applying as a math major, but neuroscience. Some want to have a broader knowledge base instead of highly specialized in high school, obviously that leads to different major choices but it’s not wrong on its own.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He says right in the video that he took major risks with his essays and at one point, he says he didn’t even answer Northwestern‘s prompt.

Why are people skipping over this? If you don't answer the college's essay question and submit your own "edgy" essay, you didn't do it right.

They weren’t “edgy”, but “risky”, and “high risk high reward”.

My guess is that if someone would have edited and advised him on how to write a good essay, he would have gotten him into a top 10.

For most people dumping on the kid, how many of your own take AP calculus in 9th and have the drive to self study for AP Physics C because the school offers only algebra based physics? The kid has grit, while the downers see grind.

He will do fine at UCLA, and from what I’ve seen it’s a better fit for him than the other colleges he applied to.

His accomplishments that you mention are yawn. Not real accomplishments. What has he been able to achieve by taking Calculus slightly earlier, or by extending physics to include Calculus? He squandered it by doing nothing with it. Huge yawn.

Sure huge yawn, he should have started a nonprofit with mom’s help or compete in science fair with a topic closely aligned with dads PhD.

Taking calculus in 9th is 2-3 years ahead of the vast majority of students, considering the high school is 4 years it doesn’t make it slightly earlier. What should the kid have done with his Calculus Physics knowledge while in high school?

If you take it before college, what is the difference between taking it in 9th vs 11th? Zero difference.

Now if you could list off advanced math classes that he took, far beyond that, it would be a different situation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of schools that don’t offer AP classes or exams and still send lots of kids to top 10 colleges.

The context of what is offered at your school and what other peers are taking is what matters. If your school doesn’t offer AP then take the highest level offered. That is irrelevant to this conversation as you aren’t being compared to the kid w 25.

It is relevant. Taking a rigorous course load is possible without APs. Taking the most AP classes is not the point of high school. Nobody cares about AP classes anymore.


Imagine if rather than take 25 APs, which are basic and standard, this kid took half that number, and used his time towards actual college classes at a real college. He could have been doing advanced coursework and gained real expertise in an area of interest.

It’s not possible to get a rigorous courseload without APs in public school. Exception being if it is a competitive “admission only” type public high school like Hunter College HS or TJ

Of course it is. At our local public, Honors Pre-Calc and Honors Calc 3 are both tougher, more rigorous classes than AP Calc AB and BC, which the top kids generally coast through. There's nothing special about APs, they are just a standardized curriculum. Public schools (and individual teachers) can have more rigorous classes if they choose.

Get out. Honors precalc is not harder than AP calc AB or BC, plus you cannot
Take calc III (which vast majority of public don’t offer all) without AP calc AB or BC. The high schools that do offer calc III nearly always weigh it as an AP (if they weigh APs) even if it isn’t an official collage board AP class

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of schools that don’t offer AP classes or exams and still send lots of kids to top 10 colleges.

The context of what is offered at your school and what other peers are taking is what matters. If your school doesn’t offer AP then take the highest level offered. That is irrelevant to this conversation as you aren’t being compared to the kid w 25.

It is relevant. Taking a rigorous course load is possible without APs. Taking the most AP classes is not the point of high school. Nobody cares about AP classes anymore.


Imagine if rather than take 25 APs, which are basic and standard, this kid took half that number, and used his time towards actual college classes at a real college. He could have been doing advanced coursework and gained real expertise in an area of interest.

It’s not possible to get a rigorous courseload without APs in public school. Exception being if it is a competitive “admission only” type public high school like Hunter College HS or TJ

Why so fixated on public high schools?

AP classes are designed to be introductory and basic intro level college material.

Shouldn’t any advanced coursework in high school be beyond AP level?

Yeah, advanced HIGH SCHOOL course work would be into level college work. That’s what AP classes are. Most high school students can’t handle beyond high school coursework. Unless you go to a competitive private school or admissions only public- that is the reality of what is available at most typical school. APs are the only option for advancement for most students

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of schools that don’t offer AP classes or exams and still send lots of kids to top 10 colleges.

The context of what is offered at your school and what other peers are taking is what matters. If your school doesn’t offer AP then take the highest level offered. That is irrelevant to this conversation as you aren’t being compared to the kid w 25.

It is relevant. Taking a rigorous course load is possible without APs. Taking the most AP classes is not the point of high school. Nobody cares about AP classes anymore.


Imagine if rather than take 25 APs, which are basic and standard, this kid took half that number, and used his time towards actual college classes at a real college. He could have been doing advanced coursework and gained real expertise in an area of interest.

It’s not possible to get a rigorous courseload without APs in public school. Exception being if it is a competitive “admission only” type public high school like Hunter College HS or TJ

Why so fixated on public high schools?

AP classes are designed to be introductory and basic intro level college material.

Shouldn’t any advanced coursework in high school be beyond AP level?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of schools that don’t offer AP classes or exams and still send lots of kids to top 10 colleges.

The context of what is offered at your school and what other peers are taking is what matters. If your school doesn’t offer AP then take the highest level offered. That is irrelevant to this conversation as you aren’t being compared to the kid w 25.

It is relevant. Taking a rigorous course load is possible without APs. Taking the most AP classes is not the point of high school. Nobody cares about AP classes anymore.


Imagine if rather than take 25 APs, which are basic and standard, this kid took half that number, and used his time towards actual college classes at a real college. He could have been doing advanced coursework and gained real expertise in an area of interest.

It’s not possible to get a rigorous courseload without APs in public school. Exception being if it is a competitive “admission only” type public high school like Hunter College HS or TJ

Of course it is. At our local public, Honors Pre-Calc and Honors Calc 3 are both tougher, more rigorous classes than AP Calc AB and BC, which the top kids generally coast through. There's nothing special about APs, they are just a standardized curriculum. Public schools (and individual teachers) can have more rigorous classes if they choose.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The college board is really taking advantage of the public school crowd, and AOs know.

"APs" are, in essence, college 101 type classes in their subject area, which is why they can count towards college credits.

Personally, I question any "AP" class that is offered freshman or sophomore year, there is just no way it's truly a college equivalent level class.

AP courses don’t change based on when you take them. Just in the DC area, some schools offer APUSH to freshmen. Some offer AP World to freshmen. Both are challenging classes.

But I think for college admissions, once you’re past a certain threshold, 10 or 15 or 25 APs are all viewed as the same. Other factors matter, too.