Anonymous wrote:You just have to invent a fake “pointy” narrative. It’s not that hard, just play up things that are consistent with the invented pointy narrative, and downplay those things that aren’t, making them more a hint of spice/experimentation that merely confirmed that your DC has known since they were 14–ideally even earlier— that they were destined to be [academic area X] and that no matter how much they were exposed to various temptations, nothing distracted from this single minded mission focus. It’s an utterly cynical game that nobody should feel bad about playing; none of us created this perverse system.

Anonymous wrote:Are there any colleges/universities that look favorably on a well-rounded kid these days? Excels in range of subjects (but mostly math), high rigor coursework/high test scores, sporty, awards in debate and entrepreneurship but nothing national level, some student leadership, loves being involved at school, lots of volunteer hours, well-liked by teachers. But wouldn’t naturally develop pointy areas just for purposes of developing an application narrative. He thinks that’s phony.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Community colleges love profiles like this.

you should be ashamed of yourself. Anyway well rounded students place well. OP needs to relax.

Anonymous wrote:Are there any colleges/universities that look favorably on a well-rounded kid these days? Excels in range of subjects (but mostly math), high rigor coursework/high test scores, sporty, awards in debate and entrepreneurship but nothing national level, some student leadership, loves being involved at school, lots of volunteer hours, well-liked by teachers. But wouldn’t naturally develop pointy areas just for purposes of developing an application narrative. He thinks that’s phony.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of kids are well rounded but selective in what they mention on their application. He doesn’t have to mention every single thing. The issue with too much scattered stuff is that rather than well rounded you risk being forgettable or interchangeable from a lot of other applicants.

This 100%. Just posted and reading through this thread. My kid didn't mention some of the scatter/unremarkable stuff that would have distracted from the application. He is at Cornell, but was admitted to several other T25.

The application will have to be really thoughtful and will take time.

To both pp's: When you say didn't mention all the scattered stuff - I assume you mean they listed all their activities on the activity list (even if scattered) but focused on the most important activities, as related to intended major, in their supplementals. Correct?

No. I mean don’t mention stuff that doesn’t make the application stronger. It’s a judgement call.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A few questions for the OP:
1. Top grades and stats? ***YES
2. Thoughts on major? Minor? ***OPEN, LOVES MATH, SCIENCE, LANGUAGE, BUSINESS/ECON. BUT NOT A ROBOTICS/MIT/MATH OLYMPIAD PERSON AT ALL. HE ACES MATH CLASSES BUT DOESN’T DO IT OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL
3. Any evidence for entrepreneurship? What kind? ***SCHOOL CLUB, WINNER OF LOCAL COMPETITION, GRANT APPLICATION PENDING
4. Type of environment he wants (big vs. small?) ***FROM A PARENT PERSPECTIVE, HE ISN’T FUSSY AND DOES WELL IN LOTS OF ENVIRONMENTS BUT IMO HE HAS THE MOST IMPACT IN A SMALLER ENVIRONMENT.
5. Private school, right? Did he do any independent research in HS with a faculty member? What topic? YES RIGOROUS PRIVATE, AND NO.
6. Debate all 4 years? Does he have leadership of any school clubs? WILL BE 3 YEARS DEBATE, SCHOOL CLUB LEADERSHIP.
7. Any ideas on career? Has he had any jobs or internships? ONLY VOLUNTEER WORK. HE HAS A UNIQUE VOLUNTEER POSITION FOR HIS MAIN SPORT, AS AN EXAMPLE.

This sounds like a really strong applicant to me but I just want a few more data points before suggesting schools (including some that have been mentioned).

Hard to be too specific without identifying, but maybe the above in CAPS will help enough?

I know a kid like this (sport volunteer hours, a few in school leadership, varsity athlete and top stats) who ED'd from our private to Vanderbilt, was deferred and got in RD. Maybe consider it for an ED2?
Also, Dartmouth was a great suggestion - but check your school's Naviance or SCOIR to see how ED applicants from your HS do generally (and ask your CCO). Both of those schools were previously suggested.

I'd also add Northwestern - given his multiple interests - that is a plus there with the quarter system and how very EASY it is to double major and minor. They also have a great entrepreneurship minor. https://farley.northwestern.edu/academics-resources/undergraduate-minor.html Northwestern tracks demonstrated interest, though, so make sure you do some online and in-person tours if you are serious about applying.
Rice is another good one, for all the reasons a PP suggested. Make sure to show Rice some personal interest as well (tours).

But all have different feels. Have you visited any of these schools? Perhaps the better angle is to have your kid do some online tours and schedule some in-person visits, then come back here?

His ED choice will be very important, and many of these schools' track demonstrated interest - they don't want to be a top stats kid's backup - so they'll auto-reject or WL your kid if you haven't engaged with the school in person and online. I'd get on that today, if he hasn't already.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:literally any college outside the most absurdly selective?

+1000

Step outside the T25-30 and you will find many like that

+1000

There are so many great colleges with wonderful, well-rounded kids and amazing programs. Any school in the "Top 200" will be perfectly adequate and he can have a wonderful experience. Probably lots outside of that too!

Anonymous wrote:Yes…about 3950 colleges do.

It’s only like the top 50 (including SLACs in that 50) that care about much more than grades and test scores and the kid seems to do other good things with their time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any colleges/universities that look favorably on a well-rounded kid these days? Excels in range of subjects (but mostly math), high rigor coursework/high test scores, sporty, awards in debate and entrepreneurship but nothing national level, some student leadership, loves being involved at school, lots of volunteer hours, well-liked by teachers. But wouldn’t naturally develop pointy areas just for purposes of developing an application narrative. He thinks that’s phony.

Ofc they do! Most colleges and people want to attract or be well-rounded people - it's more healthy and dynamic. But the very selective, top 20-30 want more narrow-focus super pointy obsessive types. So just stay away from those.

Personally, I'd want to be, befriend or partner with a well-rounded person! Living in the SF Bay area, the pointy people are awkward and not particularly interested or empathetic about things not relevant to their narrow/pointy worldview. It's exhausting and when I meet a well-rounded person it's a positive breath of fresh air!