Anonymous
04/11/2026 09:45
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Vanderbilt, Dartmouth, Notre Dame, Michigan, UCLA, Cornell, Georgetown, USC, UVA, and these days, Chicago. All will be comfortable schools for a well rounded student. Not sure about Brown, Duke, and Northwestern today, but they used to be.
Anonymous
04/11/2026 09:31
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:Add one or two experiences for activities that point to an interest it major. Then craft the application story there. Both of mine were that way and got in great schools that aren’t ivys.
What do you mean by experiences?
Anonymous
04/11/2026 09:01
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Yale and Penn SAS
Anonymous
04/11/2026 08:51
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Michigan and UVA
OP here and these two are in his top 5 on his preliminary list.
My high-stats, well-rounded kid got into both EA OOS. He presumably had very strong recs and decent essays (Michigan only, where the essays ares important; UVA doesn't have essays anymore).
You’re supposed to write a custom UVA personal statement or Addtl info essay for UVA now .
Not for this year’s admission cycle. No essays beyond the common app essay (except for the nursing school—I think they still have something). And pretty sure they haven’t announced anything for next year’s cycle.
No that’s what the private counseling community was advising this cycle for UVA.
They do this for certain other top schools without essays to show interest (Middlebury)
Well that’s dumb advice for UVA. They make very clear they do not want anything they don’t explicitly ask for.
My kid is in at UVA OOS. He did not submit anything additional.
Anonymous
04/11/2026 08:51
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Michigan and UVA
OP here and these two are in his top 5 on his preliminary list.
My high-stats, well-rounded kid got into both EA OOS. He presumably had very strong recs and decent essays (Michigan only, where the essays ares important; UVA doesn't have essays anymore).
You’re supposed to write a custom UVA personal statement or Addtl info essay for UVA now .
Not for this year’s admission cycle. No essays beyond the common app essay (except for the nursing school—I think they still have something). And pretty sure they haven’t announced anything for next year’s cycle.
No that’s what the private counseling community was advising this cycle for UVA.
They do this for certain other top schools without essays to show interest (Middlebury)
Well that’s dumb advice for UVA. They make very clear they do not want anything they don’t explicitly ask for.
My kid is in at UVA OOS. He did not submit anything additional.
Anonymous
04/11/2026 08:45
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Look at Duke, Vandy, ND and LACs like Holy Cross, Bucknell and Willam & Mary.
Don't count on duke, agree on others
I second don’t count on Duke. My high stat, well-rounded kid with some spike in his chosen major did ED to Duke, but rejected after deferral. Vandy and ND make sense. Also consider Northwestern. A few Northwestern ED acceptances for DC’s friends who are well-rounded, according to DC.
Anonymous
04/11/2026 08:36
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Assuming the grades and scores are up to the level needed from your school in NOVA, UVA.
Anonymous
04/11/2026 08:35
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:State flagships (UMich, UVa, UNC more difficult but possible), small liberal arts colleges, for Ivy's don't waste an REA at HYP with no hooks, no spikes, it just will not happen even with top SATs and top GPA/rigor. Could try RD at the other Ivy's or Duke, Chicago but it will only increase your chances, not make it likely.
Can high stats no hook works for WASP (ED) and Cal/UCLA (full pay OOS)?
Yes. My DD from private goes to UCLA. Not pointy. Well rounded sports, newspaper EIC etc.
Anonymous
04/11/2026 08:31
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well rounded kids are not flocking to the likes of Emory and WashU. Well rounded kids tend to play athletics or like athletics and it a non starter at those 2 nerdy schools.
OP here and this is my kid. Plays one varsity sport (not getting recruited) but absolutely loves spectator sports and wants to go to a school with good sports. Hence top choices mostly being state flagships plus Duke, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame. Not really interested in Ivies but could change his mind.
He is probably ever so slightly pointy. Leadership in a club related to desired major and won a school department award in same area.
So, once more, your kid doesn't sound well-rounded.
Is "well-rounded" now code for my kid is smart with high stats, but really doesn't do much of anything for ECs?
These kids are still doing ECs and are busy. Maybe they are on 2 varsity sports, volunteer, have a part time job, in junior orchestra, and win state level academic awards. The “well rounded” kids that get into top schools aren’t sitting at home doing nothing after school.
This is OP and PP described a kid similar to mine. He does a lot. My description above was just a) sports motivate where he wants to go and b) there is one area where he is a bit pointy, but that is not all he does. He works a job in the summers, lots of volunteer work, tutoring, plays an instrument, plays a sport, involved in two clubs (leadership in one), a couple of small academic awards. He has many interests and is good at a lot of things. He does not have a passion and he is not nationally (or locally) ranked in anything.
NP here. Definitely Michigan and UVA - agree with the PP who suggested it. The challenge will be standing out among all the other top well rounded kids attracted to the same schools for similar reasons. I also agree SLACs might be a good choice as well if that environment appeals to your DS. The spectator sports and school spirit at a SLAC might not be a Friday Night Lights college equivalent but rather have pockets of non-revenue sports that do well or strong club sports that they are able to participate in.
Anonymous
04/10/2026 20:44
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
This kid sounds like unc, umich EA and Duke ED? Go for it, there's a shot! Keep crafting that narrative
Anonymous
04/10/2026 20:39
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:Look at Duke, Vandy, ND and LACs like Holy Cross, Bucknell and Willam & Mary.
Don't count on duke, agree on others
Anonymous
04/10/2026 20:38
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:State flagships (UMich, UVa, UNC more difficult but possible), small liberal arts colleges, for Ivy's don't waste an REA at HYP with no hooks, no spikes, it just will not happen even with top SATs and top GPA/rigor. Could try RD at the other Ivy's or Duke, Chicago but it will only increase your chances, not make it likely.
Can high stats no hook works for WASP (ED) and Cal/UCLA (full pay OOS)?
WASP, yes, and maybe even RD. I don't know about California schools, but they are test blind.
No, very poor advice.
+1 This is a person who just disrespects SLACs.
PP here, my non pointy but very high stats DC applied to 3 of wasp RD, results were 1 yes, 1 WL, 1 no. May commit, still deciding, so mad respect. But yes, I agree, if you have your heart set on a SLAC and have the means, absolutely apply early. Even with very high stats, ED doesn't make it a guarantee, this whole thing is a bit of a crapshoot, my Dc's results no doubt included some luck. But I dont think OP is in the zone of Emory ED, unless that's the top choice, in which case by all means.
Anonymous
04/10/2026 18:25
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Look at Duke, Vandy, ND and LACs like Holy Cross, Bucknell and Willam & Mary.
Anonymous
04/10/2026 14:59
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well rounded kids are not flocking to the likes of Emory and WashU. Well rounded kids tend to play athletics or like athletics and it a non starter at those 2 nerdy schools.
OP here and this is my kid. Plays one varsity sport (not getting recruited) but absolutely loves spectator sports and wants to go to a school with good sports. Hence top choices mostly being state flagships plus Duke, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame. Not really interested in Ivies but could change his mind.
He is probably ever so slightly pointy. Leadership in a club related to desired major and won a school department award in same area.
So, once more, your kid doesn't sound well-rounded.
Is "well-rounded" now code for my kid is smart with high stats, but really doesn't do much of anything for ECs?
These kids are still doing ECs and are busy. Maybe they are on 2 varsity sports, volunteer, have a part time job, in junior orchestra, and win state level academic awards. The “well rounded” kids that get into top schools aren’t sitting at home doing nothing after school.
This is OP and PP described a kid similar to mine. He does a lot. My description above was just a) sports motivate where he wants to go and b) there is one area where he is a bit pointy, but that is not all he does. He works a job in the summers, lots of volunteer work, tutoring, plays an instrument, plays a sport, involved in two clubs (leadership in one), a couple of small academic awards. He has many interests and is good at a lot of things. He does not have a passion and he is not nationally (or locally) ranked in anything.
Anonymous
04/10/2026 13:32
Subject: Which top schools still like well-rounded (versus pointy) kids?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well rounded kids are not flocking to the likes of Emory and WashU. Well rounded kids tend to play athletics or like athletics and it a non starter at those 2 nerdy schools.
OP here and this is my kid. Plays one varsity sport (not getting recruited) but absolutely loves spectator sports and wants to go to a school with good sports. Hence top choices mostly being state flagships plus Duke, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame. Not really interested in Ivies but could change his mind.
He is probably ever so slightly pointy. Leadership in a club related to desired major and won a school department award in same area.
So, once more, your kid doesn't sound well-rounded.
Is "well-rounded" now code for my kid is smart with high stats, but really doesn't do much of anything for ECs?
These kids are still doing ECs and are busy. Maybe they are on 2 varsity sports, volunteer, have a part time job, in junior orchestra, and win state level academic awards. The “well rounded” kids that get into top schools aren’t sitting at home doing nothing after school.
OK...that sounds like a well-rounded kid+ because they are winning a state-level award...OP's kid doesn't based on their own description.