Of course there can be value in shared info. But I agree many of these threads tend to “spread misinformation.” Another’s assumptions re: what works. And, *before * the full results are in.
And I don’t mean this disrespectfully, but yes, "Why is this low stats kid applying to such high ranking schools? Is that advice to other low income/low stats kids to do the same? Does that OP really think it’s a crapshoot, lightning might strike? When the competition is so fiercely full of higher performing applicants?
(A few reaches is fine. But this OP already endorsed multiple high reach applications.)
THIS OP can afford that, with a few admits in the bag. Not that way for all, not some universal truth. And note the entirely different admit process between holistic and stats based only.
Yes, one can ignore. But what advantage in that to others? Without critical information to place the story in context, it is going to confuse a lot of people, not just a few of us. We should ignore and let OP’s assumptions spread wide? No, it’s not our job to critique. But why can’t others question? (You might say you’re just asking for better manners. But some sort of accurate representation, even a little analytical awareness, matters very much, if you’re going to share.) That thread is not fully representative of “best bet” for picking targets and admissions strategy, based on my years involved.
Wouldn’t you like to know:) But there is a way that you can figure that out…
I think that people are overlooking the main issue. It seems as if some posters believe that “withholding information” on a thread is a reason to degrade what is being talked about by an OP. I find that perspective to show a lack of respect for the OP while their are some posters who are not getting their questions answered seem to feel disrespected by the OP.
I don’t think that the bridge between those 2 trains of thought is going to shrink with a discussion, but I would not be surprised if CC continues to shrink among the people who could use the expertise the most.
I have already noted that the OP had some consternation putting his story out there and can see the same thing happening to a 16 year old 1st time user because we can be an unwelcoming bunch. I can see a day where kids completely avoid CC unless they want to know if they can claim being an URM on an application or for us “grown ups” to argue about thread etiquette.
For some reason, some people think that their way of approaching college the the right way and everyone else with a different approach is having incomplete understanding of the process, despite proven positive result for the OP’s son.
And, at the end of the day, running a college is like running a business. They want you (the student) as much as you want them. It’s a 2 way street. Reading many skeptical and discouraged comments on here, I feel so relieved that I didn’t share my journey or asking for advise on here BEFORE D19 applied. Looking at D19’s list i am sure they would be telling me we approached college process the wrong way. The attitude/comment along the line of “go ahead and apply but you won’t get in” is asinine.
Calling anyone’s advice “asinine” pretty much breaches every etiquette rule in my book. With that, I am signing off, as I find some of those complaining about the supposed breaches of etiquette have themselves been guilty of such breaches in this very thread. Clearly, we all see things differently.
I reviewed the post and did question the lack of specificity. The OP specifically stated that he was posting to help others. Without details, I fail to see how his post would help other low income, average stat students. It was the vaguest journey thread I’ve ever read on CC. And it wasn’t just lacking stats, there was no clear explanation of the process or results achieved. I don’t think anyone was exhibiting poor etiquette by asking the questions they did given the stated premise of the thread. In fact, the OP became quite rude. I don’t think the OP’s race changes the fact that the thread was vague with little useful information. In fact, I’d argue it was misleading.
Totally agree. I read the thread and I just couldn’t figure out what information the OP was trying to convey. No stats, no lists of schools, no details on acceptances or financials (except one I think). It just wasn’t at all helpful. So people started asking questions so that they could get something from the thread. And the OP replied very defensively that it was HIS thread and if you didn’t follow HIS rules then you were not welcome to post on his thread. The other journey threads on CC have been interesting to me because they have lots of details. I don’t have a kid that is anywhere close to the student in the “top 1%” journey thread but yet I read the thread often for updates because find the journey interesting.
I just think if you don’t want to give any details, then don’t bother starting a journey thread . It’s not much of a “journey” that we can follow along with if there is no substance in the thread .
I’d say that when we discuss another poster to this extent- and he/she is not present- it’s time to end the thread. That would be senitivity to another.
So, I’ll unbookmark, as well. Sometimes, CC misses its own message. And sometimes, some posters stumble over each other in a rush to commend another. What matters, in the end, is useful info, as accurate as one can be. Not “I did it my way,” when full results aren’t even in.
Having a thread where users make suggestions as to what posters should list is one thing. But this thread has devolved into what this user did “wrong” which clearly violates CC rules, and I don’t have the energy to scrub out the violating posts.