That’s a terrible assumption. I don’t think the typical high stat upper class student is paying a consultant. Honestly, I think my D could out write most consultants out there. What she did have was an experience college counselor that helped her brainstorm themes and angles.
I also don’t believe that’s Dukes intention. From what I gathered they still see the essay as a means to learn about the students story. It’s no different than the recommendation. What they are saying is that there is no academic value in it, so they will probably scrutinize your English grades and/or AP Lang/Lit scores more closely.
I don’t think the essays were ever evaluated for academic value. We too never used consultants, but what exactly is Duke supposed to learn about an applicant from a third-party written essay?
The reference letters would include accurate information. The counselor’s letter, too. But an essay whose author is unknown and doubted to be the student?
End of the day, most of counselor, teacher’s recommendations are all very similar and not truly reflecting the student’s character… GPA, ACTIVITY RELATIVELY TRUE–although GPA school by school big different standard to result in one school 4.0 totally different the other school 4.0 even the same rigor… the only comparable is SAT and ACT although people can prepare – but it is comparable. some people even “edit” activity… not easy to admit the student fairly. that is why some countries just using standard admission test to determine - totally minimizing human’s factor
I am familiar with the phenomenon. Great for my bubbly talkative kid. Terrible for my pensive, reserved one. He’s is a an athlete, captain of a highly successful team for two years. No one would ever describe him as “the mayor” but kids look up to him. He hates these videos.
Are we suggesting that school college offices are cheating the system by offering good advice?
Somehow that seems to be the implication when people say “hired a consultant” The school counselor is not doing anyone’s work. If they are doing there job right they are helping the kids find schools that are a good fit for them and making themselves available as a resource (like discouraging my athlete from writing about his sport).
per initial view website, they consider your pensive, reserved type kids, the website provides three time opportunities to record, or record with voice only…
I agree and, if we had an option locally for such a school, we would have opted for that as well. For better or worse, we do not have that option. Our guidance counselors do the best that they can with the resources they have, but they do not have the depth of experience with non-local colleges that better resourced schools have and simply cannot provide adequate guidance.
I didn’t mean to come across as snitty in my initial question above, but am truly curious.
the school counselors will not holistically help the student prepare for application including writing and coherently connect everything as a compelling story. the paid consults will do with big money. these consultants used to work for AO jobs.
The good ones will. They will work with what the student brings to the table but will help the student present the best version of themselves. It is not cheating, but it is a privilege to have this kind of support.
But you could say big bucks were paid - in the form of school tuition. These CCs were former AOs too.
A consultant that offers this kind of help is not cheating. Support/advice is different from “did it for me” or “made up things”.
Community outreach organizations such as QB offer much of the same services.
most schools have option for the students to upload fine arts related videos and artifacts… like Umich Ross business school asks the student to submit one business case essay and one artifact (can be video – most students to submit video) to show your significant thing in the lfe… Ross admission heavily on these two components if you were admitted to Umich by the central admission office. Some students truly have outstanding moment in high school such as in lived national level tournaments-- commentators comments on the student performance— this usually will be very powerful, even better than any recommendations from the teachers and counselor…that kind upload will help the student stand out in the elite school application.
3, 4, 5 times would not have mattered for our S he would never a video like that. Our D? Maybe but most likely would opt for anything other that a video.
On the admissions side, I can see how video would be positively received - less work just watching a video then swiping left or right
true enough. to some degree, every body uses intuitively make a judgement by watching the way you talk and the way you look like… AO no exceptional although they get non-bias training.
