That’s a metaphor. She didn’t literally mean it has anything to do with baseball. It means the nitty gritty in-house reasons and procedures which would be tedious/impossible to describe here.
As a person who lives in the DMV and whose daughter attended one of DC’s private schools that are Ivy feeders, I think she is looking for a story that the readers in this area will relate to. There are indeed some pockets of the country where the race to the Ivies is intense. Hopefully the article will show the futility of that for most kids and how parents should allow their child to find the right “fit”, not just go for the name. Trust me, I know many parents like that and the stress they place upon their children is frightening and dangerous. So, if her story has that bent, I am not sure why some parents are upset. If it were a midwest or west coast reporter, maybe they would write a story about how crazy it is to apply to a Cali school or a big midwestern powerhouse school. I don’t see how anyone could interpret this to mean that she thinks Ivies or “top tier schools” (whatever that means) are special or the only route to take.
She can PM me if she wants to talk more offline.
My son did not apply to Ivies in large part due to the information found on CC. We had been led to believe that merit aid was common for high stats kids (in large part due to two large “scholarships” touted by our high school counselor despite the fact that neither of said schools offer merit aid at all - something I only learned here…)
I am forever grateful to the community for helping me to appreciate that Ivies weren’t the be all and end all and that excellent opportunities excited for my son elsewhere. So if anything, CC decreased my college related anxiety (didn’t make it disappear lol…)
This seems a not unusual story on the parent boards. You might have more luck posting on the Ivy specific boards.
@larimer, I PMd you.
@larimer yes, Ivy app. I would be glad to help you, but I would like to wait until after admission is finalized. CC was very helpful with the FA part of the application, and with other info. I think my D does look on CC a lot in private. The application was not too difficult, but the FA part was a strain. We live in the DC area. What is your time frame?
I’d argue that there is as much human interest and heterogeneity in the stories for those applying to Ivy League schools as to any other school. There is LOTS of Ivy bashing on CC. It has always perplexed me. Our children all have unique experiences and life goals.
My daughter is a high school senior, enjoying her last semester with a little extra pep on her step because her college search was resolved in December when she was accepted to Brown University early decision. No, we are not rich. No, we don’t fit any of the other Ivy stereotypes. Her college path was VERY non-linear, to put it mildly. But now, she is bound for Brown and couldn’t be more excited.
We are NOT local to the DC area. But we would be glad to share our story. As far s the role of CC in this - I am on CC but my daughter is not. I share information and sometimes she asks me to look on CC for answers to questions. In fact, I search out info on CC for other parents from time to time.
And I’ll add - it is mostly a very supportive community. Sometimes folks get a little snarkly, but on the core issues – a poster is nervous about his odds of acceptance, anxiously awaiting decisions…this community is THE go-to support network. It is a nice community.
I’d be glad to PM or chat. Just let me know. Our experience might be different because we live in a region of the country where there are not many students who apply to Ivy schools. So this dream fo r my daughter was more of a self-creation.
You can try here. Some are students but maybe their parents will help you:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1970109-ivy-day-2017.html#latest
…I’m at a loss. My son wanted CS, so his top. Choices were CMU (scs), caltech and MIT. The Ivies that accepted him didn’t have the depth.
I’m inside the Beltway and a loyal WaPo reader, but I agree with others that if your article’s focus is on support and stress, zeroing on kids applying to the Ivies really doesn’t tell the story of College Confidential. I’ve found terrific support on the “GPA 3.0-3.4” thread, which has been so helpful in navigating the college application process since my IRL community is so hyper-competitive and name-brand conscious.
Not surprising given the obsession with Ivy’s on the east coast. It would be interesting if the WaPo did an article about how east coasters went somewhere else and were happier.
I’d like to know why the east coasters want to come to Michigan LOL.
Unless the article’s focus is on support and stress among kids applying to the Ivies. This axe-grinding premise-questioning is getting ridiculous, btw.
Because it has an outstanding state flagship university.
It would be great! You should become a journalist, get a job at WaPo, and write it!
Folks, the reporter told you the story she was assigned to write. She is not asking for pitches for alternative stories. If you don’t work for a daily newspaper, you have no idea what goes into the decision for a particular story.
That said, if you have a story idea and want to pitch it and have some sources lined up and know how to write a good, concise pitch, feel free.
signed,
a journalist
My youngest applied to 3 Ivies after being accepted EA to Notre Dame. Stress is kind of low for admissions because of it but waiting for the FA letter has been less than great.
I’m with you, @blueskies2day . No need for all the snark. There are reasons to apply to them, and reasons to apply to other colleges.
ETA: We’re WA state, not near DC.
My child applied to Brown last year and was denied. When we first started the process, we were simply comparing her stats to those of accepted students. On paper, her stats fit. But we were really ignorant about holistic admissions in the beginning. By the time decisions came out, she was 100% certain she would not be accepted. Applying to Brown didn’t cause any stress, because she had no expectations. It was more a case of “you definitely have no chance if you don’t apply.” She really loved Brown, but it wasn’t going to happen and she had more realistic reach schools that became her top choices. She got into the one she now attends. If you like, read about it here: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1878059-truthful-advice-about-getting-into-top-colleges-for-your-average-excellent-student-p1.html
As far as the CC community, yes, I have found this community hugely supportive and helpful. I know without doubt that the process would have been a thousand times more confusing and stressful without all the free, helpful advice that people give here.
@brantly wrote
I DID work for a daily newspaper, and I was constantly coming up with ideas and pitching to them.
Writers and journalists are not automatons who simply write the story that is given to them. Yes, she was probably given the basic framework for the article she’s writing, but there’s a lot of wiggle room within that article.
That said, you could write a book about the drama on CC.
^^Yes, of course. It just makes me chuckle that every time a reporter comes on her looking for source material, the responses are, “Don’t write about that! Write about this!”
You might call School Without Walls in DC. My understanding is that in the senior class two got into Harvard, two to Yale, one to Columbia, one to Dartmouth and there may be more.
Single parent in DC area with one child who currently attends one of the local prep boarding schools. She will be attending a small LAC though. I’ve been “silently” looking to CC throughout the process but only recently decided to join and comment. Thank goodness for CC!