How do you know if your child would be competitive at top schools?

SuburbMom
Sun, 23 Apr 2017 15:37:02 +0000

@theloniusmonk - I have to disagree with your ranking of what top colleges want. Students with a hook (Recruited athletes, URM and first generation) are definitely given some preference. Legacy status doesn’t always matter anymore, and some top schools only consider it if the student applies ED. And singular talent in music/art? Nice to have, but not something schools are looking for and prioritize.

My list would be:
Having a hook
Standing out in something
Good essays/compelling story/Ecs (the “holistic” part of admissions for top schools)
Top Grades and test scores combined with taking the most rigorous course load available.

Getting back to the OP: My D got into a school with single digit admissions. There was a note from her AO about how he liked her commitment and passion for one particular area. Compared to her classmates, her schedule was very light on “academic rigor” but sometimes that’s what you need to do to pursue a particular interest. We knew this was going to be a potential issue and addressed it in her application. (note that she did meet the requirements for “college ready” curriculum, just not with a bunch of APs) I think your son should understand the potential downfalls of taking the classes he is taking, and if he continues on this path, just be prepared to address his choices in his application.