Parents of the HS Class of 2024 (Part 1)

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
8364

Such interesting topics today.

Regarding essays, in my opinion, it can sometimes be a tall order to ask 16, 17-year olds to write the kind of persuasive, reflective essays that colleges are looking for.

My own very deep-feeling kid tends to be guarded/stoic. We had to beseech him to include his “whys”. Eventually, he did, but only to the extent that felt true to him. The result - essays that are straightforward and philosophical with some reflection. So, I am somewhat nervous about how holistic admission results will play out for him but he did the best he could.

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8365

Our 24 kids started high school in the depths of Covid. D started at a small private school, which was in person, alternating days, with your half of the alphabet. Only 2 kids from her middle school attended and they were both in person the alternating day. She literally knew no one, and because of social distancing requirements at the time it was almost impossible make friends.

One day she was eating lunch alone, because she didn’t know anyone, and a student from the grade ahead noticed and asked her to join them. They were theater kids, and she ended up making best friends and joined the musical that semester, and discovered her love of theater/ musical theater, which along with choir, became her main ECs.

It’s also kind of a softer take on the importance of inclusion.

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8366

That’s really wonderful. It’s a great take on inclusion and being nicer than you have to be. I love it!

Thank you for sharing

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8367

I just heard a podcast today (YCBK) that suggested the update be tied to your major (or other application theme) and that you don’t need an award for an update.

The update could be along the lines of … My x class had a unit on y. I enjoyed learning y, and it further confirmed how much I would like to study x at your university. In addition, I was able to continue showcasing my leadership skills in the abc club. Etc.

The update should fit logically with and be a continuation of the earlier app. So “my grades stayed consistently high” or “my upward trend continued” are great statements.

In fact, admissions will NOT go back and do a total re-read of your app. They will take the notes from the first go around (usually short summaries of academic record, essays and recs) and your supplement statement. So this is an opportunity to more clearly package your application in a few paragraphs.

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8368

And also what they are calling a safety! Here in California, a safety is not necessarily the state school.

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8369

About the UC PIQs, writing about ECs is totally fine, it’s the rehashing of exact details in full sentences that is discouraged. So if they did research, clearly it’s listed in the ec, but why did they choose that type of research, what inspired them to work there. What lessons were learned, anything surprising that came out of it, like how important team work is. S24 school is known for sending lots of kids to UCLA and Berkeley. AOs from both schools visit almost every other week in the fall. And they come right before break for essay help and review. Not once have they mentioned not saying anything about an EC, but it’s less about the literal work and more about the takeaway for the kid from that experience.

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8370

We were lucky to get one virtual UC representative visit at our school!

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8371

Not cool. As a state institution, they need to do better about reaching out to all HS in the state.

8372

Colleges have budgets.

I call on people physically for a living but our budgets are reduced 2/3 and they want us to do virtual visits.

All 20 of my son’s interviews were virtual.

The UCs or any college will be no different. They can do it cheaper and cover more ground.

Are they as effective? I don’t think so but businesses and that’s what a UC is, don’t seem to care.

Just like other companies - the UCs issue bonds and thus need money to pay them back.

So if efficiencies save them money without impacting their overall customer base, then yes, they’re going to do that.

And if you’re the CFO, you’d be happy about it.

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8373

On the subject of being surprised by results, here is what I see at S24’s public school. There are about 800 people in his class. Students are not ranked. Students are not given their weighted GPA. Students do not meet one on one with counselors and have no idea their decile ranking.

Meanwhile, there is lots of grade inflation. So you have at least 50-60 students every year with 4.0s and 100+ more with 3.9s or 3.8s. I think this leads many students to imagine they have the top grades/ECs/etc. in the school because they have no idea how many other students also have the same thing and more going on. On Naviance you can see that about 100 students apply to each Ivy and similar schools every year.

There were many surprised and disappointed ED applicants.

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8374

Wow I’m just floored he had 20 interviews!

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8375

He was mad at the strategy - we did not expect that many. And he was having a hard time juggling.

Turns out we over applied - but getting that first internship was brutal. The 2nd year, he only sent out 5 or 8 apps because he was told the first wanted him back. He had a 2nd offer at Corning in NY (for Intern) in addition to his in TN after his first one in MS.

My belief is experience begets experience. Once you have experience, it’s much easier.

The kids that struggle often seemed to have not worked - my son has a friend at Rice and that was the case.

His other friend was complaining about the state flagship stinking at CS - and last minute landed an internship last summer. This summer - has a primo one - a really good at a telematics company…well the name is good, you never know how the internship will be. My son had a great two (same place) whereas my daughter’s last summer - she was bored but it helped lead to a think tank in the Fall.

You just need something on the resume!!

My son was an engineer - and given that two of his five offers were the same day he interviewed - which did not impress him at all - I would say engineering is - at least a year ago, a field where the kids have the supply/demand advantage. And you would know both those names that offered same day as the interview - one a HUGE defense contractor and the other a large food company. Both Fortune 500 companies. My son was turned off - he didn’t know them or they him. And when he turned down one, they raised the offer $13K and $5K on the bonus…so crazy times.

btw - the one that flew him in (up to Wisconsin where he learned about cancelled flights) - great visit but they didn’t offer him.

Kids can have options - but they have to work. It’s not given to them.

Look at Cornell. They have a great career dashboard.

Top 3 for how did someone find a job:

Internet Posting
Linkedin
Handshake (internal linkedin)

That all these colleges are giving jobs is BS!!!

The kids have got to want it - and that’s what I stressed to my kids.

But yes, I’m psycho - so it went overboard. My intent was right.

And my son had the best 6 months of his life with the job he chose - he moves 4 times in two years - he was in Utah and he skiied and biked so he chose the right one…now it’s Phoenix and he biked this weekend…hopefully he likes it.

Best of luck to all those out there.

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8376

Thought this was an insightful, well researched article.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/07/briefing/the-misguided-war-on-the-sat.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

8377

Agree! I thought it would help me decide my stance on TO, but I’m actually left more conflicted. It’s a great read. The comments section is a massive rabbit hole. lol

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8378

Please join the discussion in this thread to discuss:

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8379

Always! Can’t have too many friends.

8380

Oh yes, I like to pair it with Sno-Caps. For some reason that is quite controversial in my house. I just tell them they can fight me.

8381

Sour patch kids is DS and my favorite pairing with popcorn. DH thinks we are crazy. It’s sweet, sour and salty all in one.

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8382

OK, so S24 finally gets Vassar submitted last night, and along the way I can hear him grumbling about how he has so much stuff to do–this isn’t just college apps, there is activity stuff, classwork, girlfriend stuff, he had to submit a senior quote, and so on. Still, applications have been part of it, and he is not done–remaining are the Brown video, and two more other applications to submit, plus a scholarship application.

So a little later, he is talking to me about how USC’s deadline is January 15, and maybe he should apply.

Blink.

We have literally never talked about USC before. He was not interested in West Coast schools, it really isn’t along the lines of what he ended up liking anyway . . . totally out of the blue.

So he eventually looks at the supplementals and realizes USC is kinda a pain (which I had heard and told him). So he backs off and now is sticking to the plan.

But Application Fever is real, people, and can strike when you least suspect it.

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8383

D24 got two apps done last week, and has only two more due next week. I’m so happy to see her at the finish line so she can stop thinking about it while she waits for decisions. She hasn’t said a word about adding any more schools and I doubt she will. Filed her FAFSA with no problem, but when I did her brother’s it kicked me out before giving me the signature page so I’m waiting for it to be available again so I can try to get in and take care of that. Then I am done - gloriously done!

I’m celebrating with a cocktail and popcorn. :wink:

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