Wait, what happened with the class of 2019/2023? I ask because that’s when I applied and I got in. I wasn’t aware of any drama.
Also, I’ve heard so much about “perfect grades, perfect SAT, valedictorian, 17 varsity sports, etc…” to be honest, I’m sick to death of it. You must realize that many other people have those things as well. And you must also realize that many people who don’t have these things are nonetheless accepted.
I emphasize that these things mean literally nothing. It might be worrying if your kid’s grades are below the university medians, but tacking on that many “accomplishments” might actually be detrimental. Some people (including myself) might wonder if there is any personality left after all of those extracurriculars? In short, is your kid cool? If not, if your kid comes home at 11pm every day to do homework and doesn’t have time to relax, I would be extremely worried, both for your child’s chances and for their future.
It might seem like applying to college is a huge deal right now, but you must also consider what happens when you get in—and you will get in, even if it might not be to your first choice. University classes are fundamentally different from high school classes in that they emphasize critical thinking over rote memorization, at least at the moderate/higher levels. If your child is used to working “harder, not smarter,” as might be the case when they have too many extracurriculars, they will be at an extreme disadvantage when they attend college.