<p>Ive recently read a lot of posts here on CC where people seem to be claiming that Pathway A is better than Pathway B. Now, this really surprised me, because in my mind, Pathway B is clearly better than Pathway A. To me, Pathway A leads to a better developed student on the whole, who really understands the value of his/her education, maximizes his/her financial situation in a more strategic manner, and is more likely to be successful in the future, while getting more depth from his/her college education.</p>
<p>So, my question is, would you like to join this thread to agree with me, that Pathway A is the only sane way to go for parents and students facing todays challenging college admissions landscape, or would you like to show you are a wild-eyed crazy by inexplicably arguing against what is so obvious to me, and support Pathway B? All comments welcome, especially those joining in the spirit of this post. ;)</p>
<p>(For Pathway, please read in any kind of college type, pre-college activity, financial aid approach, etc, that you are overly invested in.)</p>
<p>You just need to add “Your mileage may vary” after extolling the benefits of whatever it is (two page resume with application, paid college counselor, free ride at a “hidden gem” which changes lives, IB program, varsity curling as a “back door” into Wharton, etc.)</p>
<p>Oh, Garland, absolutely! Studies have SHOWN that THAT PATHWAY is the ONLY PATHWAY TO SUCCESS and anyone who disagrees clearly followed The Other Pathway and can never understand anyway. </p>
<p>And now I have to go clean up the coffee I snorted out, reading your excellent post. So much for saving time.</p>
<p>But Garland, your post says that you clearly know that Pathway B is the only way, then you argue for Pathway A. Methinks you are woefully misguided…</p>
<p>I know it’s off topic, but
can either of you tell me if my adopted daughter (half Polynesian/half Inuit) has a chance at Yale? She’s been playing didgeridoo since the age of 3, and studies with a world class teacher, is under pro contract. </p>
<p>She has perfect SAT’s, but her GPA is 2.1 unweighted. Long story, but her performance schedule screws up her grades. She’s in the bottom 20% of her class. </p>
<p>She has a full ride to The University of Tasmania Conservatorium of Music in Hobart Australia, based on her audition, but we can’t afford the travel expenses.</p>
<p>Or, should she take a gap year, continue to study privately, and reapply to Yale or Princeton next year? She really wants to pursue quantum mechanics as an undergrad, quit performing, and take religious orders after graduating.</p>
<p>Her only EC is competitive sled dog racing, but she is really passionate and placed fifth in last year’s Iditerod. Could this be a hook?</p>
<p>Also, we’re concerned about financial aid. Once she hit 7 figures from her performing career,(6 or so years back) the wife and I quit our jobs. D supports us completely and we have no other income. We have not invested any of D’s income (nor has she in fearing of having it effect aid). What we and she doesn’t spend for monthly expenses, she gives away to friends. With D no longer performing, our income will be minimal. How much will Y or P give her? Could a work study at Yale include a pt adjunct faculty position at Yale SOM? (They don’t currently have a didgerdioo prof on staff.) Will we have to go back to work or will we have to sell 2 of the 3 houses? We really need to keep the Suburban, Range Rover and the Bluebird Travel Coach for the sled dog stuff. Any similar experiences?</p>
<p>I realize I should have asked the financial stuff in the other forum, but we’ve gotta let U Tasmania know soon.</p>
<p>Wait, garland, you left out the name calling that generally accompanies the threads. Aren’t the people following Pathway A (or was it B?) passionless, parent-pleasing robots?</p>
<p>& lol, violadad, since I’ve been on a Caltech kick lately: Caltech had a postcard a few years back asking potential applicants if they played the didgeridoo. So your D sounds like an automatic admit. Also, I had to respond on quantum mechanics! Your D is planning on John Polkinghorne’s career path?</p>
<p>Please, people, use the search feature. These questions have all been answered. Why are we having the same tired Path A/Path B debate when it’s been conclusively shown that Path C is clearly best for everyone.</p>
<p>violadad, if violadaughter were serious about iditarod, she certainly would have placed higher than fifth. This no doubt indicates that she isn’t passionate about the race and is doing it to please you, which will be obvious to adcoms.</p>
<p>Now, if she played the oboe, it might be different …</p>
So much for saving time.</p>