<p>I haven’t read this whole thread, but I really, really suggest that everyone PASS on this. </p>
<p>A number of years ago, the NYTimes did something similar. It was the story of three students from different backgrounds applying to college. In the end, the results were made known. </p>
<p>One of the kids profiled is someone I know–not well, but I know a fair amount about him. Everyone and his brother/sister felt entitled to comment about him on-line and not only about him but about his parents, siblings, etc. Some of the comments were really biting and sarcastic. Reading the comments made me nauseous. Of course, the other kids profiled were also the subject of numerous comments–I just wasn’t in a position to have any personal knowledge as to whether the comments about them were accurate. </p>
<p>These are 17 and 18 year old kids and I really do NOT think most of them understand what they are getting themselves into. And that’s assuming that the staff of the show itself plays things “straight.” (IMO, the NYTimes had a real “agenda” in its article and it distorted the kids’ selves to serve that agenda.) </p>
<p>If you do NOT get in, when you show up at the college where you DO matriculate, everyone will know that it is NOT your first choice. If you bomb the SAT, everyone will know it. If you get deferred or rejected in the early round, everyone will know it. For that matter, if you participate in an EC, everyone will know if you mess up. If you’re a singer, actor or dancer, expect to read lots of comments saying “I don’t think he’s that talented.” If you come from a wealthy suburb, expect LOTS of comments about being a rich, spoiled brat. If you are a URM, legacy, or recruited athlete be prepared for a barrage of comments stating the opinion that you don’t “deserve” your admission. </p>
<p>I really, really, really wouldn’t want any kid I care about agree to do this.</p>
<p>^ well said … and I’m a surprised and disappointed that CC itself started the thread … publicizing a show that is quite likely to be negative for the students.</p>
<p>While I agree that I can’t imagine why anyone would want to open up their lives to reality tv, many 17-18 year olds don’t see it that way. Just like I can’t imagine why kids would put on facebook their pictures in compromising positions, while holding a red cup with bottles of alcohol all around them…but they do. My guess is the show will be similar to NYC Prep (another case of narcissistic teens displaying inappropriate behaviors on tv) but instead of focusing on relationships & clothes, this show will show them waiting to get their SAT scores, report cards & going back & forth to tutors.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine who would let their kid do the show, but I’m sure people will.</p>
<p>Jonri, you make some very valid points for anyone considering being ON the show. While I admit as a spectator, I’d find it interesting, I think it is ill advised for the student to participate due to the reasons you gave. One’s entire process would be public. Lots of fodder there no matter how it turns out in the end for the student. </p>
<p>It’s a funny coincidence but when I posted earlier on this thread, I was thinking of a NYTimes story some years ago that followed three students in NYC applying to college. (possibly same one you are now mentioning) While I don’t live in NYC, we happen to know one of the kids in that story. My youngest kid, who is quite a bit younger than the boy in the story, is friends with him from years of theater camp together. This young man ended up attending the same college as my older daughter and they also became friends. It so happens that this guy has been quite successful so far in his field. But I recall at the time thinking to myself (and my own kids had yet to apply to college at that juncture), that I wasn’t sure I’d want my kid’s admissions process followed so publicly and I wondered what colleges thought of it all as they got a much broader picture of the student from the articles than would be on an application.</p>
<p>HAahahahah! I was always wondering when their would be a show( or movie) about students and college admissions. I mean there are thousands of books that already do this. </p>
<p>I really don’t see why anyone would actually sign up for this.This would only add to the tantamount pressure that seniors feel going through the process. AND I doubt Harvard will look favorably on these students who make it known that they have a “Plan of Attack” to get into Harvard. Harvard wants students who don’t have to make themselves look better but who are extraordinary in their own right without having to devise a plan.</p>
<p>Harvard will definitely know about this through GC recs or if the student voluntarily states so.</p>
<p>NYC prep was the worst! Do you remember the girl ‘Camille’? She said she was shooting for Harvard. I think she’s attending the Professional children’s school now. I wonder if she’ll get in or not…</p>
<p>I know they said on the show that PC was going to Rollins College in Florida and Jessie(?) was going to FIT. I think they were the only seniors. For real, they NEED to bring that show back. Garbage television, yes. But so funny.</p>
<p>That show was really horrifying to watch as a parent. It was amazing how unsupervised they all were, especially the teenager who lived in the family apartment in Manhattan while the parents lived in the Hamptons. Yikes.</p>
<p>It’s reality television; the point is probably to follow a couple upper middle class and middle class suburban white kids, a legacy or two, and some hard-working URMs as they perform in school and ECs, write up applications, and discuss their dreams with their families. The kids who seem most arrogant and self-assured will probably get rejected and embarrassed on national television, while those who are slightly sympathetic may get rejected from their first choice but find a great second choice and others will get in and it will be a life-changing experience since it will open so many doors for them. In some homes, finances will be a problem, and so on. Basically, it will be a cross between “NYC Prep” and College Confidential.</p>
<p>Well said, and all so true! Thank you for the post.</p>
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<p>I agree. What a silly topic and a concept that rather nauseates me. CC provides a lot of useful, objective advice, built on much knowledge of parents and teachers (as well as advice from current college students advising on the process). On the other hand, this place is also a hub for hysteria, obsession, and insecurity. The idea of this reality TV show simply perpetuates all of those things that detract from student’s lives (ie. obsessing over “strategy” on how to get admitted, “moulding” themselves, begging for “chances”) - I find it terribly anti-intellectual, quite parochial, and really undermines a lot of the great advice that can be found here.</p>
<p>CC deals with ALL topics related to college admissions. While many topics are along the line of “helpful advice and information”, not all topics fall under that. Any topics in the news related to college admissions, are often discussed here. This TV show is in the news and/or will be on TV. It doesn’t mean CC is endorsing it necessarily. As a spectator, I would find it interesting but would be leery of my kid being on the show during the college admissions process. </p>
<p>While I am sure the show will find diverse kids, it is kind of a shame that it will only have kids from the NYC metro area. I’d be more interested in seeing the process from a wider array of geographic and school backgrounds. Also, I’d be more interested in it if it were not just “Ivy hopefuls” but kids applying to an array of colleges.</p>
<p>I received a private message this morning lambasting CC for presenting this reality show information. I replied privately but perhaps my response, which explains why this post was featured on CC (and which echoes some of soozievt’s thoughts), is worth sharing. Here’s what I wrote:</p>
<p>**1. If there’s enough negative feedback about this concept on CC (as there seems to be), then the producers are likely to bag the idea altogether</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The college application process as it is doesn’t give the typical applicant the appropriate tools (hate that word in this context but I’ve got a huge to-do list today and it works well enough for now) to show admission folks who he or she really is. Not only will the handful of students selected for this show have the opportunity to present a broader picture of their lives than the admissions process typically allows, but also this may help admission officials realize that there needs to be a better way to evaluate applicants and to take stress off of today’s teens who are too often stockpiling AP classes and resume items just to impress.</p></li>
<li><p>CC aspires to be a neutral site where all-things admissions can be revealed and discussed. If this opportunity were out there and CC didn’t cover it, we would surely be berated for not informing our members … some of whom will be delighted to take part. We simply state that it’s there. We don’t promote it … or judge it. **</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I did not send the private email to Ms. Rubenstone, but since she has chosen to respond publicly to someone who shares my view, let me say why I personally find her response less than forthright. CC isn’t just “commenting” on the show. It’s actively participating in the effort to recruit participants. </p>
<p>If a reality TV show wanted to post this message, someone from the show could have registered and run it past the CC folks to show that the show is “legit.” However, this post was made by Ms. Rubenstone, who is identified as “CC Senior Advisor .” In my book, that IS an endorsement by College Confidential. Choosing to make it one of the discussion topics of special interest also highlighted it in a way that it wouldn’t be if the creator of the show had posted it. </p>
<p>Moreover, there was a link to the Fat Envelope --it doesn’t work BTW–and my understanding is that such links to a commercial site are violations of CC’s TOS. If someone who is not part of the CC team had posted that link, it probably would have been taken down. I can’t imagine that CC would allow someone like Michele Hernandez (who sometimes posts here) or Kat Cohen to post a link to her business. Can you imagine such a commercial endorsement being highlighted as discussion of special interest? Why is this company being allowed to post an email address and a (non-working) link to Harper & Row’s page about a specific book? </p>
<p>BTW, if there is any understanding with the creators that CC is going to be mentioned in the show or if CC has received any compensation for this announcement, I think it has an obligation to state the relevant facts.</p>
<p>The link to *Fat Envelope Frenzy<a href=“which%20I’ll%20try%20to%20fix%20in%20a%20minute%20…%20sorry%20about%20that”>/i</a> is just to the CC discussion of the book a couple years ago, not to a commercial site. However, we do routinely review books on CC and usually provide links to their Web sites (or to other sites where the book can be purchased) for the convenience of our members. College Confidential praises some of these books and pans others, but we never profit from their sales (except for our own books, and–come to think of it–those profits have been awfully paltry … as well as ancient history. )</p>
<p>CC is not receiving compensation for–nor involved with–this reality show, although I do feel that–if we were–our oversight might help to lead the show on a path that could be helpful and not exploitative. Also, the Fat Envelope Frenzy author, Joie Jager-Hyman, with whom I once served on a panel, strikes me as a very ethical person, and I suspect that, if this show does happen and she continues to stay involved, she will guide it in a worthwhile direction.</p>
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