<p>I don’t know where Sally’s link was meant to take us but it seems like an internal link on CC. I don’t see Fat Envelope mentioned on the list of books I just linked to but CC does list links to college admissions related books in its list of resources on the site. </p>
<p>I can’t see how CC would allow the creators of the TV show to post about it here as the discussion forums don’t allow for promotion. But when someone else discusses a program, service, book, etc. who is not the person whose service/product it is, I have seen that allowed as it is not a promotion of one’s own services/products, etc. I don’t see CC as endorsing this program but simply sharing about it if it is in the news. It is related to college admissions, but not CC’s own product.</p>
<p>I believe that Sally, as an advisor on CC, is sharing about books, resources, news articles, and even a TV show on the topic of college admissions.</p>
<p>EDIT…I cross posted with Sally Rubenstone’s posts and I had not read those before I had posted.</p>
<p>“I think they were the only seniors. For real, they NEED to bring that show back. Garbage television, yes. But so funny.”
YES. that would make my life <3 i loved the obnoxious, d0uchery of those kids NYC Prep <3</p>
<p>& i’m pretty sure i remember hearing PC say he was going to occidental college in california. maybe not?</p>
<p>I’m sorry but how will this help applicants at all?</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Lets not be disingenuous here - the qualifications listed in the OP, asking for students who “feel they have a good chance” at Ivy admissions, ALREADY lights up in many students minds as the show looking for “teens who are too often stockpiling AP classes and resume items just to impress.” Whether they do it genuinely or for “show” - it will STILL perpetuate that approach, and do nothing to change applicant’s approaches to presenting themselves for college (that is, stockpiling APs and building resume items).</p></li>
<li><p>On the other hand, if you mean to say that the students chosen would ideally be “unique” and “passionate” (ie. the somehow “non-stereotypical” kid) such as a passionate trombone player, or a dedicated community leader (ETC), then this will JUST as similarly fail to help students, by virtue of the fact that the represented students are strong because of their uniqueness and therefore isn’t a model for emulation. The channel of communication (from the TV screen –> teen/parent audiences) however will inherently suggest that this is a model for emulation, which will, once again, not help the applicant because you can’t emulate individuality and uniqueness. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>Ok, to this you might reply that this show serves the function of simply showcasing a range of applicants who by virtue of their individuality encourages other applicants to be individual - but let’s not kid ourselves here. The only reason a show such as this would even get off the ground, is because of the college (read: Ivy) obsessed culture many have, and plays straight into the minds of many parents and applicants in “getting into an ivy”. The creators of this show would know exactly who their market is, and why that market will watch this show - ie. to seek out that elusive “magic formula” or that “model to follow” or “strategy” to gain admissions. </p>
<p>Frankly, I think a thoughtful and objective admissions book would serve students a million times better than any reality tv show. </p>
<p>Apart from that, it has been mentioned several times that the process of going on reality TV may be damaging to the showcased students themselves - their lives (and the lives of their families and friends even) will be examined, subject to criticism by everyone and anyone, it could even affect their admission result negatively - such as the case of the Cornell girl who decided to broadcast to the world her admissions process. Have the producers considered this, or are they just ducking the issue?</p>
<p>Another issue may be that if a student waxes poetic about their love for X Ivy League school, and it is all so very public, why would Y “very selective college” (but not that particular Ivy) want to admit someone who so publicly stated their love for a different school?</p>
<p>Another issue is that often on reality type shows, the producers want to create “good TV” and so manipulate situations to create some drama or something like that…a particular angle, let’s say…and the people on the show don’t have control over that. In fact, often on a reality show, the participants sign away the creative control to the TV show. They really are at the mercy of the show and how the show may choose to portray them or to manipulate certain circumstances on the show to create a better show, and not necessarily show each “contestant” in the best light. How the show gets edited and put on TV is not in the hands of the participants. It could work against them in certain ways. In other words, the producers care most about the best interests of the show and not the best interests of the participants on the reality show.</p>
<p>TO WHOM??? The people in the admissions offices of the top colleges get to make the decision. Having teens present “a broader picture of their lives” to a television audience isn’t going to increase the odds that the teens who participate will get into an Ivy–or any other college. Suggesting that this is the “benefit” to the teens who participate is nonsensical. This won’t be American Idol–the TV audience doesn’t get to choose which students are admitted. </p>
<p>Participating isn’t going to increase the odds that their admissions request will be successful one iota-- unless Ms. Rubenstone is seriously suggesting that Fitbpatrick (I think he’s still admissions dean at Harvard) and other Ivy admissions deans are going to tune into the show and make their decisions based on information about the candidates presented on the show which isn’t included in their apps. If so, please have the creators arrange confirmation from the Ivy admissions officers that not only will they watch the show, they will take any information on it into account in making the decisions. </p>
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<p>HOW?? First, I think that admissions officers are well aware of the stress on teens seeking admission. Second, I know they are well aware that some kids take AP classes and participate in ECs “just to impress” admissons officers. I think it’s just plain silly to suggest that they aren’t. And if they aren’t the “Eureka” moment is unlikely to come from a reality TV show. There’s no guarantee that they will even watch it, for heavens sake!!! If the author of The Fat Envelope wants to propose a better model of admissions, there are other ways to do it.</p>
<p>The goal of this show–like any reality TV show I’ve ever seen-- is to make money for the creators.Please at least be honest. Do not claim that Ms. Jager-Hyman is trying to teach the Ivy admissions deans how the process can be improved or increase the odds that the students selected to participate will have their dreams come true. That’s what the post I’ve quoted claims–and I think that is utter nonsense.</p>
<p>I think there are other ways to present a broader picture than being on this show (and after all, who knows if adcoms are even watching anyway)…and while there is another thread on CC on this topic, I happen to think the optional supplemental videos that Tufts instituted this year is a great idea. A student can showcase something that is not as easily done on an application or even some sort of creative montage about their life. I’ve seen some of those videos and I think that is a cool concept. I’m not as fond of the idea that they are on YouTube where the public can view the videos or even leave comments and the adcoms can readily see the view counts. But I think there was an option to give a link to a video NOT through YouTube.</p>
<p>I do worry that there could be some negative fallout for students on this show. Not sure if that risk is worth it. I would almost rather that they tape the show during the admissions process but air it AFTER April 1 of that admissions cycle. That way, reactions to the TV show will not impact the participants’ admissions odds and the show is intended more for the interesting insights for those who watch. I just feel like too much is at stake for the kids on the show to risk possible negative fallout.</p>
<p>I really don’t see why people are so against this show. I see it as not being any more different than many of the other reality shows on MTV. Maybe more True Life, which has featured hundreds of young people exposing their selves to the world while they are going through situations a lot more personal than the college application process.</p>
<p>We can only hope. As the parent of a high school junior in NYC, this whole concept turns my stomach. I can’t imagine any responsible parent permitting their child to participate in this.</p>
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<p>You might want to re-read your original post. It certainly read to me as if you were promoting the show and encouraging people to apply. You also made this thread a featured discussion - which is the only reason it caught my attention. Usually I confine myself to the Parents Forum.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, I asked my son what he thought of this. He gave me one of those looks and said “That’s despicable.”</p>
<p>Five years ago, ABC showed “The Scholar”, where high school seniors competed for scholarships. Pretty high class production, with the scholarships provided by the Broad Foundation. I seem to remember at least one CC poster got on the show. Of course, they did have to manufacture a bit of drama to “keep viewers interested”, but it still didn’t do very well in the ratings. The majority of the students did go on to Ivy League colleges (love it that the winner chose to attend a LAC). So I would be curious to know how being on “The Scholar” impacted their lives.</p>
<p>there was an episode of “true life,” i think, on overachievers, and it featured a boy who gets rejected early from stanford and his immediate reaction (or perhaps a manufactured reaction, who knows). that was when i decided i would NEVER want to have my college admissions process broadcast on TV. it just has the potential to be so humiliating. i agree with the detractors: i’m not sure who it will benefit. i also agree with the person who mentioned the hypercritical nature of TV audiences: i worry that participants in the show will get torn apart on internet forums moreso than the participants in the fat envelope frenzy project did, and no one deserves that.</p>
<p>fireflyscout, I know exactly what your talking about. I watched The Scholar too. I’m curious about how the show impacted their lives too. Lol. I remember seeing the winner’s desicion and being like “What?” Back then, I was so uneducated about schools and only knew the brand names. (Didn’t she choose Pomona?)</p>
<p>Anyways Tres Elefantes I saw that True Life episode too. True Life is one of my favorite shows and I totally see what your talking about not wanting your college process on TV.</p>
<p>NYC Prep is probably the most recent show featured somewhat around getting into college and the competition that comes with it. That show was so hilarious!</p>
<p>If this show turns out anything like NYC Prep then I will be very entertained. Plus I’ll feel a little sorry for the kids on tv (but then again you make your bed you lie in it, right?) If its less drama and more real then it probably won’t get great ratings. </p>
<p>The show sounds interesting, but I could never do it. I’m just too private for national t.v. and people critizing and/or judging me. I don’t know if its a good or bad thing to be on it, but good luck to anyone who wants to be on it or gets on it.</p>
<p>This could conceivably be more of an interesting documentary than a lurid reality show.</p>
<p>I didn’t catch - Are they showing this in real time?</p>
<p>If they were making a movie to show after everyone had his or her admission decision, I think this would be interesting and educational to those who are unfamiliar with Ivy League admissions. It’s the real time part that makes this so creepy; I suppose that’s what they are hoping will make it so entertaining… Unless they all get acceptances, it will be like watching a train wreck…</p>
<p>I still think that reps. from HYPSM(and Caltech) should come into NYC, right out on Times Square, and have 1,000+ of their applicants participate in a “Fear Factor” style competition where they have to eat live spiders while doing chin-ups 500 ft in the air and computing the fourth derivative and third integral of:</p>
<p>First person to do that AND write a 7,500 word, Queen’s English and my mother approved essay on how the last book they read affected their view of American policy in Darfur would recieve a “likely letter”. LOL!!!</p>
NYC Prep <3</p>