<p>I think the value of an article like this is to say that you can do everything "right" from the perspective of demonstrating those qualities and sorts of achievements that fit the prevailing opinion of what is necessary to get you into Harvard et al., and ultimately still not be accepted. Therefore, kids should eschew the pressure to conform to some Ivy ideal because it probably still won't win them the prize. The odds are against it. Also, that "ideal" keeps shifting away from whatever people conclude it must be, because the Ivies don't want people to follow a formula. There's always a hot new EC which seems to attract the attention of adcoms, but then everyone does it and it's not hot anymore (think those overseas community service trips). So, kids should focus on becoming the best and most contented versions of themselves they can, and that is good enough.</p>
<p>Miller, I agree with you. We know a family where both parents work or have worked at the state flagship U. Using their connections, they've helped their children arrange research projects sponsored by university faculty members, and that "formula" has worked to get the kids into Ivies. But most of us don't have those connections, and what would otherwise motivate a university prof. to take my high school S or D under his/her wing, when s/he has hundreds of undergrad and grad students s/he should be mentoring intead? But like all formulas, I've sensed from some comments on CC that the adcoms are starting to look more closely at these supposedly student-initiated "research" projects to determine how significant the parental involvement was.</p>
<p>As an alum interviewer, I found this statement in the article to be odd:</p>
<p>"After the interview, many send handwritten thank-you notes saying how much they enjoyed meeting me.</p>
<p>Maybe its true.</p>
<p>I used to be upset by these attempts to ingratiate. Since Ive watched my own children go through similar torture, I find these gestures touching. Everyones trying so hard."</p>
<p>Sending a thank-you after an interview is not an attempt to be ingratiating. It's simply expressing appreciation for someone taking their personal time to interview you.</p>
<p>It's the same type of gesture that one should do any time someone goes out of their way to take their time with you. </p>
<p>It's being polite, not being a brownnoser to send a thank-you note.</p>
<p>"During the summers: I dug trenches for my local sewer department during the day, and sold hot dogs at Fenway Park at night". Yes, vivariousparent. I could not agree with you more . "If an otherwise well-qualified applicant listed those E.C's on his common application even today, I suspect he would attract the attention of the adcoms". </p>
<p>Good hard work never hurt anyone and my guess is that this quality in a student is looked at favorably by the admissions people. </p>
<p>Let's face it, not everyone can spend their summers doing unpaid internships, reseach or community service. Some have to work. My daughter waitressed all through high school and college in the summer. She did not have the benefit of tutors, or SAT prep classes in HS. She managed to graduate #1 in her class due to hard work and determination. She did not have perfect SAT scores and had no outstanding accomplishments. Just a regular kid from a lower middle class family with drive. Harvard saw something in her and took a chance. Many of her friends at Harvard were just regular ole kids and I think that the conception that they are all accomplished is just not correct. Yes Harvard does seek out those who excel in certain areas but so do other schools. The majority of the class is just regular kids who happen to be intelligent, not all geniuses, but interesting, intelligent people who bring diversity to the college. </p>
<p>With so many applications many are rejected who participated in the activities that the article mentioned, but the key thing to remember is that these activities do not guarantee admission and these colleges probably see right through these EC's. No one knows why someone gets in or not but parents should not be so fickle to think that money can buy them into Harvard. </p>
<p>The important message is that we all teach our kids the value of hard work, to respect ourselves and others and to be a contributing member of society. The rest will all fall into place!</p>
<p>People are way too obsessed with college admissions these days.
It almost makes me feel bad for getting into Duke and Dartmouth.
The only thing I did was take the SAT and then applied some places.</p>