<p>I volunteered to help an URM girl this year with her applications. She goes to a well-regarded public school in an affluent town (her parents are divorced and her mom opted to remain in town afterward, possible bc her father owns 4 McDonald’s and provides good child support). W/o a doubt, her acceptance at UChicago will baffle future kids at her high school when they look at naviance. She never placed into an AP or honors class, had a 3.5 average w/ grades ranging from C+ to A, and a 29 ACT (she’s LD, had double time and was extensively tutored). She was ultimately rejected by Dartmouth (ED), Macalester, JHU, Tufts (ED2 initially deferred), Tulane (EA initially deferred), UMichigan (EA initially deferred); waitlisted at Middlebury; accepted to Dickinson (w/ $40,000 merit), Wheaton (w/ $50,000 merit), Northeastern, American and George Washington. She had legacy at UChicago and it looks like she’ll attend. Not sure how she’ll perform there as her writing ability is weak and she’s never been a reader but she’s very excited to attend. As she’s interested in international relations, i’ve counseled her to seriously consider GW because I think she’ll be challenged there but not as academically overwhelmed. however, she and her parents are very rank, prestige-conscious (hence the list of reach schools), and put a premium on that over good fit. I like her a great deal and would like to see her happily thriving the next four years but i’ve had to let go bc they’re just not listening to me at all; and of course, ultimately, it’s their decision.</p>
<p>helping her this year has certainly made me acutely aware of the stress i would have if i sent one of my own children to a school that they’re not quite ready to handle.</p>