Your son has a strong profile. On top of that, however, he has to make an interesting story and show passion for the ED school. Now matter how knowledgeable, people on this board will NOT be the person to tell you which school would be the best fit for your son. He will need to decide that for himself.
If I were in your shoes, I’d have him look into courses/programs from each of school, and make an honest evaluation of what he likes and dislikes about them. Then learn to tell his honest story in an engaging and heartfelt manner in the essays/interviews. Be genuine and honest. Interviewers (I have been doing it for 20+ years) can tell if a candidate is being truthful in a heartbeat.
If your son would be equally happy with any of the schools, then playing the legacy card and ED with Penn might be the best bet. If he prefers Harvard or Yale for a valid reason, then he should ED there, and you should be supportive.
True, the counselors at the private schools aren’t able to overturn an admissions decision. But they do have a lot of influence. They have unofficial teleconferences with the admissions offices to review the slate of candidates. During these calls, any small comments could tip a candidate over the edge.
My son attended a boarding school whose entire staff of college counselors were former directors at elite/Ivy level colleges. Listen carefully to what they say. The messages are always indirect.
Reading through the tea leaves, it appears your son will be facing competition from within his own class at these top colleges. So thats why they told him everything is a reach.
@Sush2016 If the school counselors believe that Penn and others are a reach, what type of letter would they write for your child if he applied there? They may say different things to different parents. What colleges do they suggest instead? I do not have children in private schools, but my friends who do have told me that the counselors played an integral role in their children’s admission to whatever college they ended up in, like what was said in the post above.
Be careful on reading the tea leaves. At my HS, my CC office told every applicant (unless totally unqualified) that Harvard/Yale/Penn is a reach - because they are. What’s important is what colleges the CC will most support through their rec, which should not be a question they would evade.
I tend to agree with @skieurope. They say that to all the kids. Private school or not the kid(s) have to do what they have to do….or they don’t get in. I trust the CC office….I dont think they have any reason to evade.
I see examples of total stars at the school, who the school loved…and everyone quoted examples of….and then they didn’t get in the school of their EA……College admission is that unpredictable and a matter of chance….
Having said that…of course my son is working with CC office to have a balanced list of reaches, possibles and probables where he will apply. The CC office doesn’t tell you where to EA or ED……it is up to the kid.
I wish colleges were open for visits….for a 17 year old….there is nothing like being at a place and feeling it….
Thank you @CarnegieDad ! All of the schools offer so much good content in course choices…that it is hard to say one is better than the other. He does want flexibility so that he can pick and choose and do what he likes. Seems like all 3 schools offer that…with varying amount of structure. I think some structure would be a good thing….He would also benefit from being with people who are driven but not cut throat competitive to get ahead.
Agree with you about telling an honest story….I am hoping he connects with the school he chooses to go first with to tell that story. Like I said…he does best when something captures his imagination. Not being able to visit is not really great on that account.
I do know that a place where he can play music, sing in acapella, compose arrangements, may be participate in small ensembles/ orchestra in his free time….would be great.
Have you talked to your sons counselor about this?
At most if not all top private schools, college counselors are very accessible and mostly know their stuff.
Additionally, which Penn school is the legacy from and is there parent involvement at Penn either financially or with time?
Seems to me that Harvard REA will probably not workout as is it just too competitive for someone with a stellar application that is not a URM, Legacy or winning INTL competitions etc.
Wharton, the lack of anything business ec will hurt though if the legacy is Wharton undergrad it is worth a shot. Otherwise what about going Penn Arts and Sciences ED?
Your son should have enough to get him and legacy will help him stand out. Additionally, Penn is very pre-professional and lots of Investment Banks and Consulting Firms recruit both Wharton and CAS.
Someone who was motivated enough to have this stellar of a resume should have no trouble taking advantage of the job recruiting opportunity whether he attends Wharton or CAS.
Dad is Penn Engineering alumni not Wharton. Sister is at Wharton (Initially he was considering ED/EA between Wharton/ Harvard….now I think he is leaning more towards Wharton)
Kid wants to apply to Wharton at Penn not CAS. For him the question is why not……If Penn doesn’t work out he will apply to other business schools RD and Harvard/ Yale for economics.
Having said that….I have told him that he needs to think long and hard about why Wharton.
From where I sit I see many qualities that make him suitable for a management role more than a subject matter expert type of role….He tends to veer towards leadership roles and is most comfortable in those, as I said before he is passionate and has the ability to influence people. He can also strategize, learn what ever he needs to learn quickly and is a very good negotiator. (I realized I put in the wrong score for his SAT2 physics, it is actually 790 not 780….all his scores are in first attempt….and the amount of time he has put into any of these is really very low). He is now into playing chess, which he started last Christmas and has progressed leaps and bounds just soaking up all the strategic moves, and trying those against people online and with dad at home. He is also an avid movie watcher and analyzes not only the movies but the business of movies like no one would….What I mean to say…is that in my view there is probably a good fit with a business education……Not sure how all of this can come through in a college application though……