So as many of you know, my child was WL last year. Decided to try again for 10th grade. During the interviews this time around, my child asked for feedback on the previous year application. What would have moved him from the WL pile to the admit pile. About 10 days later, received very positive feedback about his application and no real info on what to change. Everything was glowing. So bottom line, don’t do anything different this time around because we loved you last time. Doesn’t make sense to me? Although, why would she give such positive feedback? Thoughts?
At many schools, there is little difference between a WL application and an accepted one, as evidenced by the fact that WL ones often end up coming off the WL.
So quite possibly, they really did love your kid.
I am just guessing here, but if what was needed was a little oomph, it’s hard to actually say that. The ex-Stanford reader who just did a stint on the college side called these applications "competitive but not compelling ". I also don’t think any school wants you to change your path for them or suggest that “if only you were this, we’d have accepted you.”. And they don’t want applicants haggling with them over details.
Many people who reapply do have better results the second time round. They are more confident in interviews, have been more focused in and out of school about their goals, write more thoughtful essays, etc. It takes a certain purpose and grit to do this. I’d take their feedback at face value. Reapply. Explain how last year really made this important. And expand your list a bit, really focusing on fit.
I am in your corner here and I am hoping for a great result for you this M10. So I say this from a place of support. Your result last year was very predictable for one reason that has nothing to do with the strength of the application: too few schools and no higher admit schools.
If you were a houseguest in my home and asked me what time to leave for the airport, I would tell you 2 hours before flight time. But then if you googled it, you might say: but your house is only 13 minutes from the airport so 2 hours seems like overkill and I would say: yes true. You COULD make your flight if you leave 75 minutes before flight time. It does happen! But trust me: you could also very well end up missing your flight just because life happens.
You stayed at my house. I told you 2 hours. You left at 75 minutes and missed your flight. and now this year, you are asking me to analyze how you can make it to the airport faster this year so you don’t miss your flight.
And I would say to you: leave 2 hours before the flight.
But you want to know how to leave 75 minutes before the flight.
And so I say to you: The solution is to leave 2 hours before the flight.
So back to schools. Heed the advice to cast a wider net. Your application sounds solid! Do your best, put together the best application you can. Let’s hope that you get the amazing news that many repeats applicants get! We will all cheer you on! But as a professor once said to me: don’t look for the tricks of the trade; learn the trade.
My suggestion: let last year go and show up for this year, and cast a wider net.
(And: of course I’m just a lady on the internet so feel free to ignore if this doesn’t feel right for you.)
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^^ such a good analogy and good advice!
I need to go look up your kids stats from last year but I will just third what’s been said. Every AO told us that they turn down “perfect kids” each year. Perfect scores, perfect grades, great ec’s. That’s why those of us with kids in these schools, because we talk to the AOs after the fact and see the other kids admitted, counsel casting a wide net.
Unless your kid is truly going to be a star on a sports team - or has an amazing story of hardship you need a wide net. There are just too many qualified candidates for the top schools to take them all. The kids who are “one of the best ever” at their middle schools AND can be a varsity starter on three teams - those kids have a solid chance of getting in almost everywhere. Everyone else, who’s also super accomplished, it’s a crapshoot.
So I went back and looked - last year you wrote (or your kid wrote? I’m a bit confused) good ssat, good grades, meh ec’s. So I’d say the meh ec’s were a problem. And your kid applied to three of the hardest schools to get into in the country.
I’ll say what I always say to kids who want ec help. You need to have an ec that is based on doing something for other people that doesn’t benefit you in any way. Being on every math and robotics team is great. Where do you show that you are a good citizen who knows how to give back to the community?
Also you need full FA. So applying to just three, low admin rate schools is a tricky endeavor. Widen your net. The stats from last year are promising.