I agree that @Grinnellhopeful is doing an amazing job and am confident that her talented daughter will land in a great school. I agree that any home duties/childcare, etc. should be listed. My son mentioned them in his application as he’s done a lot of childcare over the years and used the $ to contribute towards his soccer club fees. He was also accepted to Grinnell yesterday and I wish that Grinnellhopeful’s daughter would have been there too, but I’m very much confident that this will be a great outcome by March. The good thing is there are a lot of excellent colleges. I’m reading the other thread and agree with the schools that have been mentioned (Macalester, Denison, St. Olaf, Earldom especially as well as Knox and maybe Carleton (always a reach)).
Hey - for parents reading this thread and have Grinnell students in the class of 2022 there is a closed /moderated facebook group for 2022 parents. look up: Grinnell College Class of 2022 Parents’ Group - Hope to see you there!
@Grinnellhopeful - I just saw this and your new LAC thread. I’m so sorry that your daughter did not get into Grinnell through ED and sorrier still about your husband’s. Have you thought about trying to appeal the Grinnell decision if indeed your daughter’s ACT scores improve dramatically?
If your daughter’s main CA essay did not address her father’s suicide, she should definitely address it in the “additional information” section of the CA. And, no, it’s not a matter of making excuses for a “C” on her transcript, it’s a way of explaining the stresses that she was under and how it affected her. Absolutely her needing to pick up slack at home counts as an EC.
Did her counselor indicate that she is taking the “most rigorous” course load? If there were scheduling constraints that prevented your daughter from doing so, that should be addressed by the counselor in the counselor rec. Also, what is the basis for her ACT accommodation? If her score does indeed improve, the lack of necessary accommodations is something that can be addressed in an appeal as well. I would contact the ACT people to find out when the scores come out. I know that with “special testing” that takes place over several weeks, the scores can be delayed (generally this is used for double time and/or kids that need “stop the clock” breaks). I don’t know about normal extended time testing. I hope the scores will indeed come out on the 19th.
In the event that they ACT scores do not improve dramatically, your D should look into some “test optional” or “test flexible” schools. Check fairtest.org for a complete list of schools that have flexible testing. The Colleges that Change Lives is also a great resource for finding great schools. Might she consider a women’s college? Some of them might be a little easier to get into. I’d also look at Kenyon and Oberlin if your D liked Grinnell.
I’d be delighted to look at your D’s application and/or help advise in how to craft and appeal, and can certainly give you some feedback about her essays and be her/your “applications coach” of sorts.