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Really? I was thinking english was not her native language. More like Romania or Ukraine?</p>
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<p>Sorry, but neither. I’m a Finn. Currently residing in the USA. But yes, we are taught English in British grammar and spelling first, Australian, South African, US, Indian etc. English is really more of an after thought. And it was even more so when I was at school. So I’m used to use British spelling. Sorry, if it is a problem. But please understand that English is not my native or even second language but third.</p>
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<p>I have not tried to state anything like this. My point has been, that uniqueness of the essay and especially experience it tells about, is not the most important thing. With well written essay I don’t mean only grammatically correct essay but the really good essay all around. </p>
<p>And as I said, the more competitive the school the more important the essays surely are. In ivies there they could easily put together one or two absolutely excellent classes from their rejected applicants everything is extremely important and I’m sure that kids who get in all has amazing essays (as they also have amazing stats.) And yes essays may well be the deciding factor. But to be an excellent essay it doesn’t need to be so unique that no one else could have written it. I would guess, that if for example ivy applicant’s parents got to read his or her child’s and 500 other applicants essays they could not tell which one is their child’s essay (if they had not seen it before or if it was not written about some specific event parents know about.) Essay will tell a lot about the person who wrote it, but that doesn’t mean that it would be so unique that no one else could have written something very similar.</p>
<p>Now as an adult I have read some of my old essays from high school. I’m every time very surprised that I have written them. If there wouldn’t be a name in the corner I wouldn’t believe I have written some of them. They are very fun to read now, but also tell that I’m certainly stretched my limits to every direction in my Finnish classes.</p>
<p>Rituna- now that you are living in the US you need to engage yourself in learning all you can about the schools at every level here. Comparing systems does not help. It doesn’t matter how things are done elsewhere. This is the system currently educating your kids. Learn the ropes from other parents and the teachers. Perhaps thinking in terms of “different” not “better/worse” will help.</p>
<p>My sister-in-law from India has done a marvelous job- 25 years ago she was “fresh off the boat” but as her kids progressed through elementary, middle and high school she has become Americanized in knowing how things work. British influenced schooling and language there but nonWestern culture as well. Help your kids take advantage of the American educational system. No problem with parents having kids go above and beyond typical academics such as more parent led work or summer learning (that is what successful US born parents do).</p>
<p>Being unique, following one’s own drummer… are valued in the US. Each person has a different perspective on the world and HS teachers encourage this creative thinking in school essays. HS teachers can predict which student did which homework writing by the student’s style. I’m sure that style also differentiates students on their college essays. Writing style influences topics chosen, information included and reflects on the individual.</p>
<p>I notice how posters respond in their CC posts- would love to meet some of you! Also, carrying that train of thought further, know which I would like to have in my world. The “it isn’t what you say, but how you say it” thing.</p>
<p>My S and I had a huge tug of war about his essay. He wrote an A+ paper - a dry scientific paper that said nothing about him. I insisted that he had to rewrite it, and make it somehow about him and his topic. He balked, but the guidance counselor backed me up.</p>
<p>The final draft was probably not as polished as the original paper, but at least he gave the college an idea of who he was and his passion for the subject.</p>
<p>The article is written from a middle-age person’s perspective. It is selfish to say this or that topic is not unique, considering the tender age of the essay author. Take, for example, classical music. Some of the pieces have been playing beyond hackneyed. But to the young musician who performs it in a youth orchestra, the piece is as new as if Bach just composed it yesterday. The essay needs to be read in its proper context, both in terms of time and space.</p>
<p>Hillbillie,</p>
<p>It not only needs to be read in proper context, time and space, BUT also the college they are applying to and their intended major.</p>
<p>Applying to a private LAC is not the same as applying to a Public Ivy. </p>
<p>A child applying for a spot at any school where Music is their draw, will not only have to submit an essay, but also a portfolio. A student applying for engineering at a state university will not have to submit a portfolio, their essay is going to be a part of the equation.</p>
<p>Rit,</p>
<p>Like you, I was blessed to move around this world and allow my children to experience different cultures. There were statements in your posts that led me to believe you are not fond of the US system. However, I think your kids through their life experience will see the world differently than you or I. By embracing our cultural differences we create a better society in this world.</p>
<p>You probably feel as if you were flamed, but the reality is in 4 yrs (assuming your child is in 8th grade) our voices will mean squat since the application system will change. You may feel that you know how much you have grown since being 17. We all have grown, but the reality is the system is not judging the applicant from their personal age, they are judging them as kids. Nothing more and nothing less. The admissions dept doesn’t believe they are on the same level as Bill Gates or a Nobel prize winner. They do get that their perspective is limited to their age.</p>
<p>This is the US system.</p>
<p>My view to this is of course little different because as I said, we are basically nomads. For my kids it is very important that schooling is adaptable to the next country we may end up. Unfortunately we now live in the area there it is not possible to put our kids to international school. Luckily there is IB program at the High School we are able to put our oldest when the time comes. </p>
<p>It is not that we wouldn’t appreciate US schooling system. As I said, it certainly has it’s pros and cons as do most systems, but for our kids it will not be so simple because it is doubtful they will live rest of their lives here. There are lots of things I like in US schooling system. I for example kind of adore idea of LAC for my kids (but I will guess that at least my oldest will not feel the same.) I have nothing against the way your college decide their admissions, it is their business. Rules are different everywhere and you have to play with them, if you want in. Your rules are what they are and they are probably not that much better or worse than any other rules. And what is more important, different rules in admission probably don’t lead to that different results.</p>
<p>Yes, there are things in US schools I don’t like. Mainly needless busywork, endless testing for testing sake (and for scoring sake), teaching and learning to do well at a simplified tests and this all taking a lot of time away from really meaningful and fundamental learning and reading. Encouraging kids to compare themselves to others and compete in everything and even on early age. Then again I’m very impressed how well US school teaches kids to present themselves. For example my kids’ skills at giving presentations and keeping up the discussion have increased considerably in quite short time.</p>
<p>They must be in decent schools then, Rituna. I am constantly dismayed when I hear kids - even from supposedly good suburban public schools - say “like” every other word. They end up being nearly inarticulate. S doesn’t talk like this, and D knows that if she ever starts, she’ll be off to the nearest private school pronto.</p>
<p>Sylvan I agree it does vary from school system to school system. In NC and VA if you don’t not say Mam or Sir, you will be in for a lot of pain! This is so ingrained into the kids, that my children even at home call me Mam. They know that annoys me, so they quickly change to Mom, but they are just use to saying it 8 hours a day that it is natural.</p>
<p>You will also see the difference in how the child presents themselves. In our NC school system, the kids had to wear belts, NO sagging pants. Girls could not have their shoulders or stomachs exposed at any time. If the child was caught breaking the dress code they were sent to IS until the parent could bring them a change of clothes, no exceptions. This was a public school, not private. Now in VA at our school this is still the norm, but go 15 miles east and that is all out the window.</p>
<p>Our children also must give presentations, on their rubric scores, some of the teachers actually take down the score for UM, UH, LIKE in the presentation. For example, say 6 UM’s and you go down 6 points. It drives home to the kids that presentation of the material matters as much as the material.</p>
<p>For Busywork, that is common in the elementary/middle school level. Once they get to hs or TAG in middle and that does not exist. Even though we do test alot, good teachers can teach without teaching for testing sake. However, IMHO that is just life…you will have good and bad everywhere. The problem, I think is not the teaching the test issue, it is the fact that many parents think/believe it is the school’s entire responsibility to teach the child, and that they don’t need to do anything. Education should be viewed as you view a family…everyone needs to work together to the raise the best child. No parent does 100% at home raising the child, the school can’t do 100% either when it comes to educating the child.</p>
<p>Now back on topic!</p>
<p>A quick note on Bullet’s dress code comments: </p>
<p>My DS attends a small Texas high school (1000 students). We also have a strict dress code including no under garments worn as outer garments. </p>
<p>The school has come up with a brillant way to enforce the dress code without allowing students to miss class time going home to change into more appropriate attire. </p>
<p>One of the local businesses donated a dozen very large t-shirts with their logo on the back and large writing on the front that reads: Tomorrow I will dress appopriately. </p>
<p>When the students dress inappropriately they are sent to the office and a large t-shirt is pulled over whatever they are wearing. The students rarely violate dress code anymore for fear of having to wear the dreaded t-shirt the rest of day. </p>
<p>Great solution, student doesn’t miss class, doesn’t cost the school anything and is quick to apply.</p>