How do you package an application, when kid’s achievements are all over the place?
My D has perfect grades / SAT / many APs / no hooks/ typical suburban public HS. D is undecided about her major. Very undecided. Looking for a large university with strong academic reputation. Tuition is not an issue. Social climate is not an issue; she is outgoing, has lots of friends, flexible, and street smart. Climate and location are not an issue.
She has 1) science fair award at the district level + prestigious summer program (COSMOS) 2) lots of college classes in anthology (16 units, online at the State University) 3) art portfolio (AP art class), 3) small business with good revenue + prestigious summer program (MIT LaunchX) + local business competition 4) foreign language/culture (heritage, not very common). I am not bragging. She is not a super-super achiever in any endeavor, but solid in all areas.
Briefly, STEM, social sciences, business, art, and languages. UNDECIDED major.
How would you put it all together into one application? What looks interesting? What should be highlighted? Omitted? Is she an interesting applicant or run-of-the-mill? How could she focus her application? Many thanks!
She’s an explorer. She wants a big school with a strong academic rep so that she can continue her quest to explore, push her limits and make a positive impact.
An essay could highlight three of these activities: her exploration in science, exploration in art and exploration in life (the outgoing, lots of friends part.)
Don’t try to “package” her – your D should present herself as a high achieving well-rounded individual who is seeking a college experience that will allow her to explore multiple different potential areas of interest.
I’ve heard admission officers say that they look to create a well rounded class. Included in that well-rounded class will be a number of well-rounded individuals as well as a number of people who have particular talents/particular interests.
There are many private college counselors who can give you some advice. But I agree that packaging your child into an easy to identify bucket will help. It sounds as if your child is applying in the RD round? If so then the ‘packaging’ is even more important.
I think having a somewhat consistent “story” is useful. My D2 did, and I think it helped her application. It helped that her recommendations told a reasonably similar story to the way she presented herself, too.
I don’t think you should try and “package” your daughter. If your daughter is well rounded, with an undecided major and many different achievements… that’s perfectly fine. I would pay special attention to the essays, and take the time to write them so that they reflect the person she is… that is all of the packaging she needs… and the right schools will accept her.
I wouldn’t worry about packaging at all. The impression given by the list you wrote is of a student who is passionate about a few things (not too many) and explores them to a high degree- and does well. She does not come off as someone resume-building and doing too many things randomly to “get in.” She comes off as inner-driven.
Her grades and testing put her in the pool and for many great schools, her extracurricular activities will make her a very interesting candidate with many things to contribute to the mix of a class.
One question: she did a portfolio in the AP art class, is that right? This is not absolutely necessary for an arts supplement, which can consist of fewer works. Is she applying to art schools as well as colleges/universities? If so she can check the info on each college site concerning art supplement and submit work, which will also help her. Often a supplement can also include a resume and letters of recommendation relating to the art.
The essay can be about anything as long as the rest of the application shows what she has been up to. If the application does not sufficiently reflect what she does, she can also write a shorter supplementary essay, the one that tells admissions something they don’t already know from the rest of the application. Some essays about EC’s are boring and repeat what is already there, but if done right, it is okay if that is what she wants.