Scant extra curriculars, dismiss an applicant?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I'm the parent of a rising senior and facing the challenge of college searches/admissions.</p>

<p>My son's grades are ok for the most part and he did well on the sat/act - but really no ECs. I would say it's 50/50 between his doing and ours, as his parents.</p>

<p>At the same time, for about 3-4 years, or since my son was in 8th grade, my husband and I could not support our son in this way as we were taking care of frail, ill and very elderly parents. We couldn't run him around to activities - there was no time between running our home (best we could), taking care of parents and working. It was an awful time and we are guilty that our son most definitely got the short end of the stick. We couldn't even let him commit to EC's sponsored by the school as we could never be sure we'd be available to pick him up or shuttle him.</p>

<p>Even if caring for our parents (both deceased now) had not happened in tandem like this, there was precious little money left after paying tuition at a private school. We've taken one vacation in our lives and that's it. All discretionary (and beyond) goes to paying for his education in high school.</p>

<p>It really concerns me that he will appear lazy and disinterested by that empty block on the college app, when that is not the case. I certainly don't want him to relay that on an application as it could appear as making excuses, when in fact, it was just our reality.</p>

<p>I'm sure there a lot of older parents out there squashed between the demands of managing our lives, and caring for aged and ill parents. We can't be the only ones. So the question is, what to do or say on that application?</p>

2

<p>Within these few months you can manage to get at least 100 hours of Volunteer Work. You can put that on your son’s application and It will look great. On the Essays he can mention that he faced some hardships like his grandparents passing away which has severely impacted his ECs. I hope I helped… Good Luck to you and your Son.</p>

3

<p>What schools will he be applying to? Only highly selective colleges will even look at his ECs - most just look at grades, classes and test scores.</p>

<p>I would suggest that he emphasize his family relationships in his application. Helping care for family is a powerful activity that should lend itself to strong essays.</p>

4

<p>We are just starting to compile the list, but the reach schools are Brandeis, Wesleyan, Bates or Middlebury. Still working on the middle and foundation list.</p>

5

<p>I have no idea where to look for volunteer work for him. It seems the summer job will not come thru - he put in tons of applications and follow up, but nothing. I know his school has a summer camp program, maybe he can help there to start.</p>