<p>hi. does anyone know about Airn Monahan's book. Airn got in to all the schools he applied to especially Harvard, MIT, UPenn, Georgetown and so on.Did I mention that he got into al of these with high financial aid? he wrote a book on how to "ace" the college admission process. if you have his book, can you tell me how it was?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>Aforadmission:</p>
<p>I have few questions on my mind. In the absence of school rank and only getting info on top 10% category, what CSR value will be assigned to a student who takes the hardest possible course load in math, science and history. His elite prep school does not rank kids. I am also curious about some kids who maintain the medium course load but still manage a top 10% in elite prep school. Does school look for the distinction made by both students? And the school is in one of the elite prep schools like Exeter, Andover, Deerfield, St. Pauls, Choate, Groton and Milton. </p>
<p>Also in the past he has attended the invitation only summer program mentioned in the Chuck Haugh book? Will it hurt him in college admission, if he is on full financial aid in prep school, and looking for financial aid from colleges even though he comes from an ORM group? </p>
<p>Does it also help if teacher comments on his essays best ever seen in last few years but still award only a B which happen to be the top grade in the class? </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Well, let's see if I can get to those -- it doesn't do much good to be top 10% if you're not taking the hardest courses, so they will get knocked out of hte top competition so to speak. Hard to explain all the details of how CRS is computed, but my book as a fairly exhaustive chapter.</p>
<p>As for a B being the highest grade, the counselor needs to point that out int he letter. Some schools are very hard grading but colleges tend to know. If not, just have your son write a explanatory note saying that in X class out of X kids, the highest grade was B (or have the teacher do it). Colleges also know which prep schools offer AP level courses even if they don't call them that!</p>
<p>I read the book few times but I am still not clear as you say in elite prep school ask the school about CSR ranking. Maybe I need to do that.
Thanks</p>
<p>Hi Michele. I enjoyed your first two books and will be interested in seeing the new one. </p>
<p>I, too, have a question about the hardest course load. My child attends a well-regarded independent school at which she will have completed AP Calc BC and AP foreign language (many of the students in these classes will be seniors) by the end of her junior year, as well as three years of laboratory science - bio/chem/physics - at the highest levels offered to her. Her main interests are in the humanities, not in math and science although she does just as well gradewise in math and science as in her other courses. </p>
<p>By the end of junior year, she definitely will have taken the hardest course load available. For her senior year, she would prefer to concentrate on the humanities and arts courses that are of greater interest to her such as AP European History rather than Multivariable Calculus or AP Physics. Would it hurt her chances at the most selective colleges if she does not take four years of math in high school, even though she will have completed four years of high school math (one of those courses having been completed in middle school)? If she needs to take four years of math in the high school years, would it hurt her to take something like statistics instead of multivariable calculus for that fourth year? Likewise for the foreign language, if she's already completed an AP course by the end of junior year, would it hurt her application to not take foreign language during her senior year, but instead take a humanities course of interest to her? Similarly, will it hurt her application if she drops science altogether during her senior year? </p>
<p>She can do the work in any course and excel and she wants to apply to some of the most competitive colleges, but she also would like to follow her interests her senior year if doing so won't hurt her chances for acceptance at those colleges. Thanks.</p>
<p>Well, she's pretty much taken the hardest math courses if she'll be done with BC Calc, so as long as she has AP classes senior year, it's FINE to drop math and science -- basically, colleges will look at it as that she's had the equivalent of 4 years since she's past what most kids finish in 4-5 years. So sure, fine to take humanities. Very few top colleges are strict requirements about how many years of X and Y. Only (ironically) the less selective schools do that! And of course some engineering programs, but doesn't sound like that is where she is heading! Does that help? It's better for her to follow her interests...</p>
<p>Michelle Hernandez!!!! OMGGGGGGGGGG
(sry, i'm get excited easily)</p>
<p>i read your acing college application book--really good tips, i learned alot from it! I'm gonna read the A admission book soon too.</p>
<p>Can you anwer a quesiton for me pleaseee,
since I am facing an awkward situation, and some ppl have given me different comments?</p>
<p>Can you explain grade deflation for me, from an admission officer's point of view?</p>
<p>For example,</p>
<p>Grade deflation doesn't necessarily occur in my school. but in MY GRADE. I'm ranked 6th/320, yet i have gotten MANY MANY Bad grades..6 B's, 1 C+. The valedictorian himself also has like 5 Bs.
(the reason i'm ranked so low is because i take orchestra and stuff, which is unweighted..sucky)</p>
<p>well, since i have so manyyy Bs and a C, I know that colleges will see that in a negative point of view.<br>
Would colleges "know" that my school is grade deflation crazy--just by looking at my transcript and rank??
Will they "know" that I should be ranked even higher...even though grade deflation (bad impression) and orchestra/summerschool (unweighted) got in the way of my GPA?</p>
<p>Can you give me your perspective on grade deflation and how colleges will look at it pleasee? Do other high schools have grade deflation?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>oh, btw, my school is really awkward...We're top 10 in missouri. yet, only 2 people have gone to an ivy league school..in history...both upenn...
..and my dream school just also happens to be wharton.</p>
<p>You are too kind! Since I'm home with the flu today, your kind words cheered me up. It's that kind of flu where even typing seems like climbing a mountain. And yesterday I was totally fine and did a 2 hour workout! (Obviously that was my big mistake). </p>
<p>To answer your question, colleges will look at your rank (especially if it's weighted). AS LONG as your school explains in the college profile (or in the GC letter) how hard the grading is, you'll be fine. It's really your relative place in class and your teacher recs that tell the story. Plus, so many school have grade inflation that deflation is almost easier to understand. But, if you look at the profile and it's NOT clear, be sure to have your counselor explain adn you can help by writing a note too in your app (just a factual explanation) about the grading. There's a school in Ohio I used to cover in which the #1 kid had an 88 or 89% average, but they were VERY proactive in explaining their tough grading scale. Does that help? If I don't reply tonight again, it just means I'm passed out trying to get rid of this bug...</p>
<p>ohhh, i c</p>
<p>thanks!
i'll make sure my counselor says how hard the classes are
hope you get betterr
oh, I also read somewhere that you're writing a new book
what will it be called?</p>
<p>Wow, you're the legend of college admissions . . . I researched a bit, brought your book home, finished it, and then my mom picked it up, and wouldn't give it back! I thought both A is for Admission and Acing the College Application were excellent, perfect for the middle class kid with drive. Insights like handwrite your application in blue ink pepper both books.</p>
<p>I did notice a few flaws; for instance, transfer students get poor coverage (though this seems a trend not limited to your work). I guess the audience just isnt there . . .</p>
<p>That's funny -- a legend. You've cheered me up from my horrible flu! I hope the fever breaks or I'll soon be making up college stuff for you all!</p>
<p>Yes, that's a valid criticism about transfers -- I didn't say much because there wasn't much to tell. Some schools like Princeton don't even accept transfers at all and those that do take maybe 5% of so, there's not a great chance of being accepted. But you are right -- I guess I could have said more. Thanks so much for your feedback. I hope when I return tomorrow, my flu is gone. This is not very fun!</p>
<p>Michelle, do you think there is an advantage to applying early at the top schools, or are the applicants that apply early more qualified?</p>
<p>Michele, thanks for answering my question regarding course load - my daughter will be happy with your response. It's really nice of you to share your expertise here. I hope you feel better soon - have lots of chicken soup!</p>
<p>Michelle, I know in your book you comment about the number or applicants from a single school not affecting admissions decisions all that much for these elite schools. Is that still the case? Looks like students ranked 1 through 4 at my D's school all want the same Ivy, all have similar ACT/SAT (>1500), all with some special factor (one a lyric soprano, one 1/8 Hispanic, one Asian whose father passed away 4 years ago, one a female nationally ranked soccer player). Is there a snowball's chance in H-E-double toothpicks that they would all get accepted to the same school?</p>
<p>Hope for a speedy recovery :)</p>
<p>Michele,
Loved your new book, "Don't Worry, You'll Get In" because it was one I knew my daughter would read. Even posted an Amazon review a while back.</p>
<p>Jay Nelson</p>
<p>thanks -- you made my day! I am just starting meds but have a full blown flu, 103 fever and swollen glands -- can't hardly move! Yes, that's my new book as pointed out (I'll probably get in trouble if I mention it). Thanks for reading it!</p>
<p>Yes, check with counselor -- many elite prep school have their own charts for CRS</p>
<p>And echo -- I'd say you have it -- snowball's chance in hell for all 4!
As for early action, totally different than early decision. Early decision has weaker apps (many legacies and athletes) so it's easier, early action is the oppositite -- still a bit easier than regular, but not by much. My web site has the stats. Off to rest...</p>
<p>Thank you dear for your answering despite being so ill. This sounds more bacterial than viral, so be sure to take your meds and get some rest! Hope you feel better soon.</p>
<p>Could someone please post the URL to Michelle's website?</p>