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hummingbird
Member
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 02:36 am |
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I posted this on the "other" board also (under my other, much more utilitarian username  )
My son doesn't have some of the fabulous ECs that I've seen from a lot of these kids. We didn't realize early on that ECs were that important, and in fact I didn't even know what EC stood for until just a couple of months ago. He's never been one to do a lot of activities, preferring instead to hang out on his computer or with friends. He's not looking to get into an Ivy or a top school (although maybe UNC-CH, but being out of state it's a near impossibility anyway).
He has very good stats, SAT, GPA, a couple of APs, will have a wonderful essay I'm sure, will have wonderful recs from his teachers. He's a good kid and a good student. He just hasn't done a whole lot outside of school. Not much volunteering - just what it takes to meet his school's community service requirements. He loves to write and does so for fun. He sang in a community choir for one year, and he's done some theater (mostly at school). At school he's also a member of NHS, writes for the school newspaper, and is a member of WorldQuest (geography team). He would like to get a job, but hasn't pursued it because he doesn't yet have a drivers license (he skipped a year and so just turned 16) and we have a bit of summer travel this year. He's also going to attend a summer journalism program at Indiana University this summer.
I feel that his stats are probably great for the most of the schools he is considering (for journalism, at this time):
Indiana University
University of Maryland CP
University of Missouri
Ohio University
American University
Ryerson University in Toronto (I don't know much about it)
University of NC -CH (reach)
New York University (reach)
University of Oregon (safety, it's our state school)
Preferably honors college if possible.
I don't want to push him. I want him to continue getting great grades and enjoy his last year+ of high school. He's been feeling a lot of pressure with the whole college thing, plus his girlfriend broke up with him today. 
Thoughts? Suggestions? Keep on doing what we're doing?
Thanks!Last edited on Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 12:54 pm by hummingbird
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yayamama
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 1st, 2006 |
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| Posts: | 78 |
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 01:34 pm |
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Hi hummingbird. My opinion is that if your son is happy, then he should keep on the same path. Getting into a hyper-competitive college is not worth the stress of adding activities he's not interested in or pretending to like something he doesn't. As a journalism major, writing for the school paper and writing at home should be sufficient.
One minor suggestion I'd make is that perhaps you could encourage him to kick up the writing a notch? Maybe he could attempt to have some of his writing published in a magazine. Or maybe he could run for editor of school newspaper. Since these are the areas he likes, he may not feel pressured. Not only would those differences help your son to stand out in college admissions, but they would also build his confidence in journalism. And he'd learn additional skills he will be able to use in college and career.
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WestrnMom
Super Moderator
| Joined: | Fri May 26th, 2006 |
| Location: | West Coast, USA |
| Posts: | 1173 |
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 03:26 pm |
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If it were my son, I'd worry more about the breakup than the ECs. Kids live in the moment. His ECs are all academic-related, which would interest a LAC. He hasn't delved into them intensively yet from what you said, but he is interested and involved. The summer program shows he's exploring journalism outside of the classroom and his local school. Writing for the paper is considered an EC. Mine has a few ECs he's pursued for a long time but they are his interests, not something he's done to look good for a college. He had to take music lessons outside of school because he didn't have the opportunity in the classroom. From a college perspective, it might have looked strange that he has been so involved in performance but never took a music class in high school.
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hummingbird
Member
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 03:37 pm |
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WestrnMom-- I am worried about the breakup. He's taking it very badly. Poor kid's heart is broken.
We've talked about LACs and he has made it very clear that doesn't want to go to one, although he hasn't been very forthcoming with reasons. So we're focused on the larger universities, for now. After we visit some, he may change his mind. Who knows.
yayamama-- good suggestion about editing the newspaper. After a few days have passed and he is feeling better, I will talk to him about that. I know he doesn't want to get involved with the money aspect. Another girl in his class is the newspaper treasurer and enjoys dealing with the finances. My son specifically told me he wants to stay away from that part of it. I'm not exactly sure what an editor does - do they put the entire paper together, or do they supervise everyone else? I went to a very tiny Catholic HS and we barely had any kind of newspaper, so this is all new to me.
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mominva
Member
| Joined: | Sun Mar 5th, 2006 |
| Location: | DC Suburbs |
| Posts: | 333 |
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 04:12 pm |
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Hummingbird,
I wonder if your son is adverse to LACs due to their small size. That was a factor for all three of mine. The smallest place any of mine considered was Trinity in San Antonio at under 3000 students.
I would suggest your son consider medium sized schools as a contrast to the big places already on his list.
Villanova & St. Joe's in Philly, Catholic U in DC (while you look at American), Elon in NC, Santa Clara and U of San Diego are all in the midsize range.
St. Joe's, Catholic and Elon might just come through with some merit money for such a well rounded boy as yours.
Other not so large universities U of Miami and College of Charleston.
Last edited on Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 04:14 pm by mominva
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CalifCarolyn
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| Joined: | Tue Apr 4th, 2006 |
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 04:43 pm |
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ECs---ah the delimina---some kids(or parents) want to try to do it all--there is no reason for a kid to try to be the Jack Of All Trades-so much better to remain committed to one or two. Your son already has 3. The school newspaper, World Quest and NHS. If he can list assistant editor then that would be great. When you see a huge list of ECs it is obvious that the kids are trying to do it all and realistically there are not enough hours in a week to really do 10-20 activities.
The summer in Indiana will also help him to grow and focus his interests.
LAC--they come in all shapes and sizes he may find that as a surprise...a pleasant one...my D started out looking large and accepted a LAC with about 4000 students.
Enjoy the journey
and keep the duct tape handy
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CarolynLawrence
Administrator
| Joined: | Sun Mar 5th, 2006 |
| Location: | USA |
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 04:53 pm |
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I'm so sorry about the girlfriend.
I think his EC's are fine for most of the schools on his list. The only possible exceptions might be NYU and UNC-CH. Still, I wouldn't try to branch out into other EC's at this point - it will ring false with admissions folks. Instead, he should just aim for a bit more depth in his main interests -- attending the j-program at Indiana is great, writing/editing for the school paper, perhaps even enter an essay contest or two or approaching your local newspaper about writing a few articles for them. I'd also suggest that he put together a nice activity sheet of his writing activities to attach to his applications (at schools that will accept such a supplement).
Last edited on Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 04:57 pm by CarolynLawrence
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hummingbird
Member
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 05:46 pm |
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Thank you all. I think at this point, we will encourage him to keep up with his writing, consider editing the school paper, maybe get some work published, etc. Someone on the "other" board suggested volunteering at a campaign during the elections. He's also interested in political science, so that would be an interesting thing for him. I mentioned it to him last night and he did not say no -- which is always a good sign!
Thanks again everyone. I feel better about his ECs now. You are a great bunch!
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Shennie
Member
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Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2007 04:47 pm |
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For most of the large state schools, ECs are not going to be a huge factor. As far as LACs go if he goes that route, my middle son sounds much like yours. Very good grades, excellent test scores, good letters of rec, all around good kid. He played percussion in the band all through high school and took lessons. But he didn't do any other music activities. He was an Eagle Scout. He pursued outdoor activities in the summer. No volunteer stuff other than through scouts. He worked about 10 hours a week his senior year. He was in NHS but not involved in any way.
He applied to 4 good LACs and was accepted to all with merit money. He applied to one very good small university and was accepted there as well with merit money. I think that your son will be fine.
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