The first day of school: Seemed like forever coming and yet, only yesterday. And as your children go out the door a cacophony of thoughts fire off from last year, the year before… “Will they excel this year? Make new friends? Respect their teachers? Finally, it’s quiet…but I suddenly miss them.” And for some parents there is the added thought, “This is it. Will he (she) get into college?”
Now, hundreds of bus rides, concerts, pleadings, threats, test grades, report cards, soccer games and promotions later, you are faced with another challenge: How am I going to get my kid into Harvard…or any other school? After all, school, to now has been the “farm system.” The real challenge is to get to the “Big Show”– the majors: College. You believe your child is an exceptional student. You can support that belief with a drawer full of outstanding achievements– even a nice high school picture! Filled with pride and confidence that your child deserves the best and undaunted by what you have heard regarding the highly limited selection process of Ivy League and other top schools, you encourage several applications.
In reality, the ivy-covered road to academia is filled with thorns. And traveling it safely requires skills and knowledge even a proud mother may not (yet) possess. In recent years, the pool of college applicants has begun shrinking as a result of fewer high school graduates nation- wide. The most prestigious schools generally receive four or five times more applicants than they can accept; and the majority have basic academic achievements at least equal to students already matriculated at those schools.
In other words, it’s no longer enough to have “grades”; assume everyone else does, too. Many colleges today utilize a decision strategy featuring the notion that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Essentially, what distinguishes successful applicants among admissions personnel are their personal characteris-tics which contribute to a desired college class. The focus among these institutions has shifted from the qualities of the individual applying, to the creation of a well-rounded collage; a freshman class of which the individual is a contributing part. Specifically, they want some dedicated scholars, exceptional athletes, gifted artisans, and so forth. In order to achieve success, it is useful for a candidate– your child– to excel in one or more of five categories:
- Brains. The prestige of Ivy League and other top institutions still rests with a scholarly reputation. Thus, a given percent of students with high scholastic ability are always admitted, irrespective of their other skills.
- Legacies. These are the children of alumni. Private universities depend upon their alumni to fill their coffers through contributions. It’s reality! A certain number of their family members receive an edge in the admission process.
- Song and dance. School personnel, looking to avoid the stigma of one-dimensional reputations, seek individuals with prowess in sports, music and the arts.
- Affirmative action students. Every college wants a representation of minority students. Committee members may evaluate their potential to excel at college graduation more than, perhaps, a less than adequate secondary school education.
- Multiply-talented kids. These are the “all-American” students who excel scholastically, play sports well, contribute to any number of school functions such as class officers, or the school newspaper.
“Whew! So how can I help my child? Is it too late?” It’s never too late, but eleventh grade is the most important time. Encourage a challenging course load and a good grade point average. Of additional importance are the preparation for aptitude tests (SAT’s), and participation in extra-curricular activities.
And for you, the student, to impress the admission committee: (1) Focus on the application essay, a most distinguishing element. (2) Obtain recommendations from significant people– teachers of demanding courses, counselors, prominent community leaders. (3) Request a campus interview. Be confident and positive; and most of all, be yourself…the same person who will graduate someday!