Hi Skipper,
Anyone who has been a regular poster at Galt should hardly feel trepidation about posting here! What prompted my probably incoherent post last night was a discussion yesterday with our high school regarding GPAs, grades, ranking. We had been told this weekend that the rigor of the coursework and grades are the first things at which a college looks. CW has taken every Honors and AP course offered. We had been told that these courses were weighted; however, we now learn that this weighting doesn't show up on the transcript and is uses only in determining GPAs for ranking at the end of the year. So at first glance, the transcript really doesn't look nearly as good as it should although his GPA is over 98. The question is whether admissions officers take the time to examine every school's individual policy on grading. The complexity of it all is amazing. On Sunday at this seminar, we were given seven applications of very good, all-around kids and told we could admit two. We were in groups and came together for the final session to discuss our candidates. Of course, different groups chose different people (although it was more consistent than I would have thought)and then the admissions told us whom they admitted and why they rejected the others. It made us realize that a lot of the process is going to be a crapshoot--and will depend in part on a school's individual needs. Even the smaller colleges, while not actively recruiting sports, may be told that they need a lacrosse goalie and to keep an eye out. Then there's the issue of "legacy"; I had no idea how important that was. And of course-diversity.
Thus we are re-evaluating our whole approach to this. And so I really appreciate the input of people I consider to be the brightest, most independent thinkers around. (That means you) One of the decisions that CW needs to make is liberal arts vs. a specialized education in computers. He's torn right now. Anyway-I'm glad we're starting early with this.
The bottom line is that an individual's hard efforts will pay off, regardless. Still, there is a definite sex appeal to the big names. But is that worth eating up your life's savings for??? we have some Ivy Leaguers-what do you think? |
