Ivy League, how did you get in or get the kids in?

[whiteworks]

Pretty diverse group here, I’m guessing there has to be a few Ivy League types in the mix, or some who have kids attend that level of school. I’m interested in hearing some of your experiences in what it takes to make the cut.

My daughter is a bright kid, 4.0 student and starting to take weighted courses, just made varsity cheer as a sophomore and is president of her NCL class. Her aspiration is to attend Yale and end goal would be a career in criminal justice working for the feds, obviously that career could shift as she gets exposed to more options, but I figure an undergrad degree from a top school in the US isn’t a bad thing to have under your belt.

So what extra activities did you or your kids partake in to set you apart from the other qualified applicants?

Now if you’re gonna pop off about how the world needs more electricians or about student loan debt, save it. I’m cashing out her education or putting the money down on a house for her should she decide to get stupid tattoos, smoke dope, and be a barista

 

[4Waters]

Pretty diverse group here, I’m guessing there has to be a few Ivy League types in the mix, or some who have kids attend that level of school. I’m interested in hearing some of your experiences in what it takes to make the cut.

My daughter is a bright kid, 4.0 student and starting to take weighted courses, just made varsity cheer as a sophomore and is president of her NCL class. Her aspiration is to attend Yale and end goal would be a career in criminal justice working for the feds, obviously that career could shift as she gets exposed to more options, but I figure an undergrad degree from a top school in the US isn’t a bad thing to have under your belt.

So what extra activities did you or your kids partake in to set you apart from the other qualified applicants?

Now if you’re gonna pop off about how the world needs more electricians or about student loan debt, save it. I’m cashing out her education or putting the money down on a house for her should she decide to get stupid tattoos, smoke dope, and be a barista

View attachment 1373919

This should be interesting to hear what it took to get into those colleges. My daughter is a 4.0+ student taking AP classes founded 2 clubs and wants to go to Baylor or Texas A&M. I'll be watching this thread.

 

[thedan]

System is stacked unless you are minority, first generation, etc. unfortunately. All 3 kids top 1-3 in class, wait listed at UCLA, while kids they dominated in school got in. Great SAT scores and 13+ AP tests passed. Not bitter, but the system is broken. (Yes, I know UCLA is not Ivy League).

 

[hallett21]

Money helps lol. I graduated highschool in 2009.

I graduated with 3-4 IV bound kids. They all were pretty much perfect grade students. 2 we’re just flat out brainiacs and 2 were 4.0 (all AP classes) and stud athletes.

I have no idea what it takes today but like anything I assume networking will get you ahead of the pack.

 

[rivrrts429]

My girlfriends daughter appears to be going to Penn.

4.3 GPA and just about every softball award CIF and club ball hands out.

The softball is what got her noticed as they began recruiting her via sports and the GPA over her high school career was the kicker.

Ivy League doesn’t give out scholarships for sports so you have to chase other means to help monetarily but sports can be the avenue that gets you an inside supporter.

She’s being recruited on softball scholarships elsewhere including D1 schools but she told her Mom when she was 10 years old that she wanted to be an Ivy League graduate.

Ivy League is so incredibly different than typical schools. The people that you meet and network with while going to school often go on to be extremely successful and then networking opportunities later in life with those friends seem to be the norm.

Good luck to your daughter. I never knew how incredibly difficult it can potentially be since participating in this process the last year.

 

[Bpracing1127]

I have two cousins that went to Harvard and Georgetown One is a lawyer in NY and other is a bum but has a Dr from GT. I’ll ask them and report back

 

[DLC]

She’s not wearing eye protection…

that I can see!


is That a Sig?

Thats all I got !

Congratulations ! a job well done !!

 

[f12517]

This should be interesting to hear what it took to get into those colleges. My daughter is a 4.0+ student taking AP classes founded 2 clubs and wants to go to Baylor or Texas A&M. I'll be watching this thread.

My daughter is a Baylor grad, class of 23. Shoot me a pm if you have questions.
Sic ‘em Bears!

 

[4Waters]

My daughter is a Baylor grad, class of 23. Shoot me a pm if you have questions.
Sic ‘em Bears!

You have your PM's disabled

 

[Singleton]

1) grades. Going to require at least a 4.4gpa with a ton of honors classes
2) extracurricular activities. she has cheer
3) volunteer hours - needs to show she is giving back to the community
4) work history - show she can balance 1-3 while working part time
5) network, need to know an alumni

 

[rivermobster]

Dylan, you probably need to talk to my daughter.

Short story is, a 4.0 gpa is not a huge deal. They want to see gpa's above that.

And even if you do have a high gpa, they also want to see you are well rounded.

Huh?

One of my Eagle Scout kids as an example:

I think he had like a 4.6 gpa
Eagle Scout
Swim team captain
Played an instrument
Held down a job

Get the idea?

He got accepted into Wharton with no issues.

His older brother was the same way, but opted for USC with my daughter.

At that level...

4.0 students are a dime a dozen. The stand outs are what they are looking for.

USC had 82,ooo applicants last year, and had a 9.2 percent acceptance rate.

Its competitive for sure.

Class of 2028 acceptance rate is 9.2%, USC confirms - Daily Trojan

This marks yet another sub-10% rate as the University released its admission results Friday afternoon.

dailytrojan.com

 

[f12517]

You have your PM's disabled

View attachment 1373925

Sent you a pm

 

[rivermobster]

1) grades. Going to require at least a 4.4gpa with a ton of honors classes
2) extracurricular activities. she has cheer
3) volunteer hours - needs to show she is giving back to the community
4) work history - show she can balance 1-3 while working part time
5) network, need to know an alumni

Oh yeah, I forgot about the volunteer hours...

My daughter was one of the Trainer's at Citrus College for two years.

 

[Roosky01]

My cousin’s son was a 4.75 gpa student with every AP class offered and 36 ACT. President of student council, Eagle Scout, State scholar athlete, etc. and actually started and ran a successful small business in high school doing garage organizing where he made $20k+ a Summer. He was rejected from every Ivy applied to except Brown and Penn where he was waitlisted and never got in.

He is at a State school on a full ride now and graduates next year. Just watch the news and the desire to send your offspring to a cesspool like an “Ivy” is quickly squashed, IMO.

My daughters are 13 and 12 and I told them if they want an Ivy experience, they better get in touch with their non-existent Latino heritage and they will not get any support from me other than positive reinforcement.

However, if they would choose a place like Hillsdale, I would sell a kidney if that’s what it took to get them there.

 

[Singleton]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the volunteer hours...

My daughter was one of the Trainer's at Citrus College for two years.

Yep and not the 40 needed to graduate HS.
I am talking averaging 6 hours a week for 4 years

 

[530RL]

I have rejection letters from both Harvard and Stanford. Although over 40 years old, they hang over the toilet in the bathroom of my hangar for all to chuckle at. They hung proudly in every corporate office I ever had.

I have no idea how to get in, I failed to get into any of them.

But if they don’t get in, tell them it is no big deal. After about six months in work no one cares where you went to school or even if one graduated. They only care about delivering results.

 

[rivermobster]

I have rejection letters from both Harvard and Stanford. Although over 40 years old, they hang over the toilet in the bathroom of my hangar for all to chuckle at. They hung proudly in every corporate office I ever had.

I have no idea how to get in, I failed to get into any of them.

But if they don’t get in, tell them it is no big deal. After about six months in work no one cares where you went to school or even if one graduated. They only care about delivering results.

Unless you want to be a doctor or some shit like that.

 

[77charger]

My daughter applied for multiple scholarships. Does a lot in school gets very good grades takes ap classes etc.

Her act and sat scores were very good too 1 percent she said.

We’ll she didn’t get Ivy League but got into John Hopkins on a full ride. Which I hear is a hard thing to do. She will be leaving in august.

 

[ChumpChange]

Interviewer: How do you explain this 4 year gap on your resume?

Me: That’s when I went to Yale...

Interviewer: That’s impressive. You are hired.

Me: Thanks. I really need this yob.

 

[Roosky01]

I have rejection letters from both Harvard and Stanford. Although over 40 years old, they hang over the toilet in the bathroom of my hangar for all to chuckle at. They hung proudly in every corporate office I ever had.

I have no idea how to get in, I failed to get into any of them.

But if they don’t get in, tell them it is no big deal. After about six months in work no one cares where you went to school or even if one graduated. They only care about delivering results.

Outside of the Beltway, you are absolutely right, I think.

 

[ChumpChange]

But if they don’t get in, tell them it is no big deal. After about six months in work no one cares where you went to school or even if one graduated. They only care about delivering results.

One hundred percent truth!

 

[530RL]

Unless you want to be a doctor or some shit like that.

You can become a doctor from a myriad of schools no where near the Ivy League.

There is even a website on the easiest medical schools to get into.

The 35 Easiest Medical Schools To Get Into In 2024 | MedSchoolCoach

The least competitive medical schools often get more applications because their qualifications are a bit lower. Here’s the latest list and how to pick schools.

www.medschoolcoach.com

I’m not a big believer in the prestige of these Ivy League schools. The best rise to the top from hard work regardless of where they went to school.

 

[whiteworks]

I have rejection letters from both Harvard and Stanford. Although over 40 years old, they hang over the toilet in the bathroom of my hangar for all to chuckle at. They hung proudly in every corporate office I ever had.

I have no idea how to get in, I failed to get into any of them.

But if they don’t get in, tell them it is no big deal. After about six months in work no one cares where you went to school or even if one graduated. They only care about delivering results.

Just think how well things could have worked out for you.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

First things first, identify as a person of color.

Some will laugh, some will be offended, but the reality is that is nearly required to get a look, and in the age of choose your own adventure of gender, race, and mammal selection, nobody will touch it with a 10’ pole once (if) they ever figure it out.

 

[530RL]

Just think how well things could have worked out for you.

If she really wants to go to one, your local community will have an alumni club. For
Example In phoenix there is a Harvard alumni
Club, Yale alumni club and on and on.

It may be worth looking them up and spending some time there. Some of those people
are beyond stuck still in college and are well connected with the admission departments of those universities.

Maybe a different angle.

 

[whiteworks]

One of my uncles went to Harvard for his MBA, we’ve talked a bit about what that means and how it has affected him professionally. Fresh out of school the effect was that every time he put in a resume for a position he was interested in, the interview door was opened, it gave him a seat at the table and allowed him to be selective on who he was affiliated with.

In the interim he fired up a consulting business after he knew some shit and it attracted candidates who wanted to work with him and allowed him to be more selective of who he brought in.

For the final act he is now semi retired but was able to take a position at USC as a professor which he enjoyed but also allowed him tuition remission for his 3 sons who went there for over lapping periods of time for a 6 year period. So instead of dropping $1.2M on tuition for the boys it was free and he also took a pay check

 

[rivrrts429]

My girlfriend has an MBA from a large Midwest college. She’s highly talented, a social extrovert and successful.

She can’t recall many, if any, opportunities that she couldn’t get because of the school she graduated from. As soon as she got her degree she was being heavily recruited in the professional world.

Unless it’s some unique career path get into a school that doesn’t saddle you with insane amounts of debt but provides a quality education and aligns with after college goals.

 

[rivermobster]

One of my uncles went to Harvard for his MBA, we’ve talked a bit about what that means and how it has affected him professionally. Fresh out of school the effect was that every time he put in a resume for a position he was interested in, the interview door was opened, it gave him a seat at the table and allowed him to be selective on who he was affiliated with.

In the interim he fired up a consulting business after he knew some shit and it attracted candidates who wanted to work with him and allowed him to be more selective of who he brought in.

For the final act he is now semi retired but was able to take a position at USC as a professor which he enjoyed but also allowed him tuition remission for his 3 sons who went there for over lapping periods of time for a 6 year period. So instead of dropping $1.2M on tuition for the boys it was free and he also took a pay check

Speaking of free...

If you or your wife had a job at Azusa Pacific...

 

[RiverDave]

Not to detract from the thread but are you concerned about her becoming somewhat brainwashed through those years?

Those schools ain’t exactly what they used to be.. especially in the philosophy, sociology, politics etc.. some of their ideas are pretty out there.

 

[whiteworks]

Not to detract from the thread but are you concerned about her becoming somewhat brainwashed through those years?

Those schools ain’t exactly what they used to be.. especially in the philosophy, sociology, politics etc.. some of their ideas are pretty out there.

If your lawyer shows up for court in a suit that doesn’t fit with a flip phone, you’re going to jail.

Curious what you’re basing your opinion of these educational institutions on? You’re usually not one to break out the broad brush.

Take a look at the stats on employment and income for these upper level schools in people who have actual degrees that mean something, hard sciences, law, medical, the separation over a working career is exponentially greater.

We’re not talking about some schlep ass kids here, this is about the ones that have traction, drive, and ambition that are going places and getting there fast.

The basket weaver kids are now sitting in tents in empty fields at schools that are out for summer while the hitter kids are in Ibiza for the summer enjoying life until the fall or starting a career working 90 hours a week in their chosen profession.

 

[RiverDave]

If your lawyer shows up for court in a suit that doesn’t fit with a flip phone, you’re going to jail.

Curious what you’re basing your opinion of these educational institutions on? You’re usually not one to break out the broad brush.

Take a look at the stats on employment and income for these upper level schools in people who have actual degrees that mean something, hard sciences, law, medical, the separation over a working career is exponentially greater.

We’re not talking about some schlep ass kids here, this is about the ones that have traction, drive, and ambition that are going places and getting there fast.

The basket weaver kids are now sitting in tents in empty fields at schools that are out for summer while the hitter kids are in Ibiza for the summer enjoying life until the fall or starting a career working 90 hours a week in their chosen profession.

Wasn’t so much talking about the kids as so much as what we have seen from the professors and even upper staff at a lot of these institutions.

Either way I don’t want to derail the thread, if it isn’t a concern then it isn’t a concern.

RD

 

[whiteworks]

Wasn’t so much talking about the kids as so much as what we have seen from the professors and even upper staff at a lot of these institutions.

Either way I don’t want to derail the thread, if it isn’t a concern then it isn’t a concern.

RD

I’m not concerned about what’s going on out in the weeds of the sociology department at liberal U

 

[twocents]

My daughter is a Baylor grad, class of 23. Shoot me a pm if you have questions.
Sic ‘em Bears!

I've got two granddaughters at Baylor right now (the sophomore is pre-med and the freshman is pre-law). Both seem quite happy with the school. Both initially considered USC (I graduated from there in 1968) but I didn't recommend it because of the surrounding urban environment (I grew up in that neighborhood, I was a Crenshaw/Baldwin Hills boy). Not a good place for a young lady. This will make some of you cry -- a 16-unit full load per semester at USC during that time was $640 ($40 a unit). My...things have changed.

 

[clarence]

Education Apocalypse Now?

The Ivy League Hits An Iceberg.

instapundit.substack.com

 

[traquer]

I wasn't very interested in school but I went to Cal Poly and got it out of the way with a 4.0 pretty easily. So I know nothing of the Ivy league game.

But I will say I am in alignment with Dave's concern here. If your daughter seems easily impressionable, I'd be worried.

But if she's hardheaded in life and is solidly conservative in her views, then that's great and I wouldn't be very worried. She'll probably lay low and play it safe, but she should feel a sense of rebellious superiority inside when she sees all this pronoun Palestinian crap going on and knowing she has nothing to do with it.

 

[dread Pirate]

My daughter graduated with a 4.3 gpa. We are fortunate to have an excellent charter school up here that she got in. At the time she went there it was ranked one of the best schools in the state. Of the 35-40 kids that graduate each year 3-5 would end up in Harvard or Yale. She was accepted to every school she applied, but chose Davis for the Equine program. She did it all herself. No loans. She landed grants and some student aid and also worked 2 jobs the last 2 years. She graduates next month and will be moving to Bend Oregon with 2 job offers on the table already.

Yes I may be a little proud of her.

 

[coolchange]

You need to talk to her school counselors

 

[530RL]

Not to detract from the thread but are you concerned about her becoming somewhat brainwashed through those years?

Those schools ain’t exactly what they used to be.. especially in the philosophy, sociology, politics etc.. some of their ideas are pretty out there.

That’s just life. Half of America has the exact ideas you depict above. There is no escaping it.

They are going to have to learn to look at all ideas objectively and work with people of all ideas sooner or later.

 

[clarence]

end goal would be a career in criminal justice

Yale is not a top 10 Criminal Justice school.

 

[hallett21]

Yale is not a top 10 Criminal Justice school.

Top 5 in law though.

 

[ChumpChange]

Had a friend from HS go there. Back in the day you didn’t have to fit the ethnic profile that they look for today. Could’ve probably got her job doing what she does now without that Y but you never know how people get to where they are.

 

[Boatymcboatface]

My dad started in community college now the Ivey league Med schools use the text book he authored.

 

[clarence]

Top 5 in law though.

 

[propcheck]

To answer your question I would have your daughter look well north of a 4.0 as well as leadership roles in academic clubs ,cheer and increase the community volunteer time and most of all you need to remain fully engaged as an Alumni and continue to donate money to the college so admissions remembers the last name. (according to the Harvard side of our family)

With my daughter we had all the above and got acceptance from everywhere she wanted to go, ultimately it came down to the “Best offer”. Full disclosure she did not apply for Ivy League colleges. She did not see a need, evaluate the benefit of an Ivy league school for a career in criminal justice unless she means a high paid defense attorney

 

[lakemadness]

I have a fairly close friend who graduated from Harvard. He went on to have a very successful career (duh) in Investment banking, taking his own company public in the mid 90's etc... Now doing his own private equity deals to keep himself from getting board. He's stayed somewhat active with the school, both money and a little time.

He's late 60's now but has a 17-year-old daughter. Top of her class at a distinguished private college preparatory school. All AP classes, studied abroad in high school at Oxford, varsity sports, school clubs, volunteerism you name it she has done it and done it damn well. All signs point to her being uber-successful with any direction she so chooses.

No dice on getting into Harvard so far. She is white, her parents are white and the family is privileged. Period.

 

[Bajastu]

This is an interesting conversation. At this point in 2024, a college education means nothing because it’s considered the norm. If piece of paper that you end up with has an Ivy League name on it , then it opens doors after they graduate because Ivy League school alumni take care of each other. This class of individuals only makes up .02% of the American population, so if your kids are in this class, I hope the best for you.

My degree does nothing for me in my career field.

 

[Cole Trickle]

I think I'vy leagus is still important for law , science or medical degrees. If you ever plan to to go into politics I think a law degree from Harvard would be invaluable.

My kid gets good grades but not ivy league. 4.0 +++ seems to be the norm with every extra curricular box checked along the way.

I think the fact that she won't have to check "white" on her application will help. (Make sure there are no pictures of you in the application...lol)

As far as Ivy League schools not giving out Sports scholarships that's not true. One of my clients got a full ride for football. He was heavily recruited by a bunch of good schools and decided education was more important. He had a really good freshmen year and then covid fucked him for 2 years and he was replaced by a kid that was even better so his pro dream never really came true. Needless to say he ended up with a yale degree and a cushy Newport Beach Finance job with a great tile and starting pay.

 

[Laguna]

Taking and passing AP or IB classes means nothing if they don't pass the test for each course at end of year and each one cost like $125. Our son passed all his IB tests and was a 4.3 GPA he had lots of offers but chose UCSD for his undergrad. He saved us almost 2 years in tuition by passing all the IB test he walked into college with 46 college credits.. I cant stress it enough to make sure they pass the test at end of taking classes had lots of friends kids that took AP or IB classes but in end didn't get the college credit because they didn't pass test.

 

[whiteworks]

I’ll throw a little gas on the fire

What exactly is it that some of you think a female with only a highschool education is going to have for options in today’s world?

This whole “college is the devil” mind set is amusing to say the least

 

[whiteworks]

I think I'vy leagus is still important for law , science or medical degrees. If you ever plan to to go into politics I think a law degree from Harvard would be invaluable.

My kid gets good grades but not ivy league. 4.0 +++ seems to be the norm with every extra curricular box checked along the way.

I think the fact that she won't have to check "white" on her application will help. (Make sure there are no pictures of you in the application...lol)

As far as Ivy League schools not giving out Sports scholarships that's not true. One of my clients got a full ride for football. He was heavily recruited by a bunch of good schools and decided education was more important. He had a really good freshmen year and then covid fucked him for 2 years and he was replaced by a kid that was even better so his pro dream never really came true. Needless to say he ended up with a yale degree and a cushy Newport Beach Finance job with a great tile and starting pay.

So you’re saying I shouldn’t show the admissions committee my white privilege card? She will be checking the “mexican of the South Pacific” box, or as her mother calls it Filipino