- Joined
- Jan 7, 2018
- Messages
- 750
I would like to share with the audience what we learned in the 2020-2021 admissions cycle. My DD is a high school Junior Class of 2022 living in a metro city in the US. But she will be a Senior this month and graduate with the Class of 2021.
Last fall, we decided to experiment if DD is ready for college given the macro-social changes taking place due to COVID. We knew that testing will be difficult, and therefore, will limit the test-taking opportunities. We knew that college admissions will be very different in 2020-2021. And so it was. For many schools, college applications rose 20-35% this year due to test-optional and test blind policy. We also anticipated that 2021-2022 may be a similar year for college admissions nationwide. The University of California System is phasing out testing completely and will incorporate its own testing platform by 2024. However, international students are still required to send test scores until UC System has adopted its own testing system.
So, in fall 2020, our DD at age 16, applied to few select colleges in USNEWS ranking top 1-30. We knew that DD would be a strong candidate even as a high school Junior, but would fall short of being competitive with high school seniors with top grades, top test scores, and extraordinary ECs that are truly outliers.
So DD applied to few select schools with top GPA with 9 AP/Dual College Credits with 5,000 words independent college research thesis, from a strong district in US metro city. No Test Scores (all test centers were canceled for 10 months). Strong ECs with national/international level awards in musicals/theater performing at large cities for 10 years. Actress/Voiceover Actress for 6 years working with Amazon Audible and Scholastic Media Companies. Varsity and JV Athlete in Rowing and Volleyball with athletes placing into D1/D3 NCAA schools. Kickboxing for 4 years. Shooting Sports 6 years (qualified Expert at Civ/Mil ranges in pistol, rifles of many types including Air/Firearms). Scouting 6 years with Eagle Scout / Summit Scout Award. Congressional Award. Learned 4 languages, fluent in 2 while living abroad for 10 years.
She was successful at UCLA which is about middle-ranked in the top 20, among the top 30 schools she applied to. UCLA received about 140,000 applications in 2020-2021, the largest college application pool in the nation. She also won the National NROTC Scholarship Tier 3 for other non-STEM majors which means she can really be in any major. She was accepted into the Economics major at UCLA. This is really her sweet spot since analytical social science is what she enjoys the most. She took 8 social science classes (4 AP in social science) and should complete Calculus III and Business Stats before enrolling in college.
As a Junior, she applied to Summer Seminars and Summer Athletic programs at the Naval Academy and Air Force Academy for this summer. She was accepted into both programs.
What we learned from our college preview. In order for you to be competitive to schools in the top 30, you will still need all your grades, test scores, your signature accomplishments in your core ECs in order to be highly competitive. You should not have C’s and no more than 2 B’s in your transcript if you want to attend the nation’s top 10 USNEWS ranked schools. Test optional really means if you live in places where taking the test is not an option. For example, you live in the Appalachian Mountains, the middle of a desert county, and remote places in the US. This applies to all colors and ethnic backgrounds. International students must have their test scores, this is not optional nor blind even if you heard otherwise.
For the US applicants, test blind is test blind. Admissions will not consider your test even if you send it in. So, test blind schools are great for those who don’t have tests or who did not test well but have all other stats and accomplishments ready to share.
Our DD has decided on UCLA. She is 17 now and old enough to enroll in NROTC or AFROTC program. She is DODMERB Qualified. She plans to row at UCLA to keep her physically strong and mentally do well in a large campus where finding a tribe can be a challenge. Her tribe will be her ROTC, Crew, and Musicals she plans to contribute and make an impact on UCLA campus and in Los Angeles.
When we started out on our journey to college preview this year, we expected little success. But in the last 10 months, we learned a lot about our DD and about how we look at college choices and programs. We are happy to learn that there is more than ONE path to college. In fact, there are TOO MANY paths to colleges that are right for you. My advice to candidates and parents starting the process in 2021-2022 admissions cycle, please spend your energy on how to be a true applicant rather than trying to game the system. Know that every one of you is very SPECIAL and you will make an impact on campuses and Academies you plan to join, please don’t forget that. There is no accident in life. If you're ready, you'll get what you wished for. My children's paths to the Naval Academy and UCLA are demonstrated evidence.
Initially, we were hoping our DD attends the Naval Academy with her brother, who will be a Firstie this fall. But it is clear, she found her own path to college that is, perhaps, better for her given her career interest as a JAG (Judge Advocate General, military justice/attorney). If she attends an SA, her college experience will be different from the ROTC program. She will have more freedom to explore the field of business and law through summer internships in a civilian school. She can also graduate in 3 years with her advanced standing in college credits or 4 years with a joint degree BA in Economics and Masters in Public Policy. So, she can commission when she is 20 years old and attend law school when she is 22 after serving at least 2 years, at the earliest. While graduating early is nice to have, graduating with maturity is better to have.
I wish to express a special shout-out to @AROTC-dad who welcomed me to this forum a little over 3 years ago and who allowed me to see beyond SAs for a commissioning source. SAs are great for many and so is ROTC/OCS for others who seek different college experience and journey to be an officer and serve our great nation. I continue to learn so much from so many on this forum, especially from this dedicated group of super moderators, moderators, and members. Thank you for your dedication and invaluable advice and encouragement. I continue to learn from all of you.
Super Moderators, Moderators, Members:
AROTC-dad
usna 1985
NavyHoops
Capt MJ
Old Navy BGO
OldRetSWO
PIMA
Kinnen
THParent
Stealth81
Kierkegaard
MidCapePa
Last fall, we decided to experiment if DD is ready for college given the macro-social changes taking place due to COVID. We knew that testing will be difficult, and therefore, will limit the test-taking opportunities. We knew that college admissions will be very different in 2020-2021. And so it was. For many schools, college applications rose 20-35% this year due to test-optional and test blind policy. We also anticipated that 2021-2022 may be a similar year for college admissions nationwide. The University of California System is phasing out testing completely and will incorporate its own testing platform by 2024. However, international students are still required to send test scores until UC System has adopted its own testing system.
So, in fall 2020, our DD at age 16, applied to few select colleges in USNEWS ranking top 1-30. We knew that DD would be a strong candidate even as a high school Junior, but would fall short of being competitive with high school seniors with top grades, top test scores, and extraordinary ECs that are truly outliers.
So DD applied to few select schools with top GPA with 9 AP/Dual College Credits with 5,000 words independent college research thesis, from a strong district in US metro city. No Test Scores (all test centers were canceled for 10 months). Strong ECs with national/international level awards in musicals/theater performing at large cities for 10 years. Actress/Voiceover Actress for 6 years working with Amazon Audible and Scholastic Media Companies. Varsity and JV Athlete in Rowing and Volleyball with athletes placing into D1/D3 NCAA schools. Kickboxing for 4 years. Shooting Sports 6 years (qualified Expert at Civ/Mil ranges in pistol, rifles of many types including Air/Firearms). Scouting 6 years with Eagle Scout / Summit Scout Award. Congressional Award. Learned 4 languages, fluent in 2 while living abroad for 10 years.
She was successful at UCLA which is about middle-ranked in the top 20, among the top 30 schools she applied to. UCLA received about 140,000 applications in 2020-2021, the largest college application pool in the nation. She also won the National NROTC Scholarship Tier 3 for other non-STEM majors which means she can really be in any major. She was accepted into the Economics major at UCLA. This is really her sweet spot since analytical social science is what she enjoys the most. She took 8 social science classes (4 AP in social science) and should complete Calculus III and Business Stats before enrolling in college.
As a Junior, she applied to Summer Seminars and Summer Athletic programs at the Naval Academy and Air Force Academy for this summer. She was accepted into both programs.
What we learned from our college preview. In order for you to be competitive to schools in the top 30, you will still need all your grades, test scores, your signature accomplishments in your core ECs in order to be highly competitive. You should not have C’s and no more than 2 B’s in your transcript if you want to attend the nation’s top 10 USNEWS ranked schools. Test optional really means if you live in places where taking the test is not an option. For example, you live in the Appalachian Mountains, the middle of a desert county, and remote places in the US. This applies to all colors and ethnic backgrounds. International students must have their test scores, this is not optional nor blind even if you heard otherwise.
For the US applicants, test blind is test blind. Admissions will not consider your test even if you send it in. So, test blind schools are great for those who don’t have tests or who did not test well but have all other stats and accomplishments ready to share.
Our DD has decided on UCLA. She is 17 now and old enough to enroll in NROTC or AFROTC program. She is DODMERB Qualified. She plans to row at UCLA to keep her physically strong and mentally do well in a large campus where finding a tribe can be a challenge. Her tribe will be her ROTC, Crew, and Musicals she plans to contribute and make an impact on UCLA campus and in Los Angeles.
When we started out on our journey to college preview this year, we expected little success. But in the last 10 months, we learned a lot about our DD and about how we look at college choices and programs. We are happy to learn that there is more than ONE path to college. In fact, there are TOO MANY paths to colleges that are right for you. My advice to candidates and parents starting the process in 2021-2022 admissions cycle, please spend your energy on how to be a true applicant rather than trying to game the system. Know that every one of you is very SPECIAL and you will make an impact on campuses and Academies you plan to join, please don’t forget that. There is no accident in life. If you're ready, you'll get what you wished for. My children's paths to the Naval Academy and UCLA are demonstrated evidence.
Initially, we were hoping our DD attends the Naval Academy with her brother, who will be a Firstie this fall. But it is clear, she found her own path to college that is, perhaps, better for her given her career interest as a JAG (Judge Advocate General, military justice/attorney). If she attends an SA, her college experience will be different from the ROTC program. She will have more freedom to explore the field of business and law through summer internships in a civilian school. She can also graduate in 3 years with her advanced standing in college credits or 4 years with a joint degree BA in Economics and Masters in Public Policy. So, she can commission when she is 20 years old and attend law school when she is 22 after serving at least 2 years, at the earliest. While graduating early is nice to have, graduating with maturity is better to have.
I wish to express a special shout-out to @AROTC-dad who welcomed me to this forum a little over 3 years ago and who allowed me to see beyond SAs for a commissioning source. SAs are great for many and so is ROTC/OCS for others who seek different college experience and journey to be an officer and serve our great nation. I continue to learn so much from so many on this forum, especially from this dedicated group of super moderators, moderators, and members. Thank you for your dedication and invaluable advice and encouragement. I continue to learn from all of you.
Super Moderators, Moderators, Members:
AROTC-dad
usna 1985
NavyHoops
Capt MJ
Old Navy BGO
OldRetSWO
PIMA
Kinnen
THParent
Stealth81
Kierkegaard
MidCapePa
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