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| Photo: The author |
April 1st (April Fool’s Day) can seem more like consolation day for many gifted and high achieving high school seniors.
And it's no joke.
Frequently referred to as “Ivy Day,” colleges within the Ivy League and other elite colleges hold off until April 1 (or a late date in March) to send out their admissions decisions. Families wait impatiently, filled with hope and dread.
Many students are left feeling angry and despondent as they learn that the college of their choice is not an option. But with acceptance rates well below 10% at many highly selective colleges, even exceptional students are shut out.
When high ability or gifted children are young, parents might assume that high school success will translate into an array of college choices. Some are shocked and bitter when their child is rejected from a wide range of schools. They may believe they have been deceived and betrayed; their child’s hard work and effort was ignored, and raw talent and ability overlooked.
A recent Forbes article highlights the folly of pinning hopes on a specific “dream school,” and points out that after the initial disappointment wanes, most students actually feel good about where they attend college. A survey of 5000 college seniors conducted through the National Survey of Student Engagement reported that 72% claimed they would choose the same college again. In other words, students survive the rejection and eventually feel good about their college decisions.
What I have learned about college admissions — as both a parent and psychologist
In my role as a psychologist and parenting consultant, I have spoken with hundreds of parents over the years whose children applied to dream schools that seemed out of reach. These teens are all amazing, lovely, accomplished students with great potential. Yet, all were rejected.
Many teens and their families refuse to consider the low odds of admissions at colleges with 5% acceptance rates. What about all my hard work? What about my extra-curricular activities? What about my high SAT scores? Even when chances are slim, they hold out hope — rather than putting their choices into perspective and appreciating that they can excel wherever they go to college.
Why are so many highly capable and qualified students rejected from their first-choice college?
When highly selective colleges are inundated with applications, they have to draw the line somewhere. They have quotas, priorities and long-range goals, along with financial burdens. While most would likely prefer to admit the most talented, high-achieving students they can find, selecting who fits this criteria is complicated. And the sheer number of academically successful applicants is astonishing. National Merit Finalist Valedictorians with stellar SAT's are viewed as commonplace, and most will be rejected without some additional compelling qualifications.
College admissions officers at these selective colleges will tell you they are seeking a well-rounded, diversified class of students. They claim to use “holistic admissions,” viewing the whole student and not just grades and SAT scores. Yet, this term is often used as a thinly veiled directive for achieving quotas that, for example, consider the student’s geographic location, athletic ability, family wealth, or legacy connection (otherwise known as “hooks”). The highly publicized college admissions cheating scandal several years ago pointed to the dark side of college admissions, along with the extent some parents will go to advance their child's career.
While many families rage about the unfairness of admissions policies, the reality is that most “unhooked” students will get rejected by many of their top choices. A Forbes article from over a decade ago highlights the disingenuous admissions process. Other than a roller coaster of mandates regarding DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) as a factor to be considered (or now, not permitted) in college admissions decisions, not much has changed over the past decade.
What if your child is still in the college-planning process?
When a student does not possess the "hooks" that boost chances for admissions, they will need to stand out from the crowd. This is especially true for those who attend public school or are homeschooled, since many private schools have counselors dedicated to maintaining connections with elite colleges. A 4.0 and top SAT scores may prompt a closer look, but without other outstanding qualifications, the elite, tippy-top schools will toss their application into the rejection pile.
Gifted and high achieving students need to create a compelling profile that is quite exceptional and well beyond the norm. To garner a "second look," students need an application that conveys a depth of ability and achievement, such as performing independent research, excelling at college courses (taken as part of dual enrollment), exceptional mastery in the arts, awards from science fairs or other demanding competitions, or truly innovative extracurriculars or volunteer work. Sometimes, they need all of the above to demonstrate both breadth and depth of focus. Their efforts must clearly convey their aptitude as well as their motivation to tackle unique and challenging work.
But not all gifted students need to attend one of the elite, tippy-top colleges!
Before applying to highly selective colleges, parents need to clearly understand their child's social, emotional, and academic needs. They also must consider their child's realistic chances for admission. Look at the highest percentiles of grades, SAT scores, and other requirements for acceptance rates at the college. Look at tools your child’s high school may have, such as Naviance, that anonymously list students’ SAT scores and GPAs along with where they matriculated. If your child is in that range, they may stand a chance. But realize that admission to an ivy league or comparable school (such as Stanford or MIT), is almost impossible to predict. While elite colleges can offer gifted students many benefits (including exceptional financial aid), there are other wonderful colleges out there that should not be overlooked.
It is essential that high ability and gifted students identify less competitive schools that would be a good fit and would readily welcome them. Many schools offer honors programs and other specialized tracks that can provide a great education. Gifted students can excel wherever they go and will find mentors, excellent professors and innovative programs that can stimulate their creativity. Attachment to a "dream" school is a set-up for disappointment in the capricious, uncertain world of college admissions.
When I wrote a similar article about college admissions ten years ago, both of my kids were in college and had already weathered the application process. Both were public school students, but were fortunate to gain admission to excellent colleges. They didn’t pad their resumes, but instead, stayed focused on what they loved and what grabbed their interests throughout high school. Neither cared about prestige or finding business connections to land a job on Wall Street. More pressing needs included finding the best fit (academically, intellectually, and socially) and acquiring financial aid.
A Note to Current Seniors
If you have just received your letters of admission, hopefully you are relieved and excited. If you received rejections, it is important to appreciate the competitiveness of these schools and not assume it is a reflection on your abilities or your character.
And consider the long game. College is a stepping stone to a future career. In a recent Gallup survey of 30,000 college graduates, factors unrelated to college prestige (such as caring professors, a mentor, and practical experiences through internships) were better predictors of job success and well-being than the specific college they attended.
It may not seem fair that you didn't get into your dream school. But you can use your abilities to thrive wherever you go. And perhaps this experience will help you gain perspective and develop resilience when facing future challenges. Good luck with your decisions!
Additional articles about college admissions:
Ten college planning tips: What families of gifted children need to know
Families of gifted teens: Avoid these “worst” college visitation tips
What most parents of gifted children wish they had known about college planning
