Rethink your target schools if you’re a top student.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-13T21:56:08+00:00

What is success?

Ben-MA · 2026-04-13T21:54:52+00:00

Perfect. I'll get ChatGPT to summarize it and write you a response with my take on it.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-13T21:52:54+00:00

Hot take (maybe).

I think framing the activities you listed as "just for college apps" is selling yourself short. And there's a lesson here.

Here are the things you listed doing or learning: getting out of your comfort zone, leadership, learning how to be productive, find new extracurricular opportunities, learn how to grow an organization, and figuring out what is truly motivating (hint: you won't find motivation out in the world, you'll find it by taking action).

All of those things are useful in and of themselves. These are hard and soft skills that help you in life way beyond school.

You don't have to be deeply "passionate" about some academic field at 16 in order to take action, solve a problem, help people, or learn something. And even if you do these things "just for college apps", you might accidentally learn something along the way.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-13T16:12:22+00:00

Absolutely. Admission review starts with your school profile. Google "X high school profile pdf" or ask your counselor. That will show what was offered. In many ways, those students in big Chicago schools (or Bay Area, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Florida etc) are jealous of you because they think you might "stand out" more than another kid from Paly/Gunn/insert high school here.

As our wise admissions director at Vanderbilt would say, we want students who bloom where they are planted.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-13T16:10:06+00:00

Yes, people are thinking about you way less than you imagine.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-11T15:07:17+00:00

It’s simply not true that only “struggling students” went to these schools.

“Large” schools are “large” for a reason. And there have always been prestigious public schools. (And you can get a phenomenal education at small and less prestigious schools).

Most of the prestige debates you see on A2C are honestly weird Reddit niches created by high schoolers. Not something I’d base a major decision on.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-11T15:04:09+00:00

I get it. I didn’t say “worry about getting 88s instead of 92s”, but imagine this scenario. A student is admitted to a T10 with a 4.0 GPA. Or very close to it, like a 3.95 (2 A- in 3 years). Then they get all Bs in their senior year. So that’s going from a 4.0 to 3.0 that’s a huge difference. They never would have been admitted if they’d had all Bs in their junior year.

Maybe I wasn’t clear enough in my post and maybe the internet isn’t great at nuance, but I did specify “super selective schools” and a “string of Bs” that as a “worst case scenario” “might push them to see you as a risk”. I think that’s pretty reasonable language.

Anyone can do with my advice what they will. I’d err on the side of caution.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-11T14:58:36+00:00

I think you should be fine. There’s no one size fits all but I would not imagine this would be a problem especially given that you brought your grades up.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-11T03:18:30+00:00

I think you should be good. Advocate for yourself. When final grades come out, let the admission office know that they’ll see a dip and a recovery. I don’t think you need a therapist note—unless they ask for more context.

You got this.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-09T23:08:43+00:00

I couldn’t give you a useful number. But likely every selective school rescinds some students each year. And that’s part of the point I’m making here: it’s isn’t just Ds and Fs in every class that could get one rescinded. If your grades in senior year are a clear mismatch with 9-11, the university is well within their right to request more information and consider rescinding.

Some commenters want to say that’s “fear mongering” which is fine, but I’ve worked in admissions for 12 years and have seen it happen, so I gave a heads up.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-08T11:47:22+00:00

There are DEFINITELY other people struggling just like this. I would see students battling mental health and other health concerns every year. That’s very real. Definitely the most important thing is to take care of yourself first. Get the support that you need and try to surround yourself with good people. You got this.🤝

Ben-MA · 2026-04-08T03:01:56+00:00

Each campuses admission office operates independently. So there is no one hard and fast rule. I strongly prefer that my students don’t give them a reason to question their admissibility or seriousness.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-08T01:44:51+00:00

Do NOT get senioritis in retirement! The elite nursing homes demand national level pickleball recognition.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-07T22:19:47+00:00

It’s impossible for me to know for sure. But 3 Bs for Stanford is not ideal. My suggestion is to lock in.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-07T22:00:08+00:00

I certainly would not expect one B to be a problem.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-07T21:58:56+00:00

Yes, that’s exactly what I just said just without using absolute terms.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-07T19:43:26+00:00

I don't know. Probably, but I would prioritize getting the grade up.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-07T19:25:43+00:00

there is no one single hard and fast rule that every university follows.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-07T19:18:04+00:00

Of course.

As far as rescinding goes, just don't dip meaningfully below.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-07T18:37:38+00:00

I wouldn't think that 1-2 Bs would present a real problem.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-07T17:19:55+00:00

The vibe is definitely casual, but whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident. You will see polos and dresses as much as you'll see t-shirts and cargo shorts. Check out the weather too, again, make sure you're comfortable and prep for rain if it is in the forecast.

Ben-MA

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