Thread by @Clark2College

🧵Three messages most parents of high school students need to hear but either never do -- or don't
listen to:
1- Talk to fewer parents of other hs students & more parents of current college students/recent grads about #collegeadmissions. They give nec. perspective/encouragement

2- When coaches, trainers, other adults say "your kid can play (insert sport) in college," it doesn't mean- a: they actually can b: they can play anywhere they want c: they'll get a scholarship d: if they do get $, it will be a full ride

3- College admission is not fair. It's a human process, and therefore inherently imperfect/fallible. It's driven by supply & demand, institutional priorities, and mission. Therefore, neither an admit nor deny is a value judgment or prediction of future success (on them or you).

4- The admissions essay is not what is going to “get your kid in”…it’s just not. So don’t pay for it to be written by someone else, over-edit it yourself, or pressure them to diverge from their unique voice/style. Essays are not a magic bullet/death nail/Lazarus factor.

5- Oh...and watch your pronouns. If you find yourself commonly saying things like, "We have a 3.8" or "Our first choice is Vanderbilt," it may be time to take a long walk, a deep breath, or a stiff drink.

6- Quality of institution is not correlated with admit rate or ranking. Don't lead or push students to believe/ make decisions on where to apply or attend based on that false narrative.

7- When your student gets disappointing #admissions news, they don't need you calling the dean, appealing a decision, threatening to “come down there," pulling strings, etc. Instead, they simply need love, concern, empathy, belief, encouragement, or just a heartfelt hug.

FINAL NOTES:
Obviously, when I said three, I really meant seven.
AND yes- this will likely all take the form of a blog soon.

...And here you go- sites.gatech.edu/admission-blog…