Healthy Expectations

Dear Seniors and Families,

As notifications begin and continue to roll out in the coming weeks, I’d like to share a couple of thoughts with you.

Remember that you have worked so hard not only throughout the college application season but throughout your entire high school experience.

You may receive a decision you’re not happy with…a deferral or a denial. If that happens, I will share in your disappointment. I’ll help you deal with deferrals. If you were denied, I urge you to not over analyze the situation to try to figure out why you were not admitted. The odds are that it had very little to do with you personally. 

There is no magic formula for how colleges come to their admissions decisions. Each one is trying to create an incoming class that fits their institutional priorities and needs. At very selective colleges, there are so many qualified applicants that colleges must make the very difficult decision of whom to admit. Remind yourself that you’ve submitted your best application and that the decisions are not within your control. 

While that decision will hurt, you will get through it. That certainly isn’t meant to minimize any disappointment. Rather, it is to try to help you keep it all in perspective. I am here for you if you’d like to talk through it.

On the other hand, you may receive the decision you’ve been dreaming about. If that happens, I will share in your excitement! Be proud of your accomplishment. Please also be humble. Some of your classmates may not have received the same exciting news that you did. Keep that in perspective as well.

I am proud of each of you. You have committed many, many hours to this process, and it is an honor to be on this journey with you. We are just getting started! I wish you all the best as you will await these decisions, and I look forward to hearing your news.

GPA, Explained

As I build lists with my juniors, I see that parents and students need clarification on the two kinds of GPA (weighted and unweighted). They also need to understand that a weighted 4.0, unlike an unweighted one, may not put a student near the top of their graduating class, depending on how many students choose the most rigorous courses. Most northeast public high schools use a weighted GPA that gets a boost from AP, IB, or Honors courses. Many colleges, especially large public colleges, will recalculate the GPA using their own standards--and these vary.

Academic (9-12) GPA - includes all grades but only courses noted as "academic." Study halls, community service, pass/fail courses are often not included.

Academic (9-12) GPA - includes all grades but only courses noted as "academic." Obviously, it does not include courses like PE, but it may not include anything outside of English, History, Math, Science, or World Languages.

Academic (10-12) GPA - same as above but doesn't include 9th grade. While all colleges want to see all your grades, some like the CSU/UC (California State or UCalifornia Collges) A-G GPA, do not include 9th grade in the calculation.

Verdict from Jonathan Burdick, Admissions Leader at Cornell, University of Southern California, University of Rochester over the past 38 years

"As a long-term college guy I'd say it matters, but likely a bit less than (parents?) think. All things equal the admissions reading process would initially default to looking at the reported weighted GPA, but it would still be important to label or demarcate on the actual transcript which grades were weighted (and unless it's very simple, how much weight). These two ideas are separated because the reported GPA is much more likely to enter the student's record as a data point just because it's so much easier to find. And sadly, there's a non-zero chance that that data point persists all the way through to reporting, scholarships etc. But the actual admissions read, if it's serious, includes perusing the transcript as a direct source of important information."

That means that the courses a student chooses matter at least as much as GPA. Whenever possible, choose rigor in the courses you know that colleges will factor into your GPA if you are reaching for competitive colleges.

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Time to Start Thinking About Summer Programs

First, which summer programs will matter in your future college application? Which ones warrant the high cost?

Applying to competitive summer programs requires completing an application indicating GPA, test scores if available, essays, and extracurriculars. In the best programs, students do a combination of hands-on research, design, writing, and/or group work on a project or presentation. These garner attention in the admissions offices of highly selective colleges.

Alternatively, summer programs that offer, rather than require, acceptance to all or most students are considered "pay to play" and therefore not as valuable in a college application. Some, while housed at colleges, are even not connected to them. However, these programs can still benefit students who seek major/career direction while in high school, or those who have interests they would like to foster. They still can have a high ticket price.

Want to save money on a pricey "pay-to-play" program? Curious students would do better to explore a topic of interest by taking a free or inexpensive online course. Colleges are impressed by students who have academic curiosity, and with an online course, the point is developing knowledge.

If you want to choose a program with an eye towards admission, read about what you'll be doing in it. Choose one that is project-based. There is a range of selectivity, so apply to more than one. We provide guidance on a range of summer programs for 9-12th grade students and even some for middle schoolers. All have been recommended and vetted by admissions professionals.

Some applications for summer 2026 are beginning to open. Contact lesscollegestress@gmail.com for sound advice and recommendations.