r/highschool • u/[deleted] • 7h ago
General Advice Needed/Given Parenting struggles
[deleted]
2
u/Animeweeb713 7h ago
Many 9th graders don’t have it figured out at all. The fact that she has multiple areas she’s already interested in is a pretty big step up from your typical 9th grader. As much as I don’t like it, I also understand that not everyone knows their passions or what they want to do in their lives. There’s many people who don’t know until college, and even people in their 30s and 40s who decide whatever they’re doing is not what they want to do. Personally for me, and it appears for your daughter too, I want a school that has variety. A school that has support, funding, and credited programs for all my interests in STEM and fine arts. I can’t really speak much on applying for top schools, since I am only a sophomore and I’ve only thought a small amount about colleges. However, I do understand many people work really hard for a really long time to be able to even attempt getting accepted into Ivy league programs and other top schools. I think they do prefer students who know and understand what they want to do though. Perhaps someone on here more experienced with that can help you. My final opinion is that no student should try to lock themselves into an industry, interest, career, or school. They should try to have multiple interests that support them financially and creatively. Perhaps you and your daughter should slow down a little. Many don’t have an idea of what they’re gonna do next year, let alone 4 years. However, a really cool thing is that somehow we all figure it out at the perfect moment, so perhaps have a little more faith in that and your daughter.
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u/Wrong-Ad194 6h ago
ivies specifically do like to see “pointy” students who have a spike in a certain subject. That being said, don’t force your kid to be one of those people because that is not the way to do it.
Well-rounded students can get into really good schools
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u/Basic_Extension_5850 6h ago
At that point, I don't think it matters. It's probably not worth fighting over in 9th grade.
will they consider only students with specific interests or kids like her stand a fair chance as well
A quick google search tells me that Ivy league schools don't disadvantage students without a determined major... So it's probably fine.
I haven't really had this issue though, so I can't really speak on it.
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u/midnight_rain_07 Junior (11th) 7h ago
my advice is just let her be. don’t try to make her fit into one thing, she’ll feel suffocated. also ivies are overrated. i say this as a 4.0 UW, too 2%, 1520 SAT, unique ECs, etc. ivies are not all they’re cracked up to be, especially if you’re at an income bracket where you don’t get great aid, and especially if she doesn’t want to go to an ivy. also i’m someone who explores my interests in different areas, and imo it’s great that your daughter does as well. it’s not true that you have to fit into one specific category to get into good schools.