I don't think parents need to apologize for helping their child to succeed
No, but there's a world of difference between creating an environment conducive to learning good study and work habits and turning college admissions into a high-stakes competition that can be manipulated. And that's where we are right now. This problem doesn't just affect gifted low SES students. It also affects gifted mmiddle class students whose parents also don't have the means to hire an expensive college admissions mentor or the means to send their kids to Andros Island or DC for a glamorous but unpaid summer internship. It also affects wealthier kids who don't want to play that game (common among the HG+ crowd at any economic level).
Don't misunderstand me: I'm not saying that there's something wrong with music lessons or internships. No way. I just don't think they should count toward college admissions. I think it's wrong that people aren't judged on a level playing field, using the same standards for everyone. And I say this as someone who has the means to send her kids to glamorous but unpaid internships on Andros Island. Kids should be doing this stuff because it's interesting and they'll get something meaningful out of it, not because it's
fodder for an essay on a college application. The stuff described in that article is just so...shallow and self-centered:
As colleges look for specialization, “mastery” and “passion” have become buzzwords at many New York City private schools. Along with the perception that perfectly developed essays are essential is the sense among some parents and teachers that colleges have shifted from valuing balanced students who excel in several areas, like history and ice hockey, to demanding students who perform well across all subjects and have an area of “mastery,” like squash or fencing, that showcases one’s depth.
There's a formula for showcasing personal depth now?
