Do Colleges Look At Middle School Grades?
So we've got a ton of college prep stuff to unpack here. It seems like you're trying to figure out how to help your kid through the college application process.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And it's a lot. Right? Between all the info out there and the rising costs and trying to keep up with everyone else, it's no wonder parents are feeling overwhelmed.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Totally. And you included this blog post that just nails that parental anxiety. The author is talking about feeling totally bombarded with advice and not knowing what really matters.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And what's interesting is how they realize this stress starts way earlier than it needs to. Like, they talk about how much importance people put on middle school.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah. As if those grades are gonna make or break a college application.
Speaker 2:Right. And the article you sent about what colleges actually look for totally debunks that.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It emphasizes high school performance, like grades and challenging courses, extracurriculars.
Speaker 2:Exactly. High school is what colleges really care about. It's about showing that strong academic foundation.
Speaker 1:So middle school doesn't matter. Can parents just, like, breathe a sigh of relief?
Speaker 2:Well, not so fast. The grades might not directly affect applications, but the habits they build in middle school are super important.
Speaker 1:Okay. So time management and study skills, all that.
Speaker 2:Right. Those are the building blocks for high school success.
Speaker 1:So it's more about building a solid foundation in middle school.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's about giving them the tools to do well in high school, which then sets them up for college.
Speaker 1:And the blog post kinda touches on this too. The author realizes their anxiety is all about their kid getting into a, quote, unquote, good college, but then they start to question what good even means.
Speaker 2:That's such a key point. Right? It's realizing that success isn't just about a prestigious school. It's about individual growth.
Speaker 1:And that idea of individual growth connects to something else you pointed out about extracurriculars. That article you shared really emphasized that colleges look for depth over breadth.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. It's about showing real passion and leadership in whatever they choose.
Speaker 1:Not just, like, a laundry list of activities.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's about showing real dedication.
Speaker 1:So it's less about being good at everything and more about being really good at something you care about.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And maybe that's where middle school comes back in as a time to explore and discover.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Try new things. Figure out what they're good at.
Speaker 2:Right. And those passions can become more focused in high school.
Speaker 1:Like planting seeds in middle school that grow into stories they can tell on their applications.
Speaker 2:I love that analogy. And those stories, those demonstrations of interest, that's what really stands out to colleges.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It shows who they are as a person.
Speaker 2:Right. And the blog post author talks about feeling relieved when they realize it's not all about checking boxes on an application.
Speaker 1:It's about more than just academics. Right?
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's about preparing students for a successful life beyond college.
Speaker 1:So it's a more well rounded approach to education.
Speaker 2:Yes. It's about giving students the tools to navigate the real world and adapt to how things are always changing.
Speaker 1:Which brings us to something that's been kinda looming over this whole conversation, AI.
Speaker 2:It's hard to ignore. Right? And you included some stuff that suggests AI could play a role in the shift toward a more holistic approach.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And you sent over some materials about platforms designed to help students and families with college prep and even beyond.
Speaker 2:Right. And they're promising some pretty big things like personalized guidance and 247 supports.
Speaker 1:But before we get into that, I think it's important to acknowledge how some parents might be feeling about this whole thing.
Speaker 2:Definitely. It's a stressful time, and it's important to think critically about these new technologies.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Asking questions about how they work, how they use data, and what the pros and cons are.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Because while AI might offer some cool possibilities, we have to remember that parents are still the ones in charge.
Speaker 1:It's about finding that balance between new technology and trusting your gut.
Speaker 2:Right. Parents know their kids best, and they ultimately make the decisions.
Speaker 1:Which leads to a question I've been thinking about. How do we as parents handle all of this without overwhelming ourselves and our kids?
Speaker 2:That's the $1,000,000 question, isn't it? I think it starts with open communication.
Speaker 1:And really listening to your kids.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And being willing to learn alongside them.
Speaker 1:Being a partner, not a dictator.
Speaker 2:Right. And it's okay to not have all the answers. It's okay to say, I don't know, but let's figure this out together.
Speaker 1:That's a great point. It's about embracing the uncertainty and the challenges that come with raising kids in a world that's constantly changing.
Speaker 2:And remembering that we're all in this together, we can learn from each other's experiences.
Speaker 1:And that's where things like online forums and parent groups can be helpful.
Speaker 2:Totally. It's about finding that balance between technology and human connection.
Speaker 1:So to circle back to helping your kid through the college application process, it seems like the big takeaway is to focus on their growth, help them build good habits, and encourage their passions.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. It's about giving them what they need to succeed, not just in college, but in life.
Speaker 1:And while AI might have a place in all of this, parents are still the most important guides.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Speaking of AI platforms, you mentioned one in particular.
Speaker 2:College journey.
Speaker 1:Right. And they have this AI guide, Alice. That's it. So if you're interested in seeing how AI can help with college prep, college journey might be worth checking out. But remember, be critical, ask questions, and make the decisions that are right for your family.
Speaker 1:We'll dive deeper into this platform in our next segment.
Speaker 2:It's also important to remember that this whole process isn't just about academics.
Speaker 1:Right. It's about supporting your kid emotionally too.
Speaker 2:Exactly. The author of that blog post talks about how their own stress was actually making things harder for their kid.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow. Like, their anxiety was contagious.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's so easy to get caught up in the pressure, but when parents show a healthy way to deal with challenges, it can really help their kids.
Speaker 1:So instead of freaking out about every test score, we should be teaching them how to handle setbacks.
Speaker 2:Right. Resilience, adaptability, all of that. Those are the skills that'll help them in college and life in general.
Speaker 1:And those are things they learn by watching us write.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. Seeing us handle tough situations with grace and a positive attitude makes a huge difference.
Speaker 1:That That reminds me of something we talked about earlier, extracurriculars. Yeah. That article you said said colleges are really looking for leadership and commitment.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's not just about having a long list of activities on your resume.
Speaker 1:It's about finding something you're truly passionate about.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And dedicating yourself
Speaker 1:to that. Quality over quantity.
Speaker 2:Right. Colleges wanna see students who have taken initiative and made a real impact on their community.
Speaker 1:And you never know that passion project in high school could turn into a career.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. Or it could at least help them develop valuable skills like teamwork and problem solving.
Speaker 1:This is really making me rethink my role as a parent in this whole process. It's not just about nagging them about grades.
Speaker 2:It's about being there to support them, to listen to them.
Speaker 1:And to encourage them.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's about empowering them to take charge of their own journey and guiding them through the challenges.
Speaker 1:And being open to the idea that their path might not look exactly how we pictured it.
Speaker 2:Right. It's about letting go of our expectations and embracing their unique journey.
Speaker 1:But it's still normal to worry about how they'll handle the world, especially with AI and all that changing the job market.
Speaker 2:Of course, it's a valid concern. But instead of being scared, I think we should focus on giving them the skills to adapt.
Speaker 1:Like critical thinking, problem solving, creativity.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Those are the skills that'll always be in demand no matter how technology changes things.
Speaker 1:So we shouldn't try to predict the future and tell them what jobs to go for.
Speaker 2:Right. We should help them build a strong foundation of skills and a growth mindset.
Speaker 1:So they can adapt to whatever comes their way.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's about encouraging a love of learning and a curiosity about the world.
Speaker 1:And maybe some of those AI tools we talked about can actually help with that.
Speaker 2:It's possible. If they can personalize learning and give students access to new information, then maybe they're not so bad after all.
Speaker 1:It's all about balance. Right? Using technology, but also remembering what's important about human connection.
Speaker 2:I think you put it perfectly. It's about finding that balance between innovation and tradition and helping our kids navigate the world with confidence.
Speaker 1:Speaking of AI platforms, we should probably get back to college journey.
Speaker 2:Yeah. You said they have a different approach, one that's about more than just getting into college.
Speaker 1:Right. They focus on individual growth and life skills.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And they use AI to do it.
Speaker 1:I'm really curious to hear more about that. They have that AI guide named,
Speaker 2:Alice.
Speaker 1:Right. Alice. Let's dive into College Journey and see what Alice is all about. Alright. So let's dig into College Journey and this AI guide, Alice.
Speaker 1:What exactly do they offer, and how does the AI actually work?
Speaker 2:Well, it seems like College Journey wants to be, like, a one stop shop for families going through college prep and even help with early career planning.
Speaker 1:Okay. And they're saying they can give personalized guidance like having a college counselor available the time.
Speaker 2:That's the idea. Yeah. Alice, the AI is at the center of it all. She collects information about the student, like their interests Yeah. Grades, activities, even personality stuff.
Speaker 1:So she's, like, building a profile for each student Yeah. And using that to give them advice.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And that's where AI can be really helpful. Think about having to go through tons of data about colleges and scholarships.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah. That would be overwhelming.
Speaker 2:Right. AI can help filter and organize all that info and make it easier to understand.
Speaker 1:So it's like having a research assistant who can do all the hard work for you.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And from what I've read, Alice doesn't just give a list of schools. She actually has a conversation with the student, asks questions, offers insights.
Speaker 1:That's cool. It sounds like they're trying to make it feel like you're talking to a real person.
Speaker 2:Exactly. That's what makes them different from just a website. They wanna create a more personal experience.
Speaker 1:But we did talk about how some parents might be hesitant to trust an AI with this stuff.
Speaker 2:I get that AI is still pretty new, and we're still figuring out how it all works.
Speaker 1:And there are ethical things to consider too. Right? Like, how they use data and make sure it's fair.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. That's where critical thinking is so important. As parents, we need to ask questions, do our research, and make the best choices for our kids.
Speaker 1:So College Journey and Alice might be good resources, but we can't forget that they're just tools. They don't replace human guidance.
Speaker 2:Right. In the end, it's still the parents' responsibility to guide their kids through this.
Speaker 1:So if you're feeling lost in the college prep maze, remember, you're not alone. There's help out there from counselors to AI platforms like College Journey. But always be cautious, do your homework, and trust your gut.
Speaker 2:And remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. Support your child's passions. Celebrate their strengths.
Speaker 1:That's a great point. It's about fostering a love of learning and a willingness to embrace the unknown. Well, that's all the time we have for today's deep dive. Thanks for joining us as we explored the world of college prep and AI and education. Until next time, keep learning, keep growing, and keep exploring.
