2010.03.17 21:09:22

Patrick OConnor

College Decisions-- Yours, Not Theirs-- May Be Surprising

When it came to applying to colleges, Bob put together a strategy that expected the unexpected.  Knowing the three colleges he liked the most were highly selective, he followed his counselor’s advice and applied to 4 other colleges that were only a little less selective—but the difference was slight enough to increase the chances Bob would be admitted to at least 2 of these schools. 

With seven applications in, Bob figured he could count on 2 of his Plan B schools, and maybe one of his top schools.  Once he had three admissions letters in front of him, Bob figured the choice would be obvious.

That’s when Surprise Number One came in. 

Bob’s already heard from his 4 “safety” schools, and he was admitted to all of them.  As he expected, three of them offered him a merit scholarship, but two of those offers were for over half the cost of attendance.  It’s not unusual for students with comparatively high grades and scores to be offered money, but this was more money than Bob (and his counselor) had expected, and it was more acceptances that he was anticipating.

Then along came Surprise Number Two.

Bob’s also been admitted to one of his top pick colleges, and went back for a visit last week.  Since one of his B schools was in the same area, he stopped and visited there as well—and now it’s his top choice.  He found out more about the research opportunities and small classes, and felt very much at home when he stayed overnight on campus.  “I’m really surprised” he said, “This college doesn’t match up at all with what I was looking for last fall.”

What lessons can you learn from Bob’s experience?

Admit rates are higher at some schools.  The top colleges may be admitting fewer students, but many other colleges are admitting more, knowing a larger number of those admitted students are less likely to come, either because of money, or because they applied to more colleges than students in past years.  Either way, you may find more colleges are saying yes.

Merit money is up.  These colleges are making the most of record numbers of applications from strong students.  If you attend that college, their average GPA and test score rankings go up, and so does their reputation.  That’s why they’re digging deep to get strong students to their schools.

Look closely.  People do indeed change in 6 months—like Bob, what you wanted in a college may be different now than it was in September.  This is why another visit to each campus is a must, if you can do it.  You’re that much closer to going, so you have to be that much more confident in knowing. Hit the road.

Look closely, Part II.  It’s always nice to be wanted, but when you visit your B schools, look with your eyes and heart, and less with your wallet.  Paying half tuition is still a waste of money if the place isn’t for you, or if they’ll run out of interesting classes for bright students like you next year. It’s great to have new goals today—just make sure they’re new for the right reason.

Bob ended up with a different kind of unexpected than the one he planned for, but if he uses the same tools of self-knowledge and self-listening, he’ll still end up with a rock solid school.  March Madness is for basketball teams—learn some lessons from this student, and you’ll go bobbin’ along on the road to the right college.

college decisions | college acceptance | college entrance | college admission | merit scholarship

2009.12.18 00:22:45

Patrick OConnor

Early Admissions Decisions: Don't Let A Deferral Grinch You

The smoke is finally clearing from Early Notification Week, when students who applied Early Action or Early Decision heard the news from many of their colleges.  Students and counselors are reporting a record number of deferrals this year, where colleges wait until winter to make a decision on the student’s application.

I know—you applied early because you wanted to hear early, choose a college, and get back to the business of being a high school senior, and suddenly the decision you thought would be over one way or another, isn’t.  That’s not especially soothing…

… but on the other hand, it’s pretty cool.  A dozen years ago, almost all early applicants were either admitted or deferred, but no longer—at most colleges, an early applicant who wouldn’t be successful at that college is now being told no in December.  That means if you were deferred this year, the college sees some potential in your application…

…now, you just need to build on it.  Most deferral letters asked students to submit seventh semester grades; now that those requests have been passed along to school counselors, most students think there’s nothing left to do but sit and wait—and they would be wrong.

First, if the college wants to see your grades, they’d better be your rockin’ best—so focus your neurons on something besides DJ Hero 94 and figure out what you can do to make your grades sparkle.  If you’re still in school, this means making the rounds with your teachers to ask if extra credit or make-up work is possible.  I’m not trying to go all Ebenezer on you, but there’s bound to be some down time around the 28th or 29th where an hour or two of school time can send you on a trip to A Land.  If the college that said “show me something” means anything to you, it’s worth the effort.

Second, unless the college says otherwise (like MIT, who only wants to hear from you once), you should write a letter back to the college now to tell them about all the great things you’ve been up to since you sent your application in.  This is a small way to demonstrate continued interest in the school, but it’s big enough to separate you from the students who won’t write anything at all.  Don’t feel obliged to make stuff up (“It was an honor to accept the Nobel Prize on the President’s behalf”), but don’t be shy--and speak from the heart.

Third, this is no time to pine—and I’m not talking about your Kwanzaanukahmas tree here.  A record number of students are applying to college this year, and a higher percentage of those applied early—that overwhelmed the colleges.  If you were hoping one person would ask you to the New Year’s dance, and thirteen people popped the question, you’d want some space to sort things out, right?  Colleges are no different—it’s a banner year, and they want things to work out in the best possible way for everyone.  Time—and your continued communication with them—will help them do that.

It’s hard not to take “tell me more” personally, but if you see this is more about the college than about you, the best thing to do is to give them exactly what they want—more of the very best you that you can offer. Jump at the chance; be clear, smoke your grades, don’t go crazy, keep the big picture in mind, and the next leg of your college journey will be sweeter than walking in a winter wonderland.

college entrance | college admissions | deferred | college decisions