Admission decisions: What to do when you are wait-listed
March 19th, 2019The Ides of March, notorious for the demise of Julius Caesar, will now also be remembered for the unveiling of one of the most stupendous college admission scams of all time. Many clients were in touch over the last week, sharing gratitude for collaboration that highlights ethical conduct and the life lesson that such work together provides students. My heartfelt thanks go to each of you who took time to reach out.
The Ides of March also herald the final round of admission decisions. Colleges are releasing Regular Decision results and by April 1 all decisions should be on the table. While I hope there will be much cause for jubilation, this year has been inordinately competitive, and many students across the nation are receiving at least some disappointing news. Please continue to keep me posted on what you’re hearing and thinking.
Today’s article link will help you know how to handle the most mystifying of colleges’ decisions: the wait-list offer. If you’ve been wait-listed by colleges that interest you, please take time to digest the article, take a deep breath and, whatever the ultimate admission outcomes, congratulate yourself for having put your best effort into the process.
The strengths that each of you will bring to college are impressive, and an admission disappointment will not render them any less so. Onward and upward! My best wishes are with each student as admission decisions roll in.
Article referenced below on April 13, 2017 from US News, written by Jordan Friedman
BEING WAIT-LISTED FROM college can be disappointing for high schoolers applying to their dream schools.
Camila Alvarez was devastated when she was wait-listed by her first choice, George Washington University, last spring. She knew that for wait-listed applicants at many schools, the odds of getting in are slim.
But even after accepting her spot on the waitlist and submitting a deposit elsewhere, Alvarez didn’t give up. She updated the admissions office about her improved GPA and new leadership roles in clubs, and also had a phone interview. To her surprise, she got in by early June, says the current freshman.
The 91 ranked colleges that reported these data to U.S. News in an annual survey admitted anywhere from zero to 100 percent of wait-listed applicants. But the average was about 1 in 5, the data show.
Tagged: Admission decision, Applications, College
How to handle Uncle Bob and Aunt Bertha during the holidays
November 27th, 2018Navigating through holiday social events while keeping track of application deadlines, topped with interrogations by family members about your future plans, can be a bit overwhelming. It’s a little bit like filling your plate with turkey, stuffing, vegetables and cranberry sauce and then trying to make room for the sweet potato casserole!
With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, now is a great time to reflect on conversations had with family and friends. And with the winter holidays quickly approaching it is important to find balance while remaining productive, enjoying some time off while continuing to check things off your “to-do” list.
The article we share below has many great tips and tricks to help guide you through the rest of the holiday season. December is a month when many students will hear the outcome of Early Decision and Early Action applications and for seniors, waiting can often be the hardest part of this process. Keeping busy and having a plan can help you through this time.
Article referenced below published on November 14, 2018 by Counselors’ Corner, written by Patrick O’Connor.
Tagged: Admission decision, Applications, College
Does your social media presence help you or harm you?
October 2nd, 2018Social media is a powerful platform and while it can be a great tool for networking, the disciplinary consequence of posting something inappropriate could be detrimental to your school or college admission prospects. Some colleges are using your social media “brand” as fair game when evaluating you for admission; perhaps boarding schools are doing the same. For that reason, application season is a great time to review your online presence. Consider your profile as a way to show the world your best self, beyond your test scores and grades.
In the article referenced below, Thao Nelson, a lecturer at Indiana University, writes an open letter to students discussing the importance of taking your future self into consideration when posting on social media. Colleges and schools want to enroll people who strengthen their student body, so “when in doubt, leave it out” is a great motto to consider before liking or posting online.
Article referenced below published by World Economic Forum, written by Thao Nelson
Dear Student,
Harvard recently rescinded admission offers for some incoming freshmen who participated in a private Facebook group sharing offensive memes. The incident has sparked a lot of discussion: Was Harvard’s decision justified? What about the First Amendment? Do young people know the dangers of social media?
I’m a business school lecturer, career services counselor and former recruiter, and I’ve seen how social media becomes part of a person’s brand – a brand that can help you or hurt you.
Tagged: Admission decision, Applications, Boarding school, College, Social media
Demonstrated interest: what’s it all about?
September 4th, 2018
Have you ever had to choose someone to help you with a project or become a member of your team, and found yourself leaning towards the person who shows more interest and dedication to the task?
Many colleges act the same way.
Assessing a student’s “demonstrated interest” has become one of the best ways to gauge an applicant’s likelihood of enrolling if admitted. We’ve discussed the importance of demonstrated interest in the past and we continue to encourage students to develop connections with admission counselors at colleges they’re considering seriously.
Demonstrated interest comes in many forms and is not restricted to campus visits. Web chats, information requests, even sending official test score reports can signal your interest to a college.
Many schools are looking for students to initiate contact with their admissions office. Seniors can demonstrate interest in the coming weeks by meeting with visiting college admission representatives in their schools and at locally-held gatherings, or emailing the admissions office to find out if and when they will be in the area. Juniors can do the same.
It’s important to note that not all colleges use demonstrated interest as a factor in admission decisions. Colleges offering admission to only a single-digit proportion of applicants, for example, do not generally encourage such contact. However, if a school strongly encourages campus visits or offers campus interviews, your level of interest will probably be taken into consideration. As always, it is important to be genuine in your communication with admission staff and be yourself.
Here’s a great article to tell you more.
Article referenced below published on May 21, 2018 by US News, written by Kelly Mae Ross
In addition to reviewing transcripts, essays and test scores, some college admissions officers look at whether prospective students have shown enthusiasm and curiosity about a school during the application process.
In the admissions world, this is what’s known as demonstrated interest.
In a 2017 report from the National Association for College Admission Counseling, 13.7 percent of colleges surveyed rated demonstrated interest as having considerable importance in freshman admissions decisions. Another 25.5 percent said it was of moderate importance.
Read more at US News >>
Tagged: Admission decision, College, Demonstrated interest
