<p>^ that might be true if you assume that admissions to top schools are random. But they (despite their appearance as such) for the most part are not. So the same things that kept you from getting into your 9 reaches will most probably keep you from getting into 10th as well…</p>
<p>random or not - the admissions process is not always rational.
I’ve seen kids get accepted to Harvard and rejected at UVA. I’ve seen kids get rejected at their state honors college (granted, not an easy admit) and accepted to Cornell. Many times, kids get one top school to say “yes” while others top schools say “no”. I’ve seen it too many times.<br>
I DO believe that applying to more schools may increase your chances - although I think you have to watch out for application burnout - resulting in less than stellar essays and attention to detail.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Be aware that some people are very sensitive about their alma mater. “Why isn’t she applying to XYZ? I loved it.” Even worse is telling them she was accepted to XYZ but is choosing not to attend!</p></li>
<li><p>Visit as many schools as possible before the applications are started. It can be a “time-saver” if you spend 8 hours driving and touring a school and cross it off your list before the student embarks on the complicated, multi-essay application. Really. </p></li>
<li><p>Visits that separate the parents and students are good. Everything is a lot more “real” for the student.</p></li>
<li><p>Prospective student overnights can be invaluable for many students. It allows them to see themselves at the school and gives much more confidence in the fall.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>
True. But overnights can also give a very biased/wrong impression, depending on the host. So if you choose to do an overnight, try to talk/spend some time with variety of students on campus. Your host is not necessarily a good representative of the campus culture.</p>
<p>Consider a college where admission decisions come early and you may know prior to applying your admission will be a slam-dunk:</p>
<p>[College</a> of Liberal Arts and Sciences Admission Requirements for First-Year Students - Requirements and Deadlines - Undergraduate Admissions - The University of Iowa](<a href=“http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/requirements/fy-clas-pre09.html]College”>http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/requirements/fy-clas-pre09.html)</p>
<p>Know a bit about the stats for the schools you are considering. For example, what percentage of a class is being accepted through early decision? Some schools are known for taking 1/3 -1/2 of the class during the early round. Selectivity for the regular decision round can end up (not always - depends on the school) being tougher than it seems according to overall numbers.</p>
<h1>98</h1>
<p>When you visit a college you should eat in the student ining hall to obtain an unfiltered look at how the students conduct themselves. In most instances you will also be surprised at how good the food is.</p>
<h1>99</h1>
<p>when you visit a college you should pick up the student published newspaper to read the campus news and see if the activities touted by the Admissions Office really exist or are as active as advertised.</p>
<h1>100 reading online version of the students’ publications regularly will give you much more insight into the campus culture than a 2hr visit and info session.</h1>
<p>In addition to essays, use the summer before senior year for composing the brag sheet and a letter from the parents to the guidance counselor. That way they will be ready to go in September and can be given to the guidance counselor and/or teachers writing the recs (especially important for those who are applying to rolling admissions schools, for example U Michigan, where getting the app in early is crucial). If you aren’t asked to compose such a letter, consider writing one anyway! As advised for the college essay, “show, don’t tell.” Relate anecdotes. Also - if there are special circumstances at home, an obstacle your child has overcome etc. it’s a way to encourage that the counselor/teachers will make reference to it in in their letter. </p>
<p>Recommendations: Counterintuitive though it sounds, consider asking for a letter of recommendation from the tough teacher of a class in which your child struggled a bit along the way, as opposed to the class with the easy grader, easy A. The teacher will no doubt make reference to the rigor of the work and commend the student for any extra efforts he or she displayed. </p>
<p>Interviews: Even if your child doesn’t think he or she needs to practice, encourage a mock interview before going in to the real thing. Being put on the spot and asked questions is a skill that even a very verbal student may need to practice. Try to schedule the first interview at a school that is not one of your top choices. Read the online student newspaper ahead of time and ask questions that can’t be found easily on the website, for example, regarding issues students are talking about on campus.</p>
<p>
</p>
<h1>1 doesn’t say that a student won’t get into any of his reach schools. It says that he shouldn’t expect to, and IMO, that’s good advice. Perhaps “don’t expect to get in…” would be kinder phraseology than “expect not to get in…” but the point is similar. At the very least, such a mindset protects the student from some pressure and anxiety during the waiting period, even in the case that (s)he is eventually admitted.</h1>
<p>Our school makes transcripts available to seniors no earlier than the 3rd or 4th week of the fall semester. That would make it mid-September at the earliest. I guess that would be the earliest my son could send in an application to a rolling admissions school, right? Or should he apply and have the transcript follow?</p>
<ol>
<li> Don’t be afraid to contact the college admissions rep if you have any additional information about yourself after the deadline. (Awards, epiphanies, etc.) Admissions reps are your friends. They did not take their jobs to slash and bash. They really look for applicants they can root for.</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>Someone might have said something like this already, but it’s too true: when it comes to extracurriculars, do what you LOVE, and do it well, which shouldn’t be hard if you love it; you’ll have a fulfilling high school experience, not to mention coming off as genuine and passionate on paper.</li>
</ol>
<p>Yikes - I think this is #102!..Spend a little prep time on college vocabulary with your kid (not SAT stuff!). After a few visits and tours I realized that DD had no context for terms like “distribution requirements, gen. ed, seminar, section, lab, major, minor, concentration, certificate…”<br>
I understood what the tour guides and info sessions were saying, but she didn’t until we talked about it - and then things made so much more sense to her. </p>
<h1>103 Negotiate a “mommy card” or something like that - it was much easier for me to stay in the quiet, supportive role through all the visits and applications after we jokingly (?) agreed that she would let me play one wild card - one place she would apply just cause we thought it was worth it, in spite of a bad tour guide, or group, or rain, etc.</h1>
<h1>104</h1>
<p>Look at schools which are need blind AND are committed to meeting the need of each student.</p>
<p>Be careful with the advice u get in CC :). Some are really good, and some well u find it the hard way how bad the injuries are :).</p>
<p>“Our school makes transcripts available to seniors no earlier than the 3rd or 4th week of the fall semester…I guess that would be the earliest my son could send in an application to a rolling admissions school, right? Or should he apply and have the transcript follow?”</p>
<p>I would apply earlier and follow-up with a transcript when it becomes available.</p>
<p>~103. There is a big difference between need blind (which simply means your having a financial need will not be a factor in the admissions decision) and meeting 100% demonstrated need (cost of attendance - Expected Family Contribution = demonstrated need ). Only a small number of schools meet 100% of your demonstrated need with large amounts of insititutional aid (and they are amongst the most competitive when it comes to admission).</p>
<p>~104. In the eyes of the FA office, loans (both parent and student loans) are considered Financial Aid.</p>
<p>~Assist applicant in making a chart comparing the variables/stats/majors/requirements/size/cost/etc. of each potential college.</p>
<p>~Assist applicant in making a box with hanging folders filled with college literature, and hole-punch all forms to put in a notebook (color-code tabs).</p>
<p>~Note in December that the chart is rolled up in the corner and the box has stacks of clean boxers, t-shirts and socks on it. With luck the making of the chart and sorting of literature seeped into the consciousness. Be happy if only one deadline is missed.</p>
<p>~In January, be assured somewhere in the mess on your kid’s desk is the paper with the applicant ID number on it.</p>
<p>~Be aware that for music/MT/theater applicants–and who knows who else!–there are miles to go before you sleep, say, well into…March? My son has his last audition today, Feb 29.</p>
<p>~Rest assured that after reading CC for many months, you may become immune (almost) to the many ways to spell RECEIVE and WEIRD.</p>
<p>~And after reading CC for many months and nodding wisely, you will still need to reread because now all of a sudden you are in that exact situation (okay, like how do I copy music for the accompanist again? Ack! Why haven’t I been called for an interview yet?). Give the search function a try before posting the same question that’s been posted a hundred times before. Oh heck, go ahead, post the question–it’s an emergency! (I’ve certainly done it!)</p>
<p>This has been stated many times on CC - build your list from the bottom up. Love your safety.</p>
<p>Find out the name and email address of your regional representative, who is typically the gatekeeper who does the first read on your application and ultimately has a large part in deciding your fate. If that person is in the area, ie at a HS or local info session, make sure to attend, and introduce yourself to him/her. It can help for these people to be able to put a face with the name. Follow up with a note thanking, keep in touch if the application needs updating or if you have a Q but don’t overdo.</p>
<p>In the words of several admissions officers at selective schools:
Unless you clearly have a unique story to tell, try to avoid hackneyed topics that they see a million times like “finding one’s independence at sleep away camp” or “learning empathy at a volunteer program abroad.” DO allow someone to check your essay for errors.</p>
<p>If you get a score that makes no sense in context with anticipated or past results, don’t be afraid to ask for handscoring of SATs. Mistakes do happen!</p>