This is something I posted last year which I believe holds true again for this year. I’ve altered it a bit and would like to add that there is also attrition in 10th, 11th and 12th grades due to disciplinary issues but also finances, moves and personal decisions. A percentage of tuition is due for returning students around this time and certainly before April 10th. There will be some wait list movement in the interim. Admissions want to wrap this up sooner rather than later.
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Almost every school had a record number of applications. The formulas Admissions use for yield purposes was altered this year by many schools so not to over enroll. Bottom line, they lowered the acceptances with the expectations of utilizing their waitlist. It is because of the large number of applications that the schools changed the game plan somewhat even though trying to remain close as possible to past practices. They really weren’t sure about the outcome with an additional 100-200 or more applications. They want to have enough beds. As I read the postings and comments about schools not going to their waitlist, I realize that is not altogether correct. I am aware of a lot of schools that went to their waitlist but initially had to be a very short list followed by their usual waitlist. For the first time in about 11 years I would have to say there was/is a better chance in getting accepted off a waitlist but nothing to hang your hat on.
Again, sounds like the schools that over enrolled used the old math with new numbers. It also appears that the schools have been successful in getting the message out about the strong desire for diversity coupled with the availability of FA. But, at the same time with an increase in need of FA versus the ability of FP, the FP will more likely win out. There are just as many qualified FP applicants as there are those in need of FA. There are stats we just won’t be able to see and schools feel uncomfortable divulging sensitive if not PNC issues. Needless to say, it’s been another very tough year.
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Hi There ~ !
This is very interesting information and from our experience this year, it is spot-on.
- School 1 - highly competitive gave us a TON of FA (they have many/most FP). Don’t know if they went to WL or not.
- School 2 - 1/2 as competitive WL us and told us they were going to the WL but there was no FA. In fact, they were over-budget with FA grants still outstanding from their 1st offers.
- School 3 - 1/2 as competitive as School 1 gave us FA but knew it was not enough to sway us. Got a call tonight with Merit offer to sweeten the pot. I could be wrong but I would bet that a call to me at 5:03pm on the 9th to offer merit $ is a strong indicator they are going to their WL.
On kid#1, we looked at schools that offered a lot of aid because it was instrumental in our choice.
The AD at our current school said the less competitive schools were a REACH while the more competitive were not. He said the more competitive school had many FP so they can offer a strong FA package to a strong kid; and getting a strong FA package from a less competitive school would be a reach because they have fewer FP kids knocking on the door.
Is this true?
If decisions continue to move in this direction, it sounds like I need to adjust my search for Kid#2, right?
I think it means we need a strategy that is polar opposite to what we used for Kid#1.
(Meaning, we should be seeking schools that give LITTLE FA and are FP heavy. They would be more likely to have FA for a strong candidate than a school that hands out a ton.)
Is this correct?
Lastly, does this inference carry over to college searches, too?
If you take that approach, you had better be pretty darn sure that your child is head, shoulders, and torso above all the full-pay kids at a given school. And higher percentage of full-pay does not equate with “more competitive.”
Your DA is correct but it’s not necessarily the same every year money-wise. The schools go through cycles of financial growth. Normally, the schools with name recognition also have substantial endowments enabling them to provide ample FA. The schools want those students they believe will be beneficial, being a plus all the way around and there plenty of them. Schools will be willing at times to exhaust available funds to an extent and then hold off the following year. Some endowments are continuous money machines with money going out and coming back in. Not all schools have this well-greased mechanism. Some schools will receive 10 million in one pop and the first thing they do is take in 10 kids who otherwise don’t have the means along with salary increases. It’s not a one size fits all, some schools do a poll and realize that maybe they wont get the funds for a new science building through gifts and instead obtain financing the old fashion way.
I don’t know about following the money, I would still go with FIT and if it’s right, the school will admit and with FA if need be. The applicant pool has been growing for a good decade now and I think it will level off. Tuitions are increasing which will make it questionable even for the FP. Bottom line, whether you like to believe it or not and they will never state it but behind closed doors they cater to the 1%, they have to in order to exist.
As for colleges, that’s a different can of worms filled with all sorts of dynamics. So much so that there’s a whole forum dedicated to it.
Congrats & good luck!