<p>"If they handed out lots of those invitations, then I imagine their numbers would increase."</p>
<p>I can tell you that my daughter is a Catholic school student in NYC and Fordham gives out a lot of those invitations. A lot. My daughter got one as did most of her class and I can honestly say that my daughter is not a candidate for Fordham and she is in the top tier of her class. My personal suspicion (anecdotally) is that they want their numbers up.</p>
<p>I know that both BU and UNH have overbooked big time. I always find it amazing that kids arrive in Boston for the first time and find that their "dorm room" is actually a hotel room not on campus. There is a proposal for more housing, to make up for the lack, but it won't be built for several years.</p>
<p>"In helping my daughter construct her list, we consciously "reached down" to find schools similar to those that may have been matches previously. We also looked at schools where her background and interests might make her stand out. "</p>
<p>Based on advice and information received here at CC, we did that for my daughter as well. She's gotten three of 8 acceptances so far and one pretty nice scholarship (not that I have a frame of reference, but $15000/year is a lot to me). Other people pushed her to reach, but she doesn't have a gambling personality and she visited almost all of her schools and felt that she would be in a nurturing community where she could excel. What more could one ask for? Now for my freshman, I'm anticipating trouble down the road. She is, as she happily admits, a freak of nature. I will lose all my hair over that one.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If the application numbers increase, won't the apparent selectivity (accepts/applicants) indeed soar, unless they are prepared to accept a proportionately increased number of students?
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</p>
<p>The acceptance rate might decline a little (EA/ED applications are usually a small proportion of total apps), but that's a wash if the yield also declines because there are more soft applications from students for whom Fordham is low on the list. </p>
<p>My underlying encouragement to the students is simply: don't panic; Fordham didn't suddenly become 55% more selective, which is one's first reaction when you see those EA figures.</p>
<p>We'll be keeping our fingers crossed and updating her grades after the 2nd trimester. My D visited the campus 3 times, interviewed (optional, but we insisted because we knew her SATs were below the profile) and hand delivered an optional portfolio during the recent presidential reception. We were hoping that truly showing her interest would demonstrate that Fordham was her number one choice. There's really nothing else we can do now. I did note in the documentation that we received that the profile for "accepted" students is definitely higher than that of the "admitted" students. I'm sure that's the case everywhere since our kids are applying to way too many schools. Everyone, have a nice holiday!</p>
<p>Thought I'd let everyone who responded to this thread that my D did get her first acceptance to Stonehill College in Massachusetts on the 24th. She was glad to finally get a big envelope but wished it was from one her her top 5 schools. I loved the school but it doesn't have the type of communications that she was looking for, more public communications than media communications. But, it will be a good fit for her:-)</p>
<p>Congratulations! I hope that this helps to relax your D a bit, while she waits! It is nice to hear the good news!</p>
<p>Thanks:-) The envelope did make her feel better but we're still quite anxious. We should hear from Loyola and Ithaca soon.... She'd be right on target for Ithaca except the Park School of Communications is difficult to get into.</p>
<p>Ithaca accepts 71% of applicants, so think positively. I have heard good things about Ithaca and Loyola. My son applied to Ithaca last year, and he was admitted. We really liked the school, and he almost did attend.</p>
<p>Thanks for the support, northeastmom. We visited Ithaca twice and my D really likes it. The only problem is that the major she wants is the most popular in the Park school which will make the process tougher. She's below the published profile for admission there. They have a modified rolling admissions. I was told that they would send out the ED letters and then start with the rest in the order that they're submitted. My D's appl was submitted back in early November so we're expecting to hear soon.</p>
<p>I just sent a PM to you. I remember the modified rolling admissions. I cannot remember when my son heard from them, but I am going to guess somewhere between the end of Jan-mid Feb. (just an educated guess). Also, if my memory is accurate, the acceptance letter was in a small overstuffed envelope. They sent so many large envelopes with info about the school first, that I kept thinking it was an acceptance. He had 3-4 of those before he got the acceptance notification.</p>
<p>I just looked it up, his acceptance was postmarked Jan. 19, and it was in a small envelope from the Office of Admissions.</p>
<p>Thanks for letting me know it was a small envelope! I just PMed you as well.</p>
<p>Another update for those who offered their opinions when I started this subject. My D got an acceptance letter from Loyola College in Maryland yesterday. She is thrilled. Now, I can stop worrying! Thanks again for everyone's support.</p>
<p>Congratulations to your D, Freshstart19, It looks like she is a step ahead in her college process. I agree with you that it has gotten harder all around. A small group of colleges are now getting the bulk of applications from the top students, which ensure that a large number of them are not getting into their first choices. Which does start a trickle down effect. But most of this squeeze seems to be occurring in the Northeast which is the area where your D is focused. (and my son as well). Despite internet, cell phones and flights abound, most of us want our kids within several hours drive which really puts the glut onto the schools in our area. With two kids who were 7 hours away, I feel that I want this third one to be closer, but it does narrow his chances. I lived in the midwest before we moved here, and folks there do not seem to have the same frenzy, though our old school now has more kids than ever applying to ivies and other selective eastcoast high schools. A number of these kids would be applying locally 20 years ago, and that they are now in the numbers applying to the eastcoast, does raise the selectivity of those schools.</p>
<p>Congratulations Freshstart- I can remember that first solid college acceptance- the one where your kid can actually see herself going to that school. It is such a major relief.
As we were in the same situation last year, I want to bring attention to another book geared for the "B Student"
"America's Best Colleges for B Students" by Tamra B Orr . I thought this book had a much broader range of schools listed than CTCL. Many of the schools in the Pope book were too small or too rural for my kid. The Orr book has schools of all sizes and locations.<br>
I also liked the "colleges of distinction" website. It's not geared solely for B students but most of the schools listed are a bit smaller and seem to be a bit more of a nurturing environment.<br>
Good luck to all- My B student was much more successful in the college admission game than I ever thought she would B. She gained admission to all but one of her choices.<br>
And as I can speak from experience- this too will all be a distant memory by next year.</p>
<p>Marny1, thanks for the resource. That's one that I had not heard of. I did research the colleges of distinction website. That's how I found Stonehill. I really do feel like a huge burden has been lifted off our shoulders even though we have lots of schools to wait for in April. But having one in hand that my D actually had as her second choice is incredible! I'm still surprised since her "stats" were below the profile. You just never know:-)</p>
<p>I know exactly how you feel. My d's stats were a bit below the profile for a # of the schools she applied to- including George Mason-Towson- U of Buffalo--but (surprisingly-I know I shouldn't say that) she got into all of them.<br>
Maybe it is Our obsession with the admission process-helping them craft a good application and activity sheet (it was all her activities but I did play around with the columns and tabs to make it "look nice") that might have helped a bit in their success.
Good luck- and a Happy New Year to Everyone!!</p>