<p>Dean Rifkin,</p>
<p>What percentage of applicants have been accepted into the Class of 2015?</p>
<p>Yes, I promise that students who learn of their admission on April 1 will have who meet the requirements for admission to our Honors Program will be able to apply for Honors at that time.</p>
<p>Best wishes to all,</p>
<p>BR</p>
<p>Dear Jacobratner:</p>
<p>Iām really sorry but I donāt have access to that information about the % of offers of admission that have already been made. Our admissions office is hard at work finishing up the review of this yearās applicant pool. The key question is, I know, which applicants will get an offer of admission? </p>
<p>The answer to that question will be known by all applicants by April 1, I promise. I know itās hard to wait. Guessing at percentages wonāt help because whether the odds are strong or weak, the ultimate determining factor is whether or not YOU get that offer of admission. </p>
<p>So, everyone, please try to remain patience for the last two weeks of this long wait.</p>
<p>Best wishes to all,</p>
<p>BR</p>
<p>Whenever people ask colleges a question about whether a prospective student would be a good fit, why do they always tend to give an evasive answer?</p>
<p>Jacob if you want my two-cents, and mind you Iām not a college administrator by any means, but it would seem to me that if a college said a student would be a great fit into their college, then that student applied and did not get in the would tend to cause an uproar, no? So they are kinda walking on egg-shells you know, because on the other hand if they told a student that they would not be a good fit, they would lose a perspective student, because one administrator did not like what that student had to offer. But that is my two-cents so take it how you will</p>
<p>Dean Rifkin,
I took someoneās advice and gave admissions a call to see if there was something additional I could provide to convince them of the interest I have in TCNJ. MISTAKE. They must be as stressed as the applicants. The lady was quite curt and said"We have until April first to give you a decision. Youāre Biology they just started those". I should have accepted your kinder admonition to take a deep breath until I get my decision.
Then I received a private message from someone telling me I made them sick by seeming so pathetic. I thought I was being passionate. Whatever. It shouldnāt be too long now.</p>
<p>Hi āKendallāā¦
I have read your posts over the last few weeks and understand your frustration. My son was also second reviewed by TCNJ in mid Feb, and still has not heard back from them. He has a 2060 SAT (one sitting) and 32 comp ACT. In the meantime, he has been accepted by more selective and highly recognized universities, including NYU.</p>
<p>I have never been able to figure out the way TCNJ selects students. One of my sons had a 136O SAT (old version) and had all honors and APs all through high school, was a National Merit Commended Scholar and was on the lacrosse team through high school. TCNJ was the only school he was not admitted to. He ended up at a top state school (outside of NJ) and loved it (he has since graduated and gone onto grad school). Another son who had fewer APs, honors, and ECs got into TCNJ. He had a perfect score on his math SAT and I think that was the hook. He decided to go to another school because he believed it had better national name recognition. He also loves it.</p>
<p>TCNJ seems to suffer from a āNapoleonic Complexā. They are a small school who believes they carry the same cache as an IVY or other top college. They obviously do not. Outside of NJ, no one has heard of TCNJ and one always has to spend time explaining that is is considered a good school. They say they are selective, but, but HOW exactly do they choose the students for admittance? It is definitely not always the best academic students. This business of dragging students along students with this second review when they are clearly qualified is just plain wrong.</p>
<p>My oldest son has always said that his friends were all happy no matter what college they ended up at. Even if you donāt end up at TCNJ, I am sure you will find a happy, productive, and great growing experience no matter where you end up. Good luck!</p>
<p>Dear CCers, and especially KendallandKaylan and Nedel:</p>
<p>I understand your frustration and stress may be mounting now that we are in the last 10 or so days before the final wave of notifications goes out, not only from TCNJ, but from most American colleges and universities.</p>
<p>I ask that you understand that most selective colleges, including TCNJ, have had a record number of applications this year, but the admissions field has not seen an analogous increase of new jobs to review those applications. Our admissions team, like admissions teams in every college and university, is working very hard to make sure that every studentās application gets a fair and thorough review in time to get every decision out by the April 1 deadline.</p>
<p>I understand the frustration that sometimes a students with high SAT scores doesnāt get into a school that would seem to be a good match on the basis of average SAT scores of the previous yearās freshman class. </p>
<p>However, I want everyone reading this to understand that at TCNJ our goal is to enroll a freshman class with diverse interests, backgrounds, talents, and ambitions. It might be possible to enroll an entire freshman class with high SATs all of whom are interested in a pre-med, nursing, or pre-law program, but that is not the college we are, nor the college we want to be. </p>
<p>Our admissions officers carefully review every part of the application and you all know what that means: not only the SATs, but the grades, the letters of recommendation, the extracurricular activities, the essay and other parts of the Common Application. Our goal is to enroll a freshman class that will be diverse in its backgrounds, interests, talents, ambitions and goals. If you come to TCNJ as a pre-med student, your best friend could turn out to be a music major or a philosopher. You could wind up joining the Japanese Drumming Club or become a leader in our campus-wide capture the flag competitions; you might get involved in research in a psychology or chemistry lab or have an internship in the NJ state legislature; you could study abroad in China, Costa Rica, Senegal, or France. You can take an experiential learning class where your learning takes place not only in the classroom, but in the community. All these opportunities are there - to meet the interests of students with different goals and talents.</p>
<p>I hope that all those college-bound readers of CC will understand and appreciate this: the admissions decisions that come at the end of this month are NOT some kind of assessment of your human worth. They are merely an indication of an admissions teamās best guess of what might be your best fit. In every admissions round, there are stories of students admitted by Harvard or Yale but not admitted by the local state college or university. The admissions process is NOT a science: it is an art. And - it is true that most students wind up happy wherever they go to college.</p>
<p>We try to do our best in managing the admissions process. We know that for some students the wait can be excruciating. I just have to say again: please be patient with us. We are a public college and do not have new resources to hire additional staff to meet the demand of reviewing more and more applications every year. And yet, every year, every applicant gets a response by the deadline of April 1. So please do try to take a deep breath and enjoy the spring weather and know that come April, youāll have a sense of what comes next.</p>
<p>Best wishes to all,</p>
<p>Ben Rifkin
Dean of the School of Culture and Society
The College of New Jersey</p>
<p>Dear Dean Rifkin,
Your last answer included the following:
"However, I want everyone reading this to understand that at TCNJ our goal is to enroll a freshman class with diverse interests, backgrounds, talents, and ambitions. It might be possible to enroll an entire freshman class with high SATs all of whom are interested in a pre-med, nursing, or pre-law program, but that is not the college we are, nor the college we want to be.</p>
<p>Our admissions officers carefully review every part of the application and you all know what that means: not only the SATs, but the grades, the letters of recommendation, the extracurricular activities, the essay and other parts of the Common Application. Our goal is to enroll a freshman class that will be diverse in its backgrounds, interests, talents, ambitions and goals. If you come to TCNJ as a pre-med student, your best friend could turn out to be a music major or a philosopher. You could wind up joining the Japanese Drumming Club or become a leader in our campus-wide capture the flag competitions; you might get involved in research in a psychology or chemistry lab or have an internship in the NJ state legislature; you could study abroad in China, Costa Rica, Senegal, or France. You can take an experiential learning class where your learning takes place not only in the classroom, but in the community. All these opportunities are there - to meet the interests of students with different goals and talents."</p>
<pre><code>I took some umbrage at the suggestion that my desirability as a member of the TCNJ class 2015 ends with my 2160 SAT score. You see I have volunteered as a member of organized activities to help disadvantaged individuals, I have repeatedly donated time to tutor middle school students in math, when asked by my Calc teacher. I have been the secretary to two Honor Society language clubs. I have been a member of JSA, a student government club that attends conferences throughout the nation. I can play the piano and violin and , as I indicated to you, want to travel to China to study during my college years. I would also certainly be willing to consider changing my intended major if asked by the admissions committee, but that has not been suggested.
</code></pre>
<p>No, I canāt change who I am but my personality shouts diversity (I have blue hair). The teachers who wrote my letters of recommendation were, Iām sure, as effusive as other studentās teachers. My background is replete with indications that my goals and talents should not lead one to conclude that I would stagnate the TCNJ community if accepted.
It seems ironic that I became so enamored with TCNJ at a Scholars Luncheon when the school invited me after reviewing some part of my credentials. Yet, when I acceded and applied, my credentials placed me on the āback burnerā.
There cannot be ten applicants this year that have a stronger desire to be freshman at TCNJ. Regrettably, the application process has dampened my childish enthusiasm a bit, but if accepted I have no doubt I can nurture that back to health.
Please take this missive with a grain of salt. Itās tenor is partially born of the stress you repeatedly mention that is reaching a crescendo as April 1 approaches.
At the same time as I react with chagrin I am still appreciative for the help you have given me and other kids that have reached out to you for answers and comfort. The fact that you take all this time to respond, shows that my desire to get into my Stateās best school is not misplaced. I will hold my breath for ten days or so(that may solve the problem). If you have the time for a non-student, I plan to come down for that ice cream cone whether Iām accepted or not!(I can always try to transfer). Thanks Dean.</p>
<p>Agreed, Kendall.
My son who was the all around great candidate that I mentioned in my earlier post was also invited to the Scholarās Luncheon/Reception and then not accepted at TCNJ. It made no sense. Invite him to an event that gives the perception that the school is wooing him, then not accept himā¦nonsensical, at best.
I also am a bit put-off by the Deanās remarks about not only wanting students with the highest SATs and that they look at all of the attributes that the student has to offer. As you see from my earlier post, it was my son that was more well rounded(also with a high SAT etcā¦) that was not accepted, and my son with the higher SAT but fewer ECs that was.
Also, I have sat through three different TCNJ information days over several years and at each one, they remind you over and over again how selective they are and pound the average SAT scores into your head. That being said, one can only imagine the SAT is more important than the Dean is letting on. Soā¦it still makes no sense that many very qualified students are still waiting to hear their fate from the Second Review.</p>
<p>I apologize that my remarks seemed to indicate that you didnāt have high SAT scores or that they were they only part of your application that was strong. That certainly wasnāt my intention!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, we have limited seats in the freshman class and it is impossible to offer a spot to everyone who wants one. We are proud that we maintain small class sizes ā and thatās part of what makes TCNJ attractive to many applicants ā but that fact means that we cannot accept all applicants.</p>
<p>I do my best to represent the College fairly and accurately in this forum and I hope that all readers understand that while I truly love The College of New Jersey (and Iām not just saying that because itās my employer, I really mean it!), I know that not every student who wants to go to TCNJ can come. We simply donāt have the number of classrooms, faculty, dorm rooms, dining hall facilities, etc. to accommodate all those students. </p>
<p>So all I can do is repeat that I hope that every student finds his or her own best fit and wish each and every one of you success not only in the college application and admissions process, but in the happiness of a well-lived, meaningful, and fulfilling life that follows graduation from whatever college you wind up attending.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>BR</p>
<p>Could you please let me know when students can expect additional information on financial aid after acceptance and conferral of merit scholarships? When are announcements of TAGS and financial aid from FASFA materials made?</p>
<p>Everyone is a perfect candidate in their own eyes, and nothing is your own fault when there are others to blame.</p>
<p>~</p>
<p>Dean Rifkin,</p>
<p>You mentioned you were touring China for study abroad locations. One reason I have been looking forward to college so much is the opportunity to study in China. What year do people normally take a study abroad, and for how long? Iām going in with 8 classes worth of AP credits (assuming I do well on the tests this may), so will this allow me to study abroad longer without having to stay in college an extra year? What cultural/language classes are available/required, as I certainly donāt want to travel ignorant. :p</p>
<p>China is a place of both beautiful culture and landscapes, and I really hope to be able to study there. :)</p>
<p>Couldnāt agree with you more fearman. Wah Wah!!</p>
<p>Hey Kendall
Iāve been following your posts and just wanted to wish you luck. I was acccepted to TCNJ with SAT score of 1330. I think the admissions office is overwelmed with applicants and itās just a matter of time till you get your acceptance. If you want something go for it.
Good Luck
Chris</p>
<p>Thanks Chris,
Good luck to you in college.</p>
<p>Dean Rifkin,
I heard that many students who are Black and Hispanic have been given a Chairman of the Board Scholarship at TCNJ, while there are white people with similar SAT scores, similar GPAs, and similar socioeconomic situations who were given no scholarship money whatsoever. Does TCNJ engage in this process when admitting students and considering scholarship offers? If it does, how can the college say that it is not discriminating against white students solely on the basis of their skin color while unfairly rewarding Blacks and Hispanics based on their race?</p>
<p>Dear Dean Rifkin,</p>
<p>Hello! I have been accepted to TCNJ for music education! What time is Accepted Student Day on April 10th? When does it start and end? I could not find it on the website. </p>
<p>Thank you!
Emily</p>
<p>Emily, look in your acceptance folder. There is a postcard that tells you time, date, location, etc. of Accepted Students Day.</p>
<p>Dear Jacob:</p>
<p>Here is the explanation of our Chairman of the Board Scholarship from our TCNJ documents: āThe Chairman of the Board scholarship is based on academic ability; an assessment of experience, and potential; and a holistic review of how a student might contribute to a diverse educational environment. Preference for this scholarship will be given to students from one of NJās Abbott School Districts, students who are traditionally underrepresented, or to students who have shown interest in an area of study that the College believes will contribute to its overall mission.ā</p>
<p>In addition the Chairman of the Board scholarship, TCNJ distributes significan merit and need based aid to its freshmen class through its merit scholarship program.</p>
<p>I hope this information is helpful for you.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Benjamin Rifkin
Dean of the School of Culture and Society
The College of New Jersey</p>