<p>NYSkins1 is correct. No one knows except admissions who will get in and who won't. Fact, as long as you meet the requirements posted on the admissions page, you are competitive. After that, admissions have its own set of criteria that it uses. Many responders will tell you that the essay(s) are the most important after meeting the admission requirements. Research this site or any of the top college and you will find my statements correct. Of those who post their stats and their acceptance or rejection notice, you will find a broad spectrum of stats. Some with perfect SAT's, many 5's on AP's, top 5% of their graduating class, EC's up one side and down the other, and other attributes don't get in to their top choices and wonder why. </p>
<p>From experience I and many others who have been through the process will tell you to stop worrying about the chance me threads. If you need that kind of reinforcement, then go buy a blanket.</p>
<p>What you should do is set up a check list of what you want in a college. Then, really, really, really, research those colleges. Ask questions on the CC boards relating to your check list directed to present and past students at that college. Many students like me and NYSkins still check their CC board from time to time. Also don’t be afraid to email or pick up the phone and call the college and ask questions. Don’t contact the Admissions Office with questions unless they are admissions related. Direct your questions to those areas, where the question is related. I sent emails, called department deans, department advisors, and professors that I knew I would be taking classes with.</p>
<p>You should not consider any college that you have not visited. Also, only visit those colleges while they are in session (Fall/Spring). Not during the summer or during college breaks. Most colleges offer the opportunity to spend from several days to a week living on campus with a student who will help you get familiar with the college and help you get answers to your questions. </p>
<p>With your check list in hand, make sure you validate every single check on your list. For example, if one of your checks is in a particular department, you should schedule a meeting with someone in the department. You should sit in on various classes within that department to get a feel as to how the classes are taught and the ability of the professors to capture and maintain their audience. You will see right away that college is different from high school. I remember one trip I made to a college on my list and sat in on several classes in my anticipated major. In several classes I noted that the rooms were less than half full. I knew how many students had registered for the class by doing my research beforehand. By the time the lecture was half way through I knew why. The professor was about as exciting as watching the grass grow. Fact was, I probably could have learned more about watching the grass grow. I spoke with a couple of students after class and they validated my suspicions. On further inquiry with students, I found that much of the classes within that department were the same. Here is the interesting point. That department, at that college, was recognized as one of the best in the country. In this case the professors were interested more in their research and publication then in educating students. That is probably why the department was rated so high.</p>
<p>That brings up another point that I find troublesome. College ratings! DON’T BELIEVE THEM!!!</p>
<p>As I started this thread I mentioned that admissions are a process that is difficult at best to try and figure out. My take on it is that as they go through each and every application they look for things that reflect what the college is all about. In the end when they sum up all those things for each applicant they get a pretty good idea if that person will fit that particular class profile and the existing college community. I think they get it right the majority of the time. Of course those that don’t get in, don’t see it that way. However, several years down the tract that same rejected student now firmly planted in one of their other choices, 9 out of 10 times will tell you that where they are at turned out to be the right choice and that they didn’t know what they were thinking when they applied to that other college.</p>
<p>In parting I would reaffirm my suggestions. Do your homework on those colleges you think you want to go to. Keep reviewing your checklist. Add more items to it. Refine it. Qualify each item that can be done by researching on the net, posting on applicable boards asking specific questions rather than generalizations and open ended ones. Don’t be afraid to contact those colleges either via email or phone. You have questions and you need answers. When you have completed as much of your research that can be done from the outside, and if the college is still in the running, then it is time to investigate on the inside. Go, get your answers. When that step is completed, if the college is still in the running then it is time to sit down and really work on your application, essays and recomendations. GOOD LUCK!</p>