Folks, in #7, OP had made a decision. The deadline for submission is 11/15, and the common advice is to not wait until the last minute so as to avoid IT glitches that could make the app late. Why is everyone asking the OP to second guess the decision? I am sure we all want to be helpful but in the context of the question, the fact that OP is an expat and cannot visit, are we helping?
Personally, I would not want my kid to ED to any school without visiting first (in part because the social environment was important to him and he wanted to be active in the community.). Each of these schools has a different “dominant culture,” and the OP sounds like he may be on the edge/outside of that at all of these. That doesn’t mean no friends and no social life – at most schools, most kids find their peeps.
This applicant seems to want to ED, and if he’s strong applicant, that’s good strategy…
I am guessing (but I could be wrong) based on the question about first time airfare that OP may not visit ANY college prior to matriculation.
I don’t mean to be argumentative, but @DexterTom it is about you and whether you can get in. What’s the point of applying ED to a school where you have little chance, won’t be happy with the academic fit, or can’t afford to attend?
For instance, you feel you must apply ED. ED admissions rates are much higher than RD rates at these schools, but do you know why? All recruited athletes, a class that can have a north of 90% acceptance rate, are heavily encouraged to apply ED, as are legacies, who usually receive preferential treatment only in the ED round. Students with little to no financial need are also over represented in the ED pool. Take those factors into account and the ED bump becomes negligible.
The advice we would give you if you’re a 1580 SAT 4.0 UW GPA student is different from the advice we’d give you if you’re a 3.6 student with a 1380.
In any case, I wish you the best in your journey. Colby’s a great school.
If your goal is simply to have the best chance of getting in, then ED to Skidmore. Did we ever see what this person’s grades and scores are? I’m totally guessing that OP perhaps doesn’t have super strong grades and is applying ED as a boost to compensate.
Also, no, I highly doubt any of the colleges will pay your international airfare, unless perhaps you have been part of a low SES, first gen, or URM recruitment program.
@lookingforward They are my observations. Also if you think Bates has a higher SJW vibe than Skidmore. We simply disagree. This is based on personal observation and the students I know who attend both schools personally. But it’s in degrees anyway. Like I said. Generalizations.
Also. When I said activism, I was not referencing community service and outreach. I meant more of the protest and super progressive liberalism construct. In all it’s manifestations. Speech. Social groups. Student clubs and activities. That sort of thing. And we are talking about Northeast liberal arts colleges. They are all very close in these matters.
To me it was more about the types of talented kids that seem to self select for each school. Small differences of course.
@doschinos, I want apply to a college that is test optional. Because I believe that one sitting on a test date isn’t an accurate portrayal of the student’s abilities. While you may say 1580 on a SAT is excellent, I’m in Asia and the competition is very, very tough and 1600 is the only acceptable score in this country. I don’t have time to take another SAT and perfect that. So that’s why I’m choosing a test optional school. I have self reported the SAT II, AP test score even though the colleges don’t require it.
But all in all, test optional is path that I’ve chosen.
I understand your frustration. But you need to be polite! And you should submit that 1580. Now! You don’t understand the system if you think that a score like that would detract from your application. Quite the opposite.
But @gardenstategal , applicants from my country are usually having 1600 (all of them have got it in the 2nd or 3rd attempt). And I don’t have test date available (next one is in March) to perfect that score. Will that 1580 be a mole on my application as other applicants from my country sport 1600s?
And I already submitted my CommonApp, how can I send them now. That’s not possible, I guess.
@DexterTom, @gardenstategal gives you great advice. Contact the College Board and have your SAT score sent immediately. If you put a rush on your scores, they may very well get to Colby by the ED deadline of 11/15. As test scores are sent directly from the testing agency to the college, it is common for these scores to arrive after the rest of the application. Your score is excellent and will only strengthen your application! Good luck!!
