<p>You are right that this anomaly will all go away in future years when the population goes down. It is always about supply and demand. My daughter was waitlisted at a highly competitive schol and said “no” to going on the list since she wanted a school that wanted her. She had expressed sincere interest where she was waitlisted.</p>
<p>This year, Harvard admitted 7.1% of its applicants and just ten years ago, they were accepting 16% of their applicants. A similar trend is reflected at Bowdoin, my alma mater, that took 18% of its applicants this year and about 24% when I applied in 1982. Most people I know who went to Bowdoin in the 80s would not have a prayer of getting in today. Same is true at Harvard, Yale and other “prestigious colleges.” </p>
<p>Are students smarter today? No. I understand the SAT was recalibrated and as I view this site I see students with 700s and 800s. Kids today are overwhelmed, overscheduled and over-rated and that is why there is so much waitlist activity. I say this in hindsight. My daughter who is a senior looked for fit and I looked for prestige. In the end, she had the right approach. Students can be successful at schools other than Ivy League schools and I can tell you they may be happier too. I worked as a manager at a particular Ivy for 13 years in financial administration, and I was surrounded by a number of grads who opted to stay on at the Ivy in support positions. Nothing wrong with that at all, and many were very happy. My point is that the Ivy degree is not a guarantee for all dreams coming true particularly if you think it will get your child the job of a lifetime after graduating. Some will. Others will not.</p>
<p>Whatever happened to education for education’s sake? I went into education 20 years ago because I believed in so much and think discovery - academic and self - are the reasons to go to college. In fact, discovery is the reason any of us should do anything. </p>
<p>I am now the principal of an elementary school about a mile away from Harvard and MIT. I have had parents tell me their 4 year old is on a math team at Harvard. What? The pressure on children today is unrealistic as are parents who think that they will be validated and their children will be given a golden key to success if only they market themselves in an exhaustive manner to prove their interest. </p>
<p>I can tell you that if a college wants the student enough it will let the student know. The student’s interest in the college is really not a big factor at all. </p>
<p>Good luck to all the applicants in finding the right fit.</p>