Decision Letters

[compscifan]

<p>** University **: Duke University
** Decision **: Rejection</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Dear csf:</p>

<p>It is with the greatest regret that I must tell you that we will not be able to offer you a place in the class entering Duke this fall. I realize that this is disappointing news; I want to assure you that we considered your candidacy carefully and that our decision was not an easy one.</p>

<p>This was in many ways an extraordinary year for the admission process at Duke. We received almost 30,000 applications, by far the largest number in our history and over 2,800 more than last year; the applicant pool was also academically the strongest in our history. As a result, in filling just 1,700 places in the first-year class the Admissions Committee faced a great number of difficult decisions, and found itself not being able to admit students it would have admitted just a year or two ago. After reviewing each application at least twice, it is clear to us that almost all of our applicants are outstanding young women and men, people fully capable of performing well in Duke’s classrooms and contributing to our community. Unfortunately, the sheer volume of applicants means that we can admit only a small percentage of the students we find appealing, a task made exceptionally difficult by the unusual strength and size of our applicant pool this year.</p>

<p>You may be asking what was lacking in your application; for most of our applicants the honest answer is nothing. If you’re like most of the students who applied, you’ve put much effort into doing well in school, made significant contributions in your extracurricular activities, and worked hard to balance the many demands on your time. The Admissions Office staff and the Admissions Committee carefully and fully evaluated each application, finding it extremely challenging to distinguish among the many exceptional students who would flourish here. The decisions of the Admissions Committee are guided by our understanding of our applicants as individuals, and our sense of which students together - with their particular combination of interests, backgrounds, and experiences - approach our sense of the class that is most appropriate for Duke right now. We have no quotas by school, by state, by race or ethnic group, by gender, or by area of interest. Our decisions are ultimately based on our evaluation of the many factors that together suggest to us the best match between our applicants - individually and as a group - and Duke. In creating our class and choosing among the large number of outstanding candidates, we could select only some of the many applicants who would be wonderful Duke students and alumni. I can tell you that at one point or another every staff member remarked how difficult the selection process was this year, and how appealing this year’s applicants were.</p>

<p>You and your fellow applicants have exceptional academic and personal qualifications, and I truly regret that we could not offer you a place in the first-year class. I know that you will find an institution at which you will be happy; I know, too, that the school you choose will benefit from your presence. I wish you all the success I know you are capable of as you pursue your education further.</p>

<p>Sincerely,
Christoph Guttentag
Dean of Undergraduate Admissions

</p>

[compscifan]

<p>** University **: Harvard University
** Decision **: Rejection. Duh.</p>

<p>

Dear Mr. csf,</p>

<p>I am very sorry to inform you that it is not possible to offer you admission to the Class of 2015. I wish I were writing to report a different decision, but the competition was so rigorous this year that there were many outstanding young men and women to whom we could not offer places in the class.</p>

<p>Nearly thirty-five thousand students, a record number, applied to the entering class. The great majority of the applicants could certainly have been successful here academically, and most candidates presented strong personal and extracurricular credentials as well. The Committee was, therefore, faced with the necessity of choosing a class from a great many more talented and highly qualified students than it had room to admit.</p>

<p>We wish it were possible for us to admit more of our fine applicants, and we understand how difficult the college application process can be for students and their families. While the Committee conducted its deliberations with the utmost care, we know that no one can predict with certainty what an individual will accomplish during college or beyond. Past experience suggests that the particular college a student attends is far less important than what the student does to develop his or her strengths and talents over the next four years.</p>

<p>We very much appreciate the interest you have shown in Harvard College. We hope that you will accept the best wishes of the Committee for success in all your future endeavors.</p>

<p>Sincerely,
William R. Fitzsimmons
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid

</p>

[compscifan]

<p>** University **: University of Pennsylvania
** Decision **: Rejection</p>

<p>

Dear compscifan,</p>

<p>The Admissions Selection Committee reviewed all aspects of your application, both academic and extracurricular. After careful consideration, we are not able to offer you admission to the University of Pennsylvania`s Class of 2015. The committee members appreciate the efforts made by you and those who have supported you in this process, and we recognize the hard work and individual success reflected in your application.</p>

<p>This year, Penn received the largest number of applications in our long history, students with exciting accomplishments and promising futures. The majority of our applicants are qualified to successfully pursue the rigorous program of study at Penn. However, because of the large number of outstanding applicants, our committee can admit only a small percentage of those students seeking admission.
On behalf of the entire Admissions Selection Committee, I thank you for your interest in Penn and wish you all the best as you pursue your educational goals.</p>

<p>Sincerely,
Eric J. Furda C’87
Dean of Admissions

</p>

[compscifan]

<p>** University **: Princeton University
** Decision **: Rejection</p>

<p>

csf
March 30, 2011</p>

<p>I am sorry to inform you that we were not able to admit you to Princeton University this year. The admissions process is a difficult one for students and families, and we realize that you are likely to be disappointed with our decision. We had a record pool of over 27,000 applicants, most of whom were in the admissible range. In fact, we could have filled five or six Princeton classes with the thousands of accomplished students who applied.</p>

<p>I appreciate how challenging it may be to understand why you were not admitted. Over the past three months, the admissions staff reviewed files in the most diligent, thoughtful, and careful manner. As we do each year, we made every effort to weigh each student’s achievements, talents, and skills in the context of her or his secondary school setting. We took into consideration the vast differences among the 8,658 high schools from 138 countries represented in the pool. Ultimately, the strength and size of this year’s pool dictated our choices. Even candidates who had the best credentials were not guaranteed a spot, given how many superb applicants we had.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, all of our decisions are final; we do not have an appeals process. The committee’s conclusion is not a judgment about your worth, and it does not reflect your ability to succeed in a rigorous college environment. Reading your application made it clear to us that you will be successful wherever you go. I imagine you are hearing from other colleges and universities this week, and I am confident that you have many fine choices.</p>

<p>Thank you for your interest in Princeton and for giving us the opportunity to consider your application.</p>

<p>Janet Lavin Rapelye
Dean of Admission</p>

<p>

</p>

[compscifan]

<p>** University **: Columbia University
** Decision **: Rejection</p>

<p>

Dear compscifan,</p>

<p>The Committee on Admissions has carefully reviewed your application to Columbia University, and we are sorry to inform you we cannot offer you a place in Columbia’s Class of 2015. This year, almost 35,000 candidates applied for places in the first-year class, making this the most difficult selection process in our history. The many strengths of the entire applicant pool – as demonstrated by scholastic successes achieved, by community service performed, by activities pursued, by essays written and by books read – made the selection process more competitive than simple numbers could possibly indicate. Indeed, while we are gratified by the number of candidates seeking the excitement and challenge of the Columbia experience, the size of the pool sadly compels us to disappoint a great many talented and appealing young people…</p>

<p>We want you to know that our decision in no way reflects a lack of confidence in your ability to achieve success in your college plans and on through life. Our experience is that the vast majority of students who do not gain admission here go on to distinguish themselves at fine colleges and universities throughout the world, and we are confident that you will do so as well. We must make clear, however, that since our decisions are made after many hours of intense deliberation, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions cannot consider any review of your decision.</p>

<p>We appreciate your interest in Columbia and wish you the best in your pursuit of higher education.</p>

<p>Jessica Marinaccio
Dean of Undergraduate Admissions</p>

<p>P.S. If you would like to print a copy of your decision letter, please click “print” at the top or bottom of the page. If you would like to receive a copy in the mail, please e-mail your request to <a href=“mailto:ugrad-confirm@columbia.edu”>ugrad-confirm@columbia.edu</a> with your full name and Columbia ID (C********).</p>

<p>

</p>

[debarghya9]

<p>debarghya9
Trollgate Road
Awesomeville: 666
N00bland</p>

<p>Dear Debarghya:</p>

<p>Congratulations on your acceptance to the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University! We are very pleased to be welcoming you to the Cornell Class of 2015.</p>

<p>Very soon, you will receive our Welcome packet that will contain your official letter of admission and information about housing and dining, financial aid, as well as Cornell Days, our on-campus program for accepted students: April 7-9, 11, 14-16, and 18.</p>

<p>We now invite you to visit the Welcome to Cornell University website ([Welcome</a> To | Admitted Students](<a href=“http://www.admit.cornell.edu%5DWelcome”>http://www.admit.cornell.edu)), which includes a wealth of important and exciting information for admitted students and an offer for a free tee shirt.</p>

<p>We are excited at the prospect of your joining the Cornell community and know that you will make a very positive contribution to the university.</p>

<p>Best regards,</p>

<p>Jason C. Locke
Director
Undergraduate Admissions Office
Cornell University</p>

[compscifan]

<p>** University **: compscifan
** Decision **: Rejection</p>

<p>

Name: compscifan
Date Of Birth: 01/01/01
University ID number: 12345678</p>

<p>Purdue/RHIT/Penn State/UCSD/UW Seattle/UW Madison/RPI, </p>

<p>It is with a profound sense of regret that I inform you that you have I cannot enroll in <insert name=“”> University for the class of 2015. I take seriously your choice to accept me, and you should be aware that every college receives a thorough and holistic consideration.</insert></p>

<p> For this reason my decision is final, and I am unable to consider appeals of any kind. I faced a daunting task this year as I received a record number of acceptances, over 10, a considerable percentage increase over last year. At the same instant, I made every effort to be fair and consistent. After weighing all aspects of your college, I am unable to accept your offer of admission. </p>

<p>I appreciate how challenging it may be to understand why you were rejected. I want you to know that my decision in no way reflects a lack of confidence in your college life or academic rigor. Over the past three months, the I reviewed you in the most diligent, thoughtful, and careful manner. I hope you understand that this was a very difficult decision. I are humbled by the talents and prestige of your college.</p>

<p>On behalf of myself, I want to emphasize how much I appreciate your interest in me. Given your academic qualifications, I know that you will receive other attractive student acceptances. Please accept my best wishes for your success in your future educational plans.</p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>compscifan
Accepted applicant

</p>

[stanforddreams]

<p>^comscifan, it was truly awesome …</p>

[perfectpixie]

<p>Stanforddreams, is it your wish to go to Princeton? ;)</p>

[compscifan]

<p>^ hah 10 characters </p>

<p>pix: You’ve been in the *deep dark recesses of your convoluted mind * since forever. Change it to H’15 or P’15. Show off.</p>

[PrincetonDreams]

<p>W.T.F</p>

<p>Ok, firstly, I need a copyright for my screen-name. It’s way too popular for me to not get one.</p>

<p>Secondly, PIX!!! I’m extremely proud of you. Not that I thought for a second that you wouldn’t make it to a great school. I hope you choose Princeton. It’s leaps and bounds better than Harvard for undergrad, and is slowly but surely reaching Stanford-quality. So, don’t cling to that stupid H brand. Your undergrad years are worth more than that. Just my opinion.</p>

<p>Thirdly, great job everyone. You guys really kicked college admissions’ butt.</p>

[confidential2015]

<p>compscifan, add this line: “This year, I had record number of acceptances from highly ranked and high performing universities, so, I regret to inform you that I will be unable to join your (least) prestigious university.”</p>

[stanforddreams]

<p>@pixie i m very old poster here …i just created this new account to show my passion for Stanford …( Accepted class of 2015 ) …m not sure yet if i will be attending Stanford …waitin for Harvard …yeah i noe Harvard decisions were out on 30th but i didn’t opt to receive decision by email …so waitin for the post to come …I got the Harvard interview which means i cleared the first round …did u get ur post frm Harvard ??</p>

[perfectpixie]

<p>Ha, compscifan, that would be an option if I wasn’t so confused about where I’m heading! Plus I don’t want people on CC judging me on the basis of my school. I’ll change it when I finally leave okay?</p>

<p>PD: Thank you for the congratulations and kind (?) advice (;)) but is that so? You Stanford wannabes will never be at par with us Harvard undergrads or our undergrad program, so you might as well stop trying already!!
Jk! I would love it if you explain your argument even if it does mean that I’ll be even more in the confused state that I am in now!
(and stop badmouthing our institution! Isn’t Harvard the school you regret you didn’t apply to now? hmmm?)</p>

<p>I’ve still not made up my mind about where I’m going, but as my previous few lines suggest, I’ve <em>started</em> to lean toward Harvard. Really, I feel that undergrad in terms of opportunities and experience at both is pretty comparable (those TA’s at Harvard who are so frequently badmouthed will in the next couple of years be top lecturers at top schools), so it came down to location and other less important factors.</p>

<p>(I’ve been copy-pasting the below to many people)
Boston is said to be the best college town, plus it’s urban which would be more practical (although I prefer suburbs seeing that I’ll be probably spending the rest of my life in a city) for an international student, the T makes travel into the city so easy, and I also felt that Harvard was a more diverse place than Princeton you know? It’s full of a lot of different people, while the stereotype for princeton is “full of rich, white, arrogant kids”. Now, I’m sure that’s a <em>really</em> broad generalization, but it speaks for itself that THAT’S the generalization!
(PS: PD, I remember you saying that the reason why you decided to let go of Princeton in favor of Harvard was because it was too much like your school? You get my drift?)
Plus I didn’t like the idea of eating clubs being such a <em>huge</em> part of social life at Princeton (plus they’re very exclusive, and basically serve the function of frats).</p>

<p>What had attracted me toward Princeton was the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International affairs (which I really really liked, and still am very sad to let go of) and the beyoootiful campus. Plus whomever I’ve met on the admitted students website for Princeton seems to be really friendly and nice (completely against the stereotype) while OTOH, on the Harvard forum many of the students I came across cannot seem to get over themselves. :rolleyes:
But then, there’s no surety of getting into Woody Woo, and I cannot make decisions just because of campuses. Princeton’s surrounding area isn’t much in comparison with Harvard’s. Harvard’s financial aid is also better, but the difference is pretty much negligible, not a big factor.
But anyway, I’ve definitely got more points in favor of Harvard, and I’m sure I’ll meet like minded and ‘real’ people at Harvard too. YET, I am still not 100% sure.</p>

<p>Stanforddreams: ah, is that so? What’s your other screen name here?
And yes, I got all my packages (including Harvard’s) more than a week ago. You may also find out if you’re in by trying to log onto the admitted students website.
If you want to “show your passion” for stanford, then why is your sn “stanforddreams”?</p>

[stanforddreams]

<p>@pixie i dunno…it just clicked …i was still in the hangover of my Stanford acceptance…if u got the packet a week back means i didnt make it to Harvard…:(</p>

[perfectpixie]

<p>Sorry to hear that, but Stanford is awesome too! </p>

<p>And you seem to have skipped my question: what’s your other screen name here? I’m sure nobody would mind you creating two IDs. In fact, it would let us treat you with much more familiarity which is so much better, don’t you agree?</p>

<p>OT: Sorry for hijacking your thread csf! :o</p>

[debarghya9]

<p>^ I know his other ID. Let me guess, his other id matches his real name.</p>

[anriudha]

<p>Yeah it does.</p>

<p>And Stanford wannabes? Pixie you really do fit the Harvard stereotype!</p>

[perfectpixie]

<p>debarghya, ■■■■■■ getting hungry i guess. ;)</p>

<p>aniruddh, you apparently didn’t recognize the joke. And lay off the harvard cracks, not only are they getting annoying, they also don’t seem to be in good humor.</p>

[anriudha]

<p>Oh pixie darling, you know how much I love troubling you! :p</p>