<p>ucbalumnus–I wasn’t referring to admissions at all. I don’t think that admissions to schools is any easier or harder than it was when I was going to school personally, it’s a perception of what is happening. Sure thousands more are applying to more schools but often they are not viable candidates to begin with. </p>
<p>Anyway, I was talking about the perceived NEED to apply to such schools or the perceived notion, seen here every single day, that if your child doesn’t attend a top 20 school they are doomed to flip burgers for the rest of their life. THAT was not the case 30+ years ago. I think the internet has changed that as well. Before you could see what “everyone else” was doing, you had your social circle as a references. Since most of your friends went to regional schools and did just fine, there was no need to fee like you HAD to go to Harvard to get a job anywhere. </p>
<p>Search these boards, almost daily someone comes here and posts a thread about “my child’s friends are all applying to HYP but my child’s grades aren’t good enough, should we still apply” or “I can’t show my face because my child didn’t get into an Ivy” type threads. Even on the acceptance list thread–people go out of their way to make sure people know that their child got into the “honors” program at a “lesser school” or that that school was “just a safety”. Why, who cares, it’s an acceptance to a school your child liked for one reason or another, leave it at that.</p>
<p>Also, I think there are a lot of assumptions about what goes on behind closed doors at various colleges that are just that, assumptions. Someone hears about the super student that didn’t get into the school and all of the sudden your child has to be better than that super student. What people aren’t taking into consideration is the rest of the deal for that student. I know several super students that didn’t get into a lot of the schools that applied to. I can only guess why but I have a pretty good idea of what that is–lack of social skills for many of them. I also know students that have gotten into EVERY Ivy and similar they applied to, with lower GPA’s and test scores then these super students. Again, educated guess would be that these kids are outstanding candidates because they are good students, well rounded and will represent the school well down the road. </p>
<p>I really think it’s a dart game for lottery schools though. The admissions officers post the apps on the walls and toss darts…if you get a dart, you are in :D.</p>