<p>thanks, alstarr. I enjoy the "behind the scenes" looks at admissions in general, but I am particularly interested in U. Chicago, so appreciated the link.</p>
<p>The first article posted as said it took them 8 days to discuss 2166 applications. That number is now up to about 3400. Should we assume that decsions are being made at Penn today...and through next week? (off to light candles and say Novena :))</p>
<p>Say hello to her for me too.</p>
<p>For another perspective (especialloy to those of you who are relatively new here), these are links to articles about the MIT admissions process.</p>
<p>Thanks, Altstarr. Just sent it to my son who will be working on his RD app this weekend.</p>
<p>The problem with this philosophy is that all schools do not function the same way or have the same rigor/curriculum. For example, of the 160 students at our high school, 9 went to Ivies last year, including 4 to Harvard, and many more to top schools. It is a very competitive, public school and some teachers have dealt with having lots of very capable and competitive students by choosing to give only 2 As or 3 As per class. That means many students with high SATs have Bs on their transcripts. Really, this process is so ridiculous - often the adcoms are comparing apples and oranges. Although many say they are familiar with the schools, I shook hands with an admissions officer who told me how much she loved my town and my part of the state (her own home state, I might add), but she was off by more than 100 miles and definitely off re: quality of education.</p>
<p>Rileydog, this is where you enlist your guidance counselor to explain that there are only 2 or 3 A's per class, that there is no grade inflation, and exactly how competitive it is. Your school profile should address this as well. Make sure you see the profile and anything that's not explained on there should be addressed by the GC. You may have to ask the GC to do this in detail.</p>