@Wisteria100 yes i thought the same but that is what the letter stated… “The selection process for admission to Holy Cross is highly competitive. This year the Committee’s task was to select a class of 815 students from over 7000”. Which is 11%; maybe additional kids accepted and that is what they hope to yield?
If i recall, in past years (per common data set) they have had about 6500 applications, accepted about 2500 and yielded about 800. That includes ED which has a much higher acceptance rate. It sounds like this year that they’ve had more applications and also that they have decided to award some merit aid to boost yield. Both those factors indicate acceptance rate will be lower when we see this years CDS.
^^ I also know that since they were over enrolled this year, they were more conservative with acceptances, so may manage the number through the WL. The 815 target number they state, does sound a little high as this year they had 820 freshmen and had to triple a bunch up in dorms. But maybe they figure with summer melt the 815 will adjust down.
^^^what’s summer melt?
^^ People deposit May 1, but then if they get off a WL elsewhere or decide to take a gap year, or have a family circumstance, they may withdraw.
Last year they had 6622 apps according to the CDS. 7000k apps this year is a 5% increase, which is pretty consistent with other colleges in the northeast since students are applying to more and more colleges. Without knowing how many they accepted, there is of course no way to call acceptance rate (as mentioned, common mistake on CC. Acceptance rate = [# accepted / # of apps], NOT [#of seats / # of apps.]
The merit scholarships are new (they had a few, very specific ones, only). There is no mention of them on their site, so wondering if they will begin advertising this since it should increase apps. Perhaps they are shifting a bit of their huge athletic scholarship budget to bring in students they want for academic or other non athletic qualities, which is great.
S was accepted! 1460 SAT, 3.8W but at a very competitive HS where he took all honors and 4 APs. Strong leadership, athletics, community service and other ECs. Also a Legacy. Good demonstration of interest, which HC seems to really value. Visited school 2 times and interviewed on campus.
Denied at Villanova, Wait List at BC. Also considering Providence and Gettysburg (w/$20k yr merit aid).
Is HC a no-brainer?
Congratulations to your son! He sounds perfect for HC! A total no-brainer, indeed!
does anyone have any experience with movement on the wiatlist?
@risestine where did you find the FA package??
D was accepted. 32 ACT , 3.9 UW, 8 AP’s, work, 200+ community’s service hours. From an average public school in WI, no extraordinary experiences like sitting on a governors council on anything,
Last year HC accepted 345 out of 445 Early Decision applicants for a 77.5% Early Decision acceptance rate. HC was subsequently accepting (in Regular Decision) for just 455 slots (if the ultimate aim was a frosh class of 800). No idea if this year’s stats for ED are similar - high ED is quite helpful to the acceptance stats.
@Buchholt Congrats, your D’s ACT score is well within the top 25% of last year’s enrolled frosh (75th percentile composite ACT score was a 31)…and the rest of her stats equally impressive.
@helicopterDad123 Holy Cross is a no brainer to me but it all depends on what your son is looking for. HC has the best academic reputation IMO but size, location, finances, major, and social life are other factors to consider. Greek life is big at Gettysburg. If he’s really undecided, the best way to figure it out is to revisit each campus. Good luck!
@heliocopterDad123 That is not an unusual situation at all nowadays: Accepted HC and PC while denied at Villanova and Boston College. All 5 (including Gettysburg) are very good schools -HC has the strongest reputation of the 3 remaining options - and I can only echo what @RKmom2 wrote.
Does anyone know if there is an appeal process for financial aid? My EFC is 8k but I only would be expected to pay 50k/year at HC.
@jellyjam123 Hi there! It should be included in your decision.
Scroll all the way down below your decision letter and you’ll see two links. 
When do they start announcing the students accepted thru WL?