<p>My brother just received his rejection letter from CU, which was his top choice. Nobody thought he would get rejected, and he's since been accepted to more selective schools, so how could he get rejected?</p>
<p>He's a non-traditional student, stopped attending high school as a sophomore, officially dropped out either his junior or senior year and got his GED, which he did splendidly on. He attended community college for two years with very high marks in four classes. His ACT composite was around 29, I believe - his writing score was stellar (35). He also got around a 1800 on the SATs. He had many letters of rec, was an in state applicant, hell, he's even a URM (black). The only thing he had going against him was his lack of ECs! Honestly, everyone is shocked. He seems more than qualified for CU and he's been accepted to Regis, Metro State, and UCD.</p>
<p>Can anyone attempt to shine any light on the situation?</p>
<p>While I agree with the fact that he should have gotten in there are a few contributing factors that may have led to his rejection. Firstly, colleges do not like to see students drop out of high school and it is harder to transfer especially from a community college. While the EC’s may have hurt him it was probably something else that they saw that was alarming to them. That is what usually happens when a school has such a high acceptance rate, instead of looking at who is the right fit for the school they see if anybody raises any red flags. Another thing you have to consider is that schools have quotas they need to meet for race, gender, geographic location, etc. while I do not think being a URM, male or in state necessarily hurt him they may have already met there quotas in those groups. Although this may seem far-fetched but they may have seen something on social media or on the internet that alarmed them. Did he change his name on Facebook or Instagram? Did he have a record of any kind in his high school? These are things you have to consider when you see such a shocking result as this one is. Another thing to consider is which college did he apply to because I know some of their programs are jokes but the Physics and Engineering programs are some of the best in the country asking for GPA’s as high as a 4.0. There has to be a 13.1% that does not get in, but I would not worry about it and just focus on the great schools he can go to. </p>
<p>Firstly, you cannot receive a 35 on the ACT writing, only the combined English and writing. Now, while it is easy to sit from your vantage point and make an argument he should have been accepted, you have to consider what colleges like CU often look for. It is a very easy school to get into, for students who HAVE completed high school. While it is a GED “friendly” school, that does not mean a GED is the same as a high school diploma. I don’t believe someone who receives only a GED should be able to graduate from a 4-year college, and it seems the CU admissions department agrees with me. </p>
<p>" I don’t believe someone who receives only a GED should be able to graduate from a 4-year college, and it seems the CU admissions department agrees with me."</p>
<p>You are flat wrong. CU absolutely accepts students that have a GED in place of a high school diploma. Other pretty prestigious universities that also accept GEDs include USC, University of Texas, U of Florida, U of Illinios, NYU, Penn State, Indiana University…</p>
<p>What else should a person that earns a GED be restricted from in your world? Not allowed to vote? Not allowed to own property? Not allowed to have children? </p>
<p>@knightclub, I clearly prefaced my comment with “While it is a GED “friendly” school, that does not mean a GED is the same as a high school diploma.” I’m simply saying that applicants with a GED are not held in the same esteem as those who have or will graduate high school. It is my personal opinion that an individual with a GED is not deserving of any 4 year degree. Perhaps I should not have added “and it seems the CU admissions department agrees with me.” My underlying point is valid, a GED does not equate a high school diploma. Your rhetorical questions, by the way, are tasteless and inane. </p>
<p>@heyhey2034 You have no idea of the circumstances surrounding someone’s inability to finish high school. Should people whose high school experiences were wrought with poverty and neglect, like my brother and I, be treated as lesser in the academic world? Or only him, because he did not graduate and I will?</p>
<p>Your comment isn’t particularly logical either. Plenty of people with GEDs graduate from four-year college. If your argument is that it’s less likely to happen, or that it’s more challenging for GED holders to graduate, you should stay that. Your argument that GED holders <em>can’t</em> succeed at a 4-year university doesn’t hold up when you look at the admissions policies of most schools (which treat the high school diploma and the GED are functionally interchangeable for admissions purposes).</p>
<p>Heyhey2034, this site is really geared towards people who try to support and encourage other members. I am not sure why you feel compelled to put others down. Your view that people with a GED don’t “deserve” a 4 year degree is ridiculous. Just saying.</p>
<p>Codexsplanade, I’m so sorry your brother didn’t get in to his first choice. Rejection really hurts, but it will all work out for the best in the end. (:</p>
<p>@Lenalee, if someone asks “why am I obese,” I am going to tell them it’s because they don’t exercise enough and eat too much. I’m not going to make up some bogus story about a glandular disorder. Telling the truth is more important then making others feel good about themselves. </p>
<p>@codexsplande, clearly you began this thread with the hopes of consolidating yourself, and confirming your personal views on your brothers rejection. I am not “polite” on this website, nor am I “rude.” I tell others my views and opinions when they ask for them. Your brother was rejected by CU. That is the situation. You can go through life with the idea that everyone is out to get you and him, or you can accept failure when it comes. Failure is a part of life, and denying it gets you no where. I apologize for not writing some la-di-da post about how CU is “crazy” and that they “made a mistake.” In my opinion, they rarely do. They accepted nearly 90% of applicants, but did not accept your brother. I of course have no idea of the circumstances of your brother’s dropping out of high school, but a GED is not a high school diploma. Metro, UCD and Regis are not the same as CU. They are not even in the same ballpark of reputability. If I am rejected from my top school in December I will accept it and move on. I will upset, angry and likely sad for some time, but I will NOT blame others, I will NOT accuse them of being foolish and crazy. And of course my example had nothing to do with this situation… it’s called a simile or metaphor. </p>