<p>I'd rush those scores! "Rushing" scores through the Collegeboard's website ensures that your request to send scores will be processed within two business days. If you were to elect to send them without "rushing", it might take up to three weeks before your request is processed.</p>
<p>Incur that extra cost, as there is no time to waste! Your application should be complete by January 1st. However, even if your scores arrive a few days late, your application will still be evaluated once all the materials are received.</p>
<p>Hi, Justin. I cannot visit campus to have an interview due to financial hardship. But is there a local alumni interview available? Is there a deadline for that? Thanks.</p>
<p>If you are unable to schedule an on-campus interview, don't worry! A few weeks after having received your completed application, the college automatically sends a letter through the mail outlining any available opportunities for an off-campus alumni interview. Our alumni admissions representatives live all across the country, but mainly reside in the northeast. If there is someone living within a reasonable distance to your home, you will receive this letter outlining details as to how to contact and arrange for an interview.</p>
<p>Just to reiterate, no effort is required on your part to initiate this process.</p>
<p>I honestly do not recall what I wrote as my response to that Lafayette supplemental essay prompt.</p>
<p>Write about whatever interests you most. As I have stated in previous posts, the topic is essentially unimportant. What matters is how exactly you approach your topic. </p>
<p>Your interest in engineering could make for a fine supplemental essay. It all depends on what you intend to emphasize. How did you first become interested in engineering? What has caused you to maintain this interest? Where do you see this interest taking you in the future? Is there any way for you to add a "creative spin" to what may at first seem like a fairly mundane topic?</p>
<p>Just be yourself as you write. Don't try to impress the admissions officers with your vocabulary or writing style. Just get your points across so that they may form a more complete image of you as a potential college student.</p>
<p>Happy writing!</p>
<ul>
<li>Justin</li>
</ul>
<p>p.s. - Congrats on being admitted to MIT...that's no small feat!</p>
<p>Hi candyman. I've applied to Lafayette College RD, and I'm worried that my lack of contact with Lafayette will hurt me in admissions. My attempts to set up an off-campus interview were ineffective, and I have not been able to visit the campus (although I've probably looked at every photo on the website.) So, I fear that admissions officers will see me as a student not genuinely interested in Lafayette.</p>
<p>The truth is I would be ecstatic to go to Lafayette, especially if I got a scholarship. I will be visiting campus in the spring if accepted, but I feel my chances of acceptance/scholarship are being hurt because I don't seem interested on paper.</p>
<p>Will I be contacted for an off-campus interview (I haven't heard anything yet)? Is there any other way I can show my interest in Lafayette? </p>
<p>Even though I have emphasized the importance of "contacts" in showing interest in the college, you must keep in mind that it would be unreasonable to expect an applicant from Texas to have the time to make these "contacts". Admissions officers expect an applicant from New Jersey or Pennsylvania to take the trip for a tour, information session, and on-campus interview. Students from across the country are sort of "excused" from these formalities.</p>
<p>From your post, it sounds as if you are enthusiastic about attending. Your interest in Lafayette will most likely come through in your application materials. If you think you have a genuine chance of receiving one of our merit-based scholarships, you most likely have the stats to gain admission. You know what the median SAT range is (1240-1420 for Math and Critical Reading). I'm sure you know what type of students Lafayette looks to admit.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that the fact you are from Texas increases your chances of admission. Admissions officers are always looking to admit students from outside the northeast. I actually know two sophomore girls who are from Texas, both from College Station.</p>
<p>As I stated in a previous post, you will soon be contacted if there is a Lafayette Alumni Admissions Representative in your area. When did you send in your completed application materials? It takes some time to process your application. If you are fortunate enough to set up an off-campus interview, that's great. If not, it's really no big deal. The off-campus alumni interviews are much more informative than evaluative, and rarely have any effect on admissions chances.</p>
<p>If you are really desperate to show interest in the college, why don't you consider sending an email to your regional admissions director? Her name is Erin C. McKan, and her official title is "Assistant Director of Admissions". Her email address is <a href="mailto:mckane@lafayette.edu">mckane@lafayette.edu</a>. Ask her a question about Lafayette with an answer that is not readily available in any college guidebook. I know that Erin would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the college.</p>
<p>Keep your hopes up! I'll be rooting for you.</p>
<p>Candyman:
Was wondering how an applicant is to check if all materials have been received by Lafayette admissions? Do they issue a password for online monitoring, mailing to home, or what? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>The only way to check on the status of your application is to call up the Office of Admissions at (610) 330-5100 between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday-Friday. Tell whoever picks up that you would like to check on the status of your application to be sure all materials have been received. You will most likely be redirected to someone who can search for your name or identification number (L followed by eight digits) in our computer database.</p>
<p>Lafayette College does not offer an online options for checking up on applications.</p>
<p>It's nice to hear from you again. I hope the college admissions process is treating you and your daughter well.</p>
<p>According to the Lafayette website, students who apply regular decision are notified by mail on or about April 1. Reply must be made by May 1. Financial aid applicants who complete the application requirements by the specified deadlines and are accepted under Lafayette's regular admission program will be notified of aid awards as soon as possible after admission decisions are made and no later than April 10.</p>
<p>Most likely, your daughter will receive her admissions decision and financial aid package together on or slightly before April 1. If she is awarded one of our merit-based scholarships, she will receive admission and financial aid notification sooner (early March) to allow her more time to consider the offer.</p>
<p>Lafayette does not send out "likely letters" like some other colleges. Recipients of our merit scholarships receive their decisions in March, and all other applicants are notified by mail on or about April 1.</p>
<p>I noticed on the website that copies of tax returns are due by 3/15. Does that mean that acceptances are mailed before then? I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be sending tax returns to a school unless the acceptance was confirmed. Any thoughts, Justin? or others? Thanks!</p>
<p>It's been some time since I've heard from you. I hope the college admissions process is treating you well.</p>
<p>If you wish to be considered for any type of financial aid (grants, loans, etc.), you do need to submit signed copies of your 2006 tax returns and W-2s by March 15th. In that way, when your decision is mailed out on or before April 1st, your financial aid package will be included. Also keep in mind that the FAFSA needs to be filed online by February 15th.</p>
<p>You should not feel uncomfortable in any way. The college states quite explicitly that one's chances of admissions are NOT based on financial need. All of the financial aid documents get sent directly to the Office of Financial Aid (NOT the Office of Admissions). The documents from both offices are combined into one "admissions folder" the moment before they are sent out to admitted applicants. Plus, you really don't have a choice if you need financial aid! </p>
<p>To tell you the truth, most RD applicants are decided upon before that March 15th date. The best thing for you to do would be to send in the required documents on time.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply, Justin. I wasn't concerned with idea of an admissions decision being made with those tax returns. They obviously know just about all they need to know from the FAFSA and the Profile. Most schools do have the 2/1 or 2/15 deadline for first time applicants for those forms Of all the schools being applied to though, Lafayette is the only one that asks for the tax returns before acceptances.</p>