<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/16/education/16admissions.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/16/education/16admissions.html</a> </p>
<p>Lots of colleges named in the article.</p>
<p>and CC's very own Carolyn is cited there :)</p>
<p>And to play on your screen name, isn't it the truth that the student stakeholders tend to be the most practical and pragmatic about the whole process and are "generally" quicker to adapt to the new realities than parents. (CC parents excluded from this broad generalization, of course.) A key concept in the article is the app "logjam" and the need to broaden horizons to break it up and spread it out.</p>
<p>Another vote for the "Apply ED to a realistic choice" strategy.</p>
<p>It's a good idea if it's compatible with family finances and the student's personality.</p>
<p>When I applied to Colgate in 2003 for fall 2004 admissions, the acceptance rate was at 32%. I eventually got in as a transfer. Now it's 25% for this year. Sheesh- that was the acceptance rate at Georgetown in 2004!</p>
<p>Those of us who are rising seniors should be patting ourselves on our backs for making to where we are now than is now may not have been possible had we applied this year!</p>
<p>Good read.</p>
<p>I am seeing a number of students who are applying early decision to schools that are not such a reach for them just to be over this whole danged process. They may well get into an ivy, but figure that they are pretty much going to get into a Tufts or Lehigh early, whereas it would be more chancy RD.</p>
<p>Excellent article..............Spread the word CC. </p>
<p>My D was one of those that applied to HPY, but once she discovered Tufts, knew she had found her "fit." I am just grateful for the counsellor who suggested D take a look at Tufts. 90% of the people out here in So Cal say... "huh? Where is that?"</p>
<p>We visited Lehigh over spring break and my D loved Lehigh. The admissions counselor seemed almost apologetic about how hard Lehigh is to get into. He seemed amazed himself at the amount of applications and the median SAT scores.</p>
<p>My D thought that Lehigh and Lafayette were matches but seem to be reaches for almost everyone. It is suprising.</p>
<p>I have to say that Shain was our "favorite" admissions officer in 2005. He is very approachable and did a very good job improving Vanderbilt's national draw and bid to be more multicultural. He was also apologetic about the difficulty of getting admitted rather than being intimidating or cold. We also loved Bowdoin, and so we are glad he is there.</p>