<p>My dad's a UVa alum and he gets their magazine. It has a great article on admissions and what's really important, and it tries to inject some sanity into the process. </p>
<p>I found a link to it online: <a href="http://www.uvamagazine.org/site/c.esJNK1PIJrH/b.1994057/k.C61F/College_Bound_and_Determined.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.uvamagazine.org/site/c.esJNK1PIJrH/b.1994057/k.C61F/College_Bound_and_Determined.htm</a></p>
<p>Highly recommend reading this one.</p>
<p>what a bunch of pablum.</p>
<p>admissions directors have greatly contributed to the frenzy and parents just follow in a circle--their jobs depend on it. if you've ever heard the presentation by Northwestern's admissions person you'll know that you're not getting the full story.</p>
<p>all parents want is the truth and that's not what is being delivered by many of the schools.</p>
<p>why do schools manipulate the common data set? why don't they publish the details? why say that sat and act aren't required for decisions yet know that they are truly factors for admission except in 25% of the cases, which really is no different than being below the middle 50%? why hide behind the "community building" concept?</p>
<p>nonsense.</p>