<p>I am not at all sure just how the cost (and the doubtful profit making aspect of the application process for colleges) found its way into this thread. But since it did pop up, some colleges such as Brandeis use Descriptor Plus from the CB to manage recruitment strategy and keep a lid on costs - this type of targeted advertisement means that expensive brochures, view books, and intensive mailings etc. are sent only to those candidates deemed to be most likely to enroll. Increasingly, colleges are turning to web-based advertising as well as fee waived e-based apps . Makes me think that most colleges try to be cost effective in this regard as they set out to woo prospies. </p>
<p>Cost effective or not, many colleges do send out what might be construed as mixed messages because they openly invite and even encourage students to apply - whether they are "stellar" in their parent's eyes, their GC's eyes, or their own. Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder and so is the concept of "stellar" and "spark". What is stellar or extraordinary at one high school may be considered mediocre or "one of the pack", "a dime a dozen" at another. So no wonder some counselors advocate increasing the number of apps:
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"I am beginning to believe that it is important for students to add a college or two" in their applications roster, says Mr. Turba, "because there is no way to know -- counselor or student -- from where the acceptances will come." Mr. Turba reports a few students this year who applied to almost 20 schools...
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<p>It seems ridiculous to state the obvious, but it does seem to be a given that most students - with or without GC approval - apply to a HEI with the great hope of getting in. What bothers so many people these days, is the brutal fact that even if a student has a ballpark range GPA, SAT or ACT scores, the requisite laundry list of APs and other competitive tip factors or that special "hook" no one can predict admission with any degree of certainty or comfort. The OP article elicited no comment at all but really it is the most interesting of all precisely because it is such an over the top "panicked parent" message - that it is impossible to consider any college - not just the Ivies or non-Ivy elites - as a sure bet or "safety" any more - including good old State U. In a way this is a good message to get these days because no one can afford to pin their hopes on the elusive concept of a reach, "dream school" college admit these days. The shock waves that ripple after the admissions cycle is over (reminds me of 2009) is testimony to this trend and it does hit hard for vals and sals as well as the "less-than-stellar". For those of us jumping into the fray, the message may be that at this point in the baby boom admissions cycle being an overachiever is over-rated. So, as I have read many, many times on CC on so many threads - if you do your homework and come up with a well-researched, thoughtful list of colleges (in terms of reach, target, and match) that fit in terms of program and interest then even the less-than-stellar do need apply.</p>