<ol>
<li><p>Apps are up, yield s down. No surprise, that's what happens when kids apply to more schools but the number of kids applying doesn't change much. Getting the yield formula right is apparently a big challenge for admissions now. Will this mean demonstrated interest will count more, anyone think?</p></li>
<li><p>Rank is less important than ever. Rank, they say, because so many schools don't rank anymore (like my kids' HS) and HS' scales are so variable.</p></li>
<li><p>Interviews are counted less than ever because there are now so many applicants that few can actually meet with an admissions interviewer and in general the interview favors wealthier kids who can afford to come to campus. Regional alumni interviews aren't addressed here but I assume they never mattered as much.</p></li>
<li><p>Most colleges accept an average of 2/3 of applicants. TO the average CC'er, THAT is news ;)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I'm sure the full report is online somewhere.</p>
<p>Apps up/yields down-we are guilty. Our kids applied to a lot of schools because the apps were free. They were on the fence as to apply or not and said, well, since it’s free, why not. The question to them was always “if you got a lot of money to go here would you go”–if it was yes, ok, apply then. Realistic chance of them attending some of those schools, none. DD had 3 schools like that, DS has 4 (although one of his schools he will attend if the numbers work out-because it is a great fit-just didn’t like it because his sister liked it first :D).</p>
<p>S applied to 10, I think. Mainly because we needed to compare FA packages, and because some were music schools where audition would determine acceptance into the only program he wanted at that school. </p>
<p>One of the commenters on the original article says the bit on rank, at least, may be deceiving as an average since VERY selective schools give it higher importance, if the school does offer a rank. And of course on CC e only care what VERY selective colleges care about :D</p>
<p>Also, the above link suggests that interest is playing a larger role than it did in the past, which makes sense to me if adcoms are searching for ways to determine who will attend if accepted.</p>
<p>^^that is what we are hoping will tip DS’s app into the yes pile for his lottery school :D. He has been on campus 2 times, attended local recruiting sessions and has been in contact with his ad comm with some questions here and there. Campus is a 9 hour drive for us so hoping that helps!!!</p>
<p>It makes sense that interest would count for more as yield drops. The extreme case of “interest” is ED, but I’d assume regular contact counts for something at all but the very, very top schools (that presumably have very high yields).</p>
<p>His lottery school is one that doesn’t really do ED, just EA and then they suggest that only for kids that have cured cancer, not mere mortals like most kids :D. Their EA rates are lower than their RD rates.</p>
<p>I’m surprised at how low EC’s are - and yet we’ve been told by every AC we’ve seen that you have to have them - so are they more of a yes/no checkbox unless it’s a cure for cancer or nonprofit for starving children?</p>
<p>SteveMA - sounds like your S and my S have the same strategy for the same <em>fingers-crossed</em> option.</p>
<p>I’m surprised by #10. If taking AP or IB classes is so important, why not the test scores? Also #16, that work is given so little importance. Seems unfair to lower income kids who have to work and therefore have less time to study.</p>
<p>Work might be considered an EC by some, so covered under that in part.</p>
<p>I think the AP/IB importance is more about taking the hardest classes and doing well in them. While the tests partly measure that success I guess they consider grades in those classes more.</p>
<p>Most colleges don’t even ask for AP scores do they? S didn’t send any until he was admitted and wanted credit.</p>
<p>RE #16, I’m guessing the AP scores are lower because kids don’t need to report them AND not all colleges/unis give credit and not all the AP classes translate easily into replacement credits at the college. Finally, not all colleges have core curriculum requirements so if, for example, the student takes APUSH and scores a 4, it might translate to a history credit or social science credit, but if there is not requirement for the student to take a social or history class then those “3 credits” might be meaningless or simple become elective credit which may or may not be valuable. Finally as someone said, most kids don’t send the scores anyway until they have enrolled so would not be part of the application cycle. </p>
<p>For most high school transcripts the AP classes say “AP US History” or AP English Language" etc., during the application cycle admissions can see the kids took the class and most often they are simply eyeballing the transcript for GPA validation and rigor. The “grade” the kids got from the teacher will be reflected. </p>
<p>The first 6 items on the list seem to reflect exactly what we’ve heard during admission talks from a wide variety of small colleges to large university about “what” is important. Everything else helps to paint a stronger picture and personality of an individual student. Are they a team sport kid, do they like Quiz Bowl or chess club, do they have a job, do they like to write for the school newspaper…way back in the day I vaguely recall sending a picture along with my apps.</p>