I will be surprised if any of the ivies go back to required, because it goes against their access mission, but i think it will evolve to test preferred. That is what happened to subject tests back when it was a thing. They didn’t want someone with no access to not apply just for that reason, but they can’t say “TO for some” out loud.
It honestly doesn’t matter in terms of SES fairness. These schools always evaluated test scores in context. Even if the kid from Andover needed a 1550, that was never the bar for a first generation kid from rural WV.
So now you know… if you are applying DO NOT unsubscribe lol.
Marketing works. You’d be surprised how many people I know feel their kid is so special (read, subtle suggestion that they are better than my own) because they did “so well” the were invited to apply to a very special “leadership” camp (that costs several $$$) and “Harvard wants them to apply.”
I monitor my son’s college email account. He must get 30 plus emails a day from colleges. Some multiple emails from same colleges with different subjects. I will add the amount of snail mail is about 1/4 of what my 2018 got so that’s nice.
D24 ended up getting all her EA apps due 11/1 done by early AM November 1, because the last one one extended the deadline for the arts supplemental until 11/6, instantly dropping it off her to do list for 11/1. sigh So 4 more portfolios due between the 6th and 15th, and then on to her 5 RD or international applications. I would not be completely surprised if that number drops to 2 or even fewer…this has been grueling and they are such long shots (admission and/or cost wise) that I am not sure she will think it’s worth it. Once the early round apps are actually totally for real 100% complete, I am no longer going to worry about it. She told me she would get everything done by 11/1 (even the ones with supplementals due a little later), but has 4 of 8 completely done.
I will add on to the general grousing about art supplementals…every single place had a different format. 10 pieces or 20 pieces? What kinds of pieces preferred? How long a description for each piece…anywhere from 2 sentences to 150 words or even unlimited(?!) How many extra essays on surprisingly varied topics, just for the art supplemental (one was 1000 words). What format did the pictures need to be in…each on a separate pdf, combined into 1 size limited pdf, collated on a third party platform, submitted via college website or even through email.
I’m going to be in Boston when the 11/6 stuff is due and we have out of town guests arriving tomorrow, so she knows she has a limited time left for me to be able to read essays. BTW, any recommendations for restaurants or must do things in Boston (for a pair of middle aged women…museums, art and architecture tours, etc.)? My first time there and I am looking to try a lobster roll! Cold or hot? Also going to visit MIT, Harvard, and Northeastern (Not D24 related, just want to see what they look like since I’ll be nearby)
Just for fun question: which school do you think your child is most likely to end up not applying to, out of a combination of fatigue and stronger interest in other options? For my daughter: U of Colorado.
I feel you about the portfolios. I will say it out loud, the Northeastern portfolio form was not a good user experience. If that is the one your D24 has left be forewarned that the artist statement is a combo artist/personal statement where they ask you to tie into why this school, you can’t save and return another time and submit didn’t include a confirmation/preview or a way to edit.
As for things to do in Boston maybe Hop On Hop Off trolley and Cambridge Historical Tours. So many good places to eat near MIT including Miracle of Science, Flour Bakery and Cafe, Kendall Kitchen and 730Tavern.
I don’t have a recommendation but we love doing walking food tours. Boston is probably a great place for one! D22 and I did one when we visited UChigago. I bet a North End one would be great! Boston Food Tour - Secret Food Tours
I love the hot buttered lobster rolls at Neptune but be prepared to wait. My favorite places in Boston are Sarma - amazing food, Uber, eat at bar - area four and caralyst in Kendall sq. I think Flour has jumped the shark (it’s all mass-produced now) but Butternut Bakery in Arlington is unreal. North end for sure - Prezza is good and Modern for pastries. Beacon Hill is fun for walking around. Nautilus the seaport was amazing.
D24 pulled the trigger in her ED application. I love the school and think it’s a great fit, but she changed her mind on her ED school 4 times so I really hope she doesn’t change her mind again! Right now, she is excited and happy and I am happy for her. It’s not a high reach, so we are feeling pretty good. She also applied EA to a safety. Her fall play opens this weekend, so that is exciting for her too!
S24 has 10 applications submitted and 2 acceptances so he is taking a break on college to focus on sport championship season. He raced well this week and made all district again. Grateful his senior year is going well.
Both kids received their quarter progress reports and all is well, so seniority’s has not yet led to an academic slump.
When you’re near MIT, go early to Praline Bakery (the original store is in Belmont): MUST get their Kouign Amann!!!
(I hunt down all Kouign Amann, so I know Praline’s is the best)
The almond croissant is fabulous
For my D24, I doubt the Clark EA app is gonna happen (deadline 11/15.) I think it’s a great fit, but she feels “meh” about it. She has 3 other likelies already submitted, and this one has 2 supps! Why?!?!
They want “quality” apps - meaning, some schools you easily apply. If you have to put forth effort than having made the effort might separate the adults from the kids - i.e. those applying to apply vs. those who genuinely care.
It might give the “aura” of it’s a better school - i.e. the school takes it seriously and you’ll perceive them at a higher leve.
Just out of curiosity, why is U of Colorado dropping from her list?
D24 claimed yesterday while finishing EA supplements that she is dropping Stanford from RD; for same reasons that @helpingthekid73 's kid is dropping Dartmouth: extensive supplements and it is a lotto ticket who gets in.
Mine got a bunch of the deadline extension emails too. Most were from places she has expressed zero interest in. Emails don’t even get opened for them. Hopefully there are no more. It’s hard enough to get the inbox cleared to just hold important things. We keep unsubscribing too.
It’s not guaranteed that she’s dropping it–that’s just my guess. She is applying to 13 schools even without U of Colorado, and since she already has an acceptance via rolling admissions, I think common sense and fatigue might win the day. Colorado is a good school, and similar to the rest of the schools she picked–but it is the furthest away from us. It is 3 hours by plane and then would require a bus to get to Boulder. Yikes!
She is applying to 13 schools even without U of Colorado, and since she already has an acceptance via rolling admissions, I think common sense and fatigue might win the day. Colorado is a good school, and similar to the rest of the schools she picked–but it is the furthest away from us. It is 3 hours by plane and then would require a bus to get to Boulder. Yikes!