Re: buying swag before the decision dates, my kiddos like to pick out their own clothes, so I waited with '21 and will also wait with '23. I’ll let them pick them out themselves, maybe even on re-visit days if they get in!
Generally most European countries offer guaranteed admission to high school graduates, and the university is affordable to nearly all, certainly not the cost of typical US tuition. Of course, the by product is often a combination of much larger classes/tougher first year selection process/inability to enter college “undeclared”
If you take Switzerland, any graduate with above average grades in their national high school exam is guaranteed he/she can enter EPFZ, a global top10 science and engineering school Einstein attended, at a tuition cost under USD10k/annum. However, students are awarded only 2 chances to fail their year, so they really have to think hard if that’s the major they want to pursue, whether they are fully trained and ready to pass their first and subsequent years. It is definitely a much more equilaterian system, which didn’t require affirmative action/holistic selection/sport hooks/legacy, and in which every tax payer is in fact a donor.
I wouldnt say the standardized testing system is more stressful than the US. It’s a different type of stress.
At least it’s transparent, dont have kids applying to 10,15,20 schools, writing numerous supplemental essays, and spending $1,000 (or more) on application fees because of FOMO.
And then waiting around and wondering why you didnt get in to XYZ school even if you had a 4.0 and a 99.5% SAT score because you didnt meet their criteria of “Institutional priorities”.
I know it is not an apples to apples comparison. FL is almost 4 times the size and 2.5x population than Switzerland.
FL publics charge instate tuition of $7k/year and a chance to get that covered by a state scholarship program!
Most of the FL schools are very good and students have the chance to get into one of the many schools.
Some states in US and top schools are very expensive private schools. However, there are very good options in most instate publics.
BTW, DS24 applied to FFAA finally ( after good amount of nagging/reminders ). It takes only 5 minutes and it is a requirement for BF scholarships.
For about an hour I did a deep dive into Vandy’s engineering school (it’s never been on my kid’s list) and told my son he’s gonna apply asap. He’s like: “I’m not moving to Nashville!” And I’m like: “For $65K off of college every year for 4 years, you bet you are!” And then the news broke that this was an error; wow, some error. Maybe that of a disgruntled employee on their way out?
The letter was clearly just another attempt to get more applications in the door so we assume it was just rushed (and of course mistakes happen).
The admissions office probably cares more about the mistake than those who received the letter. But unfortunately some families were probably pretty excited about it before the correction.
They should have rectified the situation by offering a 20% off Black Friday application fee discount.
I know, but really, it’s so very frustrating. I think these marketing departments need to cool their jets. Just be transparent and honest with the kids and their families. Why do you need thousands of more applications?
If it’s a question of getting cheap tuition/cost - then you can find that - Vandy (if the letter was true) or otherwise…
As for your comment as to why you need more apps - get the rate down, build a sense of prestige - and that’s what marketers do - they market. They’re not hired to bring in less.
It could even have been an agency they hired.
It’s unfortunate and I see it at my work - people send stuff without 4 eyes or 8 eyes reviewing - and yes people need to slow down.
Im sure the folks at Northeastern are already on it:
We have hand selected a limited audience to receive a Black Friday application fee reduction. Congratulations on being hand chosen for this special discount -EXCLUSIVE only for high seniors. No essays required!
Talk me down, anonymous friends. I’m seeing acceptances for some of the big state schools on CC and S24 has heard nothing. (He manages access to his own portals, as he should). I’m sure it will all work out fine but the anxious part of me wants to have him fill out another five apps before January. School counselor is not at all worried and he has applied to 13 schools. No rejections or deferrals, just silence.
Breathe!! Most (if not all) of the state schools you are seeing have rolling admissions so they send their acceptances as they go through the applications. Depending on where your son has applied, it’s very likely he will still be sitting in silence as many others are. He can check the admissions websites for the individual schools to see when decisions are released.
My son applied to 9 state schools & 6 private schools. He has heard from 4 of the publics, and he hasn’t heard from 5 public schools nor any of the privates schools.
I think whether you should expect to have heard from the public schools is really dependent on which schools they are! Three of the public schools S24 applied to were very clear to not expect an answer until the end of January.
It will all be okay! If the counselor isn’t worried then you do not need to worry. Seriously.
I don’t know where all your son applied … but if Indiana is on that list … I understand why you are feeling some stress! Nothing more fun than being the first year under a new admissions process! Lol
). It takes only 5 minutes and it is a requirement for BF scholarships.