<p>Trying to think about what is going on from the other side. If other people applied with this mechanism and had their application fee waived and had decisions returned as promised, it could be that somehow the system is screwed up and ScottG was somehow grouped with regular admissions. </p>
<p>In any case, it may be worth calling admissions and asking about the discrepancies, and really, since you didn’t get your answer in two weeks, asking for your application fee back. In the very least, the admissions office should know that there are issues and some applicants are unhappy. I guarantee they don’t want to make people unhappy and if this new system has kinks they probably wish to know about it.</p>
<p>A new streamlined admissions process for high-stat students based on Collegeboard suggestions. Essentially the students submit a bare-bones app and are guaranteed a 2-week turnaround for an admissions response. And it may have also included an application fee waiver (uncertain about that). However, most people who did it seemed to have included more information anyway (essay, LOR, resume) for hopes of also getting a scholarship.</p>
<p>Follow-up to previous posts. Spoke with admissions and, in fact, I’ve been accurate. It is used as a screening tool to get students to apply who otherwise wouldn’t do so, based strictly on high SAT/ACT scores. It works great if your GPA/class rank are excellent and provides a quick admission. Otherwise, you are placed in the general applicant pool and they want mid term grades and the other usual supplemental info. Based on these facts I withdrew my app, and to be honest, they really didn’t care. Any school that operates this way is not a place I want to be. Ironically, I’ve been accepted to 4 other highly ranked engineering programs, 3 with substantial merit grants. Good luck to all.</p>
<p>Final info. Contacted admissions rep. The promise of a decision is not solely an acceptance or rejection. They define a “decision” as taking action on an application. That may also include request for additional information (including mid-term grades), delaying a decision into February. There is no distinct advantage, since with a rolling app school, you will still get a decision in about the same time frame. IMHO, for future students,don’t waste your time through this app.</p>
<p>D used the prestige app, sent in her ACT scores and transcript (school sent recs with it)with no essays whatsoever and received admission and a full tuition scholarship. I did pay the app fee.</p>
<p>@ready
Congrats to your D. I’m sure she is a superior student on every level and deserved her scholarship. That is the student the school wishes to attract through the prestige offer. It’s a win win if she had no plans to apply there until the prestige offer came.</p>