<p>dartmouth</p>
<p>is ALL i could get out of that last post. what? so did your daughter get admitted, and you had her turn it down because she didn't get a likely letter?</p>
<p>I'm slightly perturbed with a certain private school on my d's "short" list that has been sending out acceptances in waves for quite a while now, apparently to the most qualified first. That's OK I guess (but stressful for those who are waiting), but the part that really bothers me is that many of these accepted kids are already applying for housing (which is also quite a competitive process), so will all the most desirable dorms be allotted to all the "most desirable" candidates by the time the more average admits get in? </p>
<p>Here in CA, many of the kids applying to this school may need to wait (for financial reasons) for finaid pkgs to shake out and for the public school's decisions at the end of the month, so is this a not-so-subtle way of rewarding the most qualified who are also financially in a postion to commit early as well?</p>
<p>I discovered this board several years back doing a search for "likely letters" when my first college bound child received one and we had never heard of such a thing. By that time I already believed absolutely nothing about this process is fair or transparent. I do think it would be nicer (but perhaps too much to hope for?) if the lucky families kept the information private.</p>
<p>I don't understand why people are upset about not getting likely letters or early writes, especially from top schools with admissions rates of 20% or less. Getting an early invitation is a bonus, but why should anyone count on getting them? Why is it painful to discover that your application is not among the top 10 or 20% (or whatever) of those admitted to a school where only 20% of those who apply get in? One of the big learnings for just about anyone who goes to one of these selective schools is that, no matter how smart and accomplished you think you are, no matter how high your GPA was in high school, there are others in the world who are considerably more brilliant and accomplished. That is one of the things that makes going to one of these selective schools so stimulating, challenging and rewarding.</p>
<p>True, dadx3, but I still don't like the policy of schools that send separate likely letters and scholarship letters.</p>
<p>wecandothis - here in NoCal I share your stress, having only one acceptance in the bag for DD.....also knowing that if she is going to do any overnights or admitted students/parents days in April, during her spring break, it will take great coordination and logistical gymnastics on our part to have her tackle as many as she can geographically (really, only two regions) because we simply can't afford to fly off to these at the drop of a hat. And expect to get a decent airfare. </p>
<p>So, yeah, I'm being a little selfish and cheap because I'd actually like to plan in advance to have her revisit her top acceptances/admits, etc. before I shell out the $$$$$$ to send her five hours away (and iffy at best cell reception) by the closest affordable non-stop flight for the next four years.</p>
<p>Sigh.</p>
<p>Human nature being what it is, I like the policy because my son got some and I'd probably hate it if he hadn't.</p>
<p>Going along with what dadx3 said: I was looking for likely letters to come D's way, I confess. But in truth, if she even gets into her reach schools I would be more than happy!</p>
<p>My son got a letter saying he was a finalist for a presidential scholarship, but had not heard if he had been admitted yet. This was for a good school in NC. I called admissions and asked if it were possible for him to make the trip, go home, and find out five days later that he was not admitted. They seemed a little hesitant to let me know that if he had gotten that far in the scholarship process that he was admitted. I think they should have made it known at the time of the invitation. No?</p>
<p>Well, I think it's just one more piece of the information puzzle that you use when making your final decisions. For my educational buck I'd rather be at/near the top of the totem pole with all the perks than having to fight and hope for the opportunities that I would expect for my education. There are lots of excellent schools doing lots of excellent research. Why not shine?</p>
<p>randc</p>
<p>I think that's very odd. Yes, they should have told you he was admitted.</p>
<p>Good point sax. Some schools have amazed me with their ability to have things run like clockwork and still put the kids first and some seem to need a little tweeking.</p>
<p>bethievt</p>
<p>At another school where he got a scholarship, he was told in the same letter that he was admitted. One day later a Finaid package arrived. I was impressed with the way it was handled. He wasn't expecting to hear from them as early as he did, but it does make the wait for other schools easier.</p>
<p>randc</p>
<p>Yes, it does make the waiting easier. I just can't imagine the rationale for offering a scholarship before an acceptance. Glad your son has something good to focus on...and you too--sometimes it seems we are more stressed out than our kids.</p>
<p>My D did not apply to the top LACs. I wasn't expecting her to be lured to attend any particular school, but when I learned how differenty applicants are treated in terms other than scholarships offered, it made me sick. We're going to pay $40+ out of our own pocket to send our D to college. If an applicant has been to campus several times, interviewed, and met with department chairs, I would think a little more of a personal approach is warranted. Instead, the colleges are chasing after the "top" kids who don't want to attend because they have their sights set on a "higher" level of school. This will all be over soon and we'll all move on:-)</p>
<p>bethievt</p>
<p>I was going to say the same thing lol. They have done the hard part, now it's our turn I guess</p>
<p>freshstart19</p>
<p>My son focused on schools that he felt were a good fit for him (with a little help). The whole process is so much more competitive as there are more kids and the same amount of schools more or less. The bottom line is, are our kids going to be happy and stay where they go for the four years (or more). Then we can say that it is all over ;)</p>
<p>randc, my d was invited to apply for a sort of fellowship program at one of her schools. At the bottom of the letter, it said
[quote]
P.S. Students sometimes ask, "Does this mean I'm accepted?" Although we have not mailed Regular Decision letters yet, it's fair to interpret this as a "good sign."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I thought that was a great way for the school to avoid the phone calls! I saw it as a bit of a sense of humor on behalf of the Dean of Admissions. (Of course, I would have preferred an actual acceptance, and if she doesn't get it (the acceptance, not the fellowship) - boy will I be mad!)</p>
<p>Chedva
I would be mad too! Especially if you spend all that money visiting and find out you didn't make it. Maybe in a couple of months we can all kick back and either laugh or congratulate our kids and ourselves. Won't that be nice?</p>
<p>I think if some fin aid money is an plus on the taxes, then college visit and scholarship competition costs should be a minus.</p>
<p>Do schools really invite a kid to scholarship competition and then not accept them into the college?</p>
<p>cmbmom
I know sometimes that is the case, especially if the scholarship is department specific. I think that it is a little late in the "game" for colleges to be asking for kids to interview (or in my sons case, audition and interview) with RD so soon upon them.</p>