Took DD 21 on a tour of Wesleyan, Smith and MHO. We were blown away by it’s beauty and academics. It changed my daughter’s outlook about possibly attending an all women’s college.
She is a 4.0 student. Athletic and musical. What is a good way now to demonstrate interest?
I suggested she contact the admissions rep for our area to be put on her radar. There is also a “Focus on Admissions Day” for families in August, and spend a day options in the fall.
We really cannot do both. Which would you think might be the better way for us to show we are interested?
If she’s interested in playing a sport, she should contact the coach. Since she’s '21, you could do the Aug visit day this fall and an overnight next fall (when she could also interview).
Interview; make sure she’s on their email list, and when emails come in have her click links and spend time on the website.
My daughter with a similar profile just finished her first year at Mt Holyoke. She was chosen to be a Trustee Scholar which is a full tuition scholarship. We visited in late Fall and she did a Sunday tour and an interview with a student admissions officer. She sent in her audition tapes she had done for a few other music schools (cellist). Her scholarship letter mentioned how much they enjoyed her audition tapes…if that is helpful. I don’t think it really matters between your two event choices in terms of showing interest…but I will say mine never found the group events to be very informative…the tour and interview as well as an overnight before she committed were what really gave her a good idea of what Mt Holyoke was all about. They really look for fit above all else. Best of luck to your daughter…mine could not be happier. And will say she left a quiet scholar and came back this summer a confident leader.
Most effective way to demonstrate interest is to show your match in the app and interview (don’t blow off any interview opp.) It means understanding enough about the college and how you fit in ways they like. After all, kids truly “interested” will have dug deep enough and tested their interest enough to do this.
Such a great story, It is so easy to fall in love with Mount Holyoke and never look back. Showing interest is not difficult. Applying early decision is one way to demonstrate that Mount Holyoke is the place for you.
ED is the ultimate Demonstrated interest. But it often interferes with getting merit money at some schools. Should research if that’s the case with MHC if you want your DD to be in the running for such funds. .
I agree that it shows interest, but also that it may hurt you with merit money. I’ve posted before about my twins who applied to MHC, one ED and one RD. It’s anecdotal, but if merit money is an issue, consider that.
It’s also worth mentioning that merit money reduces need-based aid, so this may actually be moot.
I think the best thing you can do is visit, interview, and be genuine. The interviewer will pick up on whether you’re daughter is a good fit, and that’s the most important thing, particularly as her stats are already good.
Thanks for all of your help. I have her signed up for a shadow day this fall. What do you think her chances are of getting accepted: 100+ student, volleyball, softball, NHS, NEHS, NIHS, part time job. 1200 on her last psat (hasn’t taken the junior year one yet, obv) and I have her signed up to take a test prep class in prep for the march 2020 sat.
It’s hard to say at this point. I’m assuming she’s taking a rigorous course load? That will matter.
Just want to add… for merit generally SAT and ACT scores need to be very high. Test optional schools are test optional but dig a little deeper and you’ll see 75% or higher of Mt H applicants submit test scores. So they matter more than you think.
1 Like
This years class (2023) was the most competitive class in their history. The average SAT was in the 1400’s. I would recommend your daughter take the test multiple times to try and get it up. I koow their admission is not just test based but it might help. Good luck. My daughter could not be happier at MHC!
1 Like