My daughter is experiencing one of those “good problems”. She’s been invited to scholar’s weekend at all three of her top college choices. Unfortunately, they all fall on the exact same dates in February. She’s not very clear on her top choice - and of course the outcome of these interviews will have an influence.
Her older sister was in the same situation two years ago, but it was only between two schools not three. And neither of the schools was her top choice, so it was not as important.
Are any of these scholars weekends being held for scholarship consideration? That would make it easy to prioritize if there isn’t a favorite school.
The other thing I would look for is potential for compromise if geographically possible. Can you go to one day at one and another day at a different one? Explain that you have a conflict and while attending is a priority, attendng for the full weekend is just not possible.
Yes - there is significant scholarship money on the line. At least one of the colleges is not affordable without the scholarship she may receive from visiting. In some ways, I’d like her to pick one of the three and give it her full attention. It is tempting to try to attend two events (three are logistically impossible) but I fear that may end up giving a half effort to two colleges. It really is a “chicken and egg” scenario since ultimately the cost of attendance may be the deciding factor and that is highly dependent on the outcome of these events.
I sometimes wonder if these similar colleges try to force your hand by scheduling events on the same day.
It seems like she has to decide which is her real top choice, both academically and financially. If one is only possible with the scholarship and it is her top choice. Are some for information only or is attendance required for honors?
I would certainly check in with the schools as to what to do in the case of a conflict (not necessarily offering that the conflict is another school’s scholar’s weekend), it may be possible to attend at the top choice and then do something else for the others. It seems, however, she will have to make a tough choice without all of the information.
Also, check the CC college-specific pages. May be able to get some information on how important attending the weekend is for each school.
I think I would sit down with her… with all 3 websites up and open ;-)… and present this situaltion… if all 3 schools would give you enough scholarship $$$ so that attending any of the 3 would cost $x each, which one would you choose… take the “money” part out of the equation to make it easier to choose 1. And then attend that one weekend, ALL IN!
Has she already visited all three? I would think that visits might yield more info for her decision. I would call schools and tell them there are conflicts and while their school is a top choice, choices are better made by looking at all three possibilities. Maybe they can come up with some alternative plan.
I have never heard of scholars’ weekend but everyone else seems to have
I actually tried to find out when these events were before having my S put in applications. Some places made it clear, others not so much. This is a “good”, but tough problem. If you pick one, and then she doesn’t get the scholarship, there will be a lot of regret and second-guessing. (At least, there would be at my house!)
But, I think that is your only option, unless any of the schools offer multiple dates. I think leaving early or coming late would significantly reduce your chance of winning. Good luck!
I do wonder if they would offer interviews on other dates if you tell them there are conflicts. This is different but music schools deal with conflicts for auditions all the time.
Yep… the first weekend in March seems to be the weekend for the schools my daughter has applied to. Talk to the admissions counselors at the schools. During one of my daughters interviews there was a part where parents could join in and ask questions. This is the thing I asked about. For this particular school the counselor was aware of the conflict and said that they have had kids skype in their presentations, and that last year they offered one of their full ride scholarships to a kid who had skyped rather than been there in person. If it is a competition type of event, the method of competition will determine whether skyping is possible. The school I mentioned has the student give a presentation, so that in theory can be skyped. One of the other schools has the students listen to a talk and then write a paper. That will require my kids physical presence. Yet another school will have already determined the students who are getting the award, but they want them there in person for the announcement. Schools have to know about the conflicts and I have also wondered if there is an element of forcing your hand to show which school is the most important to you.
My D had a conflict last year and one of the schools forced her hand by being pretty inflexible (they wanted her there for four days and were only willing to let her miss the last morning, departing at 8pm on Day 3 – too late to make it to the other school’s program; she would have missed the entire first day of a 3-day program and was already having her time split between two scholarships. She ended up attending the scholar’s program at the other school).
It sounds like at least one of the schools will work with you, allowing your D to Skype her presentation. Perhaps the one that has already determined which students are getting the award will relent and not make it absolutely necessary for your D to be there (it seems ridiculous that they would). Maybe it’s time for you to force their hand
You might be able to split the difference at one of the schools or work the travel so that they fly you from one school to the other. Otherwise, sit down and try to figure out: 1) what the odds are for receiving the scholarship (how many applicants and how many scholarships); 2) how much money is involved (full ride vs. full tuition vs. half tuition, summer stipends, etc); and 3) assuming equal cost, which school does D like the most?
Thanks for all the responses. My DD has decided that one of the three colleges is less attractive to her. So she’s let them know that she can’t attend the scholar’s event. Interestingly, they have offered her an alternative date to interview. The other two schools are really at the top of her list. After some deliberation, we’ve decided it is best for her to call her admissions representative at each school and simply “come clean” to the dilemma. We’re hoping she can attend half of each event and not hurt herself at either. Wish her luck!
I wanted to follow up post interviews, just for future reference. My DD ended up not interviewing for the “least attractive option”. Once she realized that it would require another absence from school and yet more essays, she was able to strike the college from her list. For the remaining two, which were essentially tied in her view, she accepted the invitation that came first and didn’t mention the conflict to that school. The remaining college, she reached out to her admissions adviser and explained the situation. That school offered her an alternate time too. In the end, both interviews ended with an increased scholarship package but not the “big prize”. It was unfortunate that she couldn’t attend all three events, but you can only be in one place at a time. Fortunately, all her college options have ended up within our budget. Now she has to make a final decision!
