<p>Yes, dadinator is right. Sorry … my bad. Clark switched from binding Early Decision to non-binding Early Action several years ago. EA will not boost admission odds the way that ED can but does at least send a message that proclaims, “I am very interested.” It’s also fine to send a cover letter with the application saying that Clark is the #1 choice.</p>
<p>That 83% acceptance rate for early action at Clark certainly does look attractive.</p>
<p>Even the RD acceptance rate at Clark (~68%) belies what a strong school it is. It’s one of the places I often recommend for bright kids who weren’t top performers in high school but who have specific academic interests and strengths and/or who want to be in a community where fellow students are there for school and not just for social life.</p>
<p>Re: Clark. This is when establishing a dialogue with the local admissions rep becomes very important. Email questions and updates. Attend any local events that he/she may be hosting. Meet with him while you’re on campus. Interview well. And write a great essay, clearly explaining how you will contribute to the community. </p>
<p>I also suggest doing the interview for your top choice after you’ve had time to do practice interviews at other places. </p>
<p>Sorry some of this is just a repeat. I just really believe it can help…</p>
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<p>Just to clarify … a great Common App essay might include this information but probably won’t … or it could be implied but not stated directly (e.g., an essay about making a new but atypical friend could suggest that the applicant will be open to diverse friendships on campus).</p>
<p>Some colleges have supplemental essay requirements that ask about potential contributions. For those that don’t, students may want to include this information in a cover letter or under “Additional Information” (but only if it’s specific and substantive. The admission folks really don’t want to read generic b.s.).</p>
<p>The Clark supplement offers three essay options. One of them, below, could be a good place for applicants to include the ways that they can contribute to the campus community:</p>
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<p>Good point, Sally. I should probably have worded it more carefully! I don’t mean directly stating how one would contribute. A well crafted essay wouldn’t need to state it directly. But when the reader reaches the end, he/she should know what kind of person the applicant is and how he would contribute to the campus community. </p>
<p>It’s too late to edit my other post.</p>
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I’m simply more comfortable with easily being able to see my son if & when I want to (or he does).<br>
Without the cost or schedule constraints of a plane.</p>
<p>Certainly, we’re not excluding more distant academic options. If the ‘right’ school surfaces
(and, thankfully, both our school’s College Counsellor and Learning Services Director are
experienced and on-the-ball in this regard), we won’t casually dismiss a recommendation.</p>
<p>That said, all other things being equal (and they never are), closer is preferable.</p>
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Sally / dadinator/ lisabees – thanks very much for this additional insight & advice.</p>
<ul>
<li>Richard</li>
</ul>
<p>No need to edit your earlier post, lisabees. I think that, between us, we got the idea across. And you made several important points about keeping contact with the local rep and attending events. This is especially important at schools like Clark that are eager to recruit more students and where it can be hard to tell which ones have make Clark a top choice. (At the Ivies and other most-sought-after places, too much contact with the regional reps tends to come across as sucking up and won’t have the same kind of impact that it does at Clark and at Clark’s peer institutions.)</p>
<p>Fwiw, my academically disparate son applied early to schools (Sept and Oct), and we heard from several schools that this is a great strategy for kids with less-than-perfect GPA’s. We also visited and interviewed and showed interest. DS started his Common App essay before school started in the fall so he had time to revise it (a novel experience for him!) after getting some feedback from a teacher. He also requested LOR right away in the fall in order to complete his applications before Nov. Schools with rolling admission give more consideration to complicated students earlier in the game, and catching that wave was a blessing!</p>