And there is nothing wrong w hyping a brand. That’s how society works. If you can’t take the stress, don’t play the game. There are plenty of other good schools.
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Does anyone know if the Ivies coordinate among themselves about who is accepting whom to help with their yields?
This. No one has to be part of Ivy Day.
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On March 18th the following schools announced…
Amherst
Babson
Bowdoin
Carleton
Colby
Harvey Mudd
John’s Hopkins
Pomona
Swarthmore
Williams
Apologies for any omissions or mistakes but are we similarly outraged? Given many of these are extremely competitive and draw similar students are we exposing our fragile youth to needless grief by consolidating results?
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That’s right. If the applicant does not have the maturity or sophistication or mental toughness to compete at the highest level, then don’t participate… The schools are not forcing anyone to apply…
Sure.
Of course, you are surely aware of consumer protection and other laws? Check out Temple’s online business school, USC, and Columbia’s experience with USNWR as just a few of the issues “wrong with hyping a brand.”
Society works when ALL players (businesses, colleges, students, parents, consumers, etc) abide by extant laws and rules.
I understand the OP posted this in response to a true tragedy, but no one can blame colleges for that tragedy. I have edited the title of the post because it was very clickbaity and, as it was, was provoking, and/or conducive to heated dialogue…
It’s not abusive for colleges to announce decisions on any day they choose, but I can see why some people are extremely disappointed, frustrated, confused, and so forth. Other colleges announce decisions on the same day, and there are many thousands more colleges than just the Ivy League. It’s fine to discuss this topic, but let’s try to keep the tone of this conversation civilized. Thanks for your cooperation.
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Were they “coordinated” as with “Ivy Day”?
Probably. It is likely not a coincidence that SLACs have a SLAC day. But who cares!! They can announce any day or way they want. You have the option not to participate.
Ultimately finding out you got rejected by eight schools over eight days has the same result as being told it simultaneously.
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Again, why are they “the highest level?” Some for profit publication with a questionable methodology told us they were, but all we really know is that they are the most popular.
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As a consumer, a student applicant also has the legal right to make sure there is no impermissible coordination among competitors under antitrust and CP laws, inter alia.
While folks here seem to make fun of this, what are the other examples of an “athletic league” schools announcing on the same day? I truly don’t know, but I don’t think it’s a laughing matter, given the antitrust issues that the “Ivy Leagues” had been and are facing.
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Great point. So what about announcing results on the same date is legally impermissible?
A good or even mediocre lawyer could argue that by simultaneously announcing results the perception or even possibility of collusion regarding individual candidates (or consumers) is mitigated. It also affords a level playing field time wise for all accepted candidates to compare options. Actually the benefit accrues to the student.
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You can ask the “Ivy League” schools that. Coordinated behavior among competitors is not cool. And I am not a competitor.
They have a stated (laughable) reason that’s already been articulated here.
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ETA: Please point out any other “athletic league” that does this? How does the benefit accrue to the student? What other set of colleges coordinates this?
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Is “not cool” an enforceable legal standard?
In order to prove collusion you have to document a measurable adverse financial impact resulting from anti competitive behavior. This simply is not even close.
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Legal, moral, etc. If you’re cool with business organizations acting outside out of societal, moral, and/or legal norms, that’s TOTALLY your call.
Again, what is the purpose of eight totally individual institutions coordinating on anything? After all, this is “only” an athletic league, right?
There may be other examples. I would love to know them and would be happy to withdraw my issues.
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Please, no debates, as per Forum Rules.
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I don’t know of any other conferences that all announce decisions in the same day, but count me in the group that thinks this coordination is not something to focus on. Obviously the Ivy League has to coordinate on all things athletic, from recruiting standards and policies, to scheduling and more.
The Ivy League Joint statement on admissions policies is here, where it addresses a coordinated RD decision date (can only find it on the school sites, not the conference site): Joint Ivy Statement | Princeton Admission
Honestly if the ivies colluded to not give more than one acceptance to any one applicant i’d probably be ok with that (yes, I know a slippery slope).
The Ivies (I think all of them) and a number of other need blind institutions coordinate FA policies too as members of the 568 Presidents Group (there is a lawsuit challenging this, but the schools say it’s not an antitrust violation): http://www.568group.org/home/
568 group Lawsuit: 568 Presidents Group price-fixing: Rice and 15 other universities accused of conspiring to limit financial aid - ABC13 Houston
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Maybe they should coordinate for acceptance. You are only accepted to one, similar to the QB process.
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Interestingly, that is how the Texas medical schools treat Texas residents-one applies thru a combined system, ranking one’s preferences, the schools do the same, and one is matched with one acceptance. Seems to work well.
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