The Selection Algorithm

At first, I thought we would wait until all offers were in, and then we would execute a selection process from among all the complete (acceptance plus scholarships) offers.

However, with 2 complete packages received (even with 3 more expected to come), it seems like it is actually the perfect time to conduct a critical comparison between those two, and then eliminate one of them right away, even before other complete offers arrive. Then, when another arrives, conduct another critical comparison between those two.

What is your process?

Once accepted, D called studios that were of interest to inquire about availability of space (if they were full, she would have ruled out the university). Most of the teachers also put her in touch with current students and she spent a lot of time e-mailing questions about the universities and coursework and lifestyle. We went back to 2 campuses for accepted students day and for lessons (they were relatively close to each other, and her spring break was well timed). The lessons and second campus visit cemented her decision.

Critical comparisons are good at this stage, I think, as well as asking questions that need answers. In our case eliminating schools wouldn’t really work, because each of the schools has a very different profile of pros and cons and S’s preferences and his ideal balance of pros and cons in different categories is still shifting, and there is no clear front runner. There is a front runner in most of the important categories, but it is a different school for each category. S might be able to pick a front-runner based on the prof only, for example, but the schools that rank highest on prof have a significant con or two that could turn out to be decisive at some point. I suspect that the winner will either turn out to be 1) the school with his preferred prof or 2) the school with the best balance overall of all the factors he considers important (he is still working that part out).

My role right now is just to help make sure he has all the information he needs to make good pro/con lists and to serve as a sounding board on the rare occasions when he wants to talk through something. Oh, and to investigate some Spring Break plans in case a re-visit or two is required.

That’s what S did for just one school that very clearly wasn’t going to make the cut. With scholarship offers involved, we figured the not-chosen school could then offer the spot and scholarship money to another applicant well before decision deadlines.

I don’t know if I’d eliminate any yet, though, unless there is a clear favorite between the two choices in front of you. The weight of differing factors shifted a bit for S as decision time got closer and his first-first choice didn’t end up being his final-first choice.

Also don’t rule out a favorite school based on FA just yet. You can negotiate a little. My D was uncomfortable with the idea but I reminded her if accepted, they wanted to find a way for her to attend (I wouldn’t begin this exercise unless your child is seriously interested in a school). As mentioned above, releasing offers when they are no longer of interest can help others, and others declining might leave $ available to you.

Well, I guess if your son wants to do it that way, then there’s no reason why not.

In my son’s case, it was a pretty emotional roller coaster getting acceptances, scholarship offers, etc., and the dust really needed to settle a bit before he could make decisions. For instance, one school that was high on his list early on offered him very little money; he was surprised and, I think, somewhat offended. It took a little time to get over that so that he could consider it objectively. On the flip side, another school offered him a lot more money than he’d expected and that definitely stroked his ego a bit; again, a little time was needed to consider it objectively. Of course, all that was after he didn’t get into his top choice and nothing was going to make him happy for a while…

I would just be careful about burning any bridges (as in declining spots) too early.

S says that decisions might be influenced by future data or events, so he says keep it fluid. I say OK.

S is waiting for everything to get here. Right now he has two complete acceptances with money, and two complete but waiting on money. He has 5 left he is waiting for an acceptance or rejection from.

He has no desire to discuss what-ifs without all the data. So I’m just soaking up every minute I can get with him. How dare he grow up and get his own life!

The only reason D moved on some schools was that she was certain they were not for her, AND had an additional offer in hand that was strongly preferred.

How I love this thread!
My D has received Artistic+Academic acceptance from 4 of the 5 programs she applied to, and merit award notifications from 3 of the 4. We all just feel we can’t even begin the decision making until:
1.) University Financial Aid packages are announced (for us, the “yes” is amazing but totally impossible until we know how we are going to pay!)
2.) We wait for that last, delicious, reach possibility which we don’t expect to hear from until the end of the month, but pledges to “meet financial need”.
And I sort of feel bad, because I know all the programs have those pins and needle waiting lists, and we hate to be taking up spots when, obviously, D will only be able to say yes to one program! One thing I find to be so maddening is that when comparing all the apples, bananas, and oranges, it’s nearly impossible to make any financial comparisons between the highly varied talent award amounts until those University packages are in. So, while we find ourselves excited by all the "yes"s, we all feel a little inexplicably crestfallen because we have no better idea of where (IF we get enough $) D will finally end up.
All my best wishes, congratulations, and fist bumps to all you other parents for getting your rugrats this far in this crazy, expensive, head shaking process!

I wouldn’t be too hasty. I remember one conservatory basically doubling their offer towards decision day - completely unexpectedly. But my S did also send emails declining spots on a rolling basis.