“So what explains the year over year increases in numbers of college applications at all of the top schools? Answer has to be more foreign student applications.”
Good data Papi.
If overall apps continue to grow but int’l apps are down, that suggests that each individual American HS senior is doing more apps than before. Which makes sense – common app, internet, more kids targeting top ranked schools. Which leads to the cycle – more apps leads to lower admit rates, which leads to more apps, rinse and repeat.
@northwesty, I agree. The number of kids going to college is going down over the last 6 years. Fewer boomers having kids. The increase in applications is easily explained. 8 years ago the average student applied to far less schools. It is not uncommon for kids today to apply to 12-18 schools. Not too long ago, it was more like 8or so. More applicants from less kids makes for difficult predicting of yield on the part of schools. Add in the uncertainty of the international student this year, and I predict more schools will use waitlist as a tool. Just saying…opinion based on facts.
@northwesty You are right. It’s a vicious cycle. When top schools had 25% rate of admission, a top kid only needed to apply 4 top schools to get accepted by one of them (batting average). Now, top schools have a an average 10% acceptance rate, a top kid need to apply at least 10 of them to get accepted by one of them. Let’s wait until the rate drop to 5% acceptance rate, although probably with the same amount of students and schools overall, just more busy for everyone.
whoo anyone have any advice on Vanderbilt vs Cal Regents for engineering? both are about the same price for me (actually, Vandy is about 5k cheaper, but if my parents’ finances change over the next few years Vandy might change in price. I’m in-state for Cal.) I kind of want the private experience out of college, but I’m also not sure about Vandy’s engineering program + the social environment differences.
come to Vandy and return to CA for your first job and use California state schools to further credentials as you gain experience and a specialized area. These four years should be a broadening life experience and Vandy for 5K cheaper is a steal. You may never have the opportunity to attend a top flight private school at a good price point again. My sons both chose grad schools based on seeking lower debt and attended private undergrad colleges with traditional campus lifestyles. Always keep your eye on the long game!! Don’t feel guilty choosing an adventure for your undergrad education…stir the pot, leave your region. Most kids at Vandy have taken risks and left home far behind to be there. Nashville and surrounding Tennessee is very southern but Vandy is its own little world and Nashville city is a Third Coast city charmer. You aren’t committing a life to the southeast. just a few formative years. Anchor Down.
Do you have to accept your offer in order to have a VunetID and e-password, or are those the same as what you used to check your application portal? I’m trying to fill out a housing application in case I go there (I’m still deciding between 2 schools) and it requires these things. Thanks!
vunetids won’t come until late May, after the composition of the class is largely decided following the May 1st matriculation deposit deadline. The housing application is supposed to be submitted sometime in early June. There’s no “first come first served” arrangement with housing so I wouldn’t worry about it until you make a decision.
Did anyone submit new SAT test scores? It looks like everyone on this thread took the ACT. If you took the new SAT, can you post your score and if you were accepted?
My kid went to an admitted students’ reception last evening for the class of '21 and learned that this was the first year that the entire admissions committee (and I think it was recently expanded in size) had to UNANIMOUSLY vote to admit a student before admission was offered. So hearty congratulations to all of you that were admitted '21!