What's up with Stanford admissions, anyway?

<p>You are partially correct. I am cynical about admissions practices at EVERY school - including Harvard.</p>

<p>What a burden to be so cynical about something like college admissions...just go out and enjoy life a bit...</p>

<p>eh, I prefer to be optimistic... that is, until I get my rejections</p>

<p>Its a burden I bear cheerfully on behalf of others, lurkin' girl.</p>

<p>Its a burden I bear cheerfully on behalf of others, lurkin' girl.</p>

<p>What's that saying...?...whatever floats your boat.....:)</p>

<p>Is Stanford seeking a "competitive advantage" by refusing to report the number of apps received? I'm not sure, which is why I ask the question. </p>

<p>My guess is that by delaying the announcement the total can be pushed up a bit by extending the deadline for late/incomplete apps without revealing that you are doing so. Otherwise, the app total announced February 1 might differ markedly from the app total reported April 1.</p>

<p>In recent years, they have occasionally refused to report the app total at all (until the CDS form has to be filed) preferring to say "nearly 19,000" rather than 18,599, for example. This indicates to me some sensitivity about the number in light of trends at HYS and other "competitor" schools.</p>

<p>I assume that this year there is some interest in topping the 20,000 total for psychological reasons, assuming it is within hailing distance. The Stanford total app number has remained curiously flat over the past 5 years or so - and would acually have declined were it not for the move from ED to EA.</p>

<p>Next year I expect to see Stanford move to adopt the Common Application. Apps tend to jump as much as 10% in the year a school adopts the Common App.</p>

<p>Maybe they should start a referral program:</p>

<p>"Every friend you get to apply to Stanford will increase your chances of getting accepted! After every ten referrals, you may select from one of the following: changing a grade on the transcript by one letter grade, increasing any individual SAT or subject test by 30 points (or ACT by 1 point), or one city-wide awards of your choice. The top 5 applicants with the most referrals are automatically accepted."</p>

<p>Imagine what that would do to the number of applications they receive! Too bad yield rate is also important, not to mention some kind of integrity.</p>

<p>I wonder: do student hosts get paid at Stanford for entertaining recruits on visiting day? I know they do at some schools. </p>

<p>Not sure if there is a bonus for recruits who actually send in a deposit however!</p>

<p>hahaha turtle, that's hilarious</p>

<p>students do have a long-term interest in the brand name of their college.</p>

<p>Princeton apps were up nearly 20%, while Harvard apps were up over 15%. Yale apps, on the contrary, declined a little bit.</p>

<p>If Stanford apps rise by 10%, they will near 21,000 applicants and break through the level where their app numbers have been hovering for the last 5 or 6 years.</p>

<p>i think I heard someone on cc remark that an admissions officer had told them that they broke the 20,000 mark this year</p>

<p>Yes, that's what I heard too.</p>

<p>They've been at 19,000 or a little under ever since the Class of 2002.</p>

<p>Their RD app numbers have been in the 15-16,000 neighborhood since 2001, with growth coming in the early pool with the switch to EA. </p>

<p>This year, there were 4,330 EA applicants, up from 4,175 last year..</p>

<p>So 20,000 + should be easily doable if they just hold steady in RD apps. A 10% increase would get them to 21,000.</p>

<p>I actually appreciate this post. LOL. Thanks Byerly. About less than a week before finding out whether they dumped me altogether (I was deferred EA), ... your post helps me put things into perspective. Happy Easter!</p>