Admissions Blog
The College Campaign of 2010: Decisions Time
As I waited to hear back from schools, I developed elaborate college preference rankings in my mind. “Brown’s okay,” I said to myself, “but is it really, truly my first choice? Maybe I’d be better off at Yale.” So it went, my mind spinning elaborate illusions in which I had to choose between all six of my reach schools. How would I ever pick?
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High-priority high school recruits sometimes take part in a hat selection ceremony, in which they verbally declare what college they decide to attend.
Letters of Intent and Likely Letters
Some high school athletes are celebrating commitments to various colleges, secured through National Letters of Intent. But if an athlete is committing to an Ivy League school, they will have received a "likely letter" instead. Unlike other Division I NCAA schools, the eight institutions that comprise the Ivy League do not offer athletic scholarships and therefore cannot have committed recruits sign NLIs.
Weekly News Round-Up: Scandals and Glitches and (Affirmative) Action, Oh My!
This week in college admissions news, affirmative action is back in action, the Common App is (still) struggling, and scandals abound!
Crafting the Perfect College List
Many private college admission counselors will craft a hand-tailored college list for their student clients—it’s one of the many perks of hiring an expert. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford their fees, and for this reason, the Crimson Admission Blog has compiled a guide to creating your very own college list.
The College Campaign of 2010: Interviews
Almost immediately after I submitted my early decision application to Brown, I got my interview notification. I’d be meeting up with a recent graduate, now a PhD student in ethnomusicology, at a local coffee shop. “How Brown!” I thought to myself as I prepared my go-to interview outfit: black slacks, leather boots, and a patterned cardigan over a white t-shirt. For good luck, I’d wear a necklace my friend got me in China. Though I knew it was only a tiny component of my application package, I tried to have a successful interview, though I was pretty nervous. Was I supposed to order coffee? I wasn’t a big fan of coffee! But if I didn’t order coffee, what would I do with my hands? Getting a muffin would be childish. In the end I settled on getting black coffee—ultra-sophisticated!—and drinking it with feigned enthusiasm.
Weekly News Round-Up: Common App Crisis! (And Why Money Matters in Admission)
Today might as well be Halloween, because we've got some scary facts coming your way about the Common App, family income's role in admission, and more. The treat to those tricks? College is cheaper than you think!
How many people are accepted off the waitlist each year?
This number varies from school to school and from year to year—sometimes hundreds will be admitted, but sometimes none will. Harvard's dean of admissions, William Fitzsimmons, told The Crimson earlier this year that in recent years, Harvard has accepted between zero and 228 waitlisted students.
If I am planning on visiting a school, do I need to make reservations ahead of time?
Whether or not reservations are required varies by school—below is a breakdown of universities and their various policies regarding this topic. In general, it is important to look at the websites of universities you’d like to visit before you set foot on campus. Make sure that tours and information sessions are indeed being offered on the day that you are planning to be there—some colleges do not offer them every day of the week, and holidays might mean tours and information sessions are suspended.
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More than 500 colleges and universities accept The Common Application. The Common App's website had technical difficulties these past few weeks.
What happens if I'm waitlisted?
After you have received all of your decisions, you should reflect upon the choices you have and decide a plan of action. It may be that you feel that the school(s) that waitlisted you are not worth pursuing; if that is the case, you should ask to be taken off the waitlist.
How to Choose a Teacher for a Recommendation Letter
It's always best to choose someone who really knows you, someone who has, perhaps, seen both your strengths and your weaknesses. Then, your teacher can attest to your strengths and maybe even write about times when you've overcome your weaknesses. If you choose someone who knows you on a superficial level just because you think they're considered to be the best teacher at your school, then you might not get the same in-depth recommendation letter that someone who knows you well can write.
Why Weekends are Crucial: Social Scenes Across Campuses
Heels are donned. Flasks are filled. The studious atmosphere maintained throughout the week is temporarily exchanged for the bustling sights and sounds of pounding music and open bars.
The Costs of Applying (and How to Avoid Them)
Between sending test scores and application fees, the cost of applying can add up even before you’re accepted to a school. Luckily, a little bit of research and some time with your guidance counselor can help you work around these fees—or get rid of them altogether.
