Many students who applied either Early Action or Early Decision this year are finding they have been neither accepted nor rejected, but deferred to the regular admissions pool. If you’re in this position, know you’re not alone. Because a surprising number of colleges and universities experienced an uptick early applications, it stands to reason that unless acceptances increase, you have lots of company—mostly disappointed.
Keep this in mind: just because you’ve been deferred doesn’t mean you’ll never get in. Consider it a kind of holding pattern. Colleges are sending a signal that they need to know a little more about you before making a final decision. You can either respond or withdraw into a tiny shell of self-pity. I recommend responding. And here’s how:
1. Don’t crash. There’s no question this is a setback. It’s normal to feel disappointment, but don’t let it be crippling. This is not the time to slack off or otherwise jeopardize your GPA and class standing. Most importantly, don’t let this minor bump in the road delay completion of the rest of your applications. Finish those essays and try to submit your applications a couple of weeks in advance of their due dates.
2. Contact Admissions. Try calling the admissions representative for your area. He or she most likely read and is familiar with your application. Remember that it’s an incredibly busy time of year for admissions, but if you’re lucky you might be able to get more personal feedback and a sense of how your application stacked up against the rest of the early application pool. You might also get some ideas on how to improve your candidacy by clarifying misunderstandings or by submitting additional test results, information, or recommendations. Do not give in to the temptation to complain or badger the staff.
3. Update your application. Although colleges generally require mid-year grades sent by your high school, take the initiative to forward a copy of your most recent report card with a cover letter addressed to the Dean of Admissions and copied to your area representative. In the cover letter, restate your commitment to attend if admitted—only if that’s truly the case. Include reference to any new and improved standardized test scores, any new leadership positions in a group or team, new membership in an organization, any specific events or community service activities in which you have been involved, and any special awards you have received. If appropriate, send supplementary materials such as an additional writing sample or essay. Remember that colleges are looking for an upward trend in grades and really only want to know what’s happened since you submitted your original application.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Score Choice - Will It Help You or Hurt You?
BACKGROUND
Score Choice is a new option for students to report SAT and Subject Test scores to colleges. It allows students to select the scores they send to individual colleges — by test date for the SAT, and by individual test for Subject Tests. The College Board says the goal of the program is to reduce stress for students by giving them more control over their scores. Some counselors and admissions officers, however, are concerned that Score Choice will actually confuse students and increase anxiety about testing.
THE QUESTION
What advice do you have for students about using Score Choice?
WORD FROM THE EXPERTS
My advice to students is send all of your scores. Most colleges will only consider your best scores so you are not disadvantaged in any way by releasing them all. In fact, many colleges prefer to see all of your scores, so this is a good strategy. The best part for you is that it is simple. You don't have to think about which scores to send to which colleges and when to do it. Applying to college is stressful enough, so take advantage of this one small way to remove a bit of pressure from the experience. If you feel very strongly that you wish to control what colleges see and when, then by all means release only those scores that you wish. After all, those scores are yours. Just stay on top of it so you don't disadvantage yourself by forgetting and missing important deadlines.
Madeleine Rhyneer
Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid
Willamette University
Salem, OR
Score Choice is a new option for students to report SAT and Subject Test scores to colleges. It allows students to select the scores they send to individual colleges — by test date for the SAT, and by individual test for Subject Tests. The College Board says the goal of the program is to reduce stress for students by giving them more control over their scores. Some counselors and admissions officers, however, are concerned that Score Choice will actually confuse students and increase anxiety about testing.
THE QUESTION
What advice do you have for students about using Score Choice?
WORD FROM THE EXPERTS
My advice to students is send all of your scores. Most colleges will only consider your best scores so you are not disadvantaged in any way by releasing them all. In fact, many colleges prefer to see all of your scores, so this is a good strategy. The best part for you is that it is simple. You don't have to think about which scores to send to which colleges and when to do it. Applying to college is stressful enough, so take advantage of this one small way to remove a bit of pressure from the experience. If you feel very strongly that you wish to control what colleges see and when, then by all means release only those scores that you wish. After all, those scores are yours. Just stay on top of it so you don't disadvantage yourself by forgetting and missing important deadlines.
Madeleine Rhyneer
Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid
Willamette University
Salem, OR
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