iLiveOnCC

Are applicants compared with other applicants from the same HS or other applicants from the same region? Just wondering, b/c a bunch of Harvard hopefuls from my school might be applying to my top choice schools (UCLA/Berkeley) as safeties, and I'll most likely get screwed over if our applications are compared because my app will pale in comparison to theirs. To put it in perspective, even if I reach my goal of a 2300+ once the Oct. SAT gets back, it won't hold up to their 2400s. And don't even get me started on GPA and ECs.

Iwantyoupenn

I really hope they dont compare within schools because I'll be screwed too; however, when I spoke with a Penn admissions representative (and I'm sure this applies to most top school), she said they compare regionally, not by school. If, by chance, you and another member of the school come down to a borderline decision, then perhaps you will be compared by chance, but only because you are in a smaller pool within that region (pool of kids who have not yet been accepted or rejected)

OCELITE

Both. Most colleges will compare you with other students who are applying from your school and your state or region.

ZombieDante

Hate to thread jack but what does it seem like when you are the only one applying from your HS?

fauxmaven

If you are the only one from your HS , then they look at you compared to students in your region .

iLiveOnCC

Wow I'm probably screwed then, because I can't think of any reason why I would be chosen over people from the same school who are far better than me in grades, test scores, and ECs. Do you guys think that great essays could just give me the edge over the others, who would probably have bland and hastily-written essays because they're applying to 20+ schools?

Life2dmax

Yes it can^
I think you have 3 choices to get ahead of the guys ahead of you (most say they don't compare, but there usually is some limit of students from a HS they'll accept)

1. you have spend a lot of time on the "Why" essay and normal essay of course as well
2. Show demonstrated interest- most of those guys won't visit/have interview/go to meetings with that school. Ivy backups care a lot about this
3. do early decision- if you want

iLiveOnCC

^None of those work for me because 1. The UC's don't have a "why" essay, 2. I live thousands of miles away and I can't visit, plus the UCs don't interview, and 3. There's no ED for the UCs

younglookingmom

OP, I really don't see a difference between a 2300+ sat and a 2400. Do't think it too much. Focused on your essays. As long as you have very good stats, you still have very good chance.
P.S. I'm kind of wondering: when UCs see a bunch of stellar east coasters applied to their schools, won't they fighue it out their intentions? Those students are likely not attending. (same applied to other relatively safety schools?)

fall2016parent

There isn't as much difference between a 2300 and a 2400. I know some kids keep taking the SAT to get to the top score, but once you are hitting close to 2300, it is better to focus on other things. I wouldn't worry much on what others are doing. UCs also know that the best (2400/4.5 valedectorian from your school) is also looking at top Ivys and may not be as likely to attend. So I am sure they would extend offers to kids who are fairly close in range. More likely to attend.

UCs do compare how you challenged yourself in context of your school. But I'd think that a 2300 vs 2400 isn't going to make much of a difference. And your essay and how you present yourself is going to be a factor as well. Last year, some lower ranked kids got into UCB while the higher ranked did not. So I am sure there are other things that are factored in.
Here is a link on the review University of California - Comprehensive review

mhmm

This is the time to make reeeeely great friends with your guidance counsellor. He/she can indicate to your school of choice that it is your absolute first choice. Colleges certainly compare applicants from the same school, both not to accept too many from one place as well as to compare how difficult a particular persons choices were, in terms of picking classes. Its also a reason many top private schools will not allow students to apply to several early action schools or one early action one early decision, since one can presume that a kid aiming for Harvard will most likely go there not to their safety. When it comes to regular decision, kids who got into an early action school, may only apply to two other schools. This makes it fairer to everyone else.

collegeiec

Demonstrated interest is one of the most important things colleges look at -- how much interest have you shown to a school -- campus visit, college fair, HS visit with college rep, emails to admissions rep, contact with a coach or faculty member, hometown receptions held by the college, perhaps in an alum's home .... However, don't overdo it. Sometimes a heartfelt, sincere thank you note after an interview may make the difference.

TSocash

Take advantage of the on-campus / off-campus interviews that any university offers during the admissions process. At least at the University of Rochester, students who take the time to interview are statistically more likely to be admitted and statistically more like to receive a merit scholarship.

Showing some demonstrated interest AND a demonstrated understanding of the schools that you apply to can go a long way. Research the schools that you're applying to and talk about what specific programs / opportunities each school has that excites you during the interview. Most schools want to feel loved!

Additionally, I would recommend talking to your Guidance Counselor. Guidance Counselors and Admissions Counselors will have the occasional "Counselor Call" where they discuss all of the applicants from a particular high school (especially if there is a moderately large number of students applying to the same institution). If your Guidance Counselor can convey your passion for a particular university, that can sometimes (but certainly not all the time) trump a stronger applicant who may have no intention of enrolling at the same university.

iLiveOnCC

Thanks for all the comments everyone. I talked to a legit admissions officer for UCLA the other day, and she said that applicants won't be compared with each other, at least not side-by-side as I thought it would be. Makes me feel a lot better now :S

SlitheyTove

OP, take a look at University of California: StatFinder to see a more detailed view of how your stats compare. The most current admissions cycle listed is for 2009, and you can only look at either California residents or all applicants, not OOS applicants alone. Still, some useful information.

UC admissions doesn't consider demonstrated interest, so you don't need to worry about not being able to visit. Your stats are in range (though you'll want to recompute your UC GPA--you are OOS, so remember you can only weight AP courses). As an OOS student, the thing that is most compelling is if your family can truly afford to pay full freight for UC. Unlike highly selective private colleges, the UCs (like most public schools) don't give a fig about how many students came from your high school, or if other students from your school have a 2380 while you "only" have a 2340 or whatever.

Many schools, especially the most selective, don't care about demonstrated interest. You can find out if a school does consider it by looking at the school's Common Data Set. Some will say that it's "considered", at most. Your GPA, test scores, and the rigor of your schedule are far more important.