qrtbac4life

Thanks!

Another question: I submitted my SAT II scores to Lafayette even though they're not required. Will they be used in the admission process at all?

candyman92486

qrtbac4life,

Yes, even though they are not required, any submitted SAT II scores are considered in the admissions process.

Great SAT II scores could make the difference if an applicant was "on the fence". Average SAT II scores (around 600) tell admissions officers very little about an applicant.

The fact that an applicant took the time to take one or more SAT IIs shows that he/she attempted to demonstrate his/her knowledge of a particular subject area. Consider the scores a means of presenting oneself as a serious college applicant.

Simply put, while SAT II scores usually do not make or break an applicant's chances, admissions officers appreciate the extra effort.

- Justin

qrtbac4life

Once again, thank you.

Very helpful

Ari939

Hey candyman,

I'm interested in majoring in psychology in college. I think I read that I at one point in time you were interested in majoring in it. To your knowledge, how is the psychology department at Lafayette?

Thanks,
Ariel

jam1ie

Hey Justin,
Have you heard of anyone recinding an offer of ED admission. In as much as the applicant has presumably signed the binding agreement what would be the consequences? I know in situations where financial aide is a consideration they are sometimes let off the hook

candyman92486

Ari939,

I fell in love with the psychology department after taking the introductory course. Simply put, the professors are amazing. They are engaging, approachable, and so enthusiastic about their respective fields of interest. At Lafayette, we treat psychology as a natural science (NOT a social science like at many other colleges). As such, psych majors receive a strong foundation in the biological mechanisms of the brain and the physiological factors of behavior.

The building dedicated to the psych department, Oechsle Hall, was renovated just a few years ago (it actually used to be our Alumni Gymnasium!). It is truly a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility. The B.S. degree program in neuroscience, which is an off-shoot of psychology, is quickly becoming a popular major. It combines psych, biology, chemistry, and a little bit of philosophy.

The department offers a great selection of courses each semester which span all subdivisions of psychology. Of course, each subdivision (industrial psych, developmental psych, learning, physiological psych, etc.) are all taught by an expert in that particular discipline. It is not uncommon for students to assist their professors with research, and if you know anything about the field, you know that there is so much left to be discovered!

I came into Lafayette having never taken a psychology course, and only decided to take the introductory course out of sheer curiosity. Partly due to the professor, and partly due to the support of the department, I have decided to double major in English and Psychology.

If you have any interest in psychology, please come visit the college and meet a few of the psych professors. Sit in on a few classes and marvel at the dynamic between students and their professors. I am certain you will be impressed the moment you step inside Oechsle Hall.

Why don't you visit the psychology department's website at http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~psyc/ and explore? It may be a bit outdated, but it contains some useful information for prospective psych majors such as yourself.

All the best,

- Justin

candyman92486

jam1ie,

I have never heard of ANYONE successfully squeeze their way out of an ED offer of admission. However, that does not mean it never happens.

There is no law that prevents an ED applicant from denying the offer of admission and enrolling at a different school. If you were to back out of an ED offer of admission at a university, don't expect to gain admission to any of the university's graduate schools. You will have been, in essence, blacklisted from the institution.

You are correct that the only legitimate way to "get off the hook" is to prove that your family can't afford it. This is usually quite difficult to prove, as colleges often throw loans out and call them "financial aid". Bah!

Are you asking this question because you are having second thoughts after applying ED to Lafayette? Or are you still considering converting your RD application to ED by February 15th?

- Justin

Ari939

Thanks so much!

candyman92486

To all CCers:

As a member of one of the college's faculty committees, I often receive reports informing faculty of changing admissions procedures. In this month's packet there was a letter from the Faculty Enrollment Planning Committee.

The committee advises the president of the college to gradually decrease the number of enrolling students over the next five years (from 595 for the Class of 2011 to 575 for the Class of 2015). The reason for this move is simple: the college wishes to "...reach the best possible student/faculty ratio consistent with the college's resources."

What does this mean for the average applicant? It means admission into Lafayette just got a little more competitive! If we are looking at a 34% RD acceptance rate now, expect that percentage to decrease below 30% by 2015.

If you are reading this post, you are one of the first to know about this change of admission procedures at Lafayette. Don't you feel special?

- Justin

jam1ie

No Justin I'm just trying to play the admissions game- not giving up on some opportunities without letting Lafayette possibly slip thru my fingers

candyman92486

jam1ie,

Okay, I gotcha. The "college admissions game" makes us do crazy things!

- Justin

DreamMIT

why lafayette didn't give me any news about my application? I didn't receive a single email from lafayette. I submitted my common app online on 12/25! And I have emailed them twice, but no reply! I don't know if anything is missing!

eslite

DreamMIT,

Hey, I received an e-mail from Lafayete Admissions (no joke that was the title of the e-mail I received) about two weeks ago acknowledging that they have received my application

"This letter acknowledges receipt of your application for admission to
the Class of 2011. At this time your application is ready for a
preliminary review by our selection committee."

They also gave an identification number for any correspondence with the admissions office.

candyman92486

DreamMIT,

If you are concerned, simply call up the Admissions Office at (610) 330-5100 Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm and ask to check on the status of your application.

- Justin

candyman92486

To all CCers:

For various reasons, I will not be addressing further questions through these message boards.

However, I will continue to accept college-related questions at the following email address: mariofan007@aol.com

Thank you for your cooperation!

- Justin