<p>I have seen some confusion and misunderstandng on cc threads about how schools make their selections and does it really matter if you play the tuba or come from Montana.</p>
<p>Folks, it’s a metaphor. Admission to BS is not just a matter of stats. There can be criteria that a school is looking for that have nothing to do with an applicant being “better” than another one. A school may be looking for geographic diversity or it may need to fill a vacant seat in the orchestra. BS have enough highly qualified applicants that they can use such needs and attributes to choose among them. Since most schools sort of brag about the number of states and countries represented on campus, I believe being from a more unusual location gives you one little plus mark, just as a for instance.</p>
<p>Then there are the intangibles–essays, recommendations, interview, personality. Parents and applicants are not in a position to judge how strong the candidate was in these areas. And there is no way to know the same about, say, another applicant from your school who was accepted while you were only waitlisted.</p>
<p>In addition, there are certainly the issues of FA, legacies, sports recruits, and “connections” that can factor in. Unfair? Well it’s just the way it is. </p>
<p>I hope this clarifies the selection process a little and helps people stop wondering why one student was accepted and another rejected or waitlisted. </p>
<p>If you’re trying to figure it out in the context of reapplying next year, read posts from those students who were accepted on their second round. Most of them spent that year not competing with other applicants for the highest GPA or SSAT scores or number of ECs, but rather, developing themselves and nurturing their own distinctive passions. Often they mention that their attitude was different the second go-round, actually more relaxed.</p>
<p>To those applicants who were waitlisted or denied, you fought the good fight. There might not have bern anything you did “wrong.” Don’t drive yourself crazy.</p>
<p>Thanks for the thoughtful post 
</p>
<p>I play the tuba by the way and find it hilarious when people use that metaphor. ;)</p>
<p>Thanks alooknac,</p>
<p>I started that metaphor to make it clear to parents (and a few students) who wondered what they could have done differently that the answer - in most cases - was nothing. Didn’t realize that the metaphor would take on a life of its own.</p>
<p>As elegantly stated - the reality is that schools are trying to “build a class”. They could fill their ranks with students all with the same stats and interest and geographic location but where is the value in that? </p>
<p>So if people would just understand - do what you are passionate about, apply to a broad range of schools, and the one for which you are a match will see you in the pile and offer you a place IF possible and IF there aren’t other students with the same attributes vying for that one spot – still holds true.</p>
<p>Maybe I should change the next metaphor to tap dancer from Idaho :)</p>
<p>^^ It has made me laugh when people didn’t realize the metaphoric nature of “tuba player”. </p>
<p>Again, there is, as it is the case in college admissions, both a fetish over quantitative data that far from being the be-all and end-all is becoming less and less the case in selective schools/college admissions as well as an idea that admissions is a reward for past performance rather than an attempt to create an interesting class of kids who the school believes will thrive it its particular environment and has potential–whatever that means. </p>
<p>Thus just ticking off the boxes and “doing everything right” is neither sufficient–or in many many cases necessary for admission-- as “unfair” as that may seem–it is the case.</p>
<p>That’s why
under water Tuba player or
under water basket weaver
is also used. </p>
<p>We’re all packed up to move to Wyoming for next year.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Good choice. Don’t know if it’ll help the kids get into boarding school, but Wyoming’s got one of the least expensive state universities in the country (coupled with one of the highest per capita state expenditures for higher education), so at least, if the kids do get into boarding school, they’ll be able to afford college when the time comes. :)</p>
<p>@horseflyer</p>
<p>It seems you are in the best position to get into BS and beyond! Keep on playing! ;)</p>
<p>Seriously though, I think the same thing holds true for college admission as well. I know for the most selective colleges they may look at your “stats” for about 30 seconds just to make sure you are “qualified”, but then they look deeper at who you are as a person.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, beyond being true to yourself, doing your best, and trying to convey to BS or colleges what you are passionate about and what makes you the best choice, there is not much you can do.</p>
<p>Oboe player from Wyoming should seal the deal. :)</p>
<p>@dodgersmom
You are absolutely right! The other day my state came out to be the 49th in higher education spending.
I knew that already, so I went, looking at the one below us, “What’s wrong with New Hampshire?”</p>
<p>@payn4ward</p>
<p>Are you saying NH was 50?? I wish I could say I was surprised if that’s the case. The ps around me are terrible. That is why I have 3 kids in private shcool. I wish it was different, it would save us A LOT of money :(</p>
<p>Look at the national tables here:</p>
<p>[Grapevine</a> - Home](<a href=“http://grapevine.illinoisstate.edu/]Grapevine”>http://grapevine.illinoisstate.edu/)</p>
<p>And if your state is #49, payn4ward, unless my math is wrong, you don’t have far to do to move to Wyoming!</p>
<p>NH has been #50 for a while, and recently cut the budget for higher education spending by . . . what was it? . . . 40%? It doesn’t affect quality of higher education, but it does impact cost. In-state tuition at UNH is ridiculously high. So, if I were you, NHMomof3, I’d find public charter schools for those 3 kids. Otherwise, they’re never going to be able to afford college!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the state government cut funding for charter schools too as well as stopping new charter schools from being approved.</p>
<p>There is some heavy lobbying being done around the state now to overturn that and hopefully it will be passed soon. </p>
<p>You are right though, UNH tuition is really high compared to other states. My husband and I were just talking about that the other day. Maybe it’s time to relocate!</p>
<p>@dodgersmom</p>
<p>Yes, I could almost commute to work from WY. :)</p>
<p>Sorry for hijacking the thread, all,</p>
<p>tuba player or not,
find your passion and try to stand out beyond the stats.</p>
<p>Well, there is something many applicants could do. They could construct a good list of schools, which means, reach – match – safety. In concrete examples, Choate is not a safety. It’s a reach. Exeter is not a match. It’s a reach. Adding Taft to a list of Andover, Lawrenceville, SPS and Deerfield means you’ve constructed a list of reaches. </p>
<p>You or your child might have the highest GPA in your school’s 8th grade. That’s great. </p>
<p>The competition is international.</p>
<p>The most popular schools can select students with an eye to geographical diversity. Academic potential is only ONE factor considered. You’ll never know why your child was not accepted. You’ll also never know why another child was.</p>