College Admissions....blind date?

Parents Forum
1

<p>I was reading the “scratching heads over rejection” thread. Lots of good info there, and lots of support.</p>

<p>But reading all the stories on this thread and others about rejections from a first choice, followed by extreme happiness when matriculating at a different school made me think even more about the admissions process.</p>

<p>Students choose their top picks based on the info available about the school, combined (hopefully) with a visit that may last a few days. While that may be an excellent indicator of whether they will REALLY fit in and be happy and successful at the school, it’s no guarantee. So. Kids know themselves pretty well, but must judge schools with less info.</p>

<p>Adcoms choose their picks based on the info available about the student, combined (hopefully) with an interview or visit that may last an hour or so. While that may be an excellent indicator of whether the student will REALLY fit in and be happy and successful at the school, it’s no guarantee. So. Adcoms know the school really well, but must judge the students with less info.</p>

<p>Most people wouldn’t marry someone without having actually met and spent time with that person. Deciding on a dream school and feeling that no other school will ever make you happy is like marrying someone you’ve never met. Better, I think, to be open to “blind dates” with several schools. You’ve heard about them, they’ve heard about you, and you BOTH decide it’s worth spending time together. </p>

<p>The adcoms know their school best. If, based on everything a student has sent in, that adcom decides that the best fit isn’t there, there really IS probably a better fit elsewhere. Doesn’t make a student unworthy. </p>

<p>I know there’s more to it than that, and the analogy falls apart pretty quickly. But I think there’s a good reason to really show the adcom who you are. Create the best application you can, in the sense of communicating who you are. Then, if the adcom doesn’t think that you’re the student they need the most this year, maybe you’re not. And maybe that’s not the best place for you. And another school may think you are their dream student. And maybe you are. And maybe you’ll have an incredible college experience there. </p>

<p>Anyway, with DS#3 a junior in high school, check back in a year and see if I’m still this philosophical about the whole thing…</p>

<p>:-)</p>

<p>Actually, I may be. DS#2 is home from second choice U this weekend. It has been an absolutely wonderful first year so far, in every respect.</p>

2

<p>Ha. I completely agree with your disillusionment with the “dream school concept”, except I’m even more skeptical :)</p>

<p>I don’t think a visit to the school gives a “fairly” good estimate of your fit for a school at all, but this may just stem from my nonjudgmental perspective</p>

<p>Also, I don’t think it’s important to convey your true personality - simply for the reason that I doubt the abilities of the admissions counselors. First of all, it’s not humanly possible to pick a class that is all perfect for a particular school, let alone using a transcript and a few essays. Secondly, admissions counselors are not omniscient beings simply because they have control of the next 4 years of your life. Sad to know, isn’t it?</p>

<p>Anyways, this is why I purposely didn’t attach myself to any school, and am going to rely mainly on rankings to make my decision. Yes, I do sound like a stats-obsessed prestige-whore to most people who don’t know my reasoning :)</p>

3

<p>Very wise, I would say. I tried not to get attached to any schools. It’s hard not to. I went on my gut instinct, not rankings. And, we’ll see how this works out. Really, I think your analogy was quite beautiful and true. Two star-crossed lovers waiting to meet, hmm?</p>

4

<p>I agree. That 's why I keep telling S no matter which school he goes, he will be happy there.</p>