Hello. My daughter was deferred from the Herbert Business School at the University of Miami during Early Decision 1. Will it increase her chances in Regular Decision if she switches to the College of Arts and Sciences?
Has anyone who was previously deferred made changes to their application that they believe improved their chances of being accepted in Regular Decision?
Looking to learn from past cases with successful outcomes.
Although your daughter applied to the business school, admissions is no different at the individual school level for most majors - including business and Arts and Sciences. I am pretty sure it will not improve odds (unique to U Miami) so I would not advise even trying unless you really want to drop business.
Thank you for your quick response. Any thoughts on what is good to do to improve outcomes? For example, he GPA is very strong this semester and demonstrates upward trajectory and the workload is also increased. Should she write about this to the admissions office?
My daughter is a senior in the business school. It has been a good experience overall. Tell me more about your daughter and I will get additional input so it won’t be generic advice. She has been the head of the Team Leaders; the group that mentors all Freshmen. Heading to your city upon graduation. Miami seems to have become one of those “harder than it looks” schools from an admissions perspective.
We never thought it would be easy, but on paper, she seems like a good match for the school. It’s very kind of you to offering to share your insights. Would you mind if I DM you her details? I’d love to get your perspective.
I get it. An acceptance from a particular college becomes so coveted that it can obscure the real mission, which is launching into a successful and satisfying future and career.
So how would switching majors to game admissions leave her better off, assuming she’s truly interested in business? The college is a pathway, not the destination, so she should want to enroll where she can be supported in getting to her intended destination as a professional adult.
If she’s committed to a business education, she should follow the steps UMiami allows to update her file for the next round. Changing major may not provide an admissions benefit regardless, especially if the narrative of her application radiates “business major.”
In our case my daughter is planning to attend a law school. There is a pre-law program within the Business School. However, a Political Science major within Arts and Science school can be an equally strong foundation. She is very clear that it is a journey. She has multiple ways to get to her desired destination.
Based on my very limited experience and observation…admissions to Art & Science schools appear to be easier than that to Business schools, and I would imagine UMiami, especially with Miami starting to rival NYC as a finance center, would be no exception. I would switch for RD if you don’t feel completely comfortable about her chances based on tests, GPA, etc. You are not gaming anything.
Yep, she apply into law school from any major. Good luck to her.
My daughter was class of 21, but only her boyfriend got in (EA) without deferral. Others (a handful) including her were deferred. All got in with $25k merit, same as her BF. I think deferral at Miami isn’t death.
Fill out the form they require, have other options, and hope. They will see the transcript. No reason to write about it. If you are full pay, that adds bonus points as they are need aware.
Don’t change majors if a student truly is set on one. The major will be more important to achieving long term goals than the school.
Btw law can be done from any major. A pre law program - if you will - is marketing hype ahd little more.
You can major in underwater basket weaving and go to law school. And whatever program type Miami has can certainly be replicated.
My D25 was admitted ED and had a phone call with her admissions counselor in the fall. She was debating between 2 majors (in 2 different colleges) so wanted to get her perspective if one was “easier” than the other as far as admissions goes. Her counselor said there is generally no difference in admission rates between ANY majors at UM except for Frost (music) and Nursing. She really stressed for her to choose what she was most passionate about.
If the Pre-law program was a subset of a philosophy major, I’d think that COULD be helpful. But Business? Law schools look for analytical and critical thinking, very strong writing skills, exceptional logic. I can’t imagine what a prelaw program housed in the business school could add to make anyone a stronger law school candidate.
Give your D a hug (nobody likes a deferral), continue working hard (no senioritis) and I’m sure she’ll end up somewhere terrific!