Re #8 and encounters at college fairs or other informal conversations with potential applicants: As an occasional representative (but not an admissions official) at college fairs, we are specifically instructed NOT to discuss “chances” or ask about scores or GPAs. In those situations, our job is more to explain or “sell” the school rather than to provide any kind of evaluation of the student, since we have virtually no information about the student. If they ask about their chances or volunteer their SAT scores, I would point them to the information provided about the 25 -75% range provided in the brochures and suggest they carefully look at that information. BTW, we are not trying to encourage as many applicants as possible, but to find students who don’t know about the school or program who might be reasonably qualified.