<p>There was an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education October 13th issue entitled “The Powers and Perils of Admissions Data”. It talked about the sophisticated statistical modeling that many colleges are using as part of the admissions process. It was a long article and I read it quickly while I was in the library, but I came away with the impression that some colleges keep track of every contact you have with them and assign “points” based on the type of contact. This includes emails, phone calls, campus visits, letters, comments made while on the tour, and so on. They are collecting tons of data.</p>
<p>Schools want to admit students who are most likely to enroll and who are going to pay the most money. When you act interested and enthusiastic, they will know that you are likely to enroll</p>
<p>They can tell from your contacts and comments how likely you are to enroll.</p>
<p>It seems to me that you could always act like the school is your first choice, but is that ethical? Personally, I think it is ok to act like each school is your first choice because you don’t know for sure until the acceptance letters come which school will be your first choice. If you don’t feel enthusiastic, you should, because it might be the place you wind up. Short of misleading a school, there must be ways to express your interest in the school…to convey your reasons for applying. </p>
<p>So, basically, I am suggesting that applicants increase the number of contacts with schools, act enthusiastic and interested and knowledgeable, and perhaps you will improve your chances of admissions.</p>
<p>It also occurred to me that certain messages and practices might be a turn-off to a school. I suppose the enthusiasm can be overdone, or the school can sense insincerity.</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>There can be mixed things said about tracking data like this. </p>
<p>I think it’s important and beneficial to certain schools (or schools within schools). For instance, information like this is pretty valuable for the ILR school at Cornell University. ILR is a very unique program, and it’s important to do alot of research on the school before you apply. Admissions looks to enroll a class that is excited about the courses - it’s not unusual to see a spectacular related EC take prescedent over a so-so SAT score. It’s just tough to pick out those students who are really interested vs. those who apply just because. Tracking data like this is one way to ensure that a student knows what they are getting into and they understand the program and what they will gain from it. I don’t think the same can be said about the economics major in arts and sciences at Cornell.</p>
<p>I think a college would have a hard time discerning a contact that was not from genuine interest. I also question if colleges do indeed go to all of that trouble (keeping notes of comments on a tour). I can see data mining being done for things that are available in databases and where things can be automated (keeping track of contacts that occur through the college web site) but not much more.
However, I do think it’s OK to “manufacture” some enthusiam. I hope there is some interest if a person is taking time to visit and I know my D’s top school has changed a few times in the last two months. It will be a difficult time to sit down when all the acceptances and rejects are in to evaluate (with the financial implications of course).</p>
<p>So basically you are saying that you can write to every school and say that said school is your #1 choice in each app. and get away with it?</p>
<p>Because if you could do that it would be way cool.</p>
<p>Actually that is why Binding Early Decision was (and still is) a good deal for both students and certain colleges</p>
<p>Rather than an empty “interest” in a school, the student was forced to actually commit by deed instead of mere words - to their top choice</p>
<p>The student got a slight edge and the college obtained predictability in the final enrolled class.</p>
<p>What I am saying is that, for schools to which you apply regular decision, not early decision, you MIGHT improve your chances of admission by conveying, through your communications and contacts, an enthusiasm and interest about enrolling. I suspect that more frequent contact in which you demonstrate a knowledge of the schools advantages and a desire to attend might help. If the school is on your list, there must be something that appeals to you. Be positive, curious, and passionate.</p>
<p>I am saying that this could increase your chances of getting into your number one dream school as well as your other choices, one of which may actually become your number one choice if you are rejected by your dream school.</p>
<p>This might help if you are marginal, and you might not know in advance if you will be marginal.</p>
<p>Give every school on your list your best shot. Think ahead to April when you have some rejections and you have a final list of acceptances to choose from. You want as many options as possible. Don’t take any school for granted.</p>
<p>It is a mistake to tell any school that they are your second choice, or third, or fourth. Try not to tell any school which other schools you are applying to.</p>
<p>I have wondered whether it is a good idea to list, when you first fill out the paperwork for the SAT, the schools that should receive your score report. The College Board might share that information with other schools. I have wondered whether it is better to request score reports later, after you have taken the test and maybe received your scores, despite the increased cost. Perhaps the College Board does not share the list of schools when you request reports later.</p>
<p>FYI: related thread from earlier this year on “Level of Applicant’s Interest” being added as a field to each college’s Common Data Set:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=145077[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=145077</a></p>