Is The College Admissions Process Broken?

[cy7878]

@beebee3

It is pretty clear at our school who the smartest kids are. Each of my kids knew the kids who were head and shoulders above other kids in their class year (and other class years, to be honest).

I thought that until I saw there are literally 17 other kids in my S24 class who looks the same/better on paper.

[cy7878]

@beebee3

Just like it was clear who could actually sing in choir, who were excellent athletes as opposed to very good, etc. The kids know who is at the top (and the teachers do too). The only people who seem to be unsure are parents.

You know that and I know that. But on paper, everyone reads the same.

[beebee3]

@cy7878

But on paper, everyone reads the same.

I don’t think the very best read the same on paper. I think a lot of “very good” do. Which is why a lot of “very good” don’t get admitted to the most selective schools.

Thankfully, there are lots of other schools that are happy to accept the “very good”.

[cy7878]

@beebee3

I don’t think the very best read the same on paper.

Agree.

[DcMdVaMom]

My daughter got into her schools, but there’s definitely something disheartening about the whole process.

[Zrt42]

@cy7878

It’s definitely not broken for those whose kids got their desired outcome.

I have a son at one of the often discussed IvyPlus schools, and I think the system is very broken.

[DadOfJerseyGirl]

@sbinaz

Is the college admissions process broken?

No.

I agree it’s not broken for the majority of college applicants. But it is broken for some groups of applicants because of the uncertainty and stress they experience dealing with an unpredictable, non-transparent process.

[cinnamon1212]

Since we cannot change the admissions process, if we want to feel better, we need to change the only thing we can control: ourselves.

Therefore:

• apply to a range of schools wrt selectivity

• understand that your life will be fine – great, even – if you don’t get into your reach school

• understand that what happens with college admissions is not some kind of referendum on you as a person

• educate yourself.

This is an important life lesson that’s tied to happiness: understanding you cannot change others, only yourself.

[DadOfJerseyGirl]

Sure, there are things you can do to make the process smoother; and I agree with your advice (it’s the same wisdom I share with families and kids in my social circle).
But that doesn’t mean the underlying process doesn’t feel broken for some. In fact, a lot of this advice wouldn’t be necessary if they were dealing with a transparent, easy to understand process.

[fiftyfifty1]

@beebee3

It is pretty clear at our school who the smartest kids are. Each of my kids knew the kids who were head and shoulders above other kids in their class year

I think it really depends. Back when I went to high school, we definitely knew. So we knew when some very unremarkable students got into top schools over some truly outstanding students that something was going on… and that’s how we were introduced to the concept of “legacy.”

Now, I would say it’s not so clear. The district is now over twice as big and they have added another middle school. Whereas in the past there was just one generic “honors” track, now there are so many options including honors classes, AP classes, and a full IB program. There are countless academic clubs, a research program, a mentoring program, so many programs. Dozens of NMFs and similar. My kid had never taken classes with, or even met, some of the top students and vice versa.

[DcMdVaMom]

I don’t know if its broken, but I’m glad I don’t have to deal with it after my D. She’s my youngest. She just told me that one of her friends who had an 1100 SAT, some C’s, not rigorous classes, and little extracurriculars just got into UVA on a full ride. Having grown up disadvantaged, I understand the need for economic diversity, but I don’t remember it being this easy to get into the best state school. I remember having to work as hard as the smartest and richest kids to earn my spot. It really makes me question if these great schools are really that great, or if it’s just great marketing and positioning.

[FLMom2021]

It seems to me that the people who really perceive the system as broken are ones whose kids aimed pretty high but had the grades, scores, accomplishments to justify a belief that those schools should be matches. Even when the students had successful outcomes to the process, the negativity centers on the idea that it should not have been that stressful or uncertain.

Almost all high schools now offer more advanced coursework including AP and IB. So more kids are seeing those schools as within their reach. More families have savings for college or are willing to assume the loans (!). The pond is just bigger than it was even 20 years ago. Add in common app and relentless advertisement from schools, and I think it’s just unrealistic to think most excellent students should consider highly selective schools a sure thing.

That trickles down to state flagships. UF got super competitive, but most average excellent students could get into FSU if they didn’t get UF. Now that is changing. But I do not believe unqualified kids are getting in over more qualified kids. There are just more kids who are college bound and taking courses and doing the things to put them in the best position for college acceptances.

[TomSrOfBoston]

@KBdad

(see Northeastern, who had to subcontract out application reviews last year.

This is the first I heard that. I would be interested in reading the source of this information. Please provide a link to it.

[fiftyfifty1]

@FLMom2021

It seems to me that the people who really perceive the system as broken are ones whose kids aimed pretty high but had the grades, scores, accomplishments to justify a belief that those schools should be matches.

I agree that this describes some, but it doesn’t describe all.

My beef is I don’t think colleges can predict which 17 year olds hold promise to be future innovators and leaders, or even which 17 yos will contribute best to the campus over just the next 4 years, which is what they claim they are selecting for with holistic admissions.

FWIW, elite schools (at least as they currently exist) would not be right for either of my kids, and are not places they have targeted, so my objections to the current system are not about my own family’s aspirations or outcomes.

[GPS]

So if decisions are made on how they read on paper, rather than the actual substance there is a problem.

[cinnamon1212]

Many schools hire temporary admissions readers, who are not employees! Though perhaps the poster means something else.

[FLMom2021]

True, but I would counter that test scores and grades don’t always accurately predict that either.

I don’t think there will ever be a perfect way to predict that. I would hope that admissions officers are acting in good faith based on the research and data they have. I also think parents and students need to be aware that there are many more students who could do really well at their chosen university than there are spots.

People like things to be certain and measurable. I don’t think this will ever be that.

[roycroftmom]

The people who believe the system is broken are often those who have lived or travelled abroad extensively or who have experience with other admissions systems. You may be right that the American system will not change.

[FLMom2021]

Maybe. Or maybe it’s just a matter of preference.

[roycroftmom]

True, we do appear to have experience with Americans preferring systems that are inefficient, costly, opaque and deliver mediocre results compared to OECD norms in other areas as well.