<p>According to our College Counselor there is more chances to get into lower Ivies if you are a full paying student this year than into UCB or UCLA because of economic meltdown.</p>
<p>Does this make sense?</p>
<p>In a way yes and no. Out of work I-Bankers may be skimping on laivsh meals out but education for their kids isnt one of them.</p>
<p>Possibly true. Colleges don’t want to trust loans as much anymore, and that is completely understandable if you understand the current economic situation.</p>
<p>The ivies are need blind to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Your ability to pay or how much FA you need is not considered in the admissions process. Also remember that admissions and FA aid are in 2 separate places and each does its own thing.</p>
<p>No, it makes no sense at all. The ivies have interest from all over the world, interest in UCs is fairly confined to California. Standards at even the top UCs are considerably below all ivies and will likely remain so.</p>
<p>As Sybbie said, the ivies are need blind and are committed to having a diverse student body, so even as they are announcing cuts are are reaffirming their commitment to FA.</p>
<p>Reading CC make me wonder who on earth the college counselors out there are!</p>
<p>I’m guessing OP is in L.A., so I can understand what your GC is saying. If the cohort of smart, rich CA kids, who would have applied to the lower Ivies in previous years are now less rich, then Cal and UCLA look more appealing this year. In other words, if the savings accounts of these families (who are in the $200K+ income range, thus not eligible for FA anywhere), have decreased in value by 25% or more, then they may no longer feel able to afford the lower Ivies, and opt for Cal and UCLA at $20K per year less, instead. Thus, there would be less competition for spots at the lower Ivies.</p>
<p>Bay’s logic makes sense, but for sheer numbers, the OP’s GC math is incorrect. At best, the so-called ‘lower Ivies’ accept a few hundred kids from California, some of which apply ED, of which many/most are still likely to attend. Contrast that number to the instate “chances” for admission to UCB or UCLA…</p>
<p>Don’t know because the ivies are still insisting that they are need blind. Also ED numbers are up this year at most schools despite the economy. The UCs have always been popular with the top California students even if they were applying to the east coast private schools too. There is still that population bulge this year. It was very difficult for selective school admissions because there were so many kids applying.</p>
<p>While Bay makes a good point about what could happen in the future, applications are not likely to be down yet at ivies this cycle. There are so many unknowns that families will probably still choose to apply. The market could rally, bailouts, etc. leave many on the fence.</p>
<p>I think the demand at the ivies and a few other schools is so substantial that even a global crisis will not impact interest in them dramatically. An economist I heard speak recently opined that the ivies would still be in demand if they charged twice the price. In many, many countries it is believed that an elite school will assure a good life.</p>
<p>Those without FA initiatives may well take more full paying students and they will continue to have their pick.</p>
<p>No… need blind remains need blind. The ability to pay or not will have no bearing on admissions at least for this year. In fact, their financial aid incentives may make it harder to get into the lower Ivies, as more people may consider the generous grants these schools confer for lower income students. The lower Ivies will not suddenly retract their new financial aid policies as the negative publicity cost of doing so will be far greater than that of reducing a few tens of millions of dollars out of a multi-billion dollar endowment. </p>
<p>The stats do not change. UCLA and Berkeley, while excellent schools, will not be “easier” to get into than the schools of the Ivy League caliber. The state schools accepting far larger classes may have a bearing on this development. (Berkeley gets more applicants than Harvard and Yale combined… even not counting individuals applying to both schools) </p>
<p>So… in short, your counselor’s statement is false. I hope this helps you make an informed college applications decision.</p>