<p>Classmate to DS had perfect SAT, perfect ACT, and 2 perfect SAT2s…valedictorian…got deferred to MIT…different classmate however accepted…THERE ARE NO SHOE-INs !</p>
<p>Congrats AvonHS grandad!!</p>
<p>@momreads I cannot even imagine applying to 20 plus schools. Our school limits the students to a maximum of 10 apps each. When D12 was going through the process I thought 10 was not enough to give her a fair chance. But by the time she was done, even 10 seemed like way too much, too many essays and supplements. I think the key is to choose wisely in terms of safety and fit, and for that the kids need some perspective from good GCs.</p>
<p>On alumni interviewers, anybody knows if they have a copy of the CA app and essays? Just curious what the interviewer has prior to the interview. </p>
<p>I’m almost embarassed to say that my daughter applied to 15 schools. </p>
<p>But in her defense, 6 of those are University of California (UC) schools (that covered her reach/match/safety pretty much). UC schools shared one application and doesn’t require writing supplement to each schools. Also 3 out of 15 doesn’t have writing supplement (and those schools are her match/safety schools). So in reality, she only did 7 “applications” that requires writing supplement. </p>
<p>We are full pay or close to full pay so we are shopping for money. She applied to 4 schools that offers merit money. Still the merit money should be of considerable amount to beat the full-pay UC COA (we are Cali resident so UC is about 34K for us). We ran the net cost calculator to schools that she was interested and she only applied to schools that are generous with need based or offers merit.</p>
<p>PS: Congrats AvonHS grandad!!</p>
<p>2018dad, we are in the same situation. When the family is full pay and have to shop schools for merit money, it’s inevitable that the student must apply to more schools. Otherwise, there will be no comparisons to be made. Also, getting the merit money itself is competitive. So, ds is (still) applying to schools. I don’t like that he has to do so many apps but it would be really nice if he could be granted one of those competitive merit scholarships.</p>
<p>2018dad–I don’t think the alum interviewer will have much of anything beyond contact info. Having said that, I know absolutely nothing about schools outside of the Northeast so I should caveat my sweeping generalization!</p>
<p>Does your D have a resume? If not,you might suggest she pull one together. I had my son list his GPA and SAT scores at the top under the Education section. He listed both his cumulative GPA and his yearly since it increased each year. Work experience followed, then ECs, then awards. </p>
<p>He also brought a copy of his transcript with him but this was for on-campus interviews. I think the transcript might be overkill for alum interviews. The resume, however, might give them both talking points, if needed.</p>
<p>He didn’t attend any alum interviews as he applied and was accepted ED. Best of luck to your D.</p>
<p>2018dad and 4beardolls…same approach here as we are also full-pay…12 applications (4 safeties/8 reaches); opted to apply to 4 safeties for admission since each held uncertainties as to whether and amount (if any) merit would be given. Also we wanted DS to have some choices, even between his safeties, at the end of this long parade. The remaining applications are all reaches. Thankfully the safeties were all EA, with good merit coming from the first 2 two coming home to roost. We wiill have to see how merit from the other 2 safeties compare (should know something in the next few weeks), then see how the reaches fall out March. This is quite a process as we all know.</p>
<p>@CT1417
All her scheduled interviews are for NorthEast schools. Thanks for the info. She has a resume so she’ll definitely bring that.</p>
<p>@2018dad the UC schools do count as 1 application in the quota of 10 at our S14’s high school as well. Your daughter seems to have a good mix and number. </p>
<p>My son had a long list initially but when it came down to making a ‘short’ list he was pretty clear about the schools he could and could not picture himself at, even if he got accepted. In the end he applied to 6 total. 2 reach, 2 fit and 2 safety. He wrote and rewrote those essays, several drafts and edits for each until he was satisfied. Knowing him, I don’t think he could have made as much effort if he had to do many more generic essays which didn’t come truly from the heart. </p>
<p>In my knowledge and experience the interviewers have no access to the applicants data, apps, scores or any other specific information besides the school/major they are applying for (arts and science, engineering etc) Definitely not the essays.</p>
<p>@vandyeyes do your reach schools offer merit aid?</p>
<p>ExpatSon’s initial list included 20+ schools. Schools came, schools went. At the end of the day (taking into account school visits, GPA, SAT/ACT results, requisite supplementary essays and a starkly realistic assessment of admission likelihood), he actually applied to nine - 2 safety, 4 match and 3 high match/reach. </p>
<p>Four EA acceptances (2 with significant merit) with 3 to weigh in suggest that he chose (and wrote) well, particularly given his <3.0 GPA.</p>
<p>That said, given his late August birthday, I’d still like to see him take a gap year, ideally pursuing Spanish.</p>
<p>Ovrseasmom,
no none of the reaches offer merit…so, in the unlikely scenario that DS gets into a reach, we’ll have to have the family talk about choices, chasing “prestige names”, and how that would ultimately affect our degree of support for DS graduate level studies and aspirations. We have strongly encouraged SS not to fall in love with any institution (save the ED school which he didn’t get in to) until they show the love first…so far I believe he has not done so.</p>
<p>Congratulations AvonHSDad! That’s a great news, enjoy the grand kids!</p>
<p>Hi All,</p>
<p>I have not posted in awhile, but what great results by everyone!! Congrats to AvonHSDad !This admission’s process can be so tough. I do alumni interviews for my LAC and we do not receive much information on the students. I would really appreciate some suggestions from this group. My D has been accepted to 5 schools so far with merit to 2 of them and Honor’s College to 2 of them. We are waiting to hear on merit from 2 others. Of course, her top choice wanted to see her first semester grades before making a decision. When we send her transcript next week ( which were really excellent grades), should we mention anything about the other acceptances? Thanks for your input.</p>
<p>
I wouldn’t – don’t see an upside, and it could be taken the wrong way.</p>
<p>expatCanuck, did your DS apply to any Canadian schools?</p>
<p>I agree with expatcanuck…unless specifically asked for, I wouldn’t include…can’t see the motive and if there is one, not certain the receiver will take in a good light…imop…</p>
<p>
He did – Dalhousie & Mount Allison. Accepted to both (Faculty of Science @ Dal), and tours are planned for March. </p>
<p>A high school buddy of mine is a math Prof at Dal, and his son is a freshman there. I’m hoping that the son will be amenable to giving an ‘inside’ tour.</p>
<p>Congratulations AvonHSDad! Grandkids are stress-free joy 
</p>
<p>Congratulations to everyone who is accepted.</p>
<p>Vandyeyes we were in the same situation as you a few weeks ago. But S did get into his reach ED and its too late to have that conversation now!! He did his part and now we are scrambling to do ours…we’re a little bit gobsmacked!</p>
<p>Congrats on the ED admit</p>