<p>Interesting to read all this, and fun about mathmom’s tuition cheque. We’ll all remember that one! I didn’t know about NACAC; sounds like a rooster crowing. </p>
<p>An element of the “limbo” is that a family feels stymied re; planning re-visits as discount flight fares slip away, motel reservations can’t be made, time requested off work, and more. I only feel okay about this situation now because he was treated well by the faculty. On an administrative level, it’s quite bad.</p>
<p>We all jump high when the colleges and universities insist on students meeting their deadlines to submit postmarked materials (and well they should insist). Once their materials are in the hands of the schools, in this case since Feb. 1, there has been ample time for their internal review to reply by April 1. They only hurt themselves if families pull away from them during the month of April, so it’s not even in the school’s own good interest. I don’t appreciate having my hand forced, being rushed, having to ask a favor (extension) of private colleges b/c the public institution is acting oblivious to national deadlines. I start out feeling badly…and I’m a very very positive person. </p>
<p>Anyway, what message does this give our students about “a deal’s a deal” and doing things timely? </p>
<p>Again, it’s NOT the end of the world here, but really a learning experience.</p>
<p>soozie, it’s actually not Ithaca doing this. They’ve been great! It’s our state university. Having learned many new lessons from CC, I want to be able to compare private to public, but the point is that the public isn’t following national deadlines and is calling its own shots here re: notification dates. Not fair.</p>
<p>Paying3…I agree with all you wrote in post #21!</p>
<p>I knew YOU were not discussing Ithaca. I simply brought up how Ithaca is not notifying some applicants until April 15. It was Elon that wanted the notification to enroll in the BFA by April 10 and a deposit (refundable through May 1) to attend the accepted April student event. It was Penn State’s BFA that wanted the student to accept the scholarship offer around April 1 before she had all college admissions decisions in hand. My comments were not with regard to public or private but to colleges that do not inform students of acceptances in a timely way (by about April 1) or force students to decide to accept the offers before May 1 and so on. I’m not sure which colleges you are talking about but for me, it was more the principal of the matter, like you discussed in post #21, not so much which colleges.</p>
<p>I hear ya, soozie! And by now, the admitted students have keenly developed radar. I guess it’s their first big “process” unless, of course, life tossed them some lemons (custody battles, court hearings, etc.)
I am glad, as a taxpayer, that these issues transcend the simple “public v. private” difference, or even large v. small.
Am learning continuously here…and I share your concern for the basic fairness quotient. Also it’s been so exhausting this year (much harder than 4 and 6 years ago, with so much competition, common aps, sophisticated prep methods, and our move to a more suburban school system). I am looking for meaningful lessons to come out of all this, to make it more worth the time and effort spent.
My mom taught me, “You’re never wasting your time as long as you’re learning something.” So perhaps I’m just figuring out what messages and meanings to take from these past months.
Y’know I feel really wiped out, exhausted not energized. Unusual for me.</p>
<p>Still, I think asking to commit to the BFA component by April 10 is wrong. Asking for a deposit (though refundable by May 1) to attend the accepted student event in mid April is not too great either, in my opinion. I think they are doing things to circumvent the conduct code, even if offering refunds. They are trying to force earlier decisions on the part of the applicant. </p>
<br>
<br>
<p>Susan, I apologize if you thought I was criticizing you. I absolutely agree with you: It is wrong for schools to notify students so late. And, pushing for students to make a decision before May 1 is very, very common, and also, in my opinion wrong as well. Just wanted to remind everyone that students do have the right, when so pushed, to push back. :)</p>
<p>Carolyn, do not worry…I never ever thought you were criticizing me! I meant that I knew about the rules/policies you mentioned and agree but was just pointing out these examples I have run into that I don’t agree with and that the students do have rights. Still, these things happen and I just cringe when I see it.</p>
<p>Also, while I was aware of the information you shared, I am glad you shared it for others who are NOT aware of the students’ rights.</p>
<p>“Also, while I was aware of the information you shared, I am glad you shared it for others who are NOT aware of the students’ rights.”</p>
<p>Yes, we’re reading and taking it in. Anytime two people with >12,000 CC posts between them converse about admissions policies, it’s worth eavesdropping ;)</p>
<p>I had the opposite of mathmom’s situation. I was paying off my school loans but was getting mean, horrible calls from a collection agency–turns out they were crediting my payments to my sister’s account!</p>