This year's applicants - please listen

marny1
Tue, 31 Jan 2006 09:06:10 +0000

Curmudgeon- Your GroundHog Day response brought a smile to face even on this dreary day in NY. All I can say is that people do eventually learn and adjust to the realities of college admission. I’d say in the NYC/LI region, this “shock” and dismay factor about kids getting rejected, was more prevalent 4 to 5 years ago. Certain regions have been hit harder and sooner than others. Kids who thought they were a “sure thing” at Tufts or Wesleyan are heading to schools like Grinnell or U. Michigan. Metro NY’rs have learned to take a more realistic approach to college admissions and do use some of the larger schools as “safeties”. And many still use a SUNY as a sure thing. No matter how great the applicant is, we in NY know that a bit of luck ALWAYS comes into play. I think the rest of the country is learning what we here on the east coast have known for some time. Be realistic- pick your schools wisely-and DEMONSTRATE INTEREST. Don’t take any college for granted. Think of it as a Relative- you gotta call, you gotta write/ or pay a visit and treat the school in a respectful manner.