Thank you! Yep, like 22dad mentioned, I think of the schools I mentioned, only VT was binding if accepted ED, hence why we did RD at that one and ED at most all others. Interestingly enough, at UT we are finding those with very, very similar applications to those that were accepted ED did not necessarily get in RD at our high school (and I’m comparing those that applied the same UG program, business and nursing for example). A few of the kids had UT as their top choice, thought they had a great shot given the similarities in their scores, etc with those accepted ED and they were heartbroken with a deny or WL.
Wouldn’t wish this process on my worst enemy, but as the saying goes, sometimes it’s darkest before the dawn and let’s face it, these kids going to solid ACC/SEC schools are right on the cusp of the most exciting 4 years of their lives. After all this, they 100% deserve it.
and at our high school, we saw much lower stat students (GPA & Test - if even submitted), less ECs, sports, leadership etc. get in at USC over others… so I do believe some were denied due to yield protection and the assumption your child was already committed (in theory) elsewhere. I am sure AOs have a performance metric they are held to!!!
same UTK experience for our high school… assuming the attention turned to instate with their new 66% goal and overall goal to admit less students this year than last. So many students thought for sure they would get in RD…
Same experience. The 4.0, and very active crowd with good test scores if not great, we’re shut out of USC waitlisted/rejected. While those with a 3.0, varsity sport, average test course, and no other activities got in. Shocking.
UTK is still just getting known in NJ. Historically parents here were pushing for UVA, GT, Chapel Hill then Clemson, UGA, VT, and recently USC was okay. In DS’s school the kids that got into UTK this year were high stats/4.0+, and the ones I know won’t be accepting as they have higher ranked offers. In some circles there is perhaps a Yankee-snobbery against Tenn, as one mother said to me “Tennessee, why would anyone want to go there?” (Don’t kill the messenger, it’s just what I’ve seen having split time between homes in different states.) This year, the students from this hs that really wanted to attend UTK, were waitlisted, and likely would have gotten in pre-covid – lower GPAs, but varsity sports, ECs , work, and solid SATs.
In the end, all these kids will find good options I’m sure. I am curious whether UTK’s reach for higher-stat OOS kids will work out in their favor or not. I guess we’ll know more when we see if their waitlist moves this summer.
BTW, for all on this board who got into UTK – Congrats! Be proud of your achievement!
right… so you gotta assume the AOs captured their Top talent (the top 10% ers) in EA and then with RD moved to the ones more likely to accept across a range of credentials vs working top down. Maybe?!
correct, so seems UTK may be hoping to increase its rigor going forward? Or maybe this was a one off approach to lower enrollment for Fall 2024? Who knows if the 23.7% OOS and 33% ALL acceptance rate will continue going forward at UTK? If so, the desire to get into a school with a low acceptance rate may attract those that didn’t even look to UTK before?
Agree on all points. my child got it and is very excited. Was not the # 1 a year ago, but after several college visits, it landed on top. Got into higher ranked schools as well (two of which were probably # 1 & 2 early on ), but child does feel they will thrive in the environment. It hit everything on the checklist… college is what you make of it (along with good timing and networks!)
I think there may be some confusion with nomenclature. ED is only used when applying Early Decision (binding). Otherwise, early applications are referred to as EA - Early Action.
Schools do not truly care about EC’s. They can claim they do, but none of them care. Unless it’s a private school they are not giving two thoughts to EC’s when making decisions. I’m convinced the idea of “Holistic” is a total lie, and especially at big large publics. Over the last 3 years I have seen too many rock star amazing EC kids with solid if not very good to great stats get denied at schools they should have been accepted to. I’ve spoke to admissions counselors that have broken down for me which schools absolutely do not look at those items on an application and it’s almost all large publics.
Good luck everyone. My son was accepted ea oos. He just withdrew his application as he has narrowed down his choice to two schools. We loved UTK and it has a good program for my son’s intended major. It is such a pretty campus and the people were so nice. I have a niece who attended (oos) and she had a great experience and is now in med school. Sending wishes for all of your kids to have much success and to beautifully bloom wherever they plant next year.
He hasn’t chosen yet, but either Georgia Tech or University of Florida. He has a couple of admitted student events in the next few weeks and hopefully will make his decision after the visits.
accepted WL here, but did’t go all in on overseas or community college option… he has a couple of solid option… MSU Broad for Supply Chain and PSU Univeristy Park DUS into Smeal.
Question: Applied to Haslam for Supply Chain… if picked up from WL will he receive invite for this major in Haslam or un designated or undeclared major or to perhaps college of liberal arts ?