Thanks for sharing this article, sbhubbell! I found this statement from the interim SVP as the most tone deaf & objectionable:
“This is the first year that UT offered an Early Action application window, and the review of Early Action applications is unfolding as planned,” Miguel Wasielewski, interim senior vice president for strategic enrollment management, said in a statement.
UT would have known that they were unable to process all of the EA applications way before 1/15 so they should have delayed EVERYONE’s decision to 2/15 or whichever date is achievable and delay RD decision date to be later than 2/15 for fairness. Then, they should have communicated this new decision date change to all applicants & explain the reason so no one is caught off guard. Applicants and families will accept this as EVERYONE is impacted. However, providing acceptances to some EA applicants as well as to other RD applicants while the majority of the EA applicants are just left waiting until 2/15 is unacceptable and unfair!
This would make a great Harvard Business School case of what not to do for strategic planning and business communication in a crisis!
Apparently (besides the few RDs that got thru for god only know what reason) this is “the normal process”.
I had no idea til I started digging.
USC just put out their EA (3rd year doing EA). They accepted 3500 from the 42000 in the EA pile and the rest got shoved to RD (if they go in and check a box agreeing to be moved vs scrapped). So over 90% deferred (was worse than that year 1&2). Georgetown, just under 90% deferred.
I will be curious how today goes - big EA day for flagships UNC, UIUC, Florida and I think maybe Michigan. Some of those are even more competitive than UT but since the EA process has been around in those longer everyone is used to mass disappointment (but probably more polished comms since it is not new). UNC doesnt defer though - I think they reject/waitlist. Mine will probably get rejected/waitlisted since they have a 82% instate req’t (i think) and oos admit rate is like single digit.
This EA/ED/REA process definitely only benefits the colleges AND makes them a whole bunch of $$$ in the process the way it is going since everyone has to have multiple safety nets and backups now just in case.
Cant wait to find out what surprises and new “processes” wait when it is time to apply to grad school…
I have noticed the same low( or fair) OOS tuition from Florida and Purdue, but I could not convince my kid to apply either. I prefer that he learn a lesson and start from TAMU, but different opinion is also there, UT can be a money saving machine, as much as I dislike this waiting.
Oh yeah…I remember choosing UT over ivy and the instate options in MA (back when it was actually not nearly impossible to get in from oos). It was actually cheaper to attend UT oos than in-state UMass Amherst. Times have changed, it is more $ now but still a bargain especially if you know you will attend grad school after.
I frankly don’t think school matters, although I disagree that some val kid gave up Princeton and went for money at UTD, I suppose that kid must have his or her reasons.
Son does not care where he goes either, from what I can tell .
