Why avoiding highly competitive schools is a winning applications strategy

Data10
Tue, 30 Mar 2021 20:32:50 +0000

AntiEssayist:

Avoid early decision/restricted early action applications because it restricts you in so many ways, go for early action instead.

It doesn’t have to be a choice between either ED or unrestricted EA. Most ED schools permit students to apply to an ED first choice in addition to EA not first choice. I agree that even if the latter is not a first choice, it take a load off to have an acceptance during the early round. It also can make the RD round far more simple, allowing the student to only focus on what may be the small handful of schools he/she would choose over the EA acceptances.

AntiEssayist:

Pick private schools that are in the top 100 but not in top 25. They are the most generous ones. Your out of pocket costs can be less than that if state school.

The most FA generous ones tend to be the ones with the highest endowments, which tend to be the most highly USNWR ranked colleges. For example, HYPS have better financial aid than nearly any “top 100, but not in top 25” school.

AntiEssayist:

Relocate to states and attend high schools in less competitive areas if it is possible. WFH culture makes it feasible unlike before. Attend a private school because their counselors can lobby for your admissions on your behalf.

One should certainly be aware of the primary/secondary school system quality when deciding where to live, particularly if attending public schools, but relocating to other states seems extreme.

AntiEssayist:

Try getting engineering or comp sci degrees internationally. They cost nothing if you are accepted. Get skills through professional training or OJT. You can secure $120K starting salary right out of college. You don’t need brand name or 250K debt to complete college if you are pursuing tech or engineering careers.

There are only a very small handful of fields where are likely to get a major big boost based on school name, such as “elite” investment banking & consulting. Students who are well qualified for highly selective colleges likely have opportunities for large merit scholarships at not certain not as highly selective colleges that are high quality.

AntiEssayist:

Avoid applying to colleges that are far away from home. Travel expenses can creep up.

I agree about being aware of total in costs, including travel. But travel expenses are often just a drop in the bucket compared to the overall cost of tuition + room & board + … Location is also important for various other reasons. For example, if you want to work in a certain location, there are likely to be a larger portion of recruiters from at career fairs of colleges in a similar area.

AntiEssayist:

Don’t assume you had a good interview means you may be getting admission. They don’t correlate.

Don’t assume a good test score means you are getting admission, or a good GPA, or a good nearly any one single factor. All of these things are correlated with admission, but do not guarantee admission based on that one factor alone. Interview is also well correlated with admission, but does not guarantee admission. For example, the Harvard lawsuit data sample found the following:

Unhooked Asian Applicants – 41% received high 1-2 interview rating, 13% received low rating
Unhooked Asian Admits-- 90% received high 1-2 interview rating, 0% received low rating