Instant Admission Offer

[Anonymous]

Heard there are (a handful?) of colleges offering instant admission decisions, I think usually on designated in person visit days. This whole process reminds me of buying a house - you make an offer, give them a deadline. You like what I can offer? Then tell me now. Don't make me wait a year. For what. How I wish for my rising senior he could just seal the deal with an instant admit. Done and done. Would make for a much more enjoyable senior year.

[Anonymous]

They are not selective colleges. They wil.still accept you at a later date, if you desire to apply.

[Anonymous]

The problem is that those offers undercut you on merit aid. Let's face it, the colleges that do instant admission are the ones that are likely to discount the cost of attendance. But they don't want to and really can't do that on the spot, so it's win-win - you get your low stress, they get to keep the money.

My daughter did two of those instant admissions - the merit offers were much lower that from comparable schools via the regular route.

[Anonymous]

It’s not instant, but it was rolling and DS applied very early so I was a little peace of mind. Penn State acceptance came in about two weeks in the fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that those offers undercut you on merit aid. Let's face it, the colleges that do instant admission are the ones that are likely to discount the cost of attendance. But they don't want to and really can't do that on the spot, so it's win-win - you get your low stress, they get to keep the money.

My daughter did two of those instant admissions - the merit offers were much lower that from comparable schools via the regular route.

That's a great point.

[Anonymous]

Indiana university of Pennsylvania has this during the summer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Indiana university of Pennsylvania has this during the summer

IUP actually used to be a pretty good school – like a couple decades ago. It had a good honors program and a very good music program. But I also know it’s in an area with a lot of drugs and bad economic situation.

[Anonymous]

Salisbury comes to my son's HS and has one of these instant decision days. It is pretty hard not to get in.

[Anonymous]

I got a same-day offer from Amherst decades ago, at a time when Amherst was looking to diversify its student body. Wouldn’t happen now, obviously.

[Anonymous]

Radford has definitely done it. JMU has it for a special open house. It’s a fantastic option for some. I think they call it on-site admissions.

Also, having one college say yes is great for kids who need a confidence boost.

[Anonymous]

You can get a decision (and merit awards) from noncompetitive state flagships in a few days

[Anonymous]

UMW does it too and their in-state merit awards are automatic based on GPA and SAT, so in theory should be consistent no matter when you get the acceptance.

[Anonymous]

I have seen this at a couple schools I have looked at for my daughter, but the standard for the on the spot admission is pretty high - 3.8 or better

My child will be lucky to graduate with a 3.0, so that is definitely not the path she will take

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can get a decision (and merit awards) from noncompetitive state flagships in a few days

Yep. My DC got an offer from Oregon State in 2 days.

[Anonymous]

I know Longwood did it a few years ago My son did it, and a few weeks later was mailed a (small--I think around $2k/year) merit scholarship award.