An ED Story from Last Year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was a great post, but most kids are not getting into 90 percent of their reaches these days. Your kid did exceptionally well. Some kids will only get into their targets and likelies so be ready to celebrate that as well.

Yes, best way to alleviate some of the stress is for the kid to have a safety they truly like and would be happy attending. This advice is repeated all the time on this forum but it’s so true. No one wants to come across as pessimistic for anybody’s kids, but it can make what can be a cruel process feel a little less cruel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:sign of the apocalypse- 1000 word essay on over involvement in kids life. people are just waaaay too involved in their kids lives - all the contemplation and planning, hand wringing and obsession. Get a life folks

You know that you're on parental forum about college admissions, don't you? Did you expect to find a bunch of parents posting about their utter indifference to their children's college applications?

This is peak DCUM. Someone takes the time to try to be helpful, and some judgmental doofus craps on them in a grammatically challenged three-sentence post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given that it's Early Decision season, I thought I'd share my DC's ED experience last year.

After some deliberation, my DC applied ED to a very selective college (sub-10%) last year. While I wouldn't say that DC had a strong emotional commitment to this college, it made the most objective sense on paper. It offered the best financial aid (based on the NPC), is strong in DC's major, and is generally a great school. While DC had a strong application that fit comfortably within the school's admitted averages (in terms of class rank, test scores, rigor, etc.), we also were well aware that the odds were still against admission. We also knew that ED offered very little advantage for this particular school.

The ED school rejected DC outright. It's funny how one can be subjectively shocked at something objectively likely. Despite knowing that rejection was a probable outcome, I think I believed that DC would at least be deferred to RD. Thankfully, DC took it in stride. But, if I'm honest, I was concerned. Was it the personal statement? Did DC's teachers write underwhelming recommendations? Did DC's sophomore French grade doom the application? And, of course, despite already having a seemingly well-considered application plan that contemplated an ED rejection, it was very tempting to advise DC to change that plan to add more safety/targets and/or consider a target school for ED2.

In the end, DC stuck to the original plan, which was to apply RD to one true safety (a local public university where admission was essentially guaranteed), four targets, and seven reaches. In part because DC had a lot of school commitments and in part because DC procrastinated, DC put together all the supplemental essays and other application components during winter break and the first week of January classes. This was not a particularly fun experience, and an ED admission would have allowed DC to enjoy the break. DC gave a little consideration applying ED2 somewhere, but decided against it. This made me a little nervous.

When March came around, DC did extremely well in RD. DC's ED rejection was DC's only rejection. DC was admitted to six of the reaches and waitlisted at the seventh. Four of the reaches have lower admission rates than the ED school that rejected DC. DC was also admitted to the safety and three of the four targets, the fourth being another waitlist.

While I'm sure it sounds very sour-grapes-ish, I think the school that DC ultimately chose is a better fit than the ED school. DC ended up being flown out to two of the schools for overnight admitted students events, which was much more informative than Fiske descriptions and half-day tours. Also, with the passage of time, DC's college desires shifted a little in terms of things like big vs. small, close to home or distant, urban vs. outdoorsy, etc. DC seems very happy at their current school, so there are no regrets. I believe that, all things otherwise being equal, DC would pick their current school over the ED school if given the option.

On the flip side, had DC been accepted to the ED school, I'm pretty sure that DC would have been very content there, too. And, as noted before, had DC been admitted to the ED school, DC would have avoided the stress and time of applying to a dozen other schools and then trying to make a decision in April. The whole RD process took a lot of time and mental energy during an already hectic senior year.

Here are some possible takeaways:

(1) ED rejections at highly selective schools are not necessarily predictive of admissions at other highly selective schools. There's a huge amount of unpredictable variability among admissions at schools with sub-10% admission rates. For example, just because one is rejected from Cornell in ED doesn't mean it's hopeless to apply to Princeton RD.

(2) To quote The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, "Don't panic." If you have a solid plan, don't let an ED rejection throw it off course. I'm glad my DC didn't ED2 anywhere, although it was very tempting in the moment.

(3) I think most kids are likely to make a more-informed college decision in RD than ED. There's a reasonable chance that your kid's preferences in a college will shift between November and April. They can also learn a lot at admitted students events.

(4) I am not advocating against ED. I think there are many positives to ED admissions, and at some schools it provides a meaningful boost. If nothing else, applying ED helped my DC get their application together much sooner.

Good luck, everyone!

With RD an applicant has more TIME to produce a better overall application.

ED is gamed for the wealthy and athletes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that it's Early Decision season, I thought I'd share my DC's ED experience last year.

After some deliberation, my DC applied ED to a very selective college (sub-10%) last year. While I wouldn't say that DC had a strong emotional commitment to this college, it made the most objective sense on paper. It offered the best financial aid (based on the NPC), is strong in DC's major, and is generally a great school. While DC had a strong application that fit comfortably within the school's admitted averages (in terms of class rank, test scores, rigor, etc.), we also were well aware that the odds were still against admission. We also knew that ED offered very little advantage for this particular school.

The ED school rejected DC outright. It's funny how one can be subjectively shocked at something objectively likely. Despite knowing that rejection was a probable outcome, I think I believed that DC would at least be deferred to RD. Thankfully, DC took it in stride. But, if I'm honest, I was concerned. Was it the personal statement? Did DC's teachers write underwhelming recommendations? Did DC's sophomore French grade doom the application? And, of course, despite already having a seemingly well-considered application plan that contemplated an ED rejection, it was very tempting to advise DC to change that plan to add more safety/targets and/or consider a target school for ED2.

In the end, DC stuck to the original plan, which was to apply RD to one true safety (a local public university where admission was essentially guaranteed), four targets, and seven reaches. In part because DC had a lot of school commitments and in part because DC procrastinated, DC put together all the supplemental essays and other application components during winter break and the first week of January classes. This was not a particularly fun experience, and an ED admission would have allowed DC to enjoy the break. DC gave a little consideration applying ED2 somewhere, but decided against it. This made me a little nervous.

When March came around, DC did extremely well in RD. DC's ED rejection was DC's only rejection. DC was admitted to six of the reaches and waitlisted at the seventh. Four of the reaches have lower admission rates than the ED school that rejected DC. DC was also admitted to the safety and three of the four targets, the fourth being another waitlist.

While I'm sure it sounds very sour-grapes-ish, I think the school that DC ultimately chose is a better fit than the ED school. DC ended up being flown out to two of the schools for overnight admitted students events, which was much more informative than Fiske descriptions and half-day tours. Also, with the passage of time, DC's college desires shifted a little in terms of things like big vs. small, close to home or distant, urban vs. outdoorsy, etc. DC seems very happy at their current school, so there are no regrets. I believe that, all things otherwise being equal, DC would pick their current school over the ED school if given the option.

On the flip side, had DC been accepted to the ED school, I'm pretty sure that DC would have been very content there, too. And, as noted before, had DC been admitted to the ED school, DC would have avoided the stress and time of applying to a dozen other schools and then trying to make a decision in April. The whole RD process took a lot of time and mental energy during an already hectic senior year.

Here are some possible takeaways:

(1) ED rejections at highly selective schools are not necessarily predictive of admissions at other highly selective schools. There's a huge amount of unpredictable variability among admissions at schools with sub-10% admission rates. For example, just because one is rejected from Cornell in ED doesn't mean it's hopeless to apply to Princeton RD.

(2) To quote The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, "Don't panic." If you have a solid plan, don't let an ED rejection throw it off course. I'm glad my DC didn't ED2 anywhere, although it was very tempting in the moment.

(3) I think most kids are likely to make a more-informed college decision in RD than ED. There's a reasonable chance that your kid's preferences in a college will shift between November and April. They can also learn a lot at admitted students events.

(4) I am not advocating against ED. I think there are many positives to ED admissions, and at some schools it provides a meaningful boost. If nothing else, applying ED helped my DC get their application together much sooner.

Good luck, everyone!

With RD an applicant has more TIME to produce a better overall application.

ED is gamed for the wealthy and athletes.

My kid had most of their applications in by Nov 1&15. Made Thanksgiving and Dec much calmer. They held off on 2 (no EA and the RD deadline was early Jan) to wait and see if they needed to submit (ie if ED1 rejection or deferral). But everything was ready to go. Just didn't feel like paying the fees if ED1 was an acceptance. This all made Thanksgiving and Xmas much happier--other than the ED1 deferral. But for that, I told my kid "you have 24-48 hour to be upset, then it's time to move on, write a LOCI, submit the remaining RD and wait for responses." We didn't think it was good to get majorly upset with a non-acceptance for a T10 school with a 7% acceptance rate overall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:sign of the apocalypse- 1000 word essay on over involvement in kids life. people are just waaaay too involved in their kids lives - all the contemplation and planning, hand wringing and obsession. Get a life folks

Students need parental involvement in large part due to the high cost of a college degree that can last for decades if significant student loans are involved.

[Anonymous]

This thread would be more interesting if OP named the school's involved. Being rejected from a school ED with a sub-10% admit rate, then being accepted to four schools RD with lower admit rates than the ED school is a bit hard to believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was a great post, but most kids are not getting into 90 percent of their reaches these days. Your kid did exceptionally well. Some kids will only get into their targets and likelies so be ready to celebrate that as well.

Yes, best way to alleviate some of the stress is for the kid to have a safety they truly like and would be happy attending. This advice is repeated all the time on this forum but it’s so true. No one wants to come across as pessimistic for anybody’s kids, but it can make what can be a cruel process feel a little less cruel.

This. My son has 3 really good options already, 3 big state schools where he would thrive including an honors college. Hang on people- the next few weeks are going to be a lot. When the dust settles, they’ll all go somewhere!

[Anonymous]

I’m the PP and want to thank the OP for the time taken to write that post. Very helpful advice!

Question/ does this apply at all to EA? My son’s top choices are all EA. He did throw in one REA for curiosity, the rest are all strong state schools. Do the UT, UMich, UF, UG, UNC, UVAs of the world do a lot of deferring?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the PP and want to thank the OP for the time taken to write that post. Very helpful advice!

Question/ does this apply at all to EA? My son’s top choices are all EA. He did throw in one REA for curiosity, the rest are all strong state schools. Do the UT, UMich, UF, UG, UNC, UVAs of the world do a lot of deferring?

Exactly what is the "very helpful advice" ?

To apply RD if rejected ED ????

[Anonymous]

Are you saying that some schools paid for your child to fly out and visit? What schools do this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you saying that some schools paid for your child to fly out and visit? What schools do this?

Maybe if OP’s kid is URM but otherwise no.

[Anonymous]

People are so nasty. Not surprised, but still. Thanks for taking the time to write this thoughtful post. It is reassuring to hear that it all works out for at least some who are outright rejected!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:sign of the apocalypse- 1000 word essay on over involvement in kids life. people are just waaaay too involved in their kids lives - all the contemplation and planning, hand wringing and obsession. Get a life folks

This is not over-involvement. College is a gigantic investment for parents. Only a fool would not be involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:sign of the apocalypse- 1000 word essay on over involvement in kids life. people are just waaaay too involved in their kids lives - all the contemplation and planning, hand wringing and obsession. Get a life folks

This is not over-involvement. College is a gigantic investment for parents. Only a fool would not be involved.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the PP and want to thank the OP for the time taken to write that post. Very helpful advice!

Question/ does this apply at all to EA? My son’s top choices are all EA. He did throw in one REA for curiosity, the rest are all strong state schools. Do the UT, UMich, UF, UG, UNC, UVAs of the world do a lot of deferring?

Don’t know about UT, UF does not defer anyone. The rest do defer (UNC waitlists) and Michigan in particular defers many.