advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids a junior and, so far, really likes the LACs we've seen including Bowdoin and Middlebury. Prefers them over the medium and large schools we've seen. Touring Williams, Colgate, Hamilton, etc this February break.

Kid is not an athlete and only hook is coming from a good private.

Wondering if there's any use in trying to discern a favorite for ED purposes. Or doing the opposite - reminding kid that there's no advantage to EDing if not an athlete so let's keep our hearts open.

But truth is, I dont know if there is or is not an advantage to EDing to these schools as a non-athlete. Not concerned with getting into the Hamilton-tier schools. Naviance makes those look pretty safe. Student has stats, grades, pointing interest with national awards .. the application will be strong in time for an ED. I just don't know if it's worth it for the most competitive places like Williams and Bowdoin.

Midd is a huge advantage applying ED. Takes 70% of class that way. Add in flexibility for Feb. admit and kid is in. Not sure what you mean by Hamilton-tier schools, which Midd is definitely a part of: Midd is an easier admit ED than Hamilton.

Bowdoin and Williams are a decided disadvantage ED.

hamilton is a much much easier admit from our HS. I do think all these schools have their favorite high schools. williams must lean heavily on LORs because they do seem to get the one kid each year who is thought of as the most intellectually driven. very life of the mind. midd is a easier admit ED from our HS, but I can't tell which of those kids are athetes. we dont have many all-state athletes, but maybe that's not needed for d3

[Anonymous]

It goes without saying to check Naviance from your high school and to discuss the schools with your counselor; but it should also go without saying that a sole focus on imperfect individual high school data is a mistake. Trends are changing quite a bit the last couple years: ignore general trends at your peril.

In general, Williams, Amherst, and Bowdoin are a disadvantage ED.
In general, Midd is an advantage (a big one).
In general, Hamilton and Colgate are still an advantage ED (Colgate more than Hamilton), just not Midd level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ED helps for sure. If you know you want a slac, it would be stupid to only apply RD.

You can delve into the data, but even after you subtract athletes, the admissions rate is still higher. Secondly, applying ED signals that it’s your first choice and if you are deferred, gives you a slightly better shot within the regular RD pool.

[Anonymous]

It's a benefit to be from a private/feeder, but these schools care about yield if you're from a one of these school.

So check out naviance - especially last years numbers. if Bowdoin took 5 kids from your HS last year and none went AND it was my top choice, I'd ED there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ED helps for sure. If you know you want a slac, it would be stupid to only apply RD.

You can delve into the data, but even after you subtract athletes, the admissions rate is still higher. Secondly, applying ED signals that it’s your first choice and if you are deferred, gives you a slightly better shot within the regular RD pool.

No, Amherst, Bowdoin, and Williams unhooked is going to have a lower admit rate than RD. Period.

Sure, if you are deferred, they know you are likely to yield and it might help you with RD. But the RD unhooked rate is very low.

The point is not to maximize chances of getting into one school, i.e., Williams, but to maximize chances of getting into a top SLAC. By definition, the best way to do that is to apply ED1 (and ED2, if necessary) to SLACs where ED actually confers an advantage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

In general, Williams, Amherst, and Bowdoin are a disadvantage ED.

How can it be a disadvantage to do ED? Just cause its hard to get in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids a junior and, so far, really likes the LACs we've seen including Bowdoin and Middlebury. Prefers them over the medium and large schools we've seen. Touring Williams, Colgate, Hamilton, etc this February break.

Kid is not an athlete and only hook is coming from a good private.

Wondering if there's any use in trying to discern a favorite for ED purposes. Or doing the opposite - reminding kid that there's no advantage to EDing if not an athlete so let's keep our hearts open.

But truth is, I dont know if there is or is not an advantage to EDing to these schools as a non-athlete. Not concerned with getting into the Hamilton-tier schools. Naviance makes those look pretty safe. Student has stats, grades, pointing interest with national awards .. the application will be strong in time for an ED. I just don't know if it's worth it for the most competitive places like Williams and Bowdoin.

Midd is a huge advantage applying ED. Takes 70% of class that way. Add in flexibility for Feb. admit and kid is in. Not sure what you mean by Hamilton-tier schools, which Midd is definitely a part of: Midd is an easier admit ED than Hamilton.

Bowdoin and Williams are a decided disadvantage ED.

There is an advantage for ED at Midd because of it's size. It's real but not huge, maybe 3 or 4 points. Middlebury and Hamilton are definitely in the same tier along with Amherst, Bowdoin, and Williams. All are great schools where your kid will get a fantastic education. Admissions to these schools is quirky, they have HS that they favor and some that it seems like they don't. As I mentioned earlier for our HS the easiest admit is Williams at about 25% and the hardest Bowdoin where they haven't taken anyone in the past 4 years. Nobody has applied to Hamilton in the past 4 years so no info there.

We also get cross application data which is interesting. Amherst, Bowdoin, Middlebury, and Williams all cross apply heavily along with Brown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids a junior and, so far, really likes the LACs we've seen including Bowdoin and Middlebury. Prefers them over the medium and large schools we've seen. Touring Williams, Colgate, Hamilton, etc this February break.

Kid is not an athlete and only hook is coming from a good private.

Wondering if there's any use in trying to discern a favorite for ED purposes. Or doing the opposite - reminding kid that there's no advantage to EDing if not an athlete so let's keep our hearts open.

But truth is, I dont know if there is or is not an advantage to EDing to these schools as a non-athlete. Not concerned with getting into the Hamilton-tier schools. Naviance makes those look pretty safe. Student has stats, grades, pointing interest with national awards .. the application will be strong in time for an ED. I just don't know if it's worth it for the most competitive places like Williams and Bowdoin.

Midd is a huge advantage applying ED. Takes 70% of class that way. Add in flexibility for Feb. admit and kid is in. Not sure what you mean by Hamilton-tier schools, which Midd is definitely a part of: Midd is an easier admit ED than Hamilton.

Bowdoin and Williams are a decided disadvantage ED.

There is an advantage for ED at Midd because of it's size. It's real but not huge, maybe 3 or 4 points. Middlebury and Hamilton are definitely in the same tier along with Amherst, Bowdoin, and Williams. All are great schools where your kid will get a fantastic education. Admissions to these schools is quirky, they have HS that they favor and some that it seems like they don't. As I mentioned earlier for our HS the easiest admit is Williams at about 25% and the hardest Bowdoin where they haven't taken anyone in the past 4 years. Nobody has applied to Hamilton in the past 4 years so no info there.

We also get cross application data which is interesting. Amherst, Bowdoin, Middlebury, and Williams all cross apply heavily along with Brown.

Stopped reading after the second sentence: if you think there is a only 3-4% advantage for an unhooked applying to Midd ED vs. RD, you are not worth listening to — about anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids a junior and, so far, really likes the LACs we've seen including Bowdoin and Middlebury. Prefers them over the medium and large schools we've seen. Touring Williams, Colgate, Hamilton, etc this February break.

Kid is not an athlete and only hook is coming from a good private.

Wondering if there's any use in trying to discern a favorite for ED purposes. Or doing the opposite - reminding kid that there's no advantage to EDing if not an athlete so let's keep our hearts open.

But truth is, I dont know if there is or is not an advantage to EDing to these schools as a non-athlete. Not concerned with getting into the Hamilton-tier schools. Naviance makes those look pretty safe. Student has stats, grades, pointing interest with national awards .. the application will be strong in time for an ED. I just don't know if it's worth it for the most competitive places like Williams and Bowdoin.

Midd is a huge advantage applying ED. Takes 70% of class that way. Add in flexibility for Feb. admit and kid is in. Not sure what you mean by Hamilton-tier schools, which Midd is definitely a part of: Midd is an easier admit ED than Hamilton.

Bowdoin and Williams are a decided disadvantage ED.

There is an advantage for ED at Midd because of it's size. It's real but not huge, maybe 3 or 4 points. Middlebury and Hamilton are definitely in the same tier along with Amherst, Bowdoin, and Williams. All are great schools where your kid will get a fantastic education. Admissions to these schools is quirky, they have HS that they favor and some that it seems like they don't. As I mentioned earlier for our HS the easiest admit is Williams at about 25% and the hardest Bowdoin where they haven't taken anyone in the past 4 years. Nobody has applied to Hamilton in the past 4 years so no info there.

We also get cross application data which is interesting. Amherst, Bowdoin, Middlebury, and Williams all cross apply heavily along with Brown.

Stopped reading after the second sentence: if you think there is a only 3-4% advantage for an unhooked applying to Midd ED vs. RD, you are not worth listening to — about anything.

Compared to their overall rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It goes without saying to check Naviance from your high school and to discuss the schools with your counselor; but it should also go without saying that a sole focus on imperfect individual high school data is a mistake. Trends are changing quite a bit the last couple years: ignore general trends at your peril.

In general, Williams, Amherst, and Bowdoin are a disadvantage ED.
In general, Midd is an advantage (a big one).
In general, Hamilton and Colgate are still an advantage ED (Colgate more than Hamilton), just not Midd level.

Poster is a troll. Most of their information is incorrect. Just disregard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids a junior and, so far, really likes the LACs we've seen including Bowdoin and Middlebury. Prefers them over the medium and large schools we've seen. Touring Williams, Colgate, Hamilton, etc this February break.

Kid is not an athlete and only hook is coming from a good private.

Wondering if there's any use in trying to discern a favorite for ED purposes. Or doing the opposite - reminding kid that there's no advantage to EDing if not an athlete so let's keep our hearts open.

But truth is, I dont know if there is or is not an advantage to EDing to these schools as a non-athlete. Not concerned with getting into the Hamilton-tier schools. Naviance makes those look pretty safe. Student has stats, grades, pointing interest with national awards .. the application will be strong in time for an ED. I just don't know if it's worth it for the most competitive places like Williams and Bowdoin.

Midd is a huge advantage applying ED. Takes 70% of class that way. Add in flexibility for Feb. admit and kid is in. Not sure what you mean by Hamilton-tier schools, which Midd is definitely a part of: Midd is an easier admit ED than Hamilton.

Bowdoin and Williams are a decided disadvantage ED.

According to Naviance, Bowdoin is an easier admit from our HS than Middlebury. Hamilton is far easier than Middlebury and Bowdoin (by a wide margin).

[Anonymous]

As the parent of two non-recruited kids who got into Midd ED for class of 28 and 30, I believe there is an ED bump. Bowdoin is very hard to get into ED due to its size, popularity, and athletic recruiting, I wonder if RD is easier there.

[Anonymous]

Disregard all the anecdata. It is absolutely school dependent. Pay attention to the data for your school, period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As the parent of two non-recruited kids who got into Midd ED for class of 28 and 30, I believe there is an ED bump. Bowdoin is very hard to get into ED due to its size, popularity, and athletic recruiting, I wonder if RD is easier there.

Out of curiosity, what were stats?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids a junior and, so far, really likes the LACs we've seen including Bowdoin and Middlebury. Prefers them over the medium and large schools we've seen. Touring Williams, Colgate, Hamilton, etc this February break.

Kid is not an athlete and only hook is coming from a good private.

Wondering if there's any use in trying to discern a favorite for ED purposes. Or doing the opposite - reminding kid that there's no advantage to EDing if not an athlete so let's keep our hearts open.

But truth is, I dont know if there is or is not an advantage to EDing to these schools as a non-athlete. Not concerned with getting into the Hamilton-tier schools. Naviance makes those look pretty safe. Student has stats, grades, pointing interest with national awards .. the application will be strong in time for an ED. I just don't know if it's worth it for the most competitive places like Williams and Bowdoin.

Both of my kids were admitted to very selective SLACs ED1. You can look at the data for ED admits vs RD, but I don't know of a way to get the athletes out. Still I do think it does help, but it also depends on the school. I think the SLACs (or at least some of them) also care very much about fit. Each of my (very different) kids are a very good fit for each of their (very different) SLACs.