Sober Advice from a Georgia Tech Admissions Officer on Admissions This Year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the "experts" are predicting massive use of WL (which may drag on into the summer).

Hang on for a wild ride, folks! Yield forecasting is a mess this year.

Why would it go into the summer? I figured a ton of WL movement through June 1 and then most kids won’t be switching around. I get the idea of a cascading WL (one person moving off a WL creates a spot at school they are declining), but don’t the kids have to decide in a few days if they are accepting the spot? Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hasn't this ALWAYS been the case with waitlists? Thousands put on them, a few come off. The Common Data Sets show this.

Right, the waitlist is their enrollment insurance policy. However, the size of the increase in applications to most selective schools is unprecedented, and many of the usual inputs to the colleges' yield algorithms have been severely compromised. There are additional algorithms for waitlist yield as well, as not everyone on the waitlist will decide to attend if accepted. Those working in admissions, such as the author of the article in the OP, are straight up telling us that they will be using their waitlist to arrive at their target enrollment, so that they don't overshoot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the "experts" are predicting massive use of WL (which may drag on into the summer).

Hang on for a wild ride, folks! Yield forecasting is a mess this year.

Why would it go into the summer? I figured a ton of WL movement through June 1 and then most kids won’t be switching around. I get the idea of a cascading WL (one person moving off a WL creates a spot at school they are declining), but don’t the kids have to decide in a few days if they are accepting the spot? Any thoughts?

I think the number of days varies by school - could even be up to a week, so they probably put out WL offers in batches. The additional issue is that most kids haven't visited many of their schools, which makes it that much more difficult to decide.

How long it drags out remains to be seen. This AO is telling us to expect it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hasn't this ALWAYS been the case with waitlists? Thousands put on them, a few come off. The Common Data Sets show this.

Right, the waitlist is their enrollment insurance policy. However, the size of the increase in applications to most selective schools is unprecedented, and many of the usual inputs to the colleges' yield algorithms have been severely compromised. There are additional algorithms for waitlist yield as well, as not everyone on the waitlist will decide to attend if accepted. Those working in admissions, such as the author of the article in the OP, are straight up telling us that they will be using their waitlist to arrive at their target enrollment, so that they don't overshoot.

I just think it's silly to get more up in arms over this. Waitlists are always big. Most people won't get off them. Everyone already knows this year is different. Our kids are worried enough about that. I don't think we need to pile it on. It's not healthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the "experts" are predicting massive use of WL (which may drag on into the summer).

Hang on for a wild ride, folks! Yield forecasting is a mess this year.

Why would it go into the summer? I figured a ton of WL movement through June 1 and then most kids won’t be switching around. I get the idea of a cascading WL (one person moving off a WL creates a spot at school they are declining), but don’t the kids have to decide in a few days if they are accepting the spot? Any thoughts?

I think the number of days varies by school - could even be up to a week, so they probably put out WL offers in batches. The additional issue is that most kids haven't visited many of their schools, which makes it that much more difficult to decide.

How long it drags out remains to be seen. This AO is telling us to expect it.

I have already told my DC that they need to think about how long they are willing to wait to make a final decision on a school. Getting off the WL in early May is a lot different than getting off in late June. In June, you have already found a roommate, committed mentally to a school, etc. It is hard to change paths in the summer! I feel for these kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hasn't this ALWAYS been the case with waitlists? Thousands put on them, a few come off. The Common Data Sets show this.

Right, the waitlist is their enrollment insurance policy. However, the size of the increase in applications to most selective schools is unprecedented, and many of the usual inputs to the colleges' yield algorithms have been severely compromised. There are additional algorithms for waitlist yield as well, as not everyone on the waitlist will decide to attend if accepted. Those working in admissions, such as the author of the article in the OP, are straight up telling us that they will be using their waitlist to arrive at their target enrollment, so that they don't overshoot.

I just think it's silly to get more up in arms over this. Waitlists are always big. Most people won't get off them. Everyone already knows this year is different. Our kids are worried enough about that. I don't think we need to pile it on. It's not healthy.

Pile on? I don't see anyone up in arms. OP article is one of those flashing roadsigns on the highway saying "Expect Delays," that's all. It may be prudent to anticipate the possibility of not having everything sorted out in the normal timeframe. If there's one thing we've learned this year, it's to expect the unexpected. We are all craving certainty right now, but the OP article is saying that for some, patience might potentially lead to more opportunities.

[Anonymous]

I thought the AO's second point--that colleges might be more accommodating with admitted students this year--was an interesting one. Had not seen that before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the "experts" are predicting massive use of WL (which may drag on into the summer).

Hang on for a wild ride, folks! Yield forecasting is a mess this year.

Why would it go into the summer? I figured a ton of WL movement through June 1 and then most kids won’t be switching around. I get the idea of a cascading WL (one person moving off a WL creates a spot at school they are declining), but don’t the kids have to decide in a few days if they are accepting the spot? Any thoughts?

I think the number of days varies by school - could even be up to a week, so they probably put out WL offers in batches. The additional issue is that most kids haven't visited many of their schools, which makes it that much more difficult to decide.

How long it drags out remains to be seen. This AO is telling us to expect it.

I have already told my DC that they need to think about how long they are willing to wait to make a final decision on a school. Getting off the WL in early May is a lot different than getting off in late June. In June, you have already found a roommate, committed mentally to a school, etc. It is hard to change paths in the summer! I feel for these kids.

Fwiw and to the point about last minute decisions, I got off the wait list at an Ivy League law school in August many years ago. I already had paid my deposit to attend a solid, state law school and was looking for apartments in that town when I got the call. We literally turned around, packed and headed across the country. It was a hassle, sure, but I think attending that law school (and of course, doing well) made a ton of difference in the opportunities I've had over the years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ran across this blog post by the director of undergrad admissions at Georgia Tech,

https://sites.gatech.edu/admission-blog/2021/02/25/predicting-yield-in-2021-everyone-shorts-it/

His bottom-line advice is copied below.

1- If you applied to a handful of selective colleges, don’t be surprised if you get waitlisted this year. If you are so angry that you want to write them off, don’t accept your spot on the waitlist. If you can put your ego aside and temper expectations (since hundreds, or possibly thousands of other kids are also on the waitlist), deposit elsewhere and sit tight. Don’t expect to come off the waitlist, and don’t expect much financial aid if you do. In some cases, you will be pleasantly surprised on one or both counts. But set your expectations based on fiscal reality and statistics.

2- When you get accepted (or if you already have been) ask your questions. Colleges need students, now more than ever. Yield is what it’s all about and you are precious to the places that offered you a spot. Want to know about a deposit extension? Gap year policies? Financial aid reconsideration? Fall plans for course delivery? It’s all on the table, so ASK YOUR QUESTIONS!

If you just read these two paragraphs, it feels disgusting and GATech arrogant, but if you read the whole blog, not bad at all. The writer is more like jabbing the process in general and offering advice almost jokingly, not really speaking of GATech.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought the AO's second point--that colleges might be more accommodating with admitted students this year--was an interesting one. Had not seen that before.

They all do that once they admit students. They switch into woo-ing mode to actually recruit the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ran across this blog post by the director of undergrad admissions at Georgia Tech,

https://sites.gatech.edu/admission-blog/2021/02/25/predicting-yield-in-2021-everyone-shorts-it/

His bottom-line advice is copied below.

1- If you applied to a handful of selective colleges, don’t be surprised if you get waitlisted this year. If you are so angry that you want to write them off, don’t accept your spot on the waitlist. If you can put your ego aside and temper expectations (since hundreds, or possibly thousands of other kids are also on the waitlist), deposit elsewhere and sit tight. Don’t expect to come off the waitlist, and don’t expect much financial aid if you do. In some cases, you will be pleasantly surprised on one or both counts. But set your expectations based on fiscal reality and statistics.

2- When you get accepted (or if you already have been) ask your questions. Colleges need students, now more than ever. Yield is what it’s all about and you are precious to the places that offered you a spot. Want to know about a deposit extension? Gap year policies? Financial aid reconsideration? Fall plans for course delivery? It’s all on the table, so ASK YOUR QUESTIONS!

If you just read these two paragraphs, it feels disgusting and GATech arrogant, but if you read the whole blog, not bad at all. The writer is more like jabbing the process in general and offering advice almost jokingly, not really speaking of GATech.

It may sound arrogant, but he speaks the truth. MANY high stats kids are upset when they are deferred or WL and write off the school. Just a fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach at a not very selective private college and applications are down by a staggering number. It is alarming. I hope that we see more students when they aren't admitted where they thought they would be, but not counting on it.

Obviously I don't know your school but these are the colleges that I am rooting for. The uber selective ones wiill always have students and most of these students would do great no matter where they attend due to family advantage. The less selective schools are more important to our society to provide post secondary education to our future workforce.

Not sure which one you teach at but many will fold. There are few people who have 50-80k a year to spend on a non elite university!

You vastly overestimate the cost of college, especially for people who don’t have a ton of money. Many/most of these schools discount very heavily. My non-elite student got acceptances from schools in the 50-80 LAC range with tuition discounts dropping total cost below $30k. I get the donut hole problem but if you aren’t getting a tuition discount you aren’t applying to the right colleges.

Thank you. This is the experience for my student too. She wanted smaller class size and a better looking campus than what certain state schools offer. The prices turned out similar or in cases less for the privates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the "experts" are predicting massive use of WL (which may drag on into the summer).

Hang on for a wild ride, folks! Yield forecasting is a mess this year.

Why would it go into the summer? I figured a ton of WL movement through June 1 and then most kids won’t be switching around. I get the idea of a cascading WL (one person moving off a WL creates a spot at school they are declining), but don’t the kids have to decide in a few days if they are accepting the spot? Any thoughts?

The cascading WL thing is such a good point. Schools with lots of WL movement would be wise to give out those offers as quickly as possible. At the same time, if they are extending deposit due dates for those who ask, it's more difficult to know how many more offers they can make. What a mess!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ran across this blog post by the director of undergrad admissions at Georgia Tech,

https://sites.gatech.edu/admission-blog/2021/02/25/predicting-yield-in-2021-everyone-shorts-it/

His bottom-line advice is copied below.

1- If you applied to a handful of selective colleges, don’t be surprised if you get waitlisted this year. If you are so angry that you want to write them off, don’t accept your spot on the waitlist. If you can put your ego aside and temper expectations (since hundreds, or possibly thousands of other kids are also on the waitlist), deposit elsewhere and sit tight. Don’t expect to come off the waitlist, and don’t expect much financial aid if you do. In some cases, you will be pleasantly surprised on one or both counts. But set your expectations based on fiscal reality and statistics.

2- When you get accepted (or if you already have been) ask your questions. Colleges need students, now more than ever. Yield is what it’s all about and you are precious to the places that offered you a spot. Want to know about a deposit extension? Gap year policies? Financial aid reconsideration? Fall plans for course delivery? It’s all on the table, so ASK YOUR QUESTIONS!

If you just read these two paragraphs, it feels disgusting and GATech arrogant, but if you read the whole blog, not bad at all. The writer is more like jabbing the process in general and offering advice almost jokingly, not really speaking of GATech.

It may sound arrogant, but he speaks the truth. MANY high stats kids are upset when they are deferred or WL and write off the school. Just a fact.

+1 Just look at the Virginia Tech EA discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the "experts" are predicting massive use of WL (which may drag on into the summer).

Hang on for a wild ride, folks! Yield forecasting is a mess this year.

Why would it go into the summer? I figured a ton of WL movement through June 1 and then most kids won’t be switching around. I get the idea of a cascading WL (one person moving off a WL creates a spot at school they are declining), but don’t the kids have to decide in a few days if they are accepting the spot? Any thoughts?

I think the number of days varies by school - could even be up to a week, so they probably put out WL offers in batches. The additional issue is that most kids haven't visited many of their schools, which makes it that much more difficult to decide.

How long it drags out remains to be seen. This AO is telling us to expect it.

I have already told my DC that they need to think about how long they are willing to wait to make a final decision on a school. Getting off the WL in early May is a lot different than getting off in late June. In June, you have already found a roommate, committed mentally to a school, etc. It is hard to change paths in the summer! I feel for these kids.

Fwiw and to the point about last minute decisions, I got off the wait list at an Ivy League law school in August many years ago. I already had paid my deposit to attend a solid, state law school and was looking for apartments in that town when I got the call. We literally turned around, packed and headed across the country. It was a hassle, sure, but I think attending that law school (and of course, doing well) made a ton of difference in the opportunities I've had over the years.

Same experience here. Was still able to enroll, find an apartment, etc. quickly. No regrets.