If money was no object, what would you do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Child not willing to tour, but okay with writing essays and spending the application fee? Skewed thinking.

🤷🏾 Yes , I certainly would not want to apply without touring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We toured a lot of schools and my DC did a ton of virtual visits. The two schools that were VERY frank about wanting demonstrated interest were WM and Lehigh.

This is great to know. Thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A tale of 2 kids, OP. Both very bright, interesting kids. But also, different personalities and different interests. We saved, grandparents saved and each ended up with $250,000 “to start your adult lives”. And when admissions offers came in, we looked at the bottom line with them, and what would be left over as well as other pros and cons. But did not try to put our thumb on the scale.

Kid 1 chose to attend a Kenyon/Haverford peer school— private SLAC, with some merit. He’ll get out with no debt— but also not a lot of money left over.

Kid 2 chose WM and will come out with about 100k left.

Kid 1 got into WM and kid 2 got into Kid 1’s school. They just made different choices. And I am 100% certain that each kid made the right choice for them.

I would say, having done SLAC admissions x2– be careful with not visiting. Many SLACs, and certainly WM, place a lot of emphasis on demonstrated interest. My kids got into colleges I considered high matches where they visited, interviewed, did the “optional” essays, etc. The only schools they were rejected by were lower ranked schools where they didn’t demonstrate interest. Be aware of how much demonstrated interest matters to a given school and that some school yield protect. Not so much for big state Us. Quite a bit for SLACs that want “fit”.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Once they get admission (fingers crossed), we will definitely visit. They just didn't want to get their heart set on something and then it not work out.

The problem with demonstrated interest is that a kid is much more likely to get into a SLAC or WM if they… demonstrate interest. I get the urge to self protect. But the message it sends to schools is your kid doesn’t care enough about the school to learn about it or take the time to visit or interview. And therefore it’s a last choice/ filler and your kid is unlikely to attend. These schools care about yield.

I see. Maybe too late now, but perhaps we can go for a tour in January or try to schedule one to demonstrate interest. 😬

https://www.cappex.com/articles/applications/demonstrated-interest-in-college-admissions

There are lots of ways to demonstrate interest without setting foot on campus. Especially in a COVID world. Do a virtual info session and tour. Open emails they send (it’s tracked), most colleges have “interact with current students” options, etc. go to the website and look at the “connect with us” section. No connection is a problem. Because there are lots of ways to connect.

Definitely sign up for a virtual interview if it’s offered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We toured a lot of schools and my DC did a ton of virtual visits. The two schools that were VERY frank about wanting demonstrated interest were WM and Lehigh.

Of the insane number of schools we visited with 2 kids, WM was the most blunt. “We want kids who want us”. They give a big bump for ED, and expect demonstrated interest. My kid applied to Kenyon, and I know they are also big on demonstrated interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A tale of 2 kids, OP. Both very bright, interesting kids. But also, different personalities and different interests. We saved, grandparents saved and each ended up with $250,000 “to start your adult lives”. And when admissions offers came in, we looked at the bottom line with them, and what would be left over as well as other pros and cons. But did not try to put our thumb on the scale.

Kid 1 chose to attend a Kenyon/Haverford peer school— private SLAC, with some merit. He’ll get out with no debt— but also not a lot of money left over.

Kid 2 chose WM and will come out with about 100k left.

Kid 1 got into WM and kid 2 got into Kid 1’s school. They just made different choices. And I am 100% certain that each kid made the right choice for them.

I would say, having done SLAC admissions x2– be careful with not visiting. Many SLACs, and certainly WM, place a lot of emphasis on demonstrated interest. My kids got into colleges I considered high matches where they visited, interviewed, did the “optional” essays, etc. The only schools they were rejected by were lower ranked schools where they didn’t demonstrate interest. Be aware of how much demonstrated interest matters to a given school and that some school yield protect. Not so much for big state Us. Quite a bit for SLACs that want “fit”.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Once they get admission (fingers crossed), we will definitely visit. They just didn't want to get their heart set on something and then it not work out.

The problem with demonstrated interest is that a kid is much more likely to get into a SLAC or WM if they… demonstrate interest. I get the urge to self protect. But the message it sends to schools is your kid doesn’t care enough about the school to learn about it or take the time to visit or interview. And therefore it’s a last choice/ filler and your kid is unlikely to attend. These schools care about yield.

OP I disagree with this poster. In the past it might have hurt at some schools and only the margin, but with the pandemic colleges are not going to hold not visiting against anyone. I think your strategy of waiting to visit is a good one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A tale of 2 kids, OP. Both very bright, interesting kids. But also, different personalities and different interests. We saved, grandparents saved and each ended up with $250,000 “to start your adult lives”. And when admissions offers came in, we looked at the bottom line with them, and what would be left over as well as other pros and cons. But did not try to put our thumb on the scale.

Kid 1 chose to attend a Kenyon/Haverford peer school— private SLAC, with some merit. He’ll get out with no debt— but also not a lot of money left over.

Kid 2 chose WM and will come out with about 100k left.

Kid 1 got into WM and kid 2 got into Kid 1’s school. They just made different choices. And I am 100% certain that each kid made the right choice for them.

I would say, having done SLAC admissions x2– be careful with not visiting. Many SLACs, and certainly WM, place a lot of emphasis on demonstrated interest. My kids got into colleges I considered high matches where they visited, interviewed, did the “optional” essays, etc. The only schools they were rejected by were lower ranked schools where they didn’t demonstrate interest. Be aware of how much demonstrated interest matters to a given school and that some school yield protect. Not so much for big state Us. Quite a bit for SLACs that want “fit”.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Once they get admission (fingers crossed), we will definitely visit. They just didn't want to get their heart set on something and then it not work out.

The problem with demonstrated interest is that a kid is much more likely to get into a SLAC or WM if they… demonstrate interest. I get the urge to self protect. But the message it sends to schools is your kid doesn’t care enough about the school to learn about it or take the time to visit or interview. And therefore it’s a last choice/ filler and your kid is unlikely to attend. These schools care about yield.

I see. Maybe too late now, but perhaps we can go for a tour in January or try to schedule one to demonstrate interest. 😬

No need to do that. Seriously. No only is that poster wrong, most colleges probably won't even want you visiting in January in the middle of omicron. I get that she "has worked in admissions," but if she's not working in admissions currently the advice is dated and doesn't apply today.

[Anonymous]

If you live in the DMV and a current senior, you probably could have easily visited, say the Pennsylvania schools over the summer or fall, even if you opted to stay outside and not do an info session. So I still think visiting will have helped at DI schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you live in the DMV and a current senior, you probably could have easily visited, say the Pennsylvania schools over the summer or fall, even if you opted to stay outside and not do an info session. So I still think visiting will have helped at DI schools.

Seeing new post, I agree that schools will not want visitors this January.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A tale of 2 kids, OP. Both very bright, interesting kids. But also, different personalities and different interests. We saved, grandparents saved and each ended up with $250,000 “to start your adult lives”. And when admissions offers came in, we looked at the bottom line with them, and what would be left over as well as other pros and cons. But did not try to put our thumb on the scale.

Kid 1 chose to attend a Kenyon/Haverford peer school— private SLAC, with some merit. He’ll get out with no debt— but also not a lot of money left over.

Kid 2 chose WM and will come out with about 100k left.

Kid 1 got into WM and kid 2 got into Kid 1’s school. They just made different choices. And I am 100% certain that each kid made the right choice for them.

I would say, having done SLAC admissions x2– be careful with not visiting. Many SLACs, and certainly WM, place a lot of emphasis on demonstrated interest. My kids got into colleges I considered high matches where they visited, interviewed, did the “optional” essays, etc. The only schools they were rejected by were lower ranked schools where they didn’t demonstrate interest. Be aware of how much demonstrated interest matters to a given school and that some school yield protect. Not so much for big state Us. Quite a bit for SLACs that want “fit”.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Once they get admission (fingers crossed), we will definitely visit. They just didn't want to get their heart set on something and then it not work out.

The problem with demonstrated interest is that a kid is much more likely to get into a SLAC or WM if they… demonstrate interest. I get the urge to self protect. But the message it sends to schools is your kid doesn’t care enough about the school to learn about it or take the time to visit or interview. And therefore it’s a last choice/ filler and your kid is unlikely to attend. These schools care about yield.

I see. Maybe too late now, but perhaps we can go for a tour in January or try to schedule one to demonstrate interest. 😬

https://www.cappex.com/articles/applications/demonstrated-interest-in-college-admissions

There are lots of ways to demonstrate interest without setting foot on campus. Especially in a COVID world. Do a virtual info session and tour. Open emails they send (it’s tracked), most colleges have “interact with current students” options, etc. go to the website and look at the “connect with us” section. No connection is a problem. Because there are lots of ways to connect.

Definitely sign up for a virtual interview if it’s offered.

Excellent advice. OP, don't fall for scare tactics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you live in the DMV and a current senior, you probably could have easily visited, say the Pennsylvania schools over the summer or fall, even if you opted to stay outside and not do an info session. So I still think visiting will have helped at DI schools.

And I think you're wrong about that.

[Anonymous]

At the Lehigh tour in June the admissions officer said twice “You are helping your application by just sitting here in this hot tent.”

Yes, compared to the years right before covid NOT visiting in person will hurt you less but it still helps at many schools.

At our high school’s college parent night, the UVA person said that now because everything is offered virtually they expect students to have more contact than ever with admissions officers, especially via email exchanges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At the Lehigh tour in June the admissions officer said twice “You are helping your application by just sitting here in this hot tent.”

Yes, compared to the years right before covid NOT visiting in person will hurt you less but it still helps at many schools.

At our high school’s college parent night, the UVA person said that now because everything is offered virtually they expect students to have more contact than ever with admissions officers, especially via email exchanges.

See, here you are absolutely, 100 percent spreading misinformation. UVA could not be more clear to its applicants that they do not consider demonstrated interest AT ALL when evaluating applications. AT ALL. So far as they are concerned, by applying you are demonstrating interest.

Here's the proof from the school itself.

Q: Does is matter if a student has a "demonstrated interest" in UVA before applying?

A: UVA does not use demonstrated interest at all.

https://news.virginia.edu/content/uvas-dean-j-answers-common-admission-questions

This is made perfectly clear more recently here:

http://uvaapplication.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-role-of-demonstrated-interest-in.html

It is also made abundantly clear on UVA's Common Data Set.

If you're not going to take them at their word, you're a conspiracy theorist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Culturally these schools are pretty different. My (possibly incorrect) impression of Haverford is a lot of preppy kids who sail in the summer vs Kenyon is more leftist and hippie. What does your kid think? I think you really need to do more campus touring, these schools are similar in ranking but not very similar otherwise.

The bolded bits are correct. Everything else in this post is wrong. Impressively so, in fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At the Lehigh tour in June the admissions officer said twice “You are helping your application by just sitting here in this hot tent.”

Yes, compared to the years right before covid NOT visiting in person will hurt you less but it still helps at many schools.

At our high school’s college parent night, the UVA person said that now because everything is offered virtually they expect students to have more contact than ever with admissions officers, especially via email exchanges.

PP here again. In fact, UVA's admissions office FLATLY contradicts exactly this in the link I just posted.

"Unfortunately, there are some students who have been advised to start a mail or email campaign in conjunction with applying to UVA . . . I wish people wouldn't feel pressured to spend time on something that doesn't move the needle in our review process."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Don’t take a scholarship at a third-rate LAC over in-state tuition at W&M.

I didn't realize they would be considered third rate. 😔 . I am wondering if doing ED at W&M would have been the better path. Oh well. Too late now!

Yes, if you’re in VA, your DC should have applied ED to W&M. You should check now whether he can switch his application from RD to ED2.