s/o college- where was your kid denied acceptance that surprised you?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I said Harvard STOPPED E.D.

Not a single school we toured this year offers E.D. anymore, only E.A. We went E.A. to one school and then accepted right away, which was a much-needed stress reducer in this family.

[Anonymous]

Harvard had EA, not ED, before 2006: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/12/education/12harvard.html?_r=0

[Anonymous]

That's exactly what it says in the wikipedia piece I posted. EA stopped 2006.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I said Harvard STOPPED E.D.

Not a single school we toured this year offers E.D. anymore, only E.A. We went E.A. to one school and then accepted right away, which was a much-needed stress reducer in this family.

Some top schools definitely have ED. I could have this wrong, but I think it looks something like this (close approximation, feel free to correct me):

Single Choice Early Action
- Yale
- Harvard

Binding Early Decision
- Princeton
- Columbia

[Anonymous]

Princeton is single choice early action.

[Anonymous]

Columbia is definitely binding early decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I said Harvard STOPPED E.D.

Not a single school we toured this year offers E.D. anymore, only E.A. We went E.A. to one school and then accepted right away, which was a much-needed stress reducer in this family.

Some top schools definitely have ED. I could have this wrong, but I think it looks something like this (close approximation, feel free to correct me):

Single Choice Early Action
- Yale
- Harvard

Binding Early Decision
- Princeton
- Columbia

This is funny to read, when you ascribe the more common meaning to "ED."

[Anonymous]

Don't forget ED2. Just one more confusing option. Lots of SLACs/NYU type schools offer this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't forget ED2. Just one more confusing option. Lots of SLACs/NYU type schools offer this.

Or even regular old Early Action (nonbinding, they just let you know early if you get your application in by the early deadline). Lots of schools that may not be first choices for the higher achievers offer this. It's a good thing to do just so you have something in hand, in case you get waitlisted in the first round of EDs and Single Choice EAs.

[Anonymous]

I was stunned when DS was denied entrance to my alma mater, MIT, last year. 4 AP classes, National Merit scholar, played soccer all through HS. He ended up going to Carnegie Mellon. At the end I am happy. It's a much cozier school for him and he is thriving. Plus, it's so cheap to live there. DS wants to rent an apartment next year with his buddies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was stunned when DS was denied entrance to my alma mater, MIT, last year. 4 AP classes, National Merit scholar, played soccer all through HS. He ended up going to Carnegie Mellon. At the end I am happy. It's a much cozier school for him and he is thriving. Plus, it's so cheap to live there. DS wants to rent an apartment next year with his buddies.

Love Pittsburgh! I graduated from CMU a long time ago. DS is at Pitt, in a house with buddies and pays $350/month rent. He loves it. Funny how things have a way of working out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was stunned when DS was denied entrance to my alma mater, MIT, last year. 4 AP classes, National Merit scholar, played soccer all through HS. He ended up going to Carnegie Mellon. At the end I am happy. It's a much cozier school for him and he is thriving. Plus, it's so cheap to live there. DS wants to rent an apartment next year with his buddies.

Carnegie Mellon sounds like a great fit. But were you really stunned about MIT? My DC plays soccer and 2 other Varsity sports, 9 APs, just short of natl merit, very high GPA and lots of other extra currics and he isn't even applying to MIT because it is so selective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was stunned when DS was denied entrance to my alma mater, MIT, last year. 4 AP classes, National Merit scholar, played soccer all through HS. He ended up going to Carnegie Mellon. At the end I am happy. It's a much cozier school for him and he is thriving. Plus, it's so cheap to live there. DS wants to rent an apartment next year with his buddies.

Carnegie Mellon sounds like a great fit. But were you really stunned about MIT? My DC plays soccer and 2 other Varsity sports, 9 APs, just short of natl merit, very high GPA and lots of other extra currics and he isn't even applying to MIT because it is so selective.

Until they go through it once, most parents just don't get how selective college admissions has become. They use the college admissions process 15 years ago as a guide. Big mistake. It seems like you have to have a nationally recognized talent or ability or another hook to get into the very, very top schools. The National Merit Scholar I know (also captain of varsity team and class president) who wanted to get into a top 5 LAC applied ED because he didn't think he'd be competitive otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was stunned when DS was denied entrance to my alma mater, MIT, last year. 4 AP classes, National Merit scholar, played soccer all through HS. He ended up going to Carnegie Mellon. At the end I am happy. It's a much cozier school for him and he is thriving. Plus, it's so cheap to live there. DS wants to rent an apartment next year with his buddies.

Carnegie Mellon sounds like a great fit. But were you really stunned about MIT? My DC plays soccer and 2 other Varsity sports, 9 APs, just short of natl merit, very high GPA and lots of other extra currics and he isn't even applying to MIT because it is so selective.

Well, he was a legacy and a National Merit Scholar (which relies on high grades as well right?) so I can see being somewhat surprised.

[Anonymous]

MIT is probably one of the last few universities where it is harder for boys to get in than girls. Most universities have to really strive to find enough boys on par with girls nowadays, but MIT is one where it still has more guys applying. So, it's going to be really hard for a normal white boy to be accepted...and if he's Asian...forget it! AA boys would have a very great chance.