Yale breaks own record with # of applications for 2016

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Again, I don't think the interviews influence acceptances.

But I think that when I see these attributes in interviews, they're also highly likely to be reflected in other aspects of the application. I've certainly seen them in paperwork before (e.g. in fellowship and grad admissions). And their presence was striking in my HYP cohort (certainly more striking than intelligence or commitment to academics).

Re is it developmental? In some cases. But, honestly, most adults never develop it. Sure, some kids get it later and some lose it (or only appeared to have it because they matured earlier than the rest of their cohort).

I also think there's an environmental/cultural component. We've made doing the needful such a burden/drain that, honestly, it's much harder for kids caught up in this frenzy to find the time and energy to explore and develop their own interests and goals.

There's a whole interesting side conversation to be had about race/class/privilege, but those conversations get so ugly on DCUM that I'm not sure I want to go there in this forum.

It's also parental too. There are many students who I have interviewed who I suspect would have bloomed more with the right encouragement, and frankly, it is just unfair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Again, I don't think the interviews influence acceptances.

But I think that when I see these attributes in interviews, they're also highly likely to be reflected in other aspects of the application. I've certainly seen them in paperwork before (e.g. in fellowship and grad admissions). And their presence was striking in my HYP cohort (certainly more striking than intelligence or commitment to academics).

Re is it developmental? In some cases. But, honestly, most adults never develop it. Sure, some kids get it later and some lose it (or only appeared to have it because they matured earlier than the rest of their cohort).

I also think there's an environmental/cultural component. We've made doing the needful such a burden/drain that, honestly, it's much harder for kids caught up in this frenzy to find the time and energy to explore and develop their own interests and goals.

There's a whole interesting side conversation to be had about race/class/privilege, but those conversations get so ugly on DCUM that I'm not sure I want to go there in this forum.

It is a composite, and everything counts. To discount one opportunity to make the right impression is foolhardy when the odds are 20 to 1 against you. No formula. No simple reduction. That said, don't flub what could be a positive checkmark, or a black ball if you just go through the motions with thousands of similarly credentialed waiting in the wings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, I don't think the interviews influence acceptances.

But I think that when I see these attributes in interviews, they're also highly likely to be reflected in other aspects of the application. I've certainly seen them in paperwork before (e.g. in fellowship and grad admissions). And their presence was striking in my HYP cohort (certainly more striking than intelligence or commitment to academics).

Re is it developmental? In some cases. But, honestly, most adults never develop it. Sure, some kids get it later and some lose it (or only appeared to have it because they matured earlier than the rest of their cohort).

I also think there's an environmental/cultural component. We've made doing the needful such a burden/drain that, honestly, it's much harder for kids caught up in this frenzy to find the time and energy to explore and develop their own interests and goals.

There's a whole interesting side conversation to be had about race/class/privilege, but those conversations get so ugly on DCUM that I'm not sure I want to go there in this forum.

It is a composite, and everything counts. To discount one opportunity to make the right impression is foolhardy when the odds are 20 to 1 against you. No formula. No simple reduction. That said, don't flub what could be a positive checkmark, or a black ball if you just go through the motions with thousands of similarly credentialed waiting in the wings.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I interview and most alumni interviews don't matter. The school doesn't even pretend like it matters, and pretty much treats it like an opportunity to keep alumni involved. However, some alumni have more clout than others, and the interviews are randomly assigned, so it could be that your kid's interview is the one that counts.

[Anonymous]

My kid passed on the optional interview at a highly selective school and got in EA. True of a classmate as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid passed on the optional interview at a highly selective school and got in EA. True of a classmate as well.

When the time comes, I am not encouraging my child to interview with an alum. There just doesn't seem to be any real benefit to it other than learning more about the school. But sitting there with an alum to stroke their ego is a waste of time.

My niece interviewed with a Harvard alum at their office and spent the entire time answer questions about niece's private school and what they were doing to date in comparison to the Harvard alum's private high school. According to my niece, it was more a "my (alum's) high school was better than yours, blah, blah, blah...." Niece did not get into Harvard but is quite happy at Yale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid passed on the optional interview at a highly selective school and got in EA. True of a classmate as well.

When the time comes, I am not encouraging my child to interview with an alum. There just doesn't seem to be any real benefit to it other than learning more about the school. But sitting there with an alum to stroke their ego is a waste of time.

My niece interviewed with a Harvard alum at their office and spent the entire time answer questions about niece's private school and what they were doing to date in comparison to the Harvard alum's private high school. According to my niece, it was more a "my (alum's) high school was better than yours, blah, blah, blah...." Niece did not get into Harvard but is quite happy at Yale.

Nice rationalization, sour grapes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how many here bought a lottery ticket when it was a billion dollars?

Same with colleges. You have to be in it to win it.

Just like the lottery, daydream but realistically know that you won't win....but who knows? Same with high reach colleges. People need to just keep everything in perspective and remain realistic (if possible).

Well said.

[Anonymous]

I've never seen people spend thousands of dollars and force their kids to spend hundreds of hours prepping to buy a lottery ticket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never seen people spend thousands of dollars and force their kids to spend hundreds of hours prepping to buy a lottery ticket.

Goodness. That was not the point the poster was making. Your cmoment is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've never seen people spend thousands of dollars and force their kids to spend hundreds of hours prepping to buy a lottery ticket.

Goodness. That was not the point the poster was making. Your cmoment is ridiculous.

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