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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]For the class of 2029, Colby College had over 20,000 applications-that is almost 0.75 to double that of all the WASP colleges, and its acceptance rate is comparable to the most competitive lacs Pomona and Swarthmore! Is Colby going to climb the ranks as the most prestigious liberal arts college? It has the endowment, outcomes, and now application total to back it![/quote]

Colby does not have any supplemental essays and it requries zero interviews or videos. That is why it garners so many applications. Similar to why Northeastern gets so many applications, it's easy to apply. Almost like checking a box. They are trying to artificially get their admission rate down by focusing on tactics to increase the denominator (# of total applications).

Contrast that to another fairly competitive LAC (Claremont Mckenna) that isn't looking to increase total number of applicants at the expense of fit. They vet very thoroughly, they ask for 2 supplemental essays, and request either a video asking where you answer a 3rd prompt or strongly recommends doing an interview with a member of their community. My DS did all 4 things. It takes a lot of effort to apply.

Carleton also has multiple supplemental essays and an interview.

[b]Colby is following the Northeastern model of "check the box" application.[/b]

[/quote]

I'm sure Colby is a great school, but I doubt it would make many top ten LAC lists and be rated #10, much less #1 like OP is trying to say lol.

I think the actual top 7 LACs are these ones: Williams, Amherst, Pomona, Swat, Bowdoin, CMC, and Wellesley.

Next tier would be: Harvey Mudd, Carleton, Davidson. That rounds up the top ten LACs.

Arguably, 1-2 next tier could also push up higher: Barnard, Middlebury, Hamilton, Haverford, Smith. Maybe Colby could fight its way into this group. But certainly not the top 7.

Following that [/quote]

CMC has never been close to the top group that you have listed, it has traditionally floated 9-11. You have 6 of the historically top 7 correct, Middlebury is the 7th and Carleton is number 8. Haverford, Davidson, Smith, W&L, Wesleyan, and Grinnell have traditionally filled out the group considered to be the "top SLACs". The truth is none of them are any better than any of the others, they are all universally excellent.

Colby has mostly sat in the 20's with periodic rises into the high teens. A very good school but not in the first bunch.[/quote]
CMC has risen due to a very strong president that has directed the school with strong alumni outcomes and a strong community which means alumni invest back into the college. It’s growing its endowment very quickly, and is tied with Pomona and Wellesley currently. It’s a rising star because it has cracked the code to being a top lac and being career-driven/forward.[/quote]

True CMC seems to be gaining steam by focusing on what they do well even better. They aren't trying to game their admission rate by making it easier or free to apply. In fact, their application process is pretty tiring if you do apply: 2 custom essays, interview, video, etc. They are also one of the few LACS that announced a return to test required. But I guess they are really focused on vetting and fit. They've also fundraised like crazy and have a decent endowment (around $1.5 Billion despite only have 1200 students).

I agree on Colby. They also seem to be doing a lot of shenanigans to look like a top school by gaming admission rate with free apps, no essays/interviews, etc.[/quote]

CMC is great, but no need to overinflated their endowment. The latest reported by the school is $1.24B.[/quote]

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