Anonymous wrote:They're emboldened by the test-optional policy and COVID-19=fewer internationals. There's more "shotgunning" of applications.

Duke ED had over 5K apps for 800-850 seats. AD said in an interview that they are shooting for 50% w/scores, 50% w/o.

It will be like that this year.

If anyone has an opinion to share, what do you think happens if a college compares student A, with high grades but does not submit a score, and student B, with "lower" grades (let's say mostly decent but with a few sketchy grades thrown in), but who also submits a high test score? We could go further in this hypothetical, with scenario 1, equal rigor, and scenario 2, different rigor. I think in scenario 2 with different rigor, the student with the better rigor is chosen for admission. But I'm not sure about scenario 1 with equal rigor.

Anonymous wrote:I work for an org that helps low-income students apply to college. Our students are really dispirited and applications will likely be down overall. Typically, our high academic achievers would complete an average of 10 applications, but it's been hard to convince students to apply to our usual mix of lesser known/strong financial aid schools.

What a shame, especially in this test-optional environment. Do they include a large proportion of URMs, or not really?

I work for an org that helps low-income students apply to college. Our students are really dispirited and applications will likely be down overall. Typically, our high academic achievers would complete an average of 10 applications, but it's been hard to convince students to apply to our usual mix of lesser known/strong financial aid schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't Brown one of the few schools to really aggressively bring students back to campus this year? I can see why that would spark an interest in applicants.

Not freshman in the fall. They delayed their start until the spring semester and who knows if that will happen.

RI is now on a two week "pause" which includes requiring all colleges to only offer courses online. The surge is very bad here right now. I can't imagine colleges and universities will be back in person by mid-Jan.

Boston College ED came out yesterday and only 42% of those admitted submitted scores.

They're emboldened by the test-optional policy and COVID-19=fewer internationals. There's more "shotgunning" of applications.

Duke ED had over 5K apps for 800-850 seats. AD said in an interview that they are shooting for 50% w/scores, 50% w/o.

It will be like that this year.

This may be over simplifying it, but are kids just getting their applications in earlier because they've had all summer home with nothing better to do? Will regular decision applications also be way up?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of schools are extended their ED and EA deadlines so I don't think that's a good sign for them.

+1 Yes, 2 of our daughter's schools extended their deadlines and we interpreted that as lower than expected or hoped for numbers of applications. These were Top 25 schools so we were a little surprised.

That may be a good sign for your daughter, if these schools are targets!

Anonymous wrote:A lot of schools are extended their ED and EA deadlines so I don't think that's a good sign for them.

+1 Yes, 2 of our daughter's schools extended their deadlines and we interpreted that as lower than expected or hoped for numbers of applications. These were Top 25 schools so we were a little surprised.

Anonymous wrote:Anecdotally, I've heard of grad programs where applications are up 50% or more. I guess the bad economy plus vaccine hope trumped DL.

Sounds like a repeat of 2008-2009. Record numbers of law school applications, because the economy tanked and there was a dearth of jobs.

Anecdotally, I've heard of grad programs where applications are up 50% or more. I guess the bad economy plus vaccine hope trumped DL.

^ ACTs

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who didn't bomb the SAT is submitting. That's an almost-verbatim-quote from our HS counselor.

Kids who chose not to send test scores have miscalculated. Seems like schools will assume no score means bad score.

This is true for the DMV area. If any kid here says they cannot get a test, they are lying. There are plenty of test centers available for September, October, and November tests. Adding all the in school tests, a student should get tested at least once.

+1 In addition, the strongest seniors took their SATs and ATC’s last fall. So they already had them. One and done. Schools know this.

Anonymous wrote:Isn't Brown one of the few schools to really aggressively bring students back to campus this year? I can see why that would spark an interest in applicants.

Not freshman in the fall. They delayed their start until the spring semester and who knows if that will happen.

Isn't Brown one of the few schools to really aggressively bring students back to campus this year? I can see why that would spark an interest in applicants.