Final Choices, Class of 2023

I was glad to see several students choose generous merit aid over prestige and others base their final choice on the strength of a particular major. Since many students applied to more colleges, they were admitted to nearly 100 schools (I haven’t actually counted, but I’ll be sharing that list next week).

Boston University

College of Charleston

The College of New Jersey

Cornell University

Drexel University

Fairfield University

Fordham University (2)

The George Washington University

James Madison University (4)

Marist College

Michigan State University

North Carolina State at Raleigh

Northwestern University

The Ohio State University (2)

Purdue University

Tulane University (2)

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Delaware

University of Florida

University of Michigan (2)

University of Rhode Island

University of Richmond (2)

University of South Carolina

University of Tampa

Vassar College

Villanova University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute (2)

Best of luck to all!

What Top Ranked Schools Want To See

This week, I attended a National College Admissions Counselor’s organization webinar focused on applying to the USNWR 20 top-ranked colleges.

I’ve often expressed that the rankings are flawed. While some of my students apply to these schools, I honestly state that it’s a statistical anomaly if a student is admitted, and denied students must know that the denial has little to do with their qualifications (assuming they had the rigor, GPA, test scores, and extracurriculars required) and their ability to be successful at the colleges. It’s simply that too many qualified, full pay applicants apply as well as the institutional priorities that drive the admissions process.

What’s not surprising?

Students must have the highest possible rigor, GPA, and test scores (if submitted).

Life experience counts most, and a unique background can help as well.

Top 20 colleges want to see a growth mindset.

Academic curiosity (something I’m always harping about) matters as much as high grades, being a self-starter and a confident learner.

What matters academically?

Evidence of leadership in innovative research and teamwork. Princeton, in particular, prefers extensive research (one summer is usually not enough) and a strong graded writing sample. Getting published and showing you have really learned from your project matters. Students set on the Ivies are encouraged to seek out and apply to research programs and projects.

Take academic risks.

Even if you don’t have a major, express your identity and interests. A story was related about an Ivy admit who had not technically done research, but was a committed birdwatcher who accumulated her own data.

When you write the Why Us? essay, it’s preferable to have a major. Be able to answer: What are you looking for? What do you hope to accomplish? Where would you be if you could go anywhere in the world? Show the ability to connect to what you want to study.

What other skills are crucial?

Be a critical thinker and a strong, thoughtful communicator. Know yourself well enough to relax and have strong interviews. Extracurriculars should be sincere and focused on serving the community.

Reach for the Growth Zone...and show integrity.

What does “going to college” really mean to you?

Some thoughts for my juniors who are working on their lists, trying to figure out what “the right fit” means.

Start to build a great lifetime skill…tune out the noise in the media, disregard peer pressure, groupthink, and rankings.

This will serve you well the rest of your life as a student, in your career, and someday as a parent (if that’s in your future).

Instead, chart your own course–determine what’s real for you.

It’s the foundation of good decision making.

What will you study?

If you don’t know, that’s fine–colleges keep adding exploratory programs because they are honest fits for so many students.

It’s ok to sit in uncertainty…most college students change their majors at least twice.

Tweaking, adjusting, and changing dreams doesn’t mean failure, but mature decision making.

It is not negative to leave a relationship, a major, even a school, when that choice is thoughtfully made.

Be honest about what you need and who you are.

Figure out what centers you in your learning.

If you are confused, will you approach a chemistry professor when you are in a class of 400?

Colleges are not the quad and the buildings-they are the people, the mentors.

Will you be open to finding mentors who help you in school and give you career direction?

Finally, stay positive as we start the process of essays and applications.

Just do the next right thing, one thing at a time.