Visiting Campuses, Getting Updated Admissions Data

What a treat to be on a college campus again! I visited Vassar, Marist and SUNY New Paltz yesterday--my first college trip since going to the University of Tampa and the University of South Florida in February of 2020.

Colleges are still being careful: Vassar and SUNY New Paltz are offering limited tours and none on weekends. My Marist tour was fabulous: the beautiful campus nestled on the Hudson River looked impeccable. While nearly the entire SUNY New Paltz campus was under construction, every Marist building and field is ready for the Fall semester. A very well-attended infosession yielded great info about Marist’s top study abroad programs, including those at its own Florence campus and smaller options in Washington DC, New York City, and London, as well as other affiliated study-abroad programs all over the world. The NY and interim NJ admission rep Megan Fergus filled us in on the many five year dual-degree options, the opportunity for students to work on the Marist Poll, and the school’s excellent relationship with nearby IBM in Poughkeepsie. My tour leader Pavel, a native of Berlin, was double majoring in Computer Science and Business, swimming for the D1 team, and of course, working for admissions. If you have questions about Marist, this is a good time to ask me!

Each August, two of my wonderful colleagues share data on ED admissions percentages, both the percentage of students accepted early decision, as well as the percentage of the incoming class accepted early decision. They also share valuable data on which schools give merit aid to students who do not qualify for need-based aid, and what percentage of students receive merit aid overall.

But this year, I have a large supply of data shared from consultants all over the US about individual colleges’ 2021 admissions: who they admitted by region, numbers (including those submitting test scores vs. test optional), major, gender, and any outstanding characteristics about a given student.

Looking forward to a smooth admissions season with less procrastination and less stress!