Comments for Not Your Average Admissions Blog "A Beneath the Surface Look At Everything College Admissions (with a few shameless plugs)" http://notjustadmissions.com Insider information on college admissions, with a sarcastic flavor, with a smidge of Mason propaganda Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:32:31 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Essay advice from a high profile guest by Let Other People Critique Your College Admission Essay http://notjustadmissions.com/2009/11/03/737/#comment-2793 Let Other People Critique Your College Admission Essay Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:32:31 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.com/?p=737#comment-2793 [...] Essay advice from a high profile guest [...] [...] Essay advice from a high profile guest [...]

]]> Comment on International Students: SAT and ACT tests by deanflagel http://notjustadmissions.com/2008/04/24/international-students-sat-and-act-tests/#comment-2763 deanflagel Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:36:38 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.wordpress.com/?p=254#comment-2763 As I've writen elsewhere, it is just impossible to predict admission to any school in any year. Your scores, while they may seem low to you, are at least competitive in that range and don't EXCLUDE you from those schools - but even perfect scores don't guarantee you admission to them. If you only apply to the most competitive schools, where they will accept only 10-20 percent of applicants, no matter how greta your profile you are at risk of not being admitted - it's just a statistical reality. My advice in all cases is to find schools at a range of competitive levels that are great matches for you - try some honors programs, for instance at some schools that accept 50-60 percent of applicants - still very competitive and you'll find it makes no difference in your job opportunities and your bragging rights. As I’ve writen elsewhere, it is just impossible to predict admission to any school in any year. Your scores, while they may seem low to you, are at least competitive in that range and don’t EXCLUDE you from those schools – but even perfect scores don’t guarantee you admission to them. If you only apply to the most competitive schools, where they will accept only 10-20 percent of applicants, no matter how greta your profile you are at risk of not being admitted – it’s just a statistical reality. My advice in all cases is to find schools at a range of competitive levels that are great matches for you – try some honors programs, for instance at some schools that accept 50-60 percent of applicants – still very competitive and you’ll find it makes no difference in your job opportunities and your bragging rights.

]]> Comment on International Students: SAT and ACT tests by Yoyo http://notjustadmissions.com/2008/04/24/international-students-sat-and-act-tests/#comment-2762 Yoyo Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:25:36 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.wordpress.com/?p=254#comment-2762 I just took the sat today, and it didn't go well at all, especially on the critical reading part, and my essay wasn't top nothc either. I'm hoping for a score around 1800-2000. But math went well, hoping for something above 700 there. I am applying to Upenn, Columbia, MIT and Princeton. I am a, as you call it in the U.S, a straight a student and very engaged in my school and I'll get really strong recommendation letters from my english teacher and math teacher. How good do you guys think that my chances are of getting into these schools? Would really appreciate the help! I just took the sat today, and it didn’t go well at all, especially on the critical reading part, and my essay wasn’t top nothc either. I’m hoping for a score around 1800-2000. But math went well, hoping for something above 700 there.

I am applying to Upenn, Columbia, MIT and Princeton. I am a, as you call it in the U.S, a straight a student and very engaged in my school and I’ll get really strong recommendation letters from my english teacher and math teacher. How good do you guys think that my chances are of getting into these schools? Would really appreciate the help!

]]> Comment on Early admission…trick or treat? by Bob Bessette http://notjustadmissions.com/2009/10/29/early-admission-trick-or-treat/#comment-2761 Bob Bessette Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:42:07 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.com/?p=733#comment-2761 Hi, Early decision might be a great option for someone without any money worries. They know where they want to go and they don't have to worry about weighing financial aid packages. We know of someone who did this at Wesleyan and she is really enjoying it there. She applied to one school, knew where she was going early and it all worked out for her. It depends on your circumstances. Best, Bob Hi,
Early decision might be a great option for someone without any money worries. They know where they want to go and they don’t have to worry about weighing financial aid packages. We know of someone who did this at Wesleyan and she is really enjoying it there. She applied to one school, knew where she was going early and it all worked out for her. It depends on your circumstances.

Best,
Bob

]]> Comment on Early admission…trick or treat? by Bobby http://notjustadmissions.com/2009/10/29/early-admission-trick-or-treat/#comment-2760 Bobby Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:43:52 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.com/?p=733#comment-2760 I can completely understand your frustration. On the outside it looks like a gift all wrapped up in fancy packaging. It is exiting to open up and even to turn it around and around to admire it. But take it for a test run and you see all the flaws. It truly is a lesson in reading the fine print. Early admission can have some serious drawbacks. I can completely understand your frustration. On the outside it looks like a gift all wrapped up in fancy packaging. It is exiting to open up and even to turn it around and around to admire it. But take it for a test run and you see all the flaws. It truly is a lesson in reading the fine print. Early admission can have some serious drawbacks.

]]> Comment on Early admission…trick or treat? by deanflagel http://notjustadmissions.com/2009/10/29/early-admission-trick-or-treat/#comment-2759 deanflagel Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:16:55 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.com/?p=733#comment-2759 Great question. Most universities claim that their early processes are the same as their regular decisions, but that's usually hooey (or perhaps malarkey). The reality is that applying early is generally considered to be a strong demonstration of interest, so tends to weigh at least to come extent in an applicants favor when decisions are made. That being said, the difference is rarely very large, and on rare instances it can even work the other way. In that scenario, University 'A' reviews their early applicants using some standard they set based on an assumption about the number of total applications they would receive that year, and the likely qualifications of those applicants. Unfortunately, University 'A' comes to find out, after regular admission deadlines, that they have way fewer applicants, far lower profile applicants, or both fewer and less qualified applicants than they anticipated. As a result, Univeristy 'A' rapidly shifts gears and uses a more flexible (also known as, "lower") admission standard for regular applicants than the school used for early applicants. Also, the Dean of Admissions generally starts his or her job search. So, for the most part early is in your favor. As with many parts of the admissions process, however, it's nearly impossible to predict with any certainty. Be seeing you! Great question. Most universities claim that their early processes are the same as their regular decisions, but that’s usually hooey (or perhaps malarkey). The reality is that applying early is generally considered to be a strong demonstration of interest, so tends to weigh at least to come extent in an applicants favor when decisions are made. That being said, the difference is rarely very large, and on rare instances it can even work the other way. In that scenario, University ‘A’ reviews their early applicants using some standard they set based on an assumption about the number of total applications they would receive that year, and the likely qualifications of those applicants. Unfortunately, University ‘A’ comes to find out, after regular admission deadlines, that they have way fewer applicants, far lower profile applicants, or both fewer and less qualified applicants than they anticipated. As a result, Univeristy ‘A’ rapidly shifts gears and uses a more flexible (also known as, “lower”) admission standard for regular applicants than the school used for early applicants. Also, the Dean of Admissions generally starts his or her job search.
So, for the most part early is in your favor. As with many parts of the admissions process, however, it’s nearly impossible to predict with any certainty. Be seeing you!

]]> Comment on Why the SAT’s just may be all that by Prospective http://notjustadmissions.com/2009/05/20/why-the-sats-just-may-be-all-that/#comment-2758 Prospective Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:40:52 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.wordpress.com/?p=646#comment-2758 For students who did bad their first year of high school, the SAT's are a good way of showing what they are capable of. The standardized test is certainly getting much criticism, especially as of late. But for students like me who performed poorly in the beginning of high school (Thus making GPA look pretty mediocre), the SAT's are a great tool. Of course, it depends on how much credibility is given to the SAT. Personally I think it's a good wat to create a standard among incoming students, since we all come from vastly different high schools. PS - Great blog, and very informative posts! For students who did bad their first year of high school, the SAT’s are a good way of showing what they are capable of. The standardized test is certainly getting much criticism, especially as of late. But for students like me who performed poorly in the beginning of high school (Thus making GPA look pretty mediocre), the SAT’s are a great tool. Of course, it depends on how much credibility is given to the SAT. Personally I think it’s a good wat to create a standard among incoming students, since we all come from vastly different high schools.

PS – Great blog, and very informative posts!

]]> Comment on Early admission…trick or treat? by Prospective http://notjustadmissions.com/2009/10/29/early-admission-trick-or-treat/#comment-2757 Prospective Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:32:47 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.com/?p=733#comment-2757 Generally speaking, is the Mason early action program more competitive or less competitive than regular decision? And as far as regular decision goes at Mason, I know the deadline for being considered for scholarships is December 1st. Would you recommend applying as soon as one can, say, the first week of November? Generally speaking, is the Mason early action program more competitive or less competitive than regular decision?

And as far as regular decision goes at Mason, I know the deadline for being considered for scholarships is December 1st. Would you recommend applying as soon as one can, say, the first week of November?

]]> Comment on Who gets the worm? by deanflagel http://notjustadmissions.com/2009/10/21/who-gets-the-worm/#comment-2756 deanflagel Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:15:54 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.com/?p=729#comment-2756 That's not MISSING anything! That’s not MISSING anything!

]]> Comment on Who gets the worm? by generationznow http://notjustadmissions.com/2009/10/21/who-gets-the-worm/#comment-2755 generationznow Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:36:52 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.com/?p=729#comment-2755 I can't even limit my choice to one school. I'm constantly checking college blogs and acceptedge but I cant get my list less than five because I like a variety of colleges. I'm missing early decision as a result! I can’t even limit my choice to one school. I’m constantly checking college blogs and acceptedge but I cant get my list less than five because I like a variety of colleges. I’m missing early decision as a result!

]]> Comment on International Students: SAT and ACT tests by deanflagel http://notjustadmissions.com/2008/04/24/international-students-sat-and-act-tests/#comment-2752 deanflagel Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:44:42 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.wordpress.com/?p=254#comment-2752 If you don't have access to a strong English preparation program near you, you may want to look for U.S. colleges and universities with strong English and a Second Language programs. Many of these schools, which include <a href="http://admissions.gmu.edu/global/" rel="nofollow">Mason</a>, will admit academically talented students who are still developing their English Language skills. In these cases we admit students provisionally with a requirement to start, for part or all of your classes, in English as a Second Language Classes, offering full admission once you have attained full English proficiency. If you don’t have access to a strong English preparation program near you, you may want to look for U.S. colleges and universities with strong English and a Second Language programs. Many of these schools, which include Mason, will admit academically talented students who are still developing their English Language skills. In these cases we admit students provisionally with a requirement to start, for part or all of your classes, in English as a Second Language Classes, offering full admission once you have attained full English proficiency.

]]> Comment on International Students: SAT and ACT tests by Cholpona http://notjustadmissions.com/2008/04/24/international-students-sat-and-act-tests/#comment-2751 Cholpona Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:22:41 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.wordpress.com/?p=254#comment-2751 hello everyone! i'm from Kyrgyzstan & i'd like to study in America. Now i'm preparing for SAT but English language part is very difficult i don't know what to do... please help me.... hello everyone! i’m from Kyrgyzstan & i’d like to study in America. Now i’m preparing for SAT but English language part is very difficult i don’t know what to do… please help me….

]]> Comment on Admissions Article as Teachable Moment by Bobby http://notjustadmissions.com/2009/08/26/score-optional-admissions-condemned-by-a-tool/#comment-2746 Bobby Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:23:51 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.wordpress.com/?p=710#comment-2746 Good observation. It would seem the author of the article in question had other motives for dismissing the scoring optional admissions policy. Allowing students to have greater weighting on leadership rather than standardized test scores is a great way to ensure students who have ambition as well as a wide variety of other skills are not overlooked for admission. Good observation. It would seem the author of the article in question had other motives for dismissing the scoring optional admissions policy. Allowing students to have greater weighting on leadership rather than standardized test scores is a great way to ensure students who have ambition as well as a wide variety of other skills are not overlooked for admission.

]]> Comment on Admissions NEXT BIG THING by Polly http://notjustadmissions.com/2009/09/23/admissions-next-big-thing/#comment-2737 Polly Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:25:46 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.com/?p=725#comment-2737 it seems technology has also helped in college guidance tools. For example, I used acceptedge.com with my kid to match their academic profile with colleges to find potential matches. it seems technology has also helped in college guidance tools. For example, I used acceptedge.com with my kid to match their academic profile with colleges to find potential matches.

]]> Comment on Love and Hypocrisy – August in Admissions by Bobby http://notjustadmissions.com/2009/08/24/love-and-hypocrisy-august-in-admissions/#comment-2736 Bobby Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:51:28 +0000 http://notjustadmissions.wordpress.com/?p=705#comment-2736 Thank you for your comments on rankings. Yes you are right. They are not the end all be all reason for choosing a college. There are so many other considerations. However, rankings do have their pull in the system and that is why colleges go to such great lengths to improve them. Considering the source is a good rule of thumb when making the decision to pay attention to the ranking or not. Thank you for your comments on rankings. Yes you are right. They are not the end all be all reason for choosing a college. There are so many other considerations. However, rankings do have their pull in the system and that is why colleges go to such great lengths to improve them. Considering the source is a good rule of thumb when making the decision to pay attention to the ranking or not.

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