Let's start this conversation with a shout-out to every student who has picked themselves up, dusted themselves off, and learned from failure. It is in failure that we learn humility and grow. The college application process is about growth. Each student will arrive at school, duffel bag in hand this fall, with the opportunity to succeed. It is not about a school's possibly arbitrary decision that makes you who you are.
Setting expectations in advance by understanding the dynamics of the application environment can help students in their growth. A few nuggets:
Swinging the pendulum back - Students who deferred their 2020 acceptances into 2021 increased rosters and some schools experienced housing constraints. Higher than average enrollments in 2021 put pressure on 2022 acceptances. A 2022 "no" or waitlist might have been more about space vs. academic profile.
Knowing current data - 2019 admission data is out the window, and even data from 2020 has cobwebs. Keeping up with 2021 common data set information, and 2022 published admissions data is key to helping the next crop of students. The data can be overwhelming; we provide clarity. Most people know that the test-optional environment, uncertainty, and ease of submitting applications through the common application have increased overall applications submitted per student. What does the data mean when helping a student create a quality, balanced application list? Check out why your school's Naviance data may not be the best guide.
Yield - which schools are seeing improvements in their yield of enrolled students? These are schools that might have older, less selective admission data but are becoming more popular.
Growth - which schools are investing in more student resources - academic, housing, and advising to accommodate larger rosters? These schools might still be holding onto the same admission rate.
Selectivity - which quality schools are moving the needle and becoming more accessible to the A/B student? The number of applicants has not grown more than 2%. Therefore, there are some great schools loosening the reigns on selective admissions. See how we help students visualize the information.
Locking in early - which schools fill 50% of their rosters with students demonstrating interest through an early decision contract? Perhaps students should not play that card if their application is not ready and the school does not give an admission boost for early contracts. The pros and cons of early decision contracts.
Many schools in this application cycle deferred students from early action. Understandably learning has been all over the map and they want more data from the first-semester Senior year transcripts. Class of 2023 beware, that your senior year courses and grades will play an important factor in your results. Get application content complete this summer so you can enjoy the Senior ride and keep up grades too.