Colleges Where Need for Aid Can Hurt Admission Odds

Reader Comments
Back to article

I'm sorry your kids have been waitlisted, it sounds like they are highly exceptional candidates. The problem is, the applicants are more competitive in general now, making it difficult for the truly exceptional students to shine. I work at a private college-preparatory school and the grade inflation here is insane (as I imagine it is all across the country. Most of our graduating seniors (smart or not) have robust raw GPAs (we don't weight courses at this school) and a fair amount of extracurriculars, not to mention parents who can (generally) pay their tuition.
A lot of this competition stems from the assumption that everyone needs to go to college, and in fact, some people shouldn't go to college. Not every top high school graduate needs to become (or even wants to) a doctor, lawyer, professor, etc. We need those top kids going into trades as well. I realize that this is anecdotal, but I went to one of the high quality colleges on the list above and ended up graduating with so much debt that it was hardly worth it. I have been out of college for half a dozen years now and I can barely afford to live. I wish someone had told me 12 years ago that I didn't need to go to college to be successful and showed me other options. It would have made quite a difference in my decision making.

is it worth it? of PA 6:54PM May 03, 2010

My daughter has been waitlisted at 5 top choice schools. Top 10 percent of her class, 2020 sat, 3.85 unweighted GPA weighted GPA over 4.5, 790 on three SAT subject tests,theatre group all four years, Darfur Student Alliance, worked at the local nursing home, interned for a congressman, coordinated a major fundraiser involving multiple towns-the list goes on. I think it is because of financial need this year-her sister is in her last year at another college and and we have a little more financial need for this year only. Thankfully, one major university stepped up with a huge grant and a 2 small liberal arts college granted her merit scholarships. These were safety schools for her...I guess financial safety schools might want to be a topic of discussion the students will have to thing of now.

Kathy of MA 10:44AM April 14, 2010

Good Morning America did a story this morning on college admissions and suggest that you fill out the wait list card and send it in to make it clear that you want to be on the wait list. Also, send in a one-page update on what you have done since the application, any awards etc. Good luck!

Liu Wang of NJ 10:22PM April 02, 2010

Once again, the middle class who have an average student, get the short end of the college aid stick.
NeedyCollegeStudents.com

College Need of CA 10:51AM April 02, 2010

My son has applied to 13 colleges and 10 out of those have wait listed him with 3 rejections.
What could be the most logical reason considering that he applied for financial aid but based on excellent academic scores and personal standing with all the trimmings-excellent recommendation letters, a big plus on the extra curricular activities, president of high school, president of the NHS etc. What else does one need to stand out?????????
He is devastated and so am I...is there any strategy that can help him get admitted from being wait listed?????

aanchal 6:13PM March 29, 2010