College Admission Help

College Admission Help: Two Creative Solutions to One Tough Decision

By Dr. Patrick O'Connor

It’s not uncommon for students to think a college made a mistake in an admissions decision, but something happened recently that took that feeling to a brand new level. The University of California San Diego (UCSD), which meant to send out a “you’re in” e-mail to the 8,000 or so students they admitted, sent out a “you’re in” e-mail to everyone who applied—all 29,000 of them! The mistake was corrected within two hours (I wonder how they found out), but this is a small sign of what an energetic week it’s been.

While UCSD didn’t admit all 29,000 applicants, the number of admits and students on waitlists is at an all-time high at most colleges. Part of this has to do with the great quality of the largest high school graduating class in US history, but it also has to do with the economic tug-of-war that’s putting both families and colleges in a bind. Ordinarily, colleges need 4 months to set their budgets, so students are supposed to commit to one—and only one—college on May 1st. Changes in the economy mean families won’t really know what college they can afford until August (if then)— so how should a family choose on May 1st, if it’s between an affordable college that’s OK, or a dream college that’s just a little out of reach?

The choice to keep the dream alive is understandable, but it could come with a hefty price. Saying yes to Dream School U on May 1st gives you a few more months to find those precious extra dollars, but if August comes and you’re still short, the college has an empty seat, and you have no college to go to. The college might solve their problem by keeping a very big waiting list active through the summer—but what are you supposed to do?
Of course, taking the more sure bet has its down sides too. Taking the affordable route means there’s not much you can do if the economy picks up (hey, it could happen) and there’s more money for your perfect college—either from your parents or from the financial aid office. In addition, saying no to Dream School U gives them a freshmen class where nearly everyone can afford to pay for college on their own—which makes the college more a cookie cutter country club than a richly diverse center for creative and critical thinking.

What’s a student to do? Demonstrate honesty by doing this:

 Call the financial aid office of your dream school, and ask about the possibility of extra funds—especially on-campus jobs. In addition, ask them if more funds would be available if you started college this summer; you may have to give up some vacation time, but if the cash is there, it’s one more way to stretch your education budget.
 Ask to be put on the wait list. OK, this sounds crazy—a college you love wants you, and you’re going to ask them to want you a little less? If you start by explaining your situation, the college may be setting up a list of admitted students who just need more time to get more money—and this year, they might be handling that by putting their names on a “Call First” list. It may be the case, or it may not—but you won’t know what they have to offer until you ask.

Armed with this information, you can make the best decision come May 1st—and either way, you won’t be bunking in with 29,000 tenacious Tritons.


College Counselor Help: Real College Decisions Don’t Come in Envelopes or E-mails

I knew what Janet had come for. She hadn’t heard anything from her college, and wondered if I might call to see if a decision had been made. The receptionist at the college asked for Janet’s Social Security number, and after a clatter of computer keys, I had the answer I had expected.

As I hung up the telephone, I pulled up Janet’s file out of a drawer. Over my shoulder, and in a voice that was too casual, I said “Congratulations, you’re in.” As I added some notes to her file, a quivering breath directed my attention to what truly mattered.

“R-really?”

I turned to find two wide tears rolling down Janet’s cheeks. For the first time in my young career, I knew what it looked like when a dream came true.

This scene will soon be repeated in counseling offices, classrooms, and mailboxes all over America. It’s one thing for students to think a college could be right for them, but when the admission letter says “you’re right,” it can be a bit of a surprise, and take some getting used to.

Of course, there will also be less wonderful surprises. A selective college is one where far more qualified students apply than the college could possibly admit— so students who would make the most out of everything that college has to offer won’t get the chance, simply because the college ran out of room well before they ran out of great applicants. This kind of surprise often brings tears of another kind, and understandably so.

My advice is the same to both those who are admitted to their dream schools and those who are not—do your very best to stay focused. If you are denied, remember that a college running out of room is a deficit of the college, not a deficit of your character. The wonderful talents you would have brought to one college will serve you just as well at another, and perhaps even better, if you are able to look past the disappointment and let the skills and qualities you have chiseled into your character shine brightly wherever September finds you.

Strangely enough, the caution to be alert may be more relevant to those whose dreams have come true. Getting admitted to a “hot” school can be a heady experience, and bring a feeling you have no choice but to go there; since you were one of the “lucky ones” to get admitted, you’d be a fool to say no. You’ve done enough research and visited enough campuses to know which one will give you the best blend of support and challenge, no matter what its name is or who else goes there— and the goal is to go the school that’s right for you, not to go to the “right” school. Until that clear sense shows up again, don’t do a thing.

Less informed sources who judge colleges by brand name may respond to your college news by saying “Anyone would jump at the chance” or “But nobody’s heard of that college.” This is the most crucial time to remember that you aren’t just anyone, that you certainly aren’t nobody, and that labels limit lives more than they enrich them. You’ve learned much about colleges in the past year, but you’ve learned even more about yourself and what you need to grow as a person. Listen to that voice, and the only thing on your face come May 1st will be a smile of sheer delight, knowing you have said yes to the one college that will be your best next home.




College Admission Help: Two Creative Solutions to One Tough Decision