The Rise Of The Wait List (Part II)
October 31, 2011
In our previous post, we reviewed some startling statistics regarding colleges’ increasing use of Wait Lists and offered possible reasons for their increase. In this post, we are going to explore what happens to students who receive a “maybe.” To read Part I in this series, click here.
“Wait lists are becoming the Wild West of the admissions process,” said John Talmage, director of college counseling at St. Paul’s School in Maryland, who recently brought a resolution regarding Wait Lists before the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), as reported in Inside Higher Ed. “There are basically no rules there,” Mr. Talmage is reported as saying.
Exactly what is happening when students are placed on a Wait List? What prompted Mr. Talmage to bring the resolution to the NACAC? Inside Higher Ed reports that he said he was motivated to bring forward the resolution after an incident involving one of the students he counseled. The student was placed on the wait list at his first-choice college, and told in May that the university would no longer accept anyone from the wait list. Consequently, the student accepted an offer from another college – only to get a call from his first choice at 9:30 a.m. one day in June, telling him he had until noon that day to make a decision. Such impossibly short deadlines are not uncommon when a student is accepted off a Wait List.
In other cases, students are admitted off several wait lists in succession, losing enrollment deposits at each successive institution. Sometimes the stories involve institutions pumping up their yield numbers by placing a large number of students on wait lists and then only selecting students they know will enroll. Other times they revolve around need-blind institutions no longer ignoring need once they start accepting from the Wait List.
NACAC’s Assembly voted for a formal study, which will promulgate Best Practices. The results of the study are expected to be delivered in October 2012.
In the meantime, what is an applicant and family to do when a college says “maybe”? Mike Rivera, co-founder and college counselor here at Top-Tier, recommends the following:
- Decide Whether You Want To Remain On The Wait List. You have the option of declining to stay on the Wait List. If the school is not your #1 college, Mike recommends against staying on it. “If the college is not your first choice, take yourself out of the competition to allow a possible slot for a student for whom the college is their dream school,” he says.
- Go Over Your Notes – Or Revisit – The College(s) At Which You Were Accepted. Try to put your wait-listed college out of your mind, and take another look at the universities that said “yes” to you. Revisit the campus, talk with students, review the course offerings. You may be surprised that you no longer are interested in a school that thinks of you as a “maybe.”
- Review Deposit Guidelines. If you choose to stay on the wait list, make a back-up plan. Select a college that accepted you, at which you will be happy to attend, and review their deposit guidelines. If you change your mind and decide not to go there, what is their refund policy? How much tuition will be forfeited after a certain date? After all, college is a financial commitment too. If your family will lose $10,000 after June 15th, then decide that if you don’t hear back from your “maybe” school by that date, that you will remove yourself from the Wait List and end your torture.
- Put Your Best Foot Forward. If you decide to stay on the wait list, you should contact the Admissions Department to find out if and how high you are ranked on it. Also, find out if any conditions are attached, such as reduced financial aid or campus housing. Consider writing a letter to the Admissions Officer explaining why you are a good fit for the school, what courses are of interest to you, and outlining anything that may have occurred post-application (i.e., you received an award). Request an interview, which will give you the opportunity to shine in person.
- There’s Always The Transfer Option. Just because you decide that your “maybe” school isn’t right for you, that doesn’t mean that you cannot reapply after your freshman year in college, if you still want to go there. By declining a Wait List position, you are not closing the door on the college forever. However, be prepared that you may fall in love with your college and not look back!
What are your stories about being Wait Listed? How did you handle it? We’d love to hear from you!
Top-Tier Remains Closed Today
October 31, 2011
As a result of the Halloween Blizzard, Top-Tier remains closed today. Emergency crews are working hard to remove tree limbs and to restore power to the people affected in West Orange, Verona, Roseland, the Caldwells and surrounding areas. Be safe and warm out there!
Top-Tier Closed Today
October 30, 2011
Top-Tier will be closed today, Sunday, October 30th due to the Snow Emergency declared in West Orange. Your tutor/counselor will contact you to reschedule your session. We will reopen.as soon as possible.
Please be safe and warm!
The Rise Of The Wait List (Part I)
October 25, 2011
Right now, many college seniors are in the middle of the process of applying to colleges. Some will meet the November deadline looming for applicants going the “early action” or “early decision” route. Others are gearing up for “regular way” applications, usually due in January. Once the applications are submitted, high school seniors feel relief – no more SATs or ACTs or personal statements! Once that euphoria wears off, however, the candidates eagerly await responses from the colleges to which they applied.
Some candidates will receive responses rather quickly, while other colleges will take longer to inform them of their decisions. Either way, high school seniors expect either a “yes” or “no” response. Then, their plan is to choose the one college into which they will matriculate among their acceptances (hopefully they have more than one!). This is the ideal situation.
However, the ideal situation is becoming less commonplace with the “Rise of the Wait List.” Nowadays, colleges are responding to applicants with “yes,” “no,” or, increasingly popular, “maybe.” More and more applicants are being placed on the college’s Wait List, which is tantamount to being a “maybe.”
What does it mean to be Wait Listed? What are the rules of the Wait List? In this two-part blog post series, we’ll explore the current status of the ubiquitous Wait List, where it’s headed and how best to handle the “maybe.”
According to the 2011 “State of College Admission” report recently released by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), 48% of colleges and universities surveyed used a wait list for fall 2010, up from 39 percent just the previous year. 42% of colleges reported that they placed more applicants on wait lists in 2010 than they did in 2009.
Of the colleges that use a Wait List, the NACAC study found that they place approximately 10% of their applicants into it, 56% of which decided to remain on it. On average, the incoming college freshman class of 2010 consisted of 28% of wait listed students, down from 34% for incoming college freshmen in 2009. The more selective colleges generally admitted just 11% off their wait lists.
Why the rise in colleges’ use of a Wait List? Presumably, mainly, it is as a result of the increased number of applications. Because high school seniors are applying to many more schools, it is becoming more difficult for college admissions officers to predict how many accepted students actually will enroll in the school (technically called the “yield”). For example, one student may apply to 10 colleges and get accepted into 6. Since the student can only attend one school, that means 5 colleges will be rejected by the student. That’s 5 slots that are now opened up at the rejected colleges! The average yield has declined steadily from 49% in 2001 to just 41% in 2010. (This phenomenon largely has been fueled by the colleges’ own marketing strategies – listen to our podcast entitled “Colleges’ Dirty Little Secret” for more information.)
Therefore, colleges have to hedge their bets against the unpredictable yield. In some cases, they have increased their use of early decision and early action policies. (For information about these two practices, listen to Top-Tier’s podcast, “The Ins and Outs of Early Decision versus Early Action.”) The Wait List is another tool available to colleges to help manage the admissions process.
In the next post, we’ll go over what happens when you are placed on a college’s Wait List (or several colleges’ wait lists), and what the NACAC is working on in response to this growing practice.
Ear on Careers – Dr. Joshua Lachowicz, Veterinarian
October 17, 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Dr. Joshua Lachowicz, who is a veterinarian who specializes in oncology.
Dr. Joshua Lachowicz, Veterinarian
Dr. Josh received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a major in Biology. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Dr. Josh completed his internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Long Island Veterinary Specialists in Plainview, New York, and his residency at the Veterinary Oncology and Hematology Center in Norwalk, CT. Dr. Josh is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (oncology specialty). He currently works with four-legged patients at BluePearl Veterinary Partners LLC, formerly NYC Veterinary Specialists.
Listen as Dr. Josh describes what he does as a Veterinary Oncologist, noting that caring for the human parents’ emotional needs is as important as treating the pet. He offers our listeners a glimpse into a “typical” day as a vet. He also shares his favorite stories, gives insights into what surprises him the most in the field and offers wonderful tips for those listeners who want to become a veterinarian. We hope this podcast gives you a feel of what it is like to work in the very rewarding field of veterinary medicine!
Top-Tier Tutoring is very excited to bring you the web’s premiere “career day” podcast series – what we call “Ear on Careers.” This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more.
We welcome your feedback and ideas. Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
College Application Highlight Videos
October 12, 2011
Are you a solid high school athlete? Are you competitive in a non-school sponsored sport? Do you have a talent that you wish you could share with college admissions officers? If you answered “yes” to any one of these questions, then a “Highlight Video” may be perfect for you!
A Highlight Video can take many different forms, depending upon exactly what you want the colleges to see. If you want to submit it to college scouts for a sport such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer, swimming, etc., then you want to include your outstanding moments on the field/court/pool as well as clippings in local papers, stats and any trophies you have won. If you are part of a competitive dance troupe or cheerleading squad, you should include clips from competitions highlighting your participation – maybe a solo. Perhaps you are not going to college to become a concert pianist so no audition is required, but want admissions officers to appreciate your talent, so you can showcase your skill in a video. Still photographs can be incorporated into the video to show your achievements by way of headlines. Truly, the sky is the limit!
Highlight Videos should be no longer than 5 minutes long, as coaches/scouts/admissions officers are pressed for time. So, make sure every clip that is included shows you in your best light and that you are easily visible in it. Depending on what you are highlighting, you may also want to include a full-length game video in case the coach wants to see you in action for longer. Your video also must include all of your contact details, as you don’t want to leave a college guessing about who you are!
Top-Tier now offers a “Highlight Video” package option as part of our college counseling services. We can compile your video clips from games, tournaments, exhibitions, recitals, performances, etc., incorporate an introduction by you to the college admissions officers, and produce a professional-quality video for your applications. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212 for more information and to schedule an appointment!
If the Common App essay is limited to 500 words and a picture is worth 1000 words, how much more is a video worth?
SAT and ACT Scores – Comparing Apples to Apples
October 10, 2011
At Top-Tier Tutoring, we always tell our new standardized test prep clients that they should take both the SAT and ACT once, and then retake the one on which they scored better. They study primarily for the SAT, take it, study for the ACT and then take that exam. Then they get their scores for both and ask us to interpret them – how to tell which one they did better on other than their gut feelings about which test they preferred.
At first glance, this seems to be a tricky proposition. The SAT is based on a 2400 point scale, with 800 being the perfect score in each of the 3 sections (math, critical reading, writing). The ACT, on the other hand, gives a composite score based on a 36 point scale, with 36 being the perfect score in each of the 5 sections (English, math, reading, science, writing). So, unless you receive a 2400 or a 36, how do you translate the scores?
The answer is simple: a Concordance Table. OK, “concordance” is an SAT word, meaning “similarity or agreement between two or more things” (thank you, Encarta Dictionary). If you google “concordance table” you will see numerous results. The ACT has a handy one here.
So, for example, assume that Jane (not her real name) took both the SAT and ACT and scored 2080 and 28, respectively. According to the Concordance Table, her ACT composite score is the equivalent of 1860-1910 on the SAT. Therefore, she performed better on the SAT and, if she wants, will retake only that exam.
As another example, Jack (not his real name) also took both the SAT and ACT, scoring 1520 and 24, respectively. The Concordance Table shows that his ACT composite score is equal to approximately 1620-1670 on the SAT. He, clearly, scored higher on the ACT and will retake only that test.
We hope this post helps you to compare “apples to apples” between your SAT and ACT scores (and taught you a new vocab word in the process)!
Private School College Education at Public School Rates
October 5, 2011
Three distinct phases exist in the world of college applications. First, taking the SAT or ACT. Second, filling out college applications. Third, submitting the FAFSA for financial aid. Then comes the hoping, dreaming, anxiety, stress while awaiting the colleges’ decisions. Denials, while bitterly disappointing, are swift. Acceptances, on the other hand, come in two-steps: the actual college acceptance and then the financial aid package. Many decisions about where to enroll hang in the balance of the latter.
In one brilliant move, Seton Hall University has removed a majority of the financial burden aspect of college acceptances for highly qualified applicants. In an unprecedented decision, Seton Hall is offering nearly a two-third discount off its tuition to members of the Class of 2012. The over $21,000 discount makes this private school education comparable in price to the public Rutgers University for New Jersey residents, and much cheaper than Rutgers for non-New Jersey residents.
Recognizing the current tough economic times, Seton Hall’s President, Dr. Gabriel Esteban, states: “This initiative reflects Seton Hall’s commitment to serving our community and putting a high quality, personalized education within reach of more students and their families. In this way we make a first-class, private Catholic college experience as affordable and accessible to students as a public university, with the added benefits of smaller classes, close mentoring faculty relationships and a 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio.”
The fine print? The discounted tuition will be available to applicants who either have a minimum of a 27 ACT composite score or a combined 1200 on the SAT (Critical Reading + Math), with not less than 550 on either SAT section. In addition, the applicant must be in the top 10% of his/her high school class. Applications must be received by Seton Hall by its December 15, 2011 Early Action deadline; however, no special application need be filed – if you meet the qualifications, you’re automatically eligible for the discounted tuition! In addition, still file your FAFSA, as you could qualify for financial aid. This tuition rate will apply for all four years of schooling.
Seton Hall also has some other terms and conditions that must be met in order to qualify for the discounted tuition. For much more information, click here to go to the website.
If you’re looking for help with the college application process, Top-Tier can help you! Just send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
SAT and ACT – What do the 2011 Results Mean?
October 3, 2011
In recent blog posts, we gave information about the scores earned on both the SAT® and ACT® by the Graduating Class of 2011, nationwide and in New Jersey. In this post, we are attempting to assimilate this data and offer instructive advice for students (and parents) who will be taking these tests in the future. To read our post about the SAT scores, click here; for our post about the ACT results, click here.
From the recent results released by both the College Board (who administers the SAT) and the ACT, it is clear that nearly equal number of students are now sitting for both tests: 1.65 million students took the SAT, while 1.62 million took the ACT. No data was reported as to how many students took both tests, which is commonly done. In point of fact, at Top-Tier Tutoring, we recommend that a student take both tests and then retake the test on which s/he performed better.
What it comes down to is how well an individual student scores on the test as s/he wants to put the best foot forward to colleges. Conversion tables easily can be found on Google in order to compare apples to apples. It has been our experience that approximately 75% of our students score higher on the ACT when the conversion table is applied. For example, Student A took the SAT receiving a total 1390 points, and that same Student A took the ACT, and received a composite score of 22 points. According to the Conversion Table, Student A’s ACT score of is equivalent to 1530 points on the SAT. Therefore, when Student A applies to colleges, only the ACT score will be submitted.
Clearly, New Jersey students are not availing themselves of the ACT. According to the ACT report, only 19% of the Class of 2011 took the ACT here, versus 49% nationally. Moreover, New Jersey’s rate of increase in test-takers was only 1.8% from 2010, versus 86.8% nationally. Yet, New Jersey ranked #6 in the nation for its average composite score. Why is the ACT lagging here in New Jersey? Primarily it is because the parents of the students are unaware of the ACT, or believe it is not accepted or weighed equally with the ACT at all colleges. This simply is untrue, and it is this thought process that actually is hindering NJ high schoolers today! As stated above, the SAT and ACT scores are weighed equally by colleges, so it is very important for the student to be exposed to both and then take the one that better suits his or her test-taking abilities. There simply is no room for bias against the ACT in the competitive college application world.
As we have said before, the SAT and ACT are standardized college admissions exams, utilized by colleges as one way to determine whether to accept an applicant. However, the methodology and philosophy behind each exam is markedly different. As a brief overview, the SAT is based upon an IQ Test, and is designed to challenge a student’s thought process. The ACT is an achievement test, and seeks to identify what the student has learned. Traditionally, the SAT was widely recognized on the East and West Coasts, while the ACT was taken by more Midwest students. Nowadays, however, both tests are accepted equally at all colleges and universities. For more information about the differences between the two tests, listen to our podcast.
