Ventures Scholars Program | High School e-News

"Similar to other VSP students, my son has received brochures and letters from many colleges and universities including prestigious institutions encouraging him to apply. I've spoken with some parents who went through the college application process recently and they've warned me to be aware and beware of the "apply to deny" institutions. According to their experience, some colleges and universities encourage students, who have little chance of being accepted, to apply -- strictly for the stat books (a high "applications received" number lowers the acceptance percentage) and application fee revenue:( Awful. If it's true. What is your take on this?

On a separate, but related topic: We've attended information sessions and taken student-led tours. I've read books on the college application process and have in many ways accepted it, flaws and all, for what it is. Last night, though, pushed me over the edge. We attended a local "Introduction to X institution" presentation during which students were told that they apply to one of the 4 undergraduate schools at X institution. Most of the questions from the audience we've heard asked and answered many times, but there were several interesting X institution specific questions regarding differing admissions requirements and acceptance rates at the 4 undergraduate schools and whether it was possible to transfer between the undergraduate schools during or after freshman year. The speaker totally skirted the questions. She simply restated the university's overall acceptance rate of 21% adding that specific numbers weren't available (who are they kidding?) and cautioned students to consider their choice carefully because it was difficult to transfer even as a current X institution student. Why not be forthright with prospective students so that they can make an informed decision? These admissions representatives bemoan the anxiety level among college bound students while feeding that anxiety with contradictory statements and lack of clear information. Disingenuous, don't you think?

There's got to be a better way. At $65 and up each application, it would be helpful to be able to better best-guess to which institutions one's child has a fighting chance of gaining acceptance. I think that it would be helpful for the kids to have access to anonymous student profiles against which to measure their own credentials. For example, a profile might include GPA, SAT I scores, SAT II scores, class rank, extracurricular activities, schools to which the student applied and where they were accepted. It's too late for my son and the Class of 2006, but I think it would be of great benefit to future Ventures Scholars. Do you think that this would be feasible?"

Responses were sent from:
St. Lawrence University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and University of Alabama.

Dear Concerned Parent,

To your credit, you seem to have spent a considerable amount of time and energy as you make your way through this confusing process. I can only speak for St. Lawrence University, but we encourage all Venture Scholars to apply to St. Lawrence because we understand the value of diversity and firmly believe that it enhances the experience of our entire student body. I would not consider us an "apply to deny" institution, and would say that the vast majority of colleges and universities to not operate with this goal in mind. We're all trying to get the "best" classes possible. As for application revenue, we waive application fees for all Venture Scholars. Moving to your next point, I'm sorry that you felt skirted by the speaker. I can't speak that for representative, but wonder if you could contact the school via email with those same questions to see if perhaps a more experienced admissions representative could help answer your questions. If the school in question is a terrific match for your child, you should still consider it as an option. I see students all the time who choose to not apply to certain schools because they had a terrible tour. One person can certainly impact your decision, but the rest of the University may provide your child with the most amazing experience. As for your final point, many schools change dramatically and there are so many factors that play into an admissions decision that it's hard to use such figures because we all know that not all 98's are created equal. Some schools send 100% of the grads to college while another may send 30% so a student who ranks in the 4th decile of those two particular schools are not necessarily equal. As for SATs, St. Lawrence is one of many schools that are SAT optional so my point really is that it's a good idea if taken as just one of many analytical tools for comparison. Please don't hesitate to contact me directly should you have more questions. Best of luck!

Steven Jo
Coordinator of Multicultural Student Recruitment
St. Lawrence University - Canton, NY
sjo@stlawu.edu
315-229-5259/800-285-1856

The college application and search process can be very challenging for both students and parents. Universities differ greatly in terms of how they operate, recruitment initiatives, information sessions, curriculum, community, faculty etc. To respond to your important and valuable concern, I can only speak for my institution. At Worcester Polytechnic Institute we are honest about what we are looking for in a student. We do not encourage any and all students to apply just for numbers. As a response to Venture Scholars family concerns about application fees, WPI will offer a fee waiver for all venture scholars who apply. This information is also posted on the Venture Scholars web site. For more information about WPI and admissions criteria go to our website at www.admissions.wpi.edu. If you are not famliar with WPI check out our academic departments and majors at www.wpi.edu/Academics/Majors/

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Tiana Carrasquillo
Assistant Director of Admissions
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA
508-831-5286
admissions@wpi.edu

I would be happy to give this parent the information he is seeking with regard to The University of Alabama, if he will email me directly to ensure I answer any question he has. We do encourage applications, but we are also very straightforward as to the entry requirements. 20 ACT or 950 SAT and a 2.5 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale. With these types of scores, a student receives auto admission if their application is in by April 1, 2006. If the student has one of the two up-front requirements, we do look at each individual application to consider the high school profile and the test scores. Our application fee is $30 if the student applies on-line and $35 if they send in a paper application.

The reason we must not provide a refund of those charges is due to the administrative work each student required to be admitted. We have eight colleges at The University of Alabama, but once you are admitted, you may change from college to college without having to make a separate application, nor would you need to do so at any point in your career. The student would change their declared major, and if the major was in another college, then they would change major and college at the same point in time.

Carolyn Y. Rogers
Director of Scholarships
University of Alabama
Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Scholarships
Box 870132
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0132
(205) 348-8194