3 Reasons So Many Students are Applying to Top Colleges

[@sassynchicago]

The whole applying early is becoming more of a standard as more and more colleges admit a higher percentage in ED EA! It shortens the time for students to complete their applications fully and increase their standardized testing grades- causing even more stress. Expectations are becoming so incredible high, and in turn if you do your best perfect GPA (straight A’), 12 AP s , 1500+ SAT and 10 incredible EC activities - you are still just 1 of many to even be considered for the top 25 -30 schools. Ivy/ super selective colleges are taking a way a lot of the fun that high school offers, making it a very difficult checklist for 14-17 yrs to follow and are expected to do , just to have a small chance of even being considered not even accepted. I feel for these youngsters and see the mental harm impact of the whole situation personally.

[@amandazzzz4672]

it sadly is THAT hard. i mean i, as an international applicant applying for max aid, no legacy, not a first gen, know that im already disadvantaged (lower acceptance rates for intl students specifically those that are looking for aid). Ive got around a month to my early app deadlines and am constantly working to build an activity list that would ensure that im not ATLEAST out just the first round of shortlisting. Now, in ONE month i have to give the SAT, manage 4 extracurriculars, 3 organizations where im volunteering, get a 1550+ SAT, maintain my a level grades and persuade my parents to allow me to apply to a greater number of colleges (cuz their app fees cost 70-80$ which converted locally is too much) - and all for what? A rejection? Schools really need to understand that its NOT viable to lower acceptance rates just to maintain their 'selective status' when applications are INCREASING BY HUNDREDS (if not thousands) yearly!!!!!!! It really is stressful and somewhat unfair too for aspiring students that do not have those specific 'perks' that i mentioned :( I'm hoping I get into at-least one good uni on aid... but as of now even that seems impossible...

[@whoever7553]

Totally agreed, nowadays kids are not that happy, missed a lot fun, worked too hard, at least those who does care

[@sandeepguhagarkar9981]

With the common app, the incremental effort in applying for a college is relatively small. With an approximately $100 application fee per college, applying to ten colleges costs $1,000. That is more or less the same as the cost of just visiting an out of state college! With admissions appearing so arbitrary, it makes sense to apply to as many reach/highly selective colleges as one can.

[@JimmyCooper-yx2ix]

I know it's a bit late (I hope you see this), but for the SAT (I know it's kinda off-topic) on the common app, they ask you to submit scores you wish to report. I'm aware that some schools participate in collegeboards score choice program, but even with that in mind, when I plug in the singular score I wish to submit on the common app, on the page where they summarize what you've completed, they put that 1 score under the title of "number of past SATs taken." However, I've taken 3 SATs but I chose to submit 1. Can someone (preferably someone in college at the moment) clarify that contradiction? What did you personally do? And what should I do?

[@rajeswarikannan430]

To probably compare who gives the best financial aid/scholarships? My daughter applied for rolling admission to her target school and got accepted in 2 weeks. That meant she didn't have to apply to any of her safeties, even some of the targets. But financial aid decisions don't come in soon enough, and thats a deal breaker for many families. So She is applying to more.

[@sassynchicago]

Yes, agreed. Why not have financial/merit aid available earlier? Now it even pushed off later this year for 2024 grads!

[@janewright315]

Many top private schools are now eliminating APs in favor of AS (advanced studies), including notorious schools such as Exeter, Andover, Mercersburg, Choate, Sidwell Friends, St. Albans, etc. While students have the option to still take the test, this may still change things. What effect would this have in the college application process? Would those students (let's say those who are unhooked and non legacy as that is a different convo) still have an edge in the application process? Are other schools likely to follow suit?

[@kaden_priebe]

1. For prestige 2. #1

[@khariswegner2227]

Hello Mrs. Hanson, Can we please have a video on tips to applying to colleges for international students specifically African students.

[@abhart]

Hello, u do have an advantage. Plzz focus more on your essays. Good luck