The Tables have Turned: Love Letters from Stanford

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The tables have turned.  Those who were admitted to Stanford Early Action, which is not binding, have received personal handwritten notes from their regional admissions reps.   Some of these notes, and kind enticements designed to protect Stanford's yield, were posted by proud admitees on College Confidential:

"I admire your hard work in the classroom, with your community, and your family. I am confident you will continue to excel in the remainder of your senior year and I look forward to seeing the contributions you will make at Stanford. ¡Nos vemos pronto!"

I really enjoyed reading your answers to the supplement, particularly the one about a 'library superhero'. We need more people like you. Good luck!"

"You are a brilliant writer. i loved your piece on creationism and evolution.  I can tell that you are a deep thinker and Stanford will be lucky to have you."

—

Thanks to expert field work, the Neurotic Parent Institute has uncovered another batch of notes, straight from the Stanford Admissions Reps for the New Economy:

"Your essay about how difficult it is to be the only young prince in your Swiss boarding school class was riveting- Exactly the sort of diversity we're looking for at Stanford.

and

"I enjoyed reading the annual report from your grandparents' foundation.  Thank goodness they were not affected by the Madoff situation.  And what a thrill to discover that you are their only grandchild!"

Rumors

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Recent Rumors Reported to the Neurotic Parent:

1) An admissions officer from a prestigious LAC called the parents of an applicant to find out whether the family would be paying full tuition if their daughter were accepted.

2) The husband of a world-famous iconic political figure approached a Stanford alum at a dinner party and asked if he could help his daughter get in.

3) UCSB turned down more students from Beverly Hills High than ever before.  (This officially makes UCSB the new UCSD.)

4) Wash U St. Louis waitlisted almost all applicants with 2350+ SAT scores because of Tufts Syndrome (they assume the superstar applicants are just using Wash U as a safety and will not attend, thus lowering their yield and screwing up their US News ranking).  But many of the lucky few who were admitted received vouchers for airline tickets in their acceptance packets.

5) Contrary to media reports that it will be easier to get into private colleges this year, at least three top universities sent out kind letters to guidance counselors letting them know in advance that they sadly will be rejecting many highly-qualified applicants.

6) George Washington University, located five blocks from the suddenly-hip White House, is officially no longer a safety school.  Good luck getting in.

Passages

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I vowed I would not turn this into a teary Emptying Nest blog.  But I must mention that last Friday CJ "graduated" from varsity soccer.  As I watched the highlight reel of his team's miraculous winning season (his school has more of a reputation for Animal Rights Activism and Sweat Lodge Rituals than for strong athletics), images of my fourteen years as a soccer mom flashed before me – the drives to Victorville in bumper-to-bumper traffic, the heat, the cold, the mud, the rain, the nervewracking penalty kicks, the emergency visits to the orthopedist.  The nostalgia was overwhelming as the team hugged their coaches goodbye….but then CJ reminded me that he still has a whole club tournament season ahead of him, in fact he has to be in the far reaches of the OC this very Saturday morning at 7 AM.

And with our younger son BH semi-committed to JV soccer, I can probably look forward three more years of forgotten cleats and unfair refs.

Separation Night

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Last Thursday our school sponsored an evening for parents of seniors to prepare us for that day next August when we have to drop off our babies.  

Thirty people showed up.  We sat in a circle with three school psychologists and had a council.  I can't tell you anything that was said (would have to kill you), but you can imagine.  There was laughter. There were tears.  And there were funny, poignant stories about when WE went off to college a generation ago, when the world was completely different…or was it?

Until a few moments ago, I was feeling pretty good about the outcome of the evening.  What I gleaned from it was that it will be incredible for CJ and not so bad for me because I had such a positive experience going off to college in the aforementioned world of yesteryear. 

But I just glanced at the first few lines of the handout we were given, and now I'm wondering just how easy this process will be:

"Tonight we are going to talk about what it means to say good-by to a relationship that has sustained you for over seventeen years.  For most of you, this relationship has been the most incredible relationship you have ever experienced…"

I defy you to show me a handout that is more of a tearjerker.

Front Page News

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Life is difficult for seniors who don't know where they will be living and learning next year.  But it is even harder for journalists who are dying to write about how ridiculously selective college admissions have become, but don't yet have the statistics.

Here is an overview of sensational college-related stories that have appeared on the front page of major newspapers during the last few weeks:

1. From the LA Times: UC Wants the Truth on Student Applications

This is about how the UC's randomly vet 5-6% of their apps.  If a student says she was the lead in the play, they want proof!  Send in a video of your solo or at least a copy of the program.  And if you can't get your coach to say your were really the captain of the wrestling team, you might as well withdraw your app.

http://www.latimes.com/news/education/la-me-ucfraud18-2009feb18,0,2545627.story

2.  From the NY Times: The Big Test Before College? The Financial Aid Form

This piece states that it is indeed more difficult filling out the FAFSA (standardized financial aid form) than taking the SATs.  There are even prep courses and independent counselors that charge an arm and a leg to help you prove you are aid-worthy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/education/22fafsa.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

3.  From the Boston Globe: Economy lifting college prospects of the well-heeled

For students applying to college, it's a very good year to have strong grades and deep pockets. Especially the latter.

http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2009/02/24/economy_lifting_college_prospects_of_the_well_heeled/?page=1

The Neurotic Parent has determined that these articles – and many more, in nearly every major newspaper – have been written to keep college on the mind of readers throughout the country.  Just one month from today, the barrage will begin: true documentation of how this was the most difficult year to get into college in the history of the world.