COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TIP: College Acceptance Rates: Don’t Obsess Over Them
My recent blog: 2026 College & Ivy Acceptance Rates: Myths to Understand shared some important information to hopefully clarify why you should NOT be concerned or focused on these data. For the curious, the blog did conclude with a chart of the previous three years of acceptances rates at several universities.
If you didn’t see your colleges of interest on my list, you can find more information by reviewing these statistics at individual college websites. Acceptance rates do provide a baseline metric in building your balanced college list of reach, match and “safety” choices. In forming your balanced list, focus your efforts on creating a list of universities that fit you in these three ways: “academic”, “social” and “financial”.
Acceptance rates are aggregate numbers that give you a sense of the degree of competitiveness of a given university, but it’s more important for you to research the academic profile of the most recently admitted class as an indicator of your chances of acceptance to a particular college. You’ll find this information, along with acceptance rates available at the university website.
An invaluable source of information on application numbers, acceptance rates and some fascinating statistics on admitted students is available in the COMMON DATA SET INITIATIVE where colleges can voluntary release this information in detailed reports aimed at providing accurate information about their incoming class profile. The easiest way to find this information is to search for “University Name + Common Data Set”. The reports are exceedingly and overly detailed.
Another option, although slightly less reliable is College Navigator . Again, the point to be appreciated and understood is that aggregate acceptance rates vary widely by major, gender, location and your actual academic profile. So please don’t focus on aggregate numbers which aren’t personally relevant to YOU.
Finally, another informal indicator of your chances of acceptance and which I previously mentioned is Talk.CollegeConfidential where a few hundred discussion threads provide self-reported “results threads” of student profiles of admitted, waitlisted and denied applicants at nearly every college.
You can search for any school to see student profiles- anecdotally reported of course– those accepted, waitlisted , etc.
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COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TIP: EXPLORE AND DISCOVER
If you want to minimize the stress associated with the college admissions process, build your Educational and College Admissions Plan as early as 8th grade! This will allow you to carefully select classes and extracurricular opportunities to encourage academic and personal exploration preparing you for success as a high school and undergraduate student.
Don’t follow the crowd nor march through high school without a smile ! BE INSPIRED!!
What is your student passionate about? Now is the time for discovery!
A Strategic Educational plan not only includes a curriculum mapping of challenging, relevant and manageable courses. A plan that balances academic experiences with meaningful student selected extracurricular activities leads to confident, mature, self-directed and grounded young adults.
Admissions staff look favorably upon students with a sustained commitment to activities throughout all four years of high school.
JUMP START YOUR STRATEGIC EDUCATIONAL PLAN –
Parents of incoming high school freshman are already thinking about how many AP classes to consider and whether their students will be off to strong start. I ask you: will your student be able to “Check the Box?”
There’s a project for everyone!
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) students are provided with a list of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects and ideas for potential entry into science fairs this fall.
ARTISTS and MUSICIANS should be working on developing their portfolio and honing skills in disciplined creative work thinking ahead to competitive local venues.
BUSINESS/LIBERAL ARTS – Explore a topic of interest with an eye towards writing an essay you can enter into any number of local and national essay competitions (business, history, etc.) sponsored by a variety of organizations. Need suggestions? Start a blog on a topic you’re passionate about and when school begins in the fall, bring your best Blog pieces to the school newspaper.
Another meaningful and joyful way to spend your time as well as demonstrating your passion about your interest is to become a volunteer mentor for younger students. There are many opportunities to do so through tutoring, religious organizations, middle school clubs, sports teams and even starting your own business assisting others to learn more.
Does your student have an Educational & College Admissions Plan? On Target?
Bonnie R. Rabin, Ph.D.
Personalized Educational & College Admissions Services
South Florida 561.509.0021
Boulder/Denver 720.737.9944
Nationwide Online 833.MY.ESSAY
www.collegecareerconsulting.com
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ACADEMIC & COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ADVISING WHEREVER YOU ARE
STEM, Business, Humanities, Creative Arts
IS YOUR STUDENT ON TARGET?
Joyful? Motivated?
Build your personalized Educational & College Admissions Plan!
Congrats!!! A SAMPLE of our recent College Acceptances Include:
UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, UPenn, Princeton, Cornell, U. Michigan, Northwestern, Georgia Tech, Barnard, Columbia, Smith, Stanford, University of North Carolina, Vassar, Brown, Bowdoin, Wellesley, USC, Emory, U.Illinois, Notre Dame, NYU, Rice, University of Chicago, Washington University (WUSTL), Drexel, Tulane, London School of Economics, Purdue, Swarthmore, SCAD, Ohio, Georgetown, Hamilton, Reed, Miami, Johns Hopkins, University of Florida, University of Arizona, Penn State, Villanova, Northeastern, SUNY-ESF, St. Johns, Embry-Riddle, Colgate, Fordham, Columbia, Barnard, Syracuse, Swarthmore, Pittsburgh, Dickinson, Colorado, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Howard, Fordham, SUNY Stonybrook, Duke, Case Western, Rochester Institute of Technology, Parsons, Virginia Tech, Boston U., Hobart & William Smith, Claremont Mckenna, Davidson, Westpoint, Gettysburg, Amherst, Temple, Denison, Howard, UT Austin, SUNY-Binghamton, Hamilton, George Washington, American, Indiana, SMU, James Madison, and many more!…
WRITE YOUR STORY
SENIORS- ARE YOU READY FOR COLLEGE APPLICATION SEASON AND WRITING YOUR COLLEGE ESSAYS – COMMON APP 2022-23
Bonnie
Nationwide Online College Admissions Planning https://collegecareerconsulting.com/online-college-counselor/
Professor Emeritus & Cornell Alumni Representative
Founder, President College Career Consulting, LLC Serving Clients in South Florida, Boulder, CO, Denver, CO & Remotely Wherever You Are Florida: 561.509.0021
Bonnie R. Rabin, Ph.D. is the founder and principal educational consultant of College Career Consulting, LLC. She has over 30 years of experience as a university faculty member and shares her knowledge, professional resources and support with students who are ready to advance their lifelong educational and career journeys.
