I need some feedback/advice, for colleges

[Michael_T]

Good Morning/Afternoon,

I have a quick question in regards to colleges, that some may be able to answer.

Over the past few months, I've received multiple different emails from colleges, regarding special status for application, due to my academic achievements.

The application comes with multiple different benefits:
- NO SAT/ACT Requirement
- Waived Application Fee
- 1-week admission decision

My main question is; does this have anything to do with my actual performance in High School, or is this more of a gimmick to get the applicant interested/applying to said specific college.

I've spoken to my counselor about this as well, as she doesn't have a solid answer for me

Please advise!

 

[NavyUMO]

In my experience, these are real as colleges like to get a sense of your commitment without the full commitment of Early Decision. These tend to be for schools with less competitive admissions but not necessarily inferior academically. It really just comes down to your liking of the school and all that they have to offer. If you are good with those school(s), it feels pretty good to have an acceptance or two "in the bag" while you await others.

 

[cb7893]

My main question is; does this have anything to do with my actual performance in High School, or is this more of a gimmick to get the applicant interested/applying to said specific college.

I wouldn't look at it so much as a gimmick as much as casting the widest net.

My DS had applied to at least 10 different schools with varying degrees of certainty about his prospects at each place. Most of them used the Common App.

One day he was doing nothing and saw an OOS Big 10 School advertising no "No Application Fee." He filled it out on a Saturday Afternoon and by the following Friday he received a call from the Dean of the Engineering School offering him a scholarship for full tuition, contingent on his official transcripts and SAT scores verifying what he reported. In all fairness, this school is extremely aggressive at attracting OOS kids, offering OOS tuition to students from surrounding states and Canadian Provinces.

He ended up at that school mainly because they acted like they wanted him there. Gap year? No problem. Help with the transfer of his AROTC scholarship from GA Tech? No problem. The AD even called the ROO to plead his case.

I think the bottom line is that you should be able to tell quickly what is a just a gimmick and who is really examining the applications that actually end up on the trawler.

My advice is to go to the place (all else being equal) that wants you the most.

Best of luck!

 

[Michael_T]

In my experience, these are real as colleges like to get a sense of your commitment without the full commitment of Early Decision. These tend to be for schools with less competitive admissions but not necessarily inferior academically. It really just comes down to your liking of the school and all that they have to offer. If you are good with those school(s), it feels pretty good to have an acceptance or two "in the bag" while you await others.

I wouldn't look at it so much as a gimmick as much as casting the widest net.

My DS had applied to at least 10 different schools with varying degrees of certainty about his prospects at each place. Most of them used the Common App.

One day he was doing nothing and saw an OOS Big 10 School advertising no "No Application Fee." He filled it out on a Saturday Afternoon and by the following Friday he received a call from the Dean of the Engineering School offering him a scholarship for full tuition, contingent on his official transcripts and SAT scores verifying what he reported. In all fairness, this school is extremely aggressive at attracting OOS kids, offering OOS tuition to students from surrounding states and Canadian Provinces.

He ended up at that school mainly because they acted like they wanted him there. Gap year? No problem. Help with the transfer of his AROTC scholarship from GA Tech? No problem. The AD even called the ROO to plead his case.

I think the bottom line is that you should be able to tell quickly what is a just a gimmick and who is really examining the applications that actually end up on the trawler.

My advice is to go to the place (all else being equal) that wants you the most.

Best of luck!

In my case, I just today received a email from the University of Tampa, offering me a lot of the previously mentioned benefits.

I did some research about U of T, and I found it has a 45% acceptance rate, so I'm just a bit conflicted.

 

[parentalunit2]

It's a bit gimmick-y. Think of it this way - are you the only person who received that e-mail/mailer? No, it went out to thousands of students. All who checked the box to allow schools to contact them when signing up for the PSAT/SAT/ACT. Your counselor didn't give you a solid answer because she's part of the whole show.

 

[Michael_T]

It's a bit gimmick-y. Think of it this way - are you the only person who received that e-mail/mailer? No, it went out to thousands of students. All who checked the box to allow schools to contact them when signing up for the PSAT/SAT/ACT. Your counselor didn't give you a solid answer because she's part of the whole show.

Oh well, that sounds more like it...

 

[NJROTC-CC]

I have heard of schools reaching out to students who had been awarded ROTC scholarships, but who didn't even apply. I presume that is because they want the scholarship money. Some will offer free room and board.

 

[Devil Doc]

yep, wide net. Are you a fish or fisherperson? That is the question.

 

[StPaulDad]

Many schools are hurting for students these days and are trying a number of things to raise enrollment. Some of them are across the board (eg test optional or quick application processing) and some are for groups (eg waived fees for some income levels or other class of student) and some might be more sharply targeted, like soliciting ROTC students. As mentioned above, you can be skeptical of some of this since these things don't cost the school much to offer, but don't be too proud to check it out. There are thousands of schools in this country, most are pretty good, and it's very likely you won't be the smartest or dumbest kid in the room in most of them. Take a moment to see if it's a good fit, if the little extra makes any difference to you, if you might succeed there, and so on.

Think of it this way: just because something is on sale doesn't make it a gimmick to be doubted or some giant scam. Schools are just lowering the cost or simplifying the process in make it easier for kids to apply.

 

[Michael_T]

Congratulations! Your academic and extracurricular achievements indicate that you may be a promising candidate for a University of Tampa education. These accomplishments qualify you for our exclusive Spartan Fast Track application process – the fastest and easiest way to apply to UT!

Completing the Spartan Fast Track application process will make it possible for you to have all the information you need about your options at The University of Tampa by December 1st!

To take advantage of this offer, you will need to apply online via The University of Tampa Application, the Common Application, or the Coalition Application. Here at UT, we treat all three exactly the same.

Benefits of the Spartan Fast Track application process include:

No Application Fee* - Use the following fee waiver codes depending on the application you choose:

UT Application - Enter UTFASTon the Supplemental Information tab after answering yes when asked if you have an application fee waiver. Common Application - Select Fast Track Applicationin the University of Tampa section when asked which type of fee waiver you are eligible for. Coalition Application - Enter the code FAST on the payment page when asked to Add a fee waiver code for this college.

No SAT/ACT Requirement - The University of Tampa is providing test optional undergraduate admissions for the Fall 2022 term.

Decision by December 1st - This decision is non-binding, meaning if you decide that UT isn't the school for you, there is no penalty for canceling your application.

Early Scholarship Eligibility Estimate - Complete UT's Scholarship Calculator. Special academic scholarship consideration will be given to those using the Spartan Fast Track application process.

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To be eligible for the Spartan Fast Track application process your application and all supporting documents must be received by The University of Tampa no later than November 1!

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You will receive your Fast Track response within a few weeks. Students participating in our Early Action and Regular admissions application process receive their decisions much later.

Please call the Office of Admissions at (813) 253-6211 or email admissions@ut.edu if you have any questions.

We look forward to hearing from you and to getting back to you – fast!

* The University of Tampa is unable to refund any application fee that was previously or accidentally paid.



This is the email I received today

 

[jaglvr]

Good Morning/Afternoon,

I have a quick question in regards to colleges, that some may be able to answer.

Over the past few months, I've received multiple different emails from colleges, regarding special status for application, due to my academic achievements.

The application comes with multiple different benefits:
- NO SAT/ACT Requirement
- Waived Application Fee
- 1-week admission decision

My main question is; does this have anything to do with my actual performance in High School, or is this more of a gimmick to get the applicant interested/applying to said specific college.

I've spoken to my counselor about this as well, as she doesn't have a solid answer for me

Please advise!

Last year my DD received many offers to apply, with the waived application fee. As others have said, it is more casting their net and if they extend an acceptance, then they may get you to come but if not, it doesn't hurt anyone to apply. Only apply to the ones that truly interest you though. One of her besties applied to all the freebies that were offered, knowning full well she wasn't going to attend them anyway. More stress on your part ensuring accurate and decent applications.

Good luck with your decisions.

 

[USMCGrunt]

Think of it this way: just because something is on sale doesn't make it a gimmick to be doubted or some giant scam. Schools are just lowering the cost or simplifying the process in make it easier for kids to apply.

Don't worry, they are using increased tuition revenue to cover the loss of application fees. Today's students are paying your application fee.

 

[OldAFRet]

Due to covid (at least that's the story) many schools waivered SAT/ACT tests. None of my 3 currently in school took either, and are doing just fine. Oh, and it's a state university, not a hole in the wall.

Schools are having to be competitive now - as they should be.