Sample College Admissions Stats Evaluation

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Here's an example of a typical Stats Evaluation from one of College Confidential's counselors:

Hi, Susanne:

Thank you for getting all your Stats Evaluation information to me. You should be able to win some fine college acceptances if you approach your applications and essays with proper planning. Before I continue my comments, however, let me say a word of caution about college admissions. Every year the stories of outstanding applicants who are turned down by top-choice colleges seem to multiply, and even professional counselors are surprised by the list of super students who are denied admission to the Ivy League and other elite schools. I find myself repeatedly trying to assure applicants (and parents) that a denial doesn't mean that they have done anything wrong. The most sought after schools simply don't have space for all their outstandingly qualified candidates. One Ivy admissions dean even conceded that "there is some element of crap shoot" to the process. So, in light of all that, here are my thoughts after reading your Stats Evaluation information:

Your strengths are in your selection of very challenging courses and in your willingness to take on additional challenges outside of the classroom. Your "numbers"-as they are called in the admission business-particularly your SAT I scores (700 Verbal; 660 Math), do not reflect your drive or the success you have had in many of your classes. In addition to that, although your school does not officially rank, admission officers will see the GPA breakdown that you sent to me, and they will recognize that you fall within the top fifth of your class-but just barely. (Fifths are known as "quintiles.") They will also recognize your high school's name and realize that an 89.5 average there is nothing to sneeze at. However, as you probably already know, you will be one of many applicants from your high school to all-or most-of the colleges on your list. Although most admission officials will tell you that you are not judged in comparison with your classmates, the reality is that a candidate who is far down the roster of students applying from the same school will need a special "hook" to be admitted.

Elite-college admission decisions are also far more numbers-driven than most admission officials are willing to admit. Thus, your test scores and GPA will make the target colleges you have selected fall into the "far reach" category (more on that below).

Also, while your evaluation-form responses make clear your commitment to debate and orchestra-and to the leadership positions you have held in both areas-these are extracurricular activities that turn up frequently on top-college applications. You will be competing with candidates who have reached lofty levels (e.g., state-level championships and symphonies, even international awards or Carnegie Hall performances) in these pursuits. You need to be thinking about how you can present ("market" may be a better word) your forensics and music experiences to show off your unique achievements. Can you make your adcoms "see" you stumbling out of late-night debate meetings and heading home to tackle AP-level homework, as you describe to me on your eval form? You also need them to understand the impressive commitment you have made to researching and defending your position on school prayer that you argued at the regional tournament.

If you can provide the admissions staff with evidence of your passions, they will see you as much more of a "real" person than those applicants who merely fill in the blanks on the application pages. The goal is to make yourself stand out from the thousands of others vying for attention.

One way you may be able to do this is to tell me more about the "Doll Hospital" that you have established in your basement. While you seem to feel that this venture is not application-worthy (I laughed out loud at your quip about "the social value of resuscitating Barbie"), I also would like to know more about some of your "transformations" (GI Joe to George Bush certainly intrigued me!) so I can help you determine how to best convey this hobby in your applications. Even though that aspect may not be the ticket to a total decision turnaround, it's still well worth emphasizing. Just keep in mind that grades and test scores still carry far more weight than most unusual avocations do.

This brings me to your writing sample. While rarely is a topic completely off limits, you do need to realize that "The Big Orchestra Recital" is an extremely common one, which can put you at a disadvantage at decision time. I found a striking contrast between the formal essay you submitted and your more off-hand remarks about your doll-hospital enterprise. Frankly, your writing sample seemed somewhat stilted and contrived, as if you were attempting to use language you felt admission officials would like, while your comments about your hospital were entertaining and engaging. I felt that the "real you" may have been coming through more clearly there. I encourage you to let your admission committees see it too, when you write your essays.

You will also want to highlight the fact that your GPA is not weighted and that you have reached out and taken a very demanding course load, plus you were the only student in your entire class to take both AP French and AP Spanish. Your AP test results, however, will not serve you well. Certainly two 3s and two 4s shouldn't be considered inferior results, but again, you have to consider your competition at the exalted Ivy level, where many students will submit only 5s or a combination of 4s and 5s. We can discuss if you want to submit your test results to those schools where they aren't required, but be aware that there are both pros and cons to not doing so.

So, Susanne, in light of what I've said above, here is my estimate of your chances at your candidate colleges:

Four of the institutions you're targeting (Harvard, Columbia, Penn, and Yale) cite SAT averages that are significantly above yours and admit the majority of their students from the top tenth of their class. This is not to say that you have no chance of admission to these places, but these four qualify as "far" reaches for you, in my opinion. I just want you to have a clear sense of where you stand right now. Keep in mind, too, that although you have completed an extensive evaluation form for us, admission committees will still have access to lots of information about you and your school experience that we do not have. Sometimes, too, colleges have what are known as "institutional priorities" that can influence admission decisions. For instance, the fact that you play the French horn may be ho-hum on some campuses but could be just the "hook" you need to get you through the gate at others. That's something we have no way of knowing.

Georgetown University, another of your choices, is a "hot" school that is only a hair below the Ivies in its level of competitiveness. You should also consider Georgetown a far reach.

Northwestern University, your remaining choice, has a somewhat higher acceptance rate than the other institutions you name, but you should still consider it a long-shot. It is very attractive to aspiring journalists like you, so the competition in that area is going to be especially keen.

We can certainly advise you on how to make the most of your applications to your top-choice schools, but it is important to add some other "realistic" (a.k.a. "ballpark") and "safe" options to your list. Keep in mind that when I say that an option is "Safe" for you, it doesn't mean that it is a proverbial "Safety School." It only indicates that this is a place that I feel strongly will admit you. Again, remember-admission committees will know far more about you than we at College Confidential do.

Based on what you've told me about your preferences (coed, urban, medium-to-large size, etc.), you might want to look into these additional colleges:

American University, Washington, D.C. (Safe). AU's location (one of your top choices) plus its good offerings in communications and international studies make this a contender for you.

Boston University (Realistic). BU has a strong communications program and is located in your first-choice city.

Clark University, Worcester, MA (Safe). Clark is a bit smaller than you may wish, and the city of Worcester isn't a major metropolis, but the interest in international studies here may suit you.

George Washington University (Realistic). Another good place to combine your interests in journalism and international affairs.

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (Reach-but not a far reach like the Ivies). While best known for pre-med, international relations is strong here.

McGill University, Montreal, Canada (Realistic/Safe). You're already fluent in French, though your classes will be in English. Very international and cosmopolitan. Fun, safe, student-oriented city.

New York University, NYC (Reach/Realistic). Great journalism internship opportunities abound.

There are many more institutions that will welcome a good student like you, Susanne, but I tried to look for places that are appropriate to your academic interests (journalism, international relations) and meet your desire for an urban environment. Once you've had a chance to read through this evaluation and digest my comments on the target colleges you named, you should broaden your horizons by researching and considering schools that may not fit your original preferences. Try to be more flexible, if you can.

For instance, you could look at some smaller liberal arts colleges. What pleases you most about a city school? Sure, they are in vogue right now and on the surface seem like the best bet for an active night life, but many students in urban schools complain that the attractions of their immediate environment translate into the lack of the campus social life that many students in more rural colleges enjoy when there aren't lots of theaters and clubs just minutes away. Just try to keep a balance of "Reach," "Realistic," and "Safe"" options when you go college shopping.

That's my evaluation, Susanne. I don't want you to be too disappointed that I feel that you may have set very lofty goals for yourself. That seems to be your nature, and it's an admirable trait that will often take you where you want to go in life. The college admission process, however, can be a very frustrating. As you go through it, please keep in mind that, while it's always great to get good news from a dream school, there are many paths to a happy and successful life.

I look forward to hearing your response to my suggestions and learning about some of your other priorities and goals. I'll also be happy to answer any questions you may have about my evaluation here. That's part of our Stats Evaluation process.

Best wishes,

Sally Rubenstone (Please call me "Sally." No need for formality.)
www.CollegeConfidential.com

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