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How influential is an extremely supportive school (zealous principal/counselor/head of departments/teachers) in the Ivy admissions process?

I come from a mediocre school in Southern California...but my principals/counselor/head/teachers say that they'll "do whatever they can" to get me into my top choice (Columbia)...I doubt their support will hurt...but how much do you think it will help? Thanks...

By Bern700 (Bern700) on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 04:30 pm: Edit

Depends on what kind of relationship your school/counselor/principal/etc have with Columbia.

For example, a small school here in Phoenix (60 students in senior class) is a pretty well known school that send kids to the Ivys every year, etc. Their counselor is amazing and has really a good relationships with many schools. This year a girl I know was waitlisted at Brown and Penn. About a week before May 1 she was called by Penn and told that she was off their waitlist. She, however, still wanted Brown but Penn only gave her a few days to decide. The counselor called the Brown and got her off the waitlist with one call.

So if your school (or individuals at your school) has a good relationship with Columbia then having the school's support could help you out.

By Achat (Achat) on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 04:40 pm: Edit

Bern, are you talking about the same school that Chasgoose comes from? Just curious.

By Bern700 (Bern700) on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 04:53 pm: Edit

yeah

By Candi1657 (Candi1657) on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 12:09 pm: Edit

I think if you just have the support of one or two individuals, it can make all the necessary difference. This, of course, depends on the individual and level of self-motivation. For me, it was my government/economics teacher and College Confidential that made the difference. Back then, (when I was applying to schools, it seems so long ago, but it truly isn't), I wasn't really close to my principal and although I had strong friendships with many teachers, they weren't entirely helpful in that regard. In addition, when I told my counselor of all the competitive schools I was applying to, she said, "Well, nobody gets into there from here." Which was, no doubt, true, but not particularly encouraging. Of course, that statement only told half the story...while there were stacks and stacks of fee waivers for private/other schools left in her drawer when I took my own, but all the CUNY fee waivers were long gone.

Remember, however, in the end it all comes down to you, what you are willing to endure to realize your dreams and goals. Sorry if that sounds cliche, but it's certainly true.

By Gtownmom (Gtownmom) on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 12:21 pm: Edit

Deerhunter, please see my post (6th one) under "How does one determine reach, match, safety?" It is right on this topic! GtownMom