In all our years guiding families through the sometimes agonizing process of college admissions, certain questions pop up over and over again. So, we've collected 20 of the most frequently asked questions and published here the highlights of our most common responses.
Remember, as we do, that no one is typical.
Can you judge the letter by its cover?
No. 90+% of kids get their acceptances by e-mail. The paperwork comes later or it also arrives by e-mail.
Tell them the truth. The college thought they needed OTHER applicants to make up their idea of a strong entering class. There's NOTHING in that letter that says you were in the bottom one-eighth of the applicant pool who weren't qualified. And admissions people are human. They could have missed your child's potential to contribute to campus. Why not go where the admissions people saw the fit right away? The places where your high school friends (or, be honest, your rivals) are going is the worst guide as to where you should be going!