College Admission Results: Beyond simple hard “stats” of a student
So, the whole college admissions cycle of 2024-2025 has come to an end with all the decisions from colleges being released. I thought to share two cases, both my students, with the goal of letting my readers know that admission outcomes are not a reflection of a student's worth or capability, so no one should ever measure one's worth by what college admissions results one receives, because it's a lot to do with institutional policies more than anything else.
I have a “top Ivy college” admit this year, and a “same top Ivy college” "rejection" this year. If hard "stats"or ECs alone were anything to go by, the result would have been reversed. The student who got rejected had one major international competition win, leadership in multiple school clubs, outside school service/internship, almost perfect SAT, 4.8 GPA out of 4.0, 17 APs, popular with student body and teachers alike, so recommendations are not an issue. The student who got admitted is nowhere close to having those stats, though, don't get me wrong, this student is exceptionally excellent in their own ways. I guide them both with their essays, so that should not be the factor that led to the difference in outcomes.
My point is, there are bigger factors at play, often called institutional policies, where "fit" is more important. (BTW, the other student did get into many other single-digit acceptance colleges. So, nothing wrong with having strong stats. So, one should still work hard.)
Nevertheless, I always tell students that admission decisions are not always about them, so they should never negate all their hard work or question their worth just because the top colleges don't appreciate them. There are far too many other factors involved in admissions. I have many students from a region where one highly-coveted college is located, but I always tell my students their chances of being accepted there are very low, unless they have connections (whatever form that takes), from an under-represented group or are recruited athletes. I know so, from insiders and from those who get admitted every year. Many of those factors are not what most students are born with. We cannot change what we're born into but we can make the best of what we have.
To my students and all families out there, congratulations on your college offers. Also remember this, let no college "rejection" make you feel any lesser in any way. College is only four years of one's life, and beyond college, there are so many more possibilities.
