Executive Director
@GeorgiaTech
, author/speaker/trail runner/podcast host/unapologetic optimist. Co-author/co-host: The Truth about College Admission.
🧵Three messages most parents of high school students need to hear but either never do -- or don't
listen to:
1- Talk to fewer parents of other hs students & more parents of current college students/recent grads about
#collegeadmissions
. They give nec. perspective/encouragement
27,000 admissions decisions going out from this place tonight at 7 pm. So proud of the incredible
@gtadmission
team who’s put in so much time & care to getting us to this day.
#GoJackets
!
In a meeting today with current college students. Biggest piece of advice they wanted to convey to graduating hs students was, "Ask for help early & often. Don't be too proud to admit when you don't understand something in class- or are struggling w/something outside of class."
Brief 🧵- I just received an email from an 8th grader entitled “admission fears” asking for advice. Honestly, if you’re not yet a junior in high school, my best advice is simply- BE A GOOD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT! Go back to class. Invest in your school & local community.
"Any final advice for our juniors who will be applying to college next year?"
Yes- Don't apply anywhere you would not actually go. That's just dumb. Thanks for having me.
In recent yrs,
@gtadmission
has made a conscious decision to not set app deadlines on weekends/ holidays w/students & school counselors in mind. We also release decisions on Friday nights or Saturdays, so not to disrupt school days.
Urging my colleagues nationally to follow suit.
Annual plea to colleges maintaining Jan 1 app deadline:
PLEASE consider:
1- your staff is not working days on either side to field student questions/concerns.
2- Nobody is reading/processing apps submitted on then, ie a few extra days won’t delay your process.
"but he was admitted to {insert other (implying "better") college name here}" is not a valid reason for
#admission
appeal. Different schools, different missions, different admission review processes.
To quote my long-time friend and colleague Robert Barkley (former Clemson admission director) "The students who didn't get in, want it. Students who got in want more money. Students who got the most money really wanted it from someone else..."
#MarchMadness
THREAD: Lots of students deliberating college choices during these weeks. A few thoughts on making a decision.
🙏Be thankful. Having a choice is a reflection of your hard work. So flip the script from You HAVE to decide to You GET to decide.
🔢Run the numbers...
Tonight at 7 pm we will release our final 20,000
#admission
decisions for first-year students. This year’s class will be 500 bigger than last year at 3575~. Expanding access to a Tech degree is core to our mission and vision.
3- College admission is not fair. It's a human process, and therefore inherently imperfect/fallible. It's driven by supply & demand, institutional priorities, and mission. Therefore, neither an admit nor deny is a value judgment or prediction of future success (on them or you).
With phone/email tirades on the upswing this week I'm pulling this one from the archives.
Pro Tip- if you're looking to come off a wait list, request an extension of any kind... or generally asking for anything (in life/
#admissions
), cussing out/ yelling is not a best practice.
Since this question came up twice in the last two days, I would like to go on the record for saying that “demonstrating interest” for Georgia Tech is accomplished by submitting an application.
Text from friend-
“My wife heard if we put a housing deposit down, other colleges can see that & may rescind offers. Any truth to that?”
Absolutely not. Where’d she hear that?
“Facebook.”
Nope. Again, rule
#1
- don’t listen to other parents of hs students about
#collegeadmissions
I met with a first year student today who said that he just wanted to say thanks for admitting him and promised to “prove we had made the right decision.”
Told him by setting up the meeting he already had.
Releasing 5700
#admissions
decisions at noon today for students attending Georgia high schools…and I’m on my way to a local hs athletic event. What can I say, I’m a risk taker.
🧵on holistic
#admissions
review. We are frequently asked, "What's the most important thing?" The answer is course choice and performance. Too few reps say that simply/clearly, because they want to emphasize "everything matters." Yes, that's true- holistic means holistic, but...
Just when you thought you'd seen it all in
#collegeadmission
-- today I received a "letter or recommendation" from a 5th grader for a student on our waiting list.
🧵Excited to launch a new podcast- The Truth about College Admission- with my colleague & co-author
@BarnardBrennan
. In each episode we'll interview national leaders in
#collegeadmissions
/ enrollment about timely topics for students & families.
unless you are employed by a school (counselor/teacher) or tutoring, they’re not “your student.”
if they are paying you, they’re a “client” or “customer.” At best “a student I’m working with.”
Don’t take credit for someone else’s work.
Lots of hs juniors creating/planning senior yr schedules now. 2 recs based on reading apps lately. 1) If you're on a block schedule & interested in a STEM major, take your math/science in the fall. 2) If you want a Calc-based major, don't downshift in math sr yr. Keep progressing
email of the day: "As my son prepares to graduate from college, I was reflecting back to his application journey & how much YOUR writing made the process as fun, relaxing and painless as possible. Your work is a beautiful gift to parents & students, no matter where they end up."
When the pandemic began, there was a lot of talk of extending grace as people juggled life, work, family, health, etc.
"Returning to normal" sounds easy, but it will have varying challenges for different folks, so let's recommit to another round of excessive grace right now.
If you have a November 1 (Sunday) deadline, it's not too late to push to Nov. 2 or 3 (weekday).
1- Your staff is available to answer questions
2- Students w/o access to counseling don't know to ask for extensions
3- 2020 (this wk in particular) is rough. Help folks out.
My daughter’s sidewalk chalk ladybug brought me great joy after flying back home yesterday- hoping it does the same for you (plus Sharing before it rains).
National Society of High School Scholars invited us to their
#Atlanta
fair ($750 to attend/$1500 present). Students, before you pay a their $75 membership fee, I challenge you to find a school that's ever admitted someone because of
@nshss
involvement.
Also, this my NO RSVP
I'm a big sports fan. Sad that college football is being canceled many places. If that's happened at your college/conference, here's a challenge/suggestion.
Take the $ you would have spent on tix, food, hotel, travel, & give it to need- based financial aid at your alma mater.
Students and families should focus way more on retention/graduation rates than admit rates/rankings. Retention/grad point to student success, satisfaction, affordability, while admit rates/rankings are gameable and not apples: apples on data.
5- Oh...and watch your pronouns. If you find yourself commonly saying things like, "We have a 3.8" or "Our first choice is Vanderbilt," it may be time to take a long walk, a deep breath, or a stiff drink.
On my way out the door today a guy stopped me in the lobby. Mid-40s. “Hey. You talked to me about coming back to school a few years ago & helped me through the
#admissions
process. I just wanted to let you know that I am graduating in the spring.”
@gatechengineers
#GoJackets
!
@kristenmeinzer
Thank you for these insights & thread. Great reminder that there’s Never been a more important time than now to advocate for our states to invest rather than disinvest in public education.
“Effective July 15, 2020, University System of Georgia (USG) institutions will require all faculty, staff, students, and visitors to wear an appropriate face covering while inside campus facilities/buildings where six feet social distancing may not always be possible.”
In 2 yrs. the number of test-optional colleges has doubled (1800+). With Open AI &
#chatGPT
I'd be shocked if 1/2 as many schools use essays 2 yrs. from now. Perhaps proctored writing/ timed submissions/ previously written work, but not the conventional essay we currently see.
12 year-old: “What are you doing, dad?”
Editing
#GeorgiaTech
letters for students we are going to admit.
“Easy. Just tell em ‘Congratulations, you got in to the School Where It Happens!’”
Done!
#hamiltonmusical
Incredible email from a
#GeorgiaTech
grad:
"I decided to leave my engineering job & become a high school college counselor. You really played a crucial role in building my interest. Thanks for everything you do for students, & for igniting that passion to serve."
WOW!
#winning
4- The admissions essay is not what is going to “get your kid in”…it’s just not. So don’t pay for it to be written by someone else, over-edit it yourself, or pressure them to diverge from their unique voice/style. Essays are not a magic bullet/death nail/Lazarus factor.
Transition 🧵- For the last 15 years, I've had the privilege of leading Georgia Tech's admission team & our undergraduate recruitment and review efforts (dual enrollment, transfer, first-year).
@gtadmission
If you’re advising a high school student considering
#dualenrollment
for math, they are much better off taking pre-calculus than college algebra, particularly if they are an aspiring STEM major.
✅Better preparation
✅ More likely to transfer for credit
✅ more admissions offers
Perhaps the more helpful/student-minded approach would be to flip admit rates to deny rates, & publish mid-50s of students not offered admission. Part of diminishing stress is providing perspective, options, and showing data from a variety of angles.
Admit, defer or deny, never forget: an
#admissions
decision ≠ a value judgment/ prediction of future success or character referendum. Regardless of what colleges communicate in their letters, YOU determine your character & future!
Today is decision release day. It’s also National Winnie the Pooh Day. And so, we ask- why not celebrate both? Seniors, more than the decisions going out in two hours, your growth, your strength, and your intellectual curiosity speak to your wonderful future ahead.
“Some people obviously thought test-optional would make selective admission less selective. Colleges were always more concerned w/ transcripts than test scores (we've always said this). Getting admitted didn't get easier at the selective schools. Applying got easier.”
@UVaDeanJ
Did I ever think I’d have a 10-year-old infatuated with
@DollyParton
? No. But after a pilgrimage to TN, I’m thankful I do.
Helping her embrace the Dolly wisdom: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”
🧵Lots of college students starting classes in the days ahead.
5 hopes for your year:
1- reach out for help early. This is a strength not a weakness.
2- remember the basics. don’t minimize the value of staying hydrated, exercising regularly, & getting solid sleep.
🧵National Fall Enrollment Census is official.
Tech's 1st year class goal: 3750.
Actual= 3760, a .0026 diff.
This won't garner pomp & circumstance on campus or in the press, but getting that close is absolutely amazing- and making it happens was a huge TEAM effort.
@gtadmission
Regularly hear people imply students w/high financial need aren't as qualified/meritorious as other admitted students.
Here are Tech's top 10 competitors for limited income students:
UGA, MIT, PRINCETON, UF, CARNEGIE MELLON, NORTHWESTERN, VANDERBILT, YALE, HARVARD, STANFORD.
Gave away 500 copies of our book over the last 1.5 days to
@nacac
friends & family. Couldn’t think of a better group of influencers to help us launch this.
#NACAC19
Our hope is it helps you keep families on the same page (literally & figuratively).
@BarnardBrennan
PSA 🧵for seniors: 1- You're entering the "business" part of the cycle as you make college selections, deposit, & begin the matriculation phase. It's more important than ever to READ EVERYTHING you receive closely (maybe even aloud), or have a family member read too.
Tomorrow at 5 p.m.
@gtadmission
will send out over 6350 admission decisions. Full profile of class tomorrow but here's what I can tell you:
This team has poured hours into training, reading, discussing, & considering ALL applications comprehensively.
2...
Very excited to announce that Brennan Barnard and I are publishing a book this September to help families have bettter, broader, healthier conversations in the college admission experience.
@BarnardBrennan
@JHUPress
Our kids insisted on picking up my wife after her
#CovidVaccine
. Huge thanks to all the healthcare & frontline workers who continue to serve during this pandemic.
@GradyHealth
PSA: selectivity doesn't correlate to quality. HS students should focus on finding choices & options- places where they'll succeed academically, thrive socially, & be financially supported.
Colleges should be recognized for who they include/help succeed vs. how many they exclude.
"Can you give a presentation about the Top 5-10 myths and misconceptions in
#collegeadmission
?"
Sure. Do you think people would want an intermission after the first hour or two?
Highlight of my week.
Doing a Zoom call last night & my daughter comes in, sees screen and does military crawl to deliver this note:
“Hi Daddy, when you’re done with your call can you come cuddles me?”
1/2- question from last night's panel: "What should 9th & 10th graders do now to prepare for college?"
3 Things:
1- Be a good hs student/community member. Engage, be a good friend/family member. Invest your time to improve something around you. Have fun/enjoy life/school...
We need a new/better phrase for "Gap year." GAP suggests a break, a hole, or unfilled space-- but students do amazing things in that time to build maturity/explore interests/re-think goals/earn money/improve their community & more.
Anyone w/a more accurate/edifying alternative?
In 2021,
#GeorgiaTech
will enroll 80% more new
#firstgen
students than 5 years ago (400).
To reduce barriers for students from families w/o a
#highereducation
background/expand access to a Tech degree, we've added these Qs to
@commonapp
for application fee waivers.
@ImFirstGen
Asked a few times this week about impact of
#coronavirus
on predictive
#admissions
model.
Been confidently telling folks 2.3%. It means nothing but they seem satisfied.
Huge Friday shout out to all of the communications folks! In rapidly shifting times, they carry a huge load.
If you are in that field, THANK YOU!
If you've been relying on comms colleagues this week, you're not the only ones.
Give them a social distancing approved hug/high 5!
Georgia Tech’s 1st year class will be 22% larger than 3 years ago. Transfer up 25% in same period. AND how about this stat around enrollment growth/expanding access-
60% of our living alumni graduated in 2000 or after.
#GoJackets
!
@gtalumni
@gtadmission
Cover Title change: “Best Colleges for Who?”
Ask high school students the factors they believe make a “Best College” and assign percentage weight….THIS is not what they come up with.
2/2:
1- students don’t need the added stress of a Holiday/weekend deadline when staff aren’t in to help.
2- counselors aren’t in high schools to assist- and need the space/time over the break to be off & recharging.
3- Your staff aren’t right on top of incoming apps anyway.
Growing trend in recent years-- emails from parents whose kids we denied/waitlisted four years ago announcing upcoming college graduation and all of their accomplishments/achievements along the way.
Day 1 of fall semester is in the books. First year class goal was 3250.
Despite myriad unknowns/challenges (gauging deferments, melt & yield) we came in at 3278.
Could not be more proud of my AMAZING team & this incredible new class of Yellow Jackets!
@gtadmission
#gt24
Over the years, I’ve been in a lot of meetings/committees discussing the future of
#admissions
/enrollment work & the next generation of leaders.
At this point, I’m more worried about/focused on who will still be in this next year, rather than some vague “future” date.
Apparently, a
@Stanford
alum in the audience did not appreciate my observation: "There are many junior colleges in the country, but only one Junior University."
Email: "You work at a Technical school so it's probably best you stick to numbers not jokes."
It's not yet 7:30 a.m. and I've already sent messages including "Assuming we are physically here," "your guess is as good as mine," and "I wish I knew." Learning a lot of lessons through this experience but patience, grace, and humility top this list.
FOIA/Open records requests to
#admissions
offices are so predictable & unimaginative- usually about athletes, test scores, or some other sub-demographic. Where's the one asking for the meanest/most insulting emails received post-decision. That would be an article worth reading...
THREAD. 1/7
I almost always give the caveat that "I don't speak for every college." BUT on this one I feel pretty confident...
If a student is denied/deferred/waitlisted and the parent/family member is the one emailing or calling to advocate, it is not as compelling.
Colleges have long asked Florida to shorten high school transcripts (often 5-10 pages) by removing the student's immunization history (which typically dates back to elementary school).
To clarify- we didn't mean completely eliminate the actual immunizations.
Monday observation- parents of college students constantly look back at the
#admissions
process & say, “my kid ended up in the right pace for them.” I’ve never heard one say, “you know- I really wish I’d spent more time worrying & stressing about how it would all work out.”
2- When coaches, trainers, other adults say "your kid can play (insert sport) in college," it doesn't mean- a: they actually can b: they can play anywhere they want c: they'll get a scholarship d: if they do get $, it will be a full ride
3.660 mile run around
#GeorgiaTech
campus tonight as a hat tip & well wish to our 3,660 new first year students who start classes tomorrow.
#GT26
Welcome & good luck! We believe in you!
#GoJackets
!
@gtadmission
Thread 2/2: If you work in an
#admissions
office & still have a January 1 deadline, this is the year to make a permanent change.
In a post
@NACAC
SPGP world this wont be made as an official best practice, but it’s clearly logical & practical.
Signed a contract to give the keynote at a conference next summer. My daughter insisted I do it with a scented pen.
Will definitely work in some Elle Woods quotes to continue the theme.
The Ivy League is consistently written about, studied, and debated. But ultimately these schools are an outpost- not a signpost- for American
#HigherEducation
.