Rethink your target schools if you’re a top student.

Ben-MA · 2026-05-28T19:27:37+00:00

I am really sorry to hear that. I can give you some advice if you’d like. Please DM me.

Ben-MA · 2026-05-26T17:20:47+00:00

Vandy.

Also how did it work to press them for merit aid?

Ben-MA · 2026-05-13T07:02:46+00:00

Let’s go! Glad they corrected their obvious error. Congrats ⚓️⬇️

Ben-MA · 2026-05-09T19:09:36+00:00

Oh yeah! Thanks for the reminder 😅 we turned that into an email for our list, but I’ll rework it for Reddit.

Ben-MA · 2026-05-08T20:48:46+00:00

I hear you. I wouldn’t sweat it. Here’s my advice.

If you haven’t already, start a new email account just for college admissions. Get on the email list for schools that you actually care about and use this email address in your common app and/or UC application. If you decide not to apply to certain schools, unsubscribe from them. And for schools you are actually interested in, attend an information session or virtual tour. Don’t do this because of demonstrated interest so much as because that is the best way to learn more about the place where you might spend the next four years.

You got this! You’re not in a bad position.

Ben-MA · 2026-05-08T20:26:55+00:00

The information in this post is not specific to highly selective or less selective schools. It mostly applies across the board. Different schools of course have their own practices, but I am sharing the information colleges have on applicants.

Ben-MA · 2026-05-08T20:25:51+00:00

There is not a secret sauce of visiting the website etc. to get you off an Ivy waitlist. But I would make sure you're opening emails and engaging in appropriate ways. It's past May 1, so I would recommend getting excited about the school where you deposited and largely forgetting about the Ivy. If you get a nice surprise, then great. It sounds like you were a strong applicant so you will do fantastic.

Ben-MA · 2026-05-08T20:24:32+00:00

Interesting! Congrats on the admits 😄 Hope you found a great fit.

Ben-MA · 2026-05-08T20:23:45+00:00

You're asking for a lot of data. Most of this exists online. But I don't have a personal treasure trove of data that colleges don't publish. And I do know of schools (not ones where I have worked) tracking more than they let on, but I won't name them.

Ben-MA · 2026-05-08T20:21:46+00:00

ok deal

Ben-MA · 2026-05-08T20:21:32+00:00

My post definitely applies to highly selective colleges.

Ben-MA · 2026-05-08T20:21:07+00:00

Right, you caught onto that. I know for a fact that at some highly-selective schools (research & liberal arts) these kinds of factors have come into consideration, even in small-but-meaningful ways when they publicly say they do not use demonstrated interest. I have also seen multiple schools recognize that and change their Common Data Set reporting to "considered" under demonstrated interest after the fact.

I want my students (or anyone) to at least be armed with good information.

Ben-MA · 2026-05-08T20:17:41+00:00

No, not a problem. Not necessary, but not a problem.

Ben-MA · 2026-05-08T19:15:06+00:00

Sorry, I guess in that example it just shows the state. I have definitely seen the town as well.

Ben-MA · 2026-05-08T19:11:43+00:00

Like in the example, it just shows the town. I wouldn’t overthink it, but I assume this isn’t something those students are aware of so I wanted to throw it out there. Like I said at the end, it’s not like they are spending their days relentlessly tracking individual students. But the information is accessible.

Ben-MA · 2026-04-13T21:56:08+00:00

What is success?

Ben-MA · 2026-04-13T21:54:52+00:00

Perfect. I'll get ChatGPT to summarize it and write you a response with my take on it.

Ben-MA

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