Here is some hope for the smarties on this board

The1calledTKE · #1 10-01-2002, 10:17 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2002/EDUCATION/09....ap/index.html

FuzzieAlum · #2 10-02-2002, 11:36 AM

So HOW gullible are my fellow grad school applicants supposed to be? We'll go somewhere because they call us or send us a flash animation? What, are the admissions folks nuts?

You know what will get me to go to School X: One, they have to admit me. Two, show me the money. After all, I'm only applying to schools I want to attend anyway - and I'm not going to make money with my degree, so low debt is paramount.

So gee, do I go for the fellowship or the school with the personalized stationary?

The1calledTKE · #3 10-02-2002, 12:54 PM

Some people might actually want to go to those school so it would benifit them.

FuzzieAlum · #4 10-02-2002, 02:59 PM

Yeah, but if I WANT to go to school X, I'm going to go if I get in regardless of whether or not they make a flash website about it! And if I don't want to, if it's not my first choice, I still won't go unless I don't get in where I really want to.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with cute or personal touches. But this article makes it sound like if the school calls their acceptees instead of sending a letter, enrollment will soar. I doubt it will really have a serious impact on enrollment.

Munchkin03 · #5 10-05-2002, 09:40 AM

Okay, since I'm in the process of applying to professional schools, I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what's going on. The schools that can afford to do this--Boalt being a prime example--have more than enough money to fund most of their class, so it's not a choice between fellowships and out-of-state trips. I'm telling you, if my first choice accepted me AND offered to fly me out/called me/etc, you BET I'm going.

The schools know what they're doing, especially top-rate state schools like Berkeley, who have to compete with the Harvards and Yales for top applicants--and have to do that much more. More power to them.

Maybe I should switch to business or law, instead of architecture.