College applications back in the old days

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by melindawarren

For everyone I've heard saying that the switch to email-only admissions is the way to go, I have to strongly disagree. There is nothing like the feeling of getting the "big envelope" and knowing that you're in.

I threw out my admissions envelop because it wasn't some thick envelope or specially marked or anything. At that time, I was getting like ten letters/flyers/postcards every day from schools asking me to apply, and they all went straight in the trash.

I think my masters was done via e-mail, but I don't really remember. I went somewhere fairly non-selective, though, so there was no suspense.

For my doctorate, I was offered a fellowship from the graduate college that arrived (via e-mail) before the acceptance from my department (via snail mail).

Maybe I'll have to apply for a fourth degree so I can get an envelope :-)

[AnchorAlumna]

First generation college here.
My parents were Depression-era kids so they knew how to make Abe scream for mercy. They encouraged me to go to college, but I knew they were worried about the cost. I was a good student, but just average, so no scholarships for me.

My first dream was to go to the University of Tennessee (one of the few colleges I had laid eyes on), but with out of state tuition being double (then), that was out of the question. I applied to both Alabama and Auburn and was accepted to both, but I really only wanted Alabama. I could have gone to another smaller state university an hour away, and even gotten a scholarship to a Methodist-affiliated small college 20 minutes way, but my goal was to be close enough for my parents to drive down and back on a Sunday, but far away enough that it would not be an every-Sunday trip!

In the early 1970s, tuition was $350 a semester. $350! There was a $50 per semester student activity fee...I don't remember food costs. Living in the sorority house was cheaper than living in the dorm, and the food was infinitely better.

A few years before she died, my mom commented on how economical it was for me to go to college. She even said it was cheaper than me living at home!
No essays....I do remember it was $50 for the Alabama application and $75 for the Auburn one.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

In the early 1970s, tuition was $350 a semester. $350! There was a $50 per semester student activity fee...

I'm a decade or so later than you. but four years of college and three years of law school cost my parents around $6,000 tuition and fee-wise.

I applied to two colleges -- the one I wanted to go to and the one that I was nominated by my high school faculty for a full ride to (but didn't get). When it came time for law school, I applied to five.

[melindawarren]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

I threw out my admissions envelop because it wasn't some thick envelope or specially marked or anything. At that time, I was getting like ten letters/flyers/postcards every day from schools asking me to apply, and they all went straight in the trash.

I think my masters was done via e-mail, but I don't really remember. I went somewhere fairly non-selective, though, so there was no suspense.

For my doctorate, I was offered a fellowship from the graduate college that arrived (via e-mail) before the acceptance from my department (via snail mail).

Maybe I'll have to apply for a fourth degree so I can get an envelope :-)

SC sends the prettiest admissions package ever. You get a really gorgeous folder that says "Welcome to the Trojan Family," and inside the folder, there's a nicely arranged certificate, the letter, and all the other information. Really, really nice.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by melindawarren

SC sends the prettiest admissions package ever. You get a really gorgeous folder that says "Welcome to the Trojan Family," and inside the folder, there's a nicely arranged certificate, the letter, and all the other information. Really, really nice.

Pepperdine's is gorgeous, too. Everything those two schools send out is beautifully done.

[dukemama]

I entered college way back in 1983 and applied to 15 schools. It was my father's idea, and needless to say I was notorious in my HS's guidance department. Fortunately most of them took the common application (is that still around?) so it wasn't incredibly time-consuming. I'm just amazed that my parents agreed to pay all of those application fees which even back then weren't cheap.

I got into 11 of the 15 schools to which I applied, but narrowed my choices down pretty easily. Duke wasn't even on my radar when I first started the process; I had my heart set on Northwestern until I stepped foot on Duke's campus.