Admissions Beat An Admissions Newsfeeding Frenzy
Nov 11, 2025
As application deadlines loom, the media bombards students with anxiety-inducing headlines. The hosts dissect misleading stories, emphasizing the importance of genuine engagement in extracurriculars over mere appearances. They critique over-applying to selective colleges, warning it may dilute demonstrated interest. Instead of fixating solely on acceptance rates, they encourage evaluating true educational quality. With insights on navigating early decisions and recommendations, they urge applicants to be authentic and mindful of their unique narratives.
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Headlines Fuel Applicants' Anxiety
- Media headlines amplify admissions anxiety more than they clarify process realities.
- Lee Coffin and Charlotte Albright urge readers to parse headlines and seek context before reacting.
More Reach Apps Aren't A Better Strategy
- Students often expand application lists with more selective schools thinking volume increases chances.
- Lee Coffin warns that over-applying to reaches dilutes demonstrated interest and harms fit assessment.
Selectivity Isn't The Sole Quality Signal
- Acceptance rate is an imperfect proxy for institutional quality or undergraduate experience.
- Coffin recommends evaluating outcomes like student engagement, affordability, and faculty fit instead.
