What Happens to a Student Deferred?
Langston Hughes once wrote a poem entitled "What Happened to a Dream Deferred", but these days the word "deferred" is often reserved for a student's college dreams. In the New York Times blog "The Choice" Jacques Steinberg talks to two college admissions officers at highly selective schools about what a student's best course of action is should he be deferred. One quote, from Occidental admissions officer Vince Cuseo, jumped out at me immediately:
"That said, there’s some benefit to an early decision defer writing to us to reconfirm his or her fidelity if it’s accompanied by new information, i.e., something not included in the application because it occurred post-submission."
The word in question there is "fidelity", and it goes to underscore just what a ridiculous predicament a deferred early-admissions student is put into. Not only are they left unsure of whether or not they're in school anywhere, they're also being asked to remain "faithful" to a school their top choice even if the school isn't sure if they want them or not.
Imagine if a boyfriend or girlfriend did this to one of your friends? Would you sit there and accept it as the reality of the situation? No, you'd probably tell them that it was a ridiculous game and they should have some self respect and not put up with it. Unfortunately those deferred from colleges don't have that option.
The important thing to remember for the vast majority of high school seniors (whether in, out or whatever) is that you don't actually know anything. You've seen a view book, you've taken a tour, maybe you've even spent the night somewhere. You think you have an extremely clear picture of what life is like at a certain college. But if you ask anyone who's actually in school--whether it's their top choice school or their safety--they'll probably tell you that their actual experience does not match up with their vision of the school in high school. Often times its better than what they'd imagine. Sometimes its worse. Still, other times it's not even better or worse, just different. So keep that in mind when you're waiting to hear back from a school that's not even sure it wants you. You might think that it's the place you want to be, but chances are it's not even the place you think it is.
The word in question there is "fidelity", and it goes to underscore just what a ridiculous predicament a deferred early-admissions student is put into. Not only are they left unsure of whether or not they're in school anywhere, they're also being asked to remain "faithful" to a school their top choice even if the school isn't sure if they want them or not.
Imagine if a boyfriend or girlfriend did this to one of your friends? Would you sit there and accept it as the reality of the situation? No, you'd probably tell them that it was a ridiculous game and they should have some self respect and not put up with it. Unfortunately those deferred from colleges don't have that option.
The important thing to remember for the vast majority of high school seniors (whether in, out or whatever) is that you don't actually know anything. You've seen a view book, you've taken a tour, maybe you've even spent the night somewhere. You think you have an extremely clear picture of what life is like at a certain college. But if you ask anyone who's actually in school--whether it's their top choice school or their safety--they'll probably tell you that their actual experience does not match up with their vision of the school in high school. Often times its better than what they'd imagine. Sometimes its worse. Still, other times it's not even better or worse, just different. So keep that in mind when you're waiting to hear back from a school that's not even sure it wants you. You might think that it's the place you want to be, but chances are it's not even the place you think it is.
Sign in to comment
OR
Comments [0]