What have been some of the most surprising college decisions?

Look, I'm freaking out a bit here, and I could use some comfort. Can you guys share any surprising college decisions you've heard of? I mean cases where someone got accepted or rejected, and it was totally unexpected - either they got into a reach school, or didn't get into what should’ve been a safety. Anything like that?

You're not alone in feeling this way. College admissions can indeed be unpredictable and often elicit surprising outcomes. Let's review a few examples:

1. Ok, here's a shocker. There was a student who had an average GPA, slightly above average SATs and was involved in extracurricular activities. But, they were accepted into Brown, a highly selective Ivy League university. Surprising, right? Turns out, their statement was a heart-tugging account of their passion for social justice, providing a unique perspective on their life experience, and their recommendations also spoke highly of their character and resilience.

2. On the flip side, I remember hearing about someone with top grades, maxed-out AP courses, great SAT scores, leadership roles, and extracurriculars that seemingly lined up with their chosen major at a highly selective school not getting into a university considered to be a 'safety'. It appeared that their essay was flat and didn't quite capture their personality or explain why they were a great fit for the university.

3. Another surprising case involved a student with mixed grades and active participation in a single, unique extracurricular activity. They ended up getting accepted into a highly ranked liberal arts college, predominantly because their passion for their single extracurricular — designing and hosting a Dungeons & Dragons campaign for local students — demonstrated creativity, leadership, and sustained commitment.

4. And finally, a student with a stellar academic profile and many Tier 2 and 3 extracurriculars was surprisingly waitlisted at a university ranked lower than others where they were accepted with scholarships. It seems this student didn’t craft an engaging essay for the university or express their unique interests, making it harder for the admissions team to find the 'fit'.

Remember, each admissions decision is the result of numerous factors, including but not limited to academic performance, essays, letters of recommendation, and increasingly, the fit for the school in question. Admissions can be unpredictable, and the holistic process used by many institutions means that no singular merit is enough to guarantee admission. It's essential to apply broadly and have a mix of reach, match, and safety schools. It's also a good idea to start considering schools where you think you would genuinely fit and where you can add value. Good luck with your applications!