Overheard in Committee — The Selecting Continues
Admit It! You read last week’s Overheard in Committee blog, and you want more. Well we aim to please. Early Decision Committee has been in full swing for the past several days and there’s plenty to discuss. We’ve very much enjoyed reviewing the applications of those who applied Early Decision and crafting the first part of the Class of 2017. But every now and again we feel an application has left us with more questions than answers. To that end, here’s what was overheard in Committee yesterday.
“What the heck happened in 10th grade?”
As we were reviewing the file of an applicant, we noticed that this otherwise straight-A student, performed poorly in the 10th grade earning a smattering of Bs and Cs. Yet nothing in the file addressed why. The student didn’t make mention of it. No recommenders made mention of it. It’s as if everyone just hoped we wouldn’t notice. That is unfortunately wishful thinking. And it’s better for us to know what happened than to be left to make assumptions. Maybe the student had a serious illness. Maybe there was a death in the family. Maybe there was an undiagnosed learning disability. Maybe, maybe, maybe….
We’ve mentioned this in previous blogs but it bears repeating: you can never tell us too much, only too little. If there’s something that’s a bit out of sorts in your application, tell us about it. Maybe it’s something small like a scheduling conflict. Maybe it’s something much more dramatic like needing to change high schools. Maybe it’s thoughtfully explaining a disciplinary infraction. Maybe it’s why your grades dropped your sophomore year. Maybe it’s why you had to quit a particular extracurricular activity. We understand the trials and tribulations of high schoolers; all of us were high schoolers once. We also know that sometimes circumstances are beyond your control. We can consider those circumstances when reviewing your application—but only if you share them with us. There’s an entire portion of the Common Application called “Additional Information”. Use it if you need to do. Please. Do yourself that service. Because if you don’t, we’re left only with our assumptions, and you know what they say about those who assume.
So back into Committee we go, continuing to craft W&M’s 320th class. As we do so, and as we reflect on the upcoming holiday, we are grateful to be in the position we are – to select from among the nation’s best, brightest and most accomplished students—and to work for an institution in which we all believe so deeply.
Wendy Livingston ’03, M.Ed. ‘09
Associate Dean of Admission
Comments are closed on posts older than one year, but we still want to hear from you. If you have a comment or question for us, please email admission@wm.edu.
What if our grades aren’t completely up to par, say mostly B’s and A’s, but stay consistent throughout high school? Will a consistent gpa be more beneficial than sudden grade drop, even if we weren’t able to achieve all A’s?
@Chloie, a consistent GPA won’t leave us with any questions as opposed to when grades are not consistent. We don’t necessarily expect students to have all As to be admitted but we do let students know that our applicants are high-achieving and tend to do well in strong curricula.
Thanks a lot for these blogs. I’m a real fan of the “Overheard in the Committee” series. Waiting for a new entry is like waiting for the next chapter of a really good online FanFiction story.
@Shafwan Khan, thanks for the compliment. Glad yu enjoyed the blogs.
Yeah！Finally update！I check everyday Admit it! blog to see if there are any news!Thanks a lot!
@Peng Xuran, we blog once a week so updates are always available.
Where is there space to even write this kind of stuff like how numbers-cant-even-explain-who-i-am kind of stuff on commonapp? If we simply wanted to use the additional information to expand on something that we studied or researched, then we wouldn’t be able to simply add in a “oh yeah my grades are mediocre and mostly all Bs and just a few A’s because I am not very good at tests” type thing?
@stressed out, we know you’re more than a number. That’s why we consider essays, interviews, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, art submissions, etc. We want to get a 3-D sense of who you are before we make any final decision. We’re just encouraging applicants to explain anything that might seems out of sorts, odd, not in line with everything else. That way we have all the context we need in which to evaluate your application.
Was there more or less applicants this year than in the past years?
@Phil, our ED numbers look fairly stable from last year to this year.
Would it be considered as much if I had a similar dilemma with my 11th grade (it is a more significant year) transcript, and that I included a brief explanation involving a serious, extraneous circumstance?
@Anon, yes. If there’s anything out of the ordinary that has an explanation it cannot hurt you to provide it to us.
Thanks again for all these blog posts! Question: if the decision release date is delayed because of Sandy, when will the delay be announced? If the date is not delayed, will the the “Good Things” emails be sent out on Friday or Saturday?
Thanks!
#Green&Gold #W&M2017?
Please please please let us know when EXACTLY the emails will be sent out please people who are running this blog please! it will save so many of us so much stress! just to know when it will be sent out eliminates alot of the anxietyyyyyyy 🙂
Just wondering what counts more for admissions into WM ED
1) Extracurrics, Commonapp Essay, Supplement, Interview, Additional Information
or
2) GPA & Sat Scores
What exact date will the results be emailed out. Please tell us in the next blog. It will save us so much anxiety in the short period of time left. Please.
@Counting Down, we won’t know when decisions will be released until shortly before they are so there’s no way to answer your question now. As soon as we know when decisions will be released we’ll let everyone know.
@anonymoususerhehe, there is no formula to the way decisions are made (either ED or regular decision). It’s not as if GPA is worth x and extracurricular activities are wroth y. We do place a little more emphasis on one’s transcript but all other parts are considered equal. For individual students some parts may compel us more than others — that depends on the merits of an individual student.
@asdf, we’ve answered this question a few times now in various comments. This process takes time and there’s no way to predict exactly when all applications will be reviewed and we will be ready to release decisions. Generally it would be by December 1 but we extended the submission deadline due to Sandy so as a result our process may not be completed by December 1. We could still release by December 1 or we could be delayed a few days. As soon as we know when decisions will be released we will let students know but there’s no way at this point to predict what that date will be. Please be patient. It won’t be too much longer.
what percentage of applications have already been finalized?
@ayewhaddapdoe, we’ve been able to review most Early Decision applications but we still have some to go through the Committee process. Plus we have a lot of data entry, final review, generation of emails/letters, etc. that come after that. We know you’re anxious to hear from us and we’re working as efficiently as we can but everyone has to be patient and give us time to move through our process.
Dear AdCom,
I think its personally an encouraging achievement to think about, the notion that a team of 10 or so members can be so productive in just about a months time, that is amazing. You guys deserve a big thank you and a big break as you send off that last acceptance email! The work you have done as AdComs are simply amazing and it goes unnoticed most of the time when people have just received their acceptance letters!
Thank You for your time,
GoodKarmaWins:)
If denied admission or deferred, will applicants be able to contact the admissions office to receive feedback on their application/know rationale for the decision?
@Collete, applicants are welcome to contact us with questions at any point but everyone should realize when we admit only 32% of those who apply the decision we make our mostly in context of a very competitive pool. Those not admitted didn’t do anything wrong per se but simply competed in a pool full of very high-achieving and successful students all of whom were exceptional in their own way.
@Good Karma, thanks for the props. It’s encouraging and we appreciate it as we continue to complete our work on the ED process.
Thank You! 🙂
If we did a personal interview over the Summer, are the notes from the interview input into your system? If so, do you have to search for our name to see these notes so that you can include the information along with our CommonApp as part of our application review? Do you have to search every applicant’s name to see if they’ve done an interview or not?
@Emily Burns, we automatically include your interview if you choose to apply. No work on your part. Our system automatically matches your interview with your other application materials.
Already applied Early Decision. Today got the Ampersandbox postcards in the mail. Such a tease.
Thank you so much for the answer! I applied ED so just waiting. 🙂
@Anon, glad you got the box. Sorry about the timing. Not done intentially at all.
Haha that’s fine. It was actually pretty cool though. Had I not already been interested in W&M, you would have gained another hopeful.
Sort of like this blog, I think it would be tremendously helpful to have a portal or a blog in which incoming freshmen can talk with upperclassmen about potential majors and requirements and what not. I don’t know how difficult it would be to set up this type of blog but I think it would be very useful for the Class of 2017 and many more to come!
Thank You,
Sravan
#W&MClassof2017? 🙂
@Anon, glad you like the ampersandbox. We’re big fans!
Hi,
I applied to W & M ED and am nervous…and hopeful.
I read the blog and wondered if it is too late to send additional information? (extracurricular activities and opportunities that came up after I completed my applicaiton).
Thanks!
Ella
@Sravan, we do provide some portals for admitted students to connect with each other and current students so hold tight. If admitted, you’ll learn more.
@Ella Gannis, you are welcome to send additional information but at this date we cannot promise it would be reviewed for Early Decision. We would try our best but it would depend on when it came in.
Hi Admit it!
Are in-state students more favorable in the early decision pool? Also, is it looking like you all will get decisions out by December 1st? Thanks for all you’re doing for us! Everyone I talk to is so amazed that the admission office gets decisions out in just a month!
Will he undergraduate freshman early application notification emails still be sent out by Dec.1?
@Taylor, as a Virginia public university we always give deference to in-state students. Our student body is 65% in-state, 35% out-of-state.
We still don’t know when we’ll release decisions. So much has to come together to make that possible and we often don’t know when the process will be complete until it’s completed.
@Emily, see our comment from today (11/27) at 2:28pm.
When will the next “Overheard in the Committee” issue be up?
@Anon, since ED is such a quick process (relatively speaking), there are generally only two “Overheard in Committee blogs.” Our next post will come when decisions are released.
Oh my! That’s very exciting. Hopefully my son receives a “good things” e-mail before saturday so he doesn’t have to suffer through another SAT 😉
@John’s Mom, we may still need to delay the decision release…that’s still yet to be determined unfortunately. Processes move at their own pace it seems sometimes but the wait shouldn’t be too terribly much longer.
@Admit It!
Thanks a lot for responding so quickly to comments. Not a lot of people, especially busy people such as yourselves, would do that.
Now all that’s left is me praying to God that I get in.
@Anon, no problem. We know this is a stressful time for applicants and we’re happy to help in any way we can. Good luck!
Hi,
Will transfer decisions be released at the same time as ED Decisions?
Thanks!
@Wondering, they will not. Transfer decisions are released in mid-December (give or take around Dec. 10 historically).
My school counselor forgot to submit the 1Q grades as soon as they were available in early November. I mailed them in to WM Admissions last week. Will this delay negatively impact my ED outcome in anyway? (1Q grades are better than the three-year composite.)
@thisisit, we do not require 1Q grades for ED so we review all applications without them. We will certainly add them to your file. Hopefully they will arrive before we finalize our process.
When will the ED students find out what day the decisions will be released?
@Curious, as soon as we know we’ll let you know. Generally we don’t know decisions are being released until the day we release them. So much has to happen that day to ensure decisions can be released and released properly. We don’t want to promise a day, discover a glitch and then disappoint people.
Have all decisions been more or less finalized, with primarily other tasks being completed currently (data-entering, compiling, organizing, etc.)? Or are there still applications under review?
“<3" @ 7:35 pm
Tell me this is some sort of subliminal hint to ED applicants
@Magdalena, review of applications is definitely wrapping up for the most part.
@Anon, we actually didn’t make that comment. We fear it’s some form of spam. Sorry to get your hopes up. We’re investigating how that comment got posted.
Haha I was kidding. But it might have had something to do with that spam advertisement that commented here about 20 hours ago.
If you were able to release the ED decisions by December 1st, would you release them on a Saturday? Or would we have to wait until the following Monday?
Thanks for this wonderful, up-to-date blog! I love it!
Just wanted to say thanks for putting in all the hard work for us 🙂 we really appreciate it so much! Part of the reason W&M is my very first choice is how helpful admissions and everyone associated with the college is. I felt welcome & cared about even before I sent my application!
@Anon, we do block most spam but sometimes it sneaks by us.
@Kat and @Sara, so glad you both like the blog and find it helpful. That’s what we’re here for. We will release decisions as soon as we feel everything is in place. If that’s a weekend then that’s when we’ll send everything.
Hi Admit It!
I also wanted to thank you for keeping us updated on the selection process, and for your hard work in selecting the class of 2017 as well.
Hearing from you every step of the way has made this whole process a little less intimidating–I love that I still feel very involved several weeks after submitting my application!
Hi!
In your experience, how much can essays and extracurriculars benefit a student with a somewhat lower than the average GPA, and solid, in-range, but not above, test scores?
Thank you!
@Caroline, it’s our pleasure.
@anon, this is a holistic process and any one factor can play a particularly meaningful role in a student’s application. There are certainly times when what we learn from essays and extracurricular activities compels us to admit a student whose academic merits may be a little weaker. There are other times when a student’s merits just don’t quite rise to the level of being admitted. It totally depends on the individual student, their individual attributes and how those attributes compare to those of other students in the pool.
Thanks @Admit It! for all you guys have been doing! Quickly getting these ED decisions out while still making posts and replying to comments on this blog is simply incredible (not to mention carryout out other admissions office duties). This is one of the most helpful admissions blogs I’ve seen (at least for most public Virginia schools) and your honesty and openness about the admissions process at W&M is appreciated. This must be a stressful time for you all, and I just wanted to share my gratitude! Thanks for your hard work!
@Stephen, the gratitude is most appreciated.
I know that myriad people have asked which day they will be released, but can you atleast tell us the predicted day? We won’t be upset or anything if you don’t release it on the day you say, but we are just stressed. I know that anything can go wrong at a certain time and then you won’t be able to take back your word of you releasing it on sunday or something, but i think all of us will be happy if we just could “overhear” your committee discussing which day you hopefully WANT the early decision applications to be released!
Thank You for the transparency that we all want
I agree with @pleasegiveusaprediction
I agree with @pleasegiveusaprediction
@pleasegiveusaprediction and @freakingout, we absolutely understand that you want to know as much as you can as soon as you can but unfortunately if we make a prediction and don’t deliver on it people will be mad. You both may not be but others will be. Additionally, if we are not able to release decisions on the predicted date, the hundreds of calls and emails we will get asking about decisions could take away staff time from getting decisions released which will only further extend your anxiety.
Plus, it’s most likely that your stress is coming from not knowing your decision, not from not knowing the date on which decisions will be released.
We are working diligently to get everything ready and while we likely won’t know when everything will be set and able to be released until that moment approaches, we can tell you that it should be in the next few days.
I agree as well! with @pleasegiveusaprediction
Yesssss please give us a prediction, it is fine if it doesn’t even come that day! Just want to find out when the committee is PLANNING on sending them. like hopefully..
Count me on the bandwagon! We want to know when they will be released please!
Everyone, we actually replied to @pleasegiveusaprediction and @freakingout but it didn’t post so attempting to post it again. We understand that you’re all eager to know as much as you can as soon as you can but please be patient with us. We’re working round the clock to get decisions released just as soon as we can.
While you all may not be mad if we make a prediction and dont’ meet it, others most certainly will be. Plus, if we are unable to meet the prediction we will get hundreds of phone calls and emails. Responding to those will take us away from being able to get the decisions released which is our top priority. And the one thing none of us want is for this to take any longer than it has to.
We also fear a predicted release date wouldn’t ease your anxiety which is likely mostly tied up in not knowing what your decision is as opposed to not knowing when you’ll know.
Again, this is our office’s top priority right now and we are fairly confident we will be able to release decisions within the next few days. Just sit tight.
@pleasegiveusaprediction
I know how you feel dude. I’m constantly stressing about that reject/deferment email. But you need to relax!
A tentative prediction might risk a lot more than just the disappointment of a few applicants.
Think of it this way. Let’s say AdmitIt! posts a predicted release date for Friday, 11/30/2012 @ 11:30 PM. On that day, Applicant XYZ might get all anxious and start spending hours refreshing his inbox every 5 minutes, rather than preparing for the SAT subject test he has the following morning. If the decisions AREN’T sent out, XYZ’s precious time will have gone to waste, right? If he ends up getting deferred or denied acceptance, that standardized test score may have served pivotal in the future. This is just one example. Maybe a little extreme, but possible nonetheless.
Wait until everything is finalized. That way no one is disappointed, while everyone is kept on their feet.
Besides, the way I see it. The longer the process is, the longer I’m in the game and still have a chance 😛
@Anon, well said indeed.
Additionally, everyone should know that once we know a date, we can’t predict what time the email will land in your in-box because that depends entirely on your email server which we have no control over.
Yes anon, i agree, you are a very good mediator. I hope you get into W&M bruh 🙂
@Admit It! – Hope I helped
@pleasegiveusaprediction – Haha no big deal bro. And thank you, that means a lot. This has been a pretty stressful month. I wish you the best of luck my friend.
@pleasegiveusaprediction, we wish you and Anon the best of luck.
@Anon, we appreciate every comment and we’re hear to respond to everyone but we always appreciate good conversation in this forum.
Would it be possible to tell us what day(s) the decision WON’T be released? That is, can you tell us now with certainty that decisions won’t be released today? At least that would save everyone from continually checking this blog and their email throughout the day in hopes that today will be the day. That would at least be a small comfort for many of us.
Thanks again for all your hard work and excellent communications!
A note of thanks to the entire admissions staff for working so diligently on making the decisions come together in such a short time AND for answering so many of the same stressed out questions over and over. I am sure the decisions will come soon enough and hopefully keeping up with commenting on the same issues is not keeping you from the decision making and notification process too much.
These are nail-biting moments and everyone’s anxiety and stress are completely understood. But take a deep breath and relax, everyone. Whatever happens, things always have a way of turning out well in the end.
Will there be a Facebook group for the William and Mary class of 2017?
Thank you so much for all the work you guys have been doing over the past month, hope to hear from you very soon!
@Thomas Loftus, @patience is a virtue and @thisisit! make good points. And honestly, we really cannot say until we have each day’s work behind us whether or not that will or will not be the day.
@Courtney, there will be such a page and admits will have access to it from a special admitted student website.
I will cultivate patience then, as suggested. Thanks again for everything!
@Thomas, thank you for your patience. It’s appreciated!
At what time of the day will decisions be released?
@Anonymous, we usually try to release in the evening allowing students to read the email at home and not in the middle of class/school day (in case the news isn’t good) but we won’t know when we release until the moment before we do.
I’m totally feeling the anxiety like you guys are, but relax! Everything happens for a reason, and everything happens at the right time. 🙂 Breathe guys, it’ll all be okay!!
To second, third, fourth, and probably thousandth everyone above, thanks for all the hard work you’re doing to move this process efficiently- you deserve a huge round of applause, presents, an award, and probably some cookies as well. We’re all anxious to “discover our fates” as it were, but we know you’re going as fast and as fairly as you can.
Quick question, though. If, whenever the decisions come out (hopefully soon so these darn butterflies in my stomach will disappear), we do end up deferred, would we be able to sign up for an interview this winter before the Regular Decision date and have the interview added to our application for re-consideration? This is provided there are still slots available, naturally.
I take it Early Decision notifications won’t be released today?
At what time in the day does committee generally end?
@momlovesjesus, thank you for your kind words. They are appreciated.
@EDesperate, our Committee process can definitely go into the evening hours. As Dean Broaddus says, our hours are long and unconventional but we love the work that we do and are happy to work them.
Oh so committee isn’t over yet today?
@EDesperate, our ED Committee wrapped a few days ago but there’s lots to do between that time and when we launch decisions (data entry, letter and email generation, double checking everything, etc.)
Do you all work on the weekend? I guess I’m asking that if derision don’t go out tonight, will they not come out during the weekend?
@AdmitIt!
Okay so I know I’ve said this before. But I’ll say it again just because I’m feeling the love.
Thanks. Not just for all the work you put in, but also for the way you conduct this whole admissions process. I feel nurtured and cared for.
If I end up having to apply to other institutions, I’m going to miss the unique nature of this all. But it’s been good. You’re something special.
@John, we do work weekends when necessary.
@Anon, thanks again. You’ve been complimentary throughout and it definitely lifts our spirits.
So I just got an email from W&M notifying of a decision yet the admission committee hasn’t informed us on this website that they sent them out, is this a correct email?
@Confused
Are you being serious? My heart is seriously pounding right now.
Yeah, just want to confirm the authenticity
@Confused, the email is authentic. Decisions are being emailed as we type.
Yes. I also received an admission decision. Is this legitimate?
@Worried, it is. We just posted our Decisions, Decisions blog with all of the details everyone needs to know about decision releases and the decisions that were made.
We’re going to be stepping away from social media for a few hours to finish up the release and to let everyone digest the news they receive. We’ll be back online later tonight to answer any pressing questions.
It was definitely worth the wait!!! My son is in and jumping for joy (as are his mother and father)!!!
Thanks again to everyone in Admissions. Very well done!!
@Thomas Loftus, congrats to your son and to you. We like jumping for joy. We’re doing the same thing. Hoorah for the Class of 2017!
My daughter was deferred and I honestly don’t know who’s more disappointed~myself or her. Althought I congratulate all who did get in, I’m curious as to how many didn’t (or were deferred).
Once again, congrats to those admitted! To those that weren’t, we feel your disappointment.
@Donna, we apologize. We responded with the post below Friday night but the comment got trapped in our spam filter. Here is what we said:
@Donna, we certainly understand your disappointment and your daughter’s. It’s definitely a very tough moment and we feel for you also. We know that nothing will lessen the sting of not being admitted but please reassure your daughter that she is in fact an amazing student. The unfortuante thing about applying to highly selective schools is that so many other amazing students also apply. Generally, about 30-35% of our ED students are deferred and about 15-20% are denied.
Thank you for this post, it was very helpful! I have a question, though. I already submitted my application to W & M and recently realized that I left out some information. Is there anyway to correct this, or am I stuck?
@Bethany, what type of information did you leave out? That will help us figure out how you can best update your application.
Just a few of my activities. I didn’t put my individual volunteer organizations like A Soft Place to Fall and the Humane Society on the activies list. I didn’t realize I could add them, so I only added my school-based activities. I have under my NHS activity that I participated in community service, but I am concerned now that it wasn’t specific enough.
@Bethany, there is no need to to list every service endeavor in which you’ve participated. If you listed service on your list of extracurricular activities then you’re good to go.
Okay, thank you for the feedback! I feel much better now… talking with my friends had me convinced I’d forgotten something huge! This blog helps a lot though, thank you!
@Bethany, no problem. That’s what we’re here for.
If my grades sophomore year were a bit worse than those I received the rest of highschool, but it is clear that I moved from Virginia to New York the summer previous to sophomore year (which I did say in the education disruption section), would that have been sufficient information for the admissions committee? I did note the extreme differences between the level of my previous school to the one I currently attend, including the differences in grading scales and graduation requirements. Sorry this was a little bit rambly!
@Mollie, yes, that should be sufficient information fo us.