U.S. News has a new article entitled “4 secrets to winning admission to an affordable “public ivy“. The article has a videotape of Theodore Spencer, the director of the University of Michigan’s undergraduate admissions, discussing what Michigan looks for during the process of admitting students. It is generally helpful to get one of these “insider” looks at selective college admissions and I would recommend that everyone who is interested in admissions to a selective college take a look at the video. Although Spencer is specifically discussing Michigan, the discussion is applicable to virtually all selective colleges.
One comment about the title of the U.S. News article. The University of Michigan is undoubtedly one of the leading research universities in the country. But it is not an “ivy”, public or otherwise. The Ivy League is an athletic conference of 8 colleges, not including the University of Michigan. To continue to use the term “ivy”, other than in reference to one of these 8 colleges, does nothing but cause confusion for students and their families. U.S News knows better and should have just called this an article about top universities and leave it at that. There is enough confusion among families about the college admissions process. We don’t need more.
All right, I am through with my rant.
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