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The back of my head in today's Newsday

seawolf17 Mar 07 2010 09:43 AM

Well, it's certainly not as high-profile as slumming with Alex Trebek, but it's something. newsday wrote: It is 2:15 p.m. on a Friday in late February. Four Stony Brook University admissions officers stare at a high-school transcript displayed on a screen on the wall of a conference room. The summary is intriguing: A 97 average at a competitive public high school, and a combined 1130 score on the critical reading and math sections of the SAT. The student is a "gray" case - an applicant who was neither accepted nor rejected during the first round of decision-making. The next part of the transcript shows the student hasn't gone beyond basic classes. No calculus, no physics, no Advanced Placement courses; no math or science during senior year. Then the screen shows recommendation letters from teachers and a guidance counselor, the student's essay, a list of extracurriculars: No one in the room is dazzled. There's an oddity, too: The student wants to study a major Stony Brook doesn't offer. Robert Pertusati, the associate dean of admissions, votes to turn down the applicant, as do two other admissions officers. A fourth, Chris D'Orso, votes to admit, saying the student shows promise. "Also, a lot of undergrads change their majors," D'Orso adds. The decision has taken three minutes. A rejection letter will be mailed in a few days. Pertusati shakes his head. "That's the kind of student who probably would've been admitted five years ago." The admissions committee moves on. They still have dozens of applications to consider this day, at the height of what is the most competitive year for admissions in the university's 53-year history. I'd quote the whole article, but (a) that's my only appearance, (b) Newsday would hunt me down. I'm using this on the phone all week though. "I'm sorry, man. You read the article. If it was up to me, I'd admit you. You should talk to my boss."

Edgy DC Mar 07 2010 10:16 AM Re: The back of my head in today's Newsday

Why is it the most competitive year in history for Stony Brook?

smg58 Mar 07 2010 11:54 AM Re: The back of my head in today's Newsday

My friend who works at Nassau Community College says their admissions are skyrocketing. I'm guessing that the economy has actually been a blessing for the least expensive universities. Stony Brook is probably not as cheap as Nassau, but it's more than good enough academically for high-end students not willing/able to spend a fortune on tuition.

cooby Mar 07 2010 07:28 PM Re: The back of my head in today's Newsday

And I'm guessing it's because of the Baby Sitter's Club novels.

seawolf17 Mar 08 2010 08:52 AM Re: The back of my head in today's Newsday

smg58 wrote: My friend who works at Nassau Community College says their admissions are skyrocketing. I'm guessing that the economy has actually been a blessing for the least expensive universities. Stony Brook is probably not as cheap as Nassau, but it's more than good enough academically for high-end students not willing/able to spend a fortune on tuition. cooby wrote: And I'm guessing it's because of the Baby Sitter's Club novels. Probably a little bit of both. We've come a long way in terms of reputation and prestige in the last few years. We're no longer the "my parents are making me apply to at least one SUNY" option for folks any more. (Well, in some cases we are, but in more and more cases, we're not.)