A few of my students have begun to receive so-called “fast track” or “distinguished applicant” applications, and they’re more than a little confused. These apps, often pre-populated and sans essays or application fees, are typically used by smaller, regional schools hoping to bump up their national profiles. Schools such as the University of the Pacific, Fordham University, and Marquette University, for instance, have used them for some time.
From the student’s perspective, though, this application often causes more grief than ease, largely because these applications will many times be the first that the student completes.
And, of course, the questions soon arise:
- Is this legit?
- Should I do it?
In response to the first question, I suppose it depends on your definition of “legit.” The purpose behind these applications is rather transparent, with the Dean of Admissions at Tufts describing them as “gimmicks designed to artificially drive up applicant pools, usually for the benefit of rankings and the like.” (ow.ly/dCzPY)
The application itself, though, is a real one, regardless of how simple it might appear. However, what the application implies – that the student has been selected as a “distinguished” applicant, almost certain to be admitted – doesn’t always hold true. Marquette University has, in the past, denied about 40 percent of its “Advantage” applicants. (ow.ly/dCA3U )
But, should the student take the university up on the offer? As long as she’s aware of the possibility that this isn’t necessarily an automatic acceptance, and she’s legiimately interested in the school, there’s no real disadvantage. The college application season is filled with pricey fees and lengthy apps. The ability to not only make the process easier, but to also receive a likely acceptance before the holiday season (as many of these schools will do), is a nice stress-reliever for harried, frazzled seniors.
