UChicago is funny about their ‘closing application’ notice

29 Jan

Posted by Sam Jackson as Admissions, personal

Was that touch really necessary, guys? Emphasis mine.
Dear Mr. Jackson,
The information we have on file for you tells us that at one time
you intended to complete a University of Chicago application.
Usually students who are attracted to this college are people
whose applications prove to be fun to read, and we feel sorry
we never got to read […]

6 Comments

Princeton is not raising tuition next year: impressive and considerate show of wealth

22 Jan

Posted by Sam Jackson as College, Financial Aid, parents

Princeton University has decided not to raise its tuition for the upcoming year, the New York Times reports. Room and Board will still increase 4.2% to $10,980.
University officials said the strong performance of Princeton’s investments, which earned almost 20 percent last year, helped pave the way for the decision, along with generous donations by alumni […]

4 Comments

MIT calls its early admits on the phone to congratulate them… why doesn’t everyone?

19 Jan

Posted by Sam Jackson as Teenagers, marketing, odd & fun

MIT has an early action telethon, where current students call every one of the early action admits and congratulate them! It’s during IAP so everyone at MIT has lots of free time, conceivably. This kind of thing is easy to set up and makes admits feel really special and loved as a new part of […]

7 Comments

The secret to my SAT success…!

14 Jan

Posted by Sam Jackson as Esoterotica, Internets

Honestly? Dried cranberries. Fruits have wonderful powers and it was their magic which kept me strong through the hours of testing on my last sitting.
Actually, I just wanted to take a quick moment to encourage everyone to go vote in US News & World Report’s ‘Paper Trail 2006‘ rankings, specifically for ‘best alternative media outlet.’ […]

4 Comments

A great example of an official admissions blog: Chicago’s Uncommon Application blog

11 Jan

Posted by Sam Jackson as Internets, marketing, odd & fun

Chicago’s Uncommon Application (2007-2008) is what I would call a textbook example of an excellent adcom blog (If only it had a zestier site–Blogspot is so boring!). I just thought I’d take a moment to recognize its utility to students both students and the school.
It is at once a great way to communicate with applicants […]

0 Comments

« Previous Entries

Who is Sam Jackson?

I'm currently a freshman at Yale University and I've been blogging about college admissions and higher education marketing trends since I began my college application process in 2005. I now also write about my experience here at Yale, and am an official Yale blogger. Click here to read my 'about' page.

Kind words about my blog:

Andrew Careaga calls it “a service to all of us in the higher ed marketing business.”

Christian Long says it has “dramatically inspired college admissions folks to take notice”

Bob Johnson says “I like [it] because I agree with so much of what he says.” and that “Paying attention what Sam writes will let you focus more closely on students who will actually attend your school.”

Karine Joly says my witty and fresh style “offers a rare glimpse at the mind of our elusive prospective students”

and TargetX calls my blog “good reading” and me “wise-beyond-my-years.”