Case Studies: Selective College Admissions
College Profile of You Want In University
You Want In University is a private liberal arts school in the state of TN with an enrollment of 6,000.
You Want In’s Board of Trustees caps undergraduate enrollment with specific parameters; namely
diversity, a commitment to building strong leaders, unique student qualities, but foremost a rigorous
academic profile to support strong retention and graduation rates. Some academic programs are more
difficult to gain admission due to demand. Division III in athletics, the university’s swimming and tennis
programs are looking to rebuild.
Some significant statistics shown on last year’s Fast Facts include:
 the middle 50% ACT range was 29-34
 Admission rate is approximately 20%
 75% are from out of state
The past three years has shown marked increase in student application numbers. While You Want In has
historically admitted students from Bearden from year to year, word on the street is that the 2012-13 year
may be an exception. The “word” was from a rising senior’s 3rd cousin once removed who knows
someone who used to work in Admissions at You Want In in the 90’s.
Candidate 1: SARINA
Sarina moved to Tennessee from Cuba when she was 12 years old. While she has taken the most
demanding curriculum at Bearden High, her test scores do not match her classroom performance. She has
taken the ACT three times scoring 25, 26, 26. Her weighted grade point average at the end of her junior
year was 4.4 and her unweighted gpa was 3.9.
Undecided on a major, Sarina has a passion for the sciences and enjoys mentoring students with
disabilities. Strong leadership skills are indicated throughout her file with a healthy mix of community
and school outreach projects showing depth of involvement in each organization. Over the years, Sarina
has initiated a cultural awareness community outreach program in the Knoxville area which has evolved
into an annual international festival. Additionally, the admission readers noted consistent comments
from letters of recommendation which described Sarina as “astutely aware of group dynamics and able to
command attention given a variety of circumstances.”
Sarina has shouldered a large amount of responsibility as the oldest sibling in her family. While her
family assimilated, she often took the lead role of interpreter, mingling between dual languages and
cultures. She lives in a single parent home and shares in contributing to the family’s financial base. Fall of
her senior year she worked an average of 35 hours a week which for the first time impacted her grades.
Sarina will be a first generation college student.
During her junior year, Sarina was with a group of students at prom who were later disciplined for alleged
under-age drinking. Sarina indicates she was the sole student not drinking, but the discipline ruling was
Selective College Admissions Case Study for College Game On program, Bearden High School, Aug
2012
the same for all involved (a sobriety test was not given at the scene). The discipline infraction was a 45
day suspension which the school counselor had to indicate when completing the School Report Form.
Sarina included an additional statement describing her view of the event, the disciplinary infraction, what
she learned from the experience, and how she fought to earn back trust from the faculty.
Student 2: Bob
Academic Profile
4.43 grade point average
33 ACT
760 Verbal 780 Math SAT; 800 math SATII
Honors and AP courses in math, science and English
National Merit Semifinalist
Bob likes to build things. His essay describes a young toddler who could entertain himself for hours by
building intricate Lego creations. Though not 100% certain, he is leaning towards Mechanical
Engineering or Architecture. Even though You Want In does not list his possible fields of study, when
answering the question “Why You Want In” Bob’s answer (which sounded remarkably similar to page 5
of the Viewbook) argues if he “gets in, he will make it work.”
Bob is from an upper middle class income family with five siblings. Last year his mother was in a severe
automobile accident which has left the family with mounting medical bills and a temporary loss of
income from the mother. Outside of school, Bob isn’t involved in many activities other than church and
his part-time job at an Architecture firm.
Bob spent the past three summers on mission trips with his church to Mexico where they built homes for
underprivileged children. While he can’t articulate specific examples of how the mission trips changed
him, other than opening his eyes to those less fortunate, Bob comments on the experiences as “one of the
most life-changing events in his life!”
Clearly, Bob should have listened to his School Counselor when she stated “the Essay is one of the parts
of the application you can control; it is your voice. Let your voice tell a story.”
Student 3: Michael
Academic Profile:
3.5 weighted grade point average
29 ACT
1200 SAT (verbal & math)
Selective College Admissions Case Study for College Game On program, Bearden High School, Aug
2012
Michael is an entrepreneur. Since the age of 10 he has managed his own business by growing honey on
his grandfather’s bee farm. Selling to local grocers and farmer’s markets, Michael has saved quite an
impressive nest egg of money from his honey business. You Want In is 30 miles from his grandfather’s
farm.
Michael is also an athlete. He began tennis when he was six and has an impressive collection of medals
from Amateur tennis tournaments across the country. Michael is not certain he wants to continue tennis
in college. It has been admittedly difficult for Michael to concentrate on both athletics and school and
even though he won’t have the time invested in his bee business, he worries he may not make it
academically if he is involved in college level athletics without support. Still, tennis is an important part
of his life and he can’t imagine the next four years with no level of tennis involvement. The tennis coach
at You Want In has been encouraging Michael to play at the college level.
Michael knew his academic profile was on the low end of You Want In’s middle 50% percentile. He took
time to explain the gaps in his sophomore year (when he lost his best friend in a car accident) and his
essay, which began I was sitting in the back of the police car, was once of the most gripping essays read
by the admissions committee. Additionally, Michael knew why You Want In was a good fit for him and
was exceptionally convincing in the optional interview with the local Alumni representative. When the
admissions representative from You Want In visited Bearden, Michael took time to introduce himself to
the representative and even began convincing his friend Tom to consider You Want In. (Tom has since
received an offer of admission to You Want In). You Want In could gather from their prospect pool
contact history that Michael’s interest in the school seemed to be genuine.
Selective College Admissions Case Study for College Game On program, Bearden High School, Aug
2012