While I would love to honor this poor student's request and just straight-up deny them, unfortunately that's not how it works (as Rick Clark likes to say).
You see, when a student submits an application for admission to Penn State, we have to evaluate it. We are obligated to do our due diligence and determine if the applicant is qualified for admission to the campus and program to which they have applied. We take very seriously the idea that a student has been thoughtful about their application, and taken the time and effort to complete and submit their best application for admission to our undergraduate programs.
So, as you can imagine, we work with all kind of students and families. It's always great to have applicants that come from families that are all about Penn State. But, I would imagine that, for every student who wants to attend because someone in their family did, there are probably ten students who feel like the one pictured above.
I can practically hear the tension-laden argument while trying to force the student into the family car for a campus visit. "OMG DAD - I DON'T WANT TO GO TO PENN STATE. What the hell is a Nittany Lion anyway?!"
I get it student, I do. But unfortunately I cannot deny admission to a student who may be qualified. That wouldn't be right. But maybe if I chat with your parents...
So, given that, this part is for the sibling/mom/dad/aunt/uncle/grandparent: lay off of your student. They have enough pressure to deal with during their senior year in high school. They don't need you adding even more by insisting/requiring them to apply to your favored institution of higher education. Be supportive in the choices that your student makes. If they want to visit a list of schools that are the antithesis of your favored school, let them. If they want to spend all of their application fees at schools that you don't approve of, fine. At the end of the day, your student needs to find a school that fits them. Not you.
Think of it this way: when your student is done with college, are you going to dictate the employers where they will apply for jobs?
(if you read that question and even considered a 'yes' answer, then we need to chat privately)
Part of the learning and maturation process in higher education is the opportunity that students have to make their own decisions. They decide when and what they eat. They decide with whom they will be friends. They decide what time they'll go to bed - and when they'll wake up. They decide on a program-of-study, and what classes to take. They decide on an eventual career path.
If you give your student the space to make these decisions on their own beginning in high school, they won't feed the need to email the admissions office asking for a denial letter. And that'll be a plus.
Categories:
Admissions,
Email,
Work