Stevens Institute of Technology: Admissions Blog

Stevens' Early Decision II Deadline is January 15

Prospective undergraduate students, if Stevens is your top choice but you haven't yet applied, we thought you would appreciate a friendly reminder that our Early Decision II deadline, January 15, is just over a week away.

Why do nearly half of our incoming undergraduate students choose an Early Decision option? Here are a few very important reasons why:

• If you are accepted to Stevens through Early Decision II, you will know by February 15th where you’re going to college. The search comes to a pleasant end, and you can relax and enjoy the rest of your senior year.
• Upon acceptance through Early Decision, we are able to provide you an estimate of your financial aid package so you get a head start on planning for the costs of attendance.
• With the search process out of the way, you would have a chance to explore Stevens more deeply and make important connections with fellow accepted students and current students who are eager to assist you in acclimating to Stevens. You can also plan ahead to attend various faculty luncheons designed to introduce you to instructors who will most likely also serve as your mentors throughout your career at Stevens.

Just as a reminder, the Early Decision plan is “binding,” meaning if you submit a tuition deposit as an Early Decision II candidate by the stated deadline, you agree to 1) Withdraw all applications from other institutions, 2) Not initiate any new applications at other institutions, and 3) Attend Stevens in the fall 2012. Our expectation is that if accepted, you will be joining the university, and will confirm this by submitting your deposit.

Also keep in mind that if you have already applied to Stevens through regular admission but would like to switch your application to Early Decision II, you may contact our office. Stevens makes it easy for you to apply using our online application or the Common Application. Both allow you to waive the application fee. They can be accessed at www.stevens.edu/sit/admissions/apply/instructions.cfm.

We look forward to assisting you in any way!

The Interview, an Important Part of Your Application Process

If you’ve done your research or begun your formal application to Stevens Institute of Technology, you may be wondering, “Why does Stevens require an interview for all applicants?” At Stevens, we believe a personal interview is a critical step in the application process because it gives us an opportunity to get to know you and learn more than what is on your application. Through the interview, we hope to understand more about your interests in and out of the classroom. We also feel that the interview is a great way for you to learn more about Stevens, and we encourage you to come prepared with questions for us.

The interview is a one-on-one meeting between a prospective student (either applied or planning to apply) and a member of the Undergraduate Admissions staff.  For students living within 250 miles of our campus in Hoboken, NJ, this is done in person.  Students outside that radius may visit campus for an interview or conduct one over the phone.  The interview takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes and time is reserved afterwards for family members to join the meeting and ask questions about the admissions process and Stevens. Tours of campus are also available either before or after the interview if you have not already taken one.  Please budget an additional hour for this experience.

Don’t quite imagine yourself on the other side of the application and admission process yet? Take a look at our student blogs. Our bloggers update frequently, so you can also subscribe to all or any of the blog feeds to get real-time, ongoing reflections and advice from those who know Stevens best and want to tell you about it throughout the year – photos, videos, comments about school and social life, it’s all there. Check out Michael’s blog for starters.  A sophomore at Stevens, he was once where you are now!

We look forward to learning more about you from our interactions and wish you all the best in the college admissions process.

Letters of Recommendation for College Admissions

ADVICE FROM THE OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS AT STEVENS

Recommendations carry a lot of weight in your college application process. For that reason, it’s important to make the right selection when choosing a recommender. Here are some tips to help you secure recommendations that can help make your application distinct: 

Who to ask: First and foremost, colleges want to hear from a teacher who can describe your motivation, work ethic, reaction to setbacks, or resourcefulness. You might also choose to provide a recommendation from guidance counselors, coaches, or club supervisors with whom you have had a successful or positive interaction. They should know you well, like you, and respect you. Most importantly, however, they should be reliable. Don’t ask parents, relatives, or people who are biased toward you. Also, don’t ask people who don’t know you well.  Stevens requires at least one from a teacher and one from a guidance counselor.

How to ask: Take some time (after school, for example) to really talk to the person you’re asking. Explain which schools you are applying to, and what you plan to study. Make it easy for them – provide this information in writing, and feel free to include a list of potential highlights they may choose to include (e.g., a research paper, group project, or other distinguishing aspect of your relationship with them).

When to ask:Approach recommenders early in your senior year, well before your application deadlines. Some of the best, most engaged, and most popular teachers are swamped with requests for recommendation writing.  No matter who you're approaching with the request, give them ample time to complete the task. Include a list of the colleges you are applying to and the dates the recommendations are due.

Why you should follow up:Don’t forget to write a thank-you note after the recommendation has been submitted, and remember to keep your recommenders informed about your ultimate college choice. They’ll be glad to know that their participation helped you get to this point, and by showing gratitude and sharing your success, chances are you'll solidify a relationship you might rely on in your future endeavors too. 

If the Stevens admissions staff can be of any assistance during your application process, don’t hesitate to contact us at admissions@stevens.edu or 1-800-STEVENS.

Good luck!

Early Decision II and Other Important Application Deadlines!

Happy New Year from Stevens' Office of Undergraduate Admissions, as we count down less than a week to our Early Decision II deadline - January 15! 

Early Decision II is a great option if you're a college-bound student who wasn't necessarily ready to commit to one college as early as the first Early Decision deadlines in November and/or you've just recently decided that Stevens is your number one choice.

Early Decision II offers several benefits. If you're accepted under Early Decision II, you can expect to hear from us around February 15th, and the rest of your senior year is stress-free in terms of wondering where you'll be in the fall. You will also receive earlier notification of all need- and merit-based aid by filing the College Scholarship Services (CSS) Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than February 1. 

Stevens' Regular Decision application deadline is quickly approaching too. It's February 1st. Be sure to click here for a quick reference to application instructions, checklists and forms.  

As always, we are also available to answer your questions at 1-800-STEVENS and/or admissions@stevens.edu. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early Decision II

The Early Decision II deadline is January 15, 2008.

Read an earlier FAQ post about Early Decision II or visit the Stevens Admissions Web site.

Early Decision II: Is it right for you?

Why should I choose Early Decision II?
Perhaps you weren’t ready to commit to one college as early as November. Now that you’ve learned more about the opportunities at Stevens, have visited our campus, or attended an event, perhaps you’ve decided that Stevens is the school for you. If that’s the case, you should consider submitting your application in time for Early Decision II.

What are the benefits of Early Decision II?
If you are accepted under the Early Decision plan, you will know by February 15th where you are going to college, and you can enjoy the rest of your senior year. You will also receive earlier notification of all need- and merit-based aid. If you plan to apply for financial aid, you should submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) between January 1 and January 15. Applications for need-based aid will be considered upon submission of the FAFSA.

What are my Early Decision responsibilities?
Early Decision II carries the same requirements as Early Decision I.

You must sign and return the Early Decision Agreement Form to us indicating that Stevens is your first-choice school. You can download the form from our Web site at www.stevens.edu/undergrad/earlydecision.

If you are accepted to Stevens and deposit, you will then need to withdraw all applications from other colleges.

When is my application due?
To be considered in the Early Decision II pool, your application must be received by January 15, 2008.

What if I already submitted my regular decision application and decide to switch to Early Decision II?
Simply send us a signed copy of the Early Decision Agreement form and a note indicating that you’d like to be considered under the earlier deadline.

How will I learn about my financial aid package?
As an Early Decision candidate, you will receive a priority financial aid package. Please submit your FAFSA as soon as it becomes available after January 1, 2008, but no later than January 15th. Be sure to use the Stevens code, 002639, on your form, and submit it to the federal government. All applicants are considered for merit awards regardless of whether they submit the FAFSA.

Do the application requirements change for Early Decision II?
No. We still require official test scores, transcripts, guidance and teacher recommendations, an interview, and a personal statement. We also ask that you submit your first quarter or mid-term grades.

How do I apply?
Use our online application at www.stevens.edu/undergrad/instructions or the The Common Application, found at www.commonapp.org.