Here are some answers to your most frequently asked questions about the application process. Please email us at apply@olin.edu if you have any additional questions or if you need clarification.
Thanks!
Why do you
keep reminding me to apply? I already did!
If you keep
getting emails from us reminding you to apply, it's possible that you haven't
hit the submit button yet. Doing so automatically takes you off our "remind" list.
This is more common that you might think. Also, check to see if you got a
confirmation email. If you haven't received an email within 24 hours confirming
the receipt of your application, please check your spam box and then check with
us.
How can I see what materials you received
from my teachers and what I still need to send?
Please keep the
acknowledgement and account creation emails we send! They include instructions
on accessing the portal, so you can see if we have received your stuff. You
will only get access to the Portal to check the status of your application materials
after you apply, so please make sure you apply in a timely manner. Speaking of
time......
Your deadline isn't until January 1, so I'm
going to ask my teachers for recommendations before I leave for Winter Break.
Also, I'm going to be taking the January SAT and send you those scores. OK?
NO! Our January 1 deadline is very important to our office. Because of the structure
of our application process, we only have about 2 weeks to process and read
every application. If your application is not complete by the deadline we might
read it without all the pieces. This is NOT in your best interest. Also, our
decisions for Candidates' Weekend are made before you have taken the January
SAT. We cannot accept those scores.
I'm enrolled in a college class this semester in addition to my
regular high school classes. I won't get my grade until January- what do I do? /
What the heck are Current Senior Grades? I won't have grades until January!
We need to know how you are doing during your
Senior Year. A copy of your first quarter report card is fine. If you won't
have final grades until January, please send us either a copy of your progress
reports or have your teachers give some indication on how you're doing.
My teacher wants to send in my recommendation on her own. Is
that OK? / If I send
in my application piece by piece, rather than in one big batch, is that OK?
Yes, that's fine. We will keep
your materials together until they are complete. Just make sure they include
your full name and birth date on the forms.
If I
wanted to have an additional letter of recommendation, is that acceptable?
Would that person have to fill out a form?
It is accepted, but not expected,
for students to have additional letters of recommendation. That additional
person should simply write the letter and include your full name and birth date on the
letter. If you want, they can fill out The Common Application form to go along with it, but it is not necessary. They should
mail it to us at Olin College Office of Admission, 1000 Olin Way, Needham, MA
02492.
It is
11:59 pm on 12/31/11. I am going to have my mom drive 50 miles to the post
office through the snow and cold to have my credentials postmarked in order to
make sure they are in under the deadline. OK?
If your credentials are postmarked on or around 1/1, that is fine. Please don't have
your poor mother go through any more than she already does. If something is
postmarked 1/2 or 1/3, we won't mind. RELAX!
Do you need an official
score report of my AP scores?
No, we trust you to fill out the
self-reported AP test and score section of the application honestly. Olin has
an honor code and we expect our applicants to be honest and truthful. We will
be able to see the AP classes you are currently enrolled in from your
transcript, so you don't need to enter those in that section. Please just enter
the tests and scores of tests already taken.
How strict
are you about the essay word limits?
Please try to stay within the 500 and 300 word limits. However,
if you go over by 25-50 words,
don't stress. We'll still read your essays!
Do
you combine the best SAT scores from different tests ("Super-scores")? Or should
I just send in the best ones?
Yes, we do "super-score"
SAT and ACT tests. You can send them all and they will be automatically scored.
I
built a 30 foot steel abstract representation of Franklin W. Olin/wrote a novel
using only adverbs/won the Olympic Gold in ice dancing. Can I send it to you?
While we would love to see
it, we don't have space for large items and we can't return items. If something
is large and you want us to see it, please take a photo of it and mail it in.
If it's one of a kind, please make a copy and send it. Your best bet is to make
sure that anything supplementary fits into a file folder. If it is music or a
DVD, please mail us a physical copy. We don't want to open links or attachments
(no offense).
