4 answers
Solah
Student
Hudsonville, Michigan
10
Questions
Asked
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Should Fly-In Acceptance be part of the college application? If so, where?
Hello! 1 month into senior year :)
I just got into a fly-in program at JHU and Amherst! Should I list them in my application? I didn't want to list them for all the schools I apply to. Where should I list them: e.c., awards/honors, additional info etc etc
Or I don't put it in at all?
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4 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Solah,
My first instinct would be not to include it in your application because it's part of your application process to different schools. Same as I wouldn't mention that I had an interview at a different company when I am applying for a job. The point to mention it is when you have been accepted into a school to maybe have some leverage to negotiate a better financial package.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
My first instinct would be not to include it in your application because it's part of your application process to different schools. Same as I wouldn't mention that I had an interview at a different company when I am applying for a job. The point to mention it is when you have been accepted into a school to maybe have some leverage to negotiate a better financial package.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Solah !
Thanks for coming here to be better informed about this. It will be important that you follow the correct steps for this and I am happy to advise you.
I assume that the two colleges you've mentioned are Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts. You've been accepted at these two colleges through what is called a Fly-In Program but you don't want to maybe attend these two colleges and wonder what to do about them.
Okay. Do not list them on anything. Do not mention the Fly In program in essays, either ! If you're talking about the Common App, individual other college applications or Financial Aid Application for listing colleges, don't include these two. You've already applied to them and have been accepted to them.
The reason you were accepted is that the fly in program is for colleges to choose a certain amount of underserved students to meet a quota that the college wants to meet. It's basically a fully funded, short-term visit to the college typically lasting two to three days, offered by universities to prospective students. This usually means that the student is from a low income family or of a certain ethnicity and gets special acceptance through the fly in program. Has nothing to do with high grades or achievement and it is not an award. It should not go on the common app, a resume, an essay or applications to other colleges. You've already been accepted at Johns Hopkins and Amherst as you've stated and they probably want you to visit their campus for a tour or at least reply to them to say if you will or will not accept the offer to go to their college. To be considered for the fly in program, you would have had to apply to these two colleges through their websites so I assume that's what you already did.
I know it can be difficult when you do not know the exact college that you want to attend, but now is a good time to start exploring what college and where you would like to study. To make this easier for you, I would highly recommend continuing to apply to colleges on their individual websites. If it is certain that you can attend college out of state then apply for out of state colleges individually, not on a common app. If you think it's better for you to stay within your state of Michigan as it will be a lot less expensive, then apply for colleges within the state of Michigan. Make it easy on yourself and apply to colleges individually as it would be more organized and focused. That you were accepted to two colleges through Fly In is not information that other institutions need to know.
Now, at some point, you'll need to apply for Federal Student Financial Aid. The form may ask you what college you WILL BE attending, so hopefully by then you'll know the exact college to put on the financial aid form.
If any applications or forms ask what other colleges have you applied to (I'm not sure why they would ask that), then you can put that you applied to Johns Hopkins and Amherst, but don't mention anything about Fly In.
I am impressed with your focus on being independent with preparing for college ! Feel free to reach out here again for more guidance if you need it and you can always get the advice I gave you verified by your high school guidance counselor. I wish you all the best moving forward at this exciting time of applying for college ! Keep up the good work !
Thanks for coming here to be better informed about this. It will be important that you follow the correct steps for this and I am happy to advise you.
I assume that the two colleges you've mentioned are Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts. You've been accepted at these two colleges through what is called a Fly-In Program but you don't want to maybe attend these two colleges and wonder what to do about them.
Okay. Do not list them on anything. Do not mention the Fly In program in essays, either ! If you're talking about the Common App, individual other college applications or Financial Aid Application for listing colleges, don't include these two. You've already applied to them and have been accepted to them.
The reason you were accepted is that the fly in program is for colleges to choose a certain amount of underserved students to meet a quota that the college wants to meet. It's basically a fully funded, short-term visit to the college typically lasting two to three days, offered by universities to prospective students. This usually means that the student is from a low income family or of a certain ethnicity and gets special acceptance through the fly in program. Has nothing to do with high grades or achievement and it is not an award. It should not go on the common app, a resume, an essay or applications to other colleges. You've already been accepted at Johns Hopkins and Amherst as you've stated and they probably want you to visit their campus for a tour or at least reply to them to say if you will or will not accept the offer to go to their college. To be considered for the fly in program, you would have had to apply to these two colleges through their websites so I assume that's what you already did.
I know it can be difficult when you do not know the exact college that you want to attend, but now is a good time to start exploring what college and where you would like to study. To make this easier for you, I would highly recommend continuing to apply to colleges on their individual websites. If it is certain that you can attend college out of state then apply for out of state colleges individually, not on a common app. If you think it's better for you to stay within your state of Michigan as it will be a lot less expensive, then apply for colleges within the state of Michigan. Make it easy on yourself and apply to colleges individually as it would be more organized and focused. That you were accepted to two colleges through Fly In is not information that other institutions need to know.
Now, at some point, you'll need to apply for Federal Student Financial Aid. The form may ask you what college you WILL BE attending, so hopefully by then you'll know the exact college to put on the financial aid form.
If any applications or forms ask what other colleges have you applied to (I'm not sure why they would ask that), then you can put that you applied to Johns Hopkins and Amherst, but don't mention anything about Fly In.
I am impressed with your focus on being independent with preparing for college ! Feel free to reach out here again for more guidance if you need it and you can always get the advice I gave you verified by your high school guidance counselor. I wish you all the best moving forward at this exciting time of applying for college ! Keep up the good work !
Joe L.
Program Manager
120
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Joe’s Answer
Congrats on being selected. Below are some practical tips on how to leverage in your applications or other communications you have with colleges you're applying to.
Ways to leverage it
College Applications (Other Schools)
Include under Activities or Honors on the Common App or résumé.
Example: “Selected to participate in [University] Fly-In Diversity/Leadership Program (competitive, fully funded)”.
If space is tight, emphasize selectivity and purpose (e.g., “one of 100 invited nationwide”).
Essays / Supplemental Questions
Mention it when discussing why they are excited about college in general, exposure to campus life, or lessons learned.
Example: “Through [University’s] fly-in, I realized the importance of community in shaping my academic journey, which I now seek in all my college choices.”
This avoids name-dropping for prestige and instead shows reflection and growth.
Résumé (for scholarships, jobs, or honors programs)
Put under “Honors and Awards” or “Leadership & Activities.”
Example:
Fly-In Program Participant, [University Name] (Fall 2025)
• Selected from a competitive national applicant pool to visit campus and engage in academic and leadership seminars.
Interviews
Use it as a talking point to show they’ve explored college fit and are proactive in their search.
Demonstrates maturity in the process: “I had the chance to attend a fly-in at [University], where I learned…”
Things to avoid
Don’t frame it as if being invited = guaranteed admission anywhere.
Don’t overinflate it (e.g., “Awarded prestigious national fellowship”). Instead, be honest: it’s a competitive selection and recognition.
Avoid listing every fly-in separately if they attend multiple — instead, summarize if space is limited.
Ways to leverage it
College Applications (Other Schools)
Include under Activities or Honors on the Common App or résumé.
Example: “Selected to participate in [University] Fly-In Diversity/Leadership Program (competitive, fully funded)”.
If space is tight, emphasize selectivity and purpose (e.g., “one of 100 invited nationwide”).
Essays / Supplemental Questions
Mention it when discussing why they are excited about college in general, exposure to campus life, or lessons learned.
Example: “Through [University’s] fly-in, I realized the importance of community in shaping my academic journey, which I now seek in all my college choices.”
This avoids name-dropping for prestige and instead shows reflection and growth.
Résumé (for scholarships, jobs, or honors programs)
Put under “Honors and Awards” or “Leadership & Activities.”
Example:
Fly-In Program Participant, [University Name] (Fall 2025)
• Selected from a competitive national applicant pool to visit campus and engage in academic and leadership seminars.
Interviews
Use it as a talking point to show they’ve explored college fit and are proactive in their search.
Demonstrates maturity in the process: “I had the chance to attend a fly-in at [University], where I learned…”
Things to avoid
Don’t frame it as if being invited = guaranteed admission anywhere.
Don’t overinflate it (e.g., “Awarded prestigious national fellowship”). Instead, be honest: it’s a competitive selection and recognition.
Avoid listing every fly-in separately if they attend multiple — instead, summarize if space is limited.
Hi, Joe - The Fly In Program is not a Leadership program and it does not pay the tuition for the student. It is not a fellowship, it's just a program for the COLLEGE to accept students based on students being underserved and invited for a tour of the campus. That's all it is, although a great way for some underserved students to be accepted into prestigious colleges. They would still have to pay full tuition and do the expected academic work at the level they enter the college.
Michelle M.
Thanks for your comment. Apologies if my message was not clear on that topic. I didn't mean to imply this is program in any way pays students tuition for participation. My goal was just to show some practical examples of how to phrase this achievement,
Joe L.
What you wrote was clear and understandable. No problem. Just to be clear, more than an "achievement", it's more like an opportunity for students that fit into a certain category. All they had to do was apply to the college, their application evaluated for the underserved criteria and then the college chooses a certain amount of students based on income and ethnic background. It's more like a random drawing or lottery type thing.
Michelle M.
Priscilla Stadnick
5
Answers
Updated
Priscilla’s Answer
Hi Solah,
Congratulations on being invited to those schools' fly-in programs! This is a fantastic recognition of your skills, as these programs are highly selective. Schools often look for well-rounded individuals with strengths in academics, athletics, and leadership. You should definitely list this as an accomplishment in the Awards section of your application or resume. It will show other schools that you are a standout candidate, already appreciated by other institutions. Wishing you the best of luck with everything!
Congratulations on being invited to those schools' fly-in programs! This is a fantastic recognition of your skills, as these programs are highly selective. Schools often look for well-rounded individuals with strengths in academics, athletics, and leadership. You should definitely list this as an accomplishment in the Awards section of your application or resume. It will show other schools that you are a standout candidate, already appreciated by other institutions. Wishing you the best of luck with everything!