Colleges ease the dreaded admissions process as the supply applicants declines
4 days ago
- #higher education
- #student recruitment
- #college admissions
- Milianys Santiago, a first-generation college student, found the college application process less stressful than anticipated.
- Colleges are making admissions easier due to a declining pool of 18-year-olds, with tactics like one-click applications and waived fees.
- Admission rates have increased from 50% to 60% over the past decade, with elite schools being the exception.
- Pace University and other institutions are offering incentives like financial aid boosts for campus visits to attract applicants.
- Direct admission programs are expanding, automatically accepting students who meet certain academic criteria without a formal application.
- States like Illinois and Idaho are implementing streamlined application processes to increase enrollment, especially among first-generation students.
- Despite easier admissions, challenges remain, including financial barriers and the complexity of the process for some students.
- Colleges are adopting test-optional policies and extending deadlines to further ease the application process.
- Marketing efforts by colleges have intensified, but their effectiveness varies among Generation Z students.
- Legal challenges to early decision practices highlight ongoing debates about fairness and accessibility in college admissions.