This year college admissions are shifting on many fronts. The colleges are allowing fewer students and students are making the move to other colleges in greater numbers. These trends reflect the fact that higher education is changing rapidly and the needs of today’s students are changing rapidly as well. It is therefore essential that parents and students understand these changes when planning for their children’s college experience.
Trend #1 in College Admissions Acceptance rates are falling
The most significant story in college admissions this year is that acceptance rates have dropped at nearly every school, but the most prestigious universities (including all Ivy League schools) have seen especially sharp drops. The lower acceptance rate, combined with an increased number of applicants, means there are more students competing for each spot at the most select schools. This will likely result in more admitted students being waitlisted or declined in some cases, and could result in some colleges having to shut down or eliminate programs.
To counteract the downward enrollment pressure colleges are focusing on yield, which is the percentage of accepted students who actually attend the college. In the past, colleges have utilized yield as an element in their admission decisions, however now it is also being used to determine whether or not to offer merit scholarships. Merit scholarships are offered to students who have a strong academic achievement and extracurricular participation. These scholarships can amount to thousands of dollars. In the current economic climate where more students are disqualified by their first college, a number of merit scholarships are going unclaimed. This trend is likely to continue as colleges are focusing on yield. The applicants should keep this in the back of their minds when choosing which colleges to apply for.
Another trend is the increase in mooxye.com/latest-updates/list-of-the-degrees-that-will-be-useless-in-the-future/ colleges that offer early admissions such as Early Decision and Early Action Plans. This allows colleges to boost their efficiency by allowing only a select student population, and it also gives applicants an advantage over the other applicants if they’re accepted. However it is important to remember that most colleges have a low percentage of applicants, and the benefits of applying early are usually offset by the higher competition.
Additionally, colleges are innovating by introducing new programs that attract students, like the expansion of MIT’s Interdisciplinary program, which currently includes fields like engineering and biology. Additionally, more and more schools are shifting away from traditional academic calendars and instead offering summer courses, allowing them to provide more students during the peak enrollment season.
Another thing to keep an eye on is the increase in families who choose to take a gap-year, particularly as COVID-19 rates are decreasing and the supply of vaccines is growing. This could affect admissions, as students who could have being enrolled at college in the fall may opt to leave for a gap year. As the spring semester gets closer, it is likely that college enrollment will increase to normal levels, and many colleges will seek ways to fill their seats.