A Big Shift in College Admissions
Many colleges are investing more resources into recruiting students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds or enrolling first-generation college students.
Admissions at elite schools often favor wealthy donors, promising athletes, and the children of alumni.
These policies may lead to colleges admitting disproportionately white applicants or neglecting to accommodate the needs of underrepresented groups.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 Pandemic has fundamentally altered college admissions. It has amplified certain trends and reversed others, making it more difficult for students to gain acceptance into their desired colleges.
One of the major changes is that fewer low-income students are applying to college. This presents a major concern for both students and schools alike, as postponing higher education can cost students significantly in the long run, according to studies.
Another impact of the pandemic on college enrollment is that fewer low-income students are opting to attend community college. This trend is especially evident among students of color who are disproportionately affected by this crisis.
Community college students tend to be older, lower-income and with other commitments that take them away from class. This leaves them with less time for applying for financial aid, leaving them even more susceptible to rejection by colleges.
Many students find writing the college application essay to be the most challenging part of the process. They must do this in a way that accurately and creatively expresses their experience with the coronavirus and personal interests.
In the past, colleges relied on standardized test scores to assess a student’s likelihood of succeeding at their chosen institution. With so many applicants lacking SATs and ACTs, colleges must now find innovative recruitment strategies in order to remain competitive.
Michael Levine, a senior vice president at admissions software company Admissions Cloud, predicts schools will use more personal data to find candidates. They could send customized digital viewbooks or conduct other personalized outreach efforts, according to Levine.
High school counselors are essential in aiding students through the college admissions process. They can assist them in setting goals, crafting effective essays and securing financial aid.
In addition to impacting high school counseling, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder for students to take their SATs and PSATs, tests which are essential in accessing scholarships – particularly those targeted towards students of color and first-generation college goers.
The rise of test-optional policies
Over the past decade, many colleges that used to require SAT and ACT scores have adopted test-optional policies. This trend was further accelerated after COVID-19 pandemic caused testing sites to close down and students faced difficulty getting test registration.
In response to the pandemic, many colleges have implemented test-optional admissions policies, including Harvard, Stanford and Tufts. This shift demonstrates how college admissions have changed over time and acknowledges that students should have access to schools that best suit their academic, social and personal requirements.
Most colleges still take into account SAT and ACT test scores when making admission decisions, but they also evaluate other elements of an applicant’s application such as high school grades, course rigor, extracurricular activities, a personal statement or essay and letters of recommendation. These components are considered “holistic,” meaning they will give greater weight to other factors to make up for any lack of SAT/ACT score.
This is an historic shift in college admissions, and it should not be taken lightly. Not only can it affect your chances of getting into the right college for you, but it will have lasting effects on both your professional and financial prospects for life.
One of the primary concerns for first-generation and low-income students is that test-optional policies will exacerbate racial and socioeconomic inequities. While some institutions have been more accepting of applicants of color and lower income backgrounds, most selective universities still require test scores as part of their admission criteria.
That is because SAT and ACT scores assess academic ability, which is beneficial for most students. However, not all students have performed equally well on these tests; therefore, colleges need to be able to distinguish those who excel academically.
However, ultimately the transition away from test scores must occur when admissions professionals use more sophisticated data-mining techniques to comprehend their applicants’ lives and predict their likelihood of success. With these data-driven insights, colleges can identify students with high chances for being successful in a particular program, continuing through college, and graduating.
The rise of overenrollment
Overenrollment in higher education has experienced a remarkable transformation, going from being a relatively minor factor in college admissions to an increasingly significant and growing factor.
Factors such as demographics have contributed to this shift, but one of the primary ones is likely demographics. Since 1990, the birth rate has declined drastically resulting in a larger pool of high school seniors to choose from when selecting colleges for them.
As a result, colleges that have more students to serve have needed more tuition revenue to stay afloat. Therefore, they have become more selective and aggressive in their admissions process to attract a wider range of applicants.
Unfortunately, this has also created a greater disparity between colleges with more resources and name recognition, and those without. This division will persist, placing additional pressure on both ends as they strive to meet enrollment and net tuition revenue targets.
Another consequence of the change is that many colleges have implemented wait lists, allowing them to hold a limited number of accepted applicants while they decide whether or not they will be admitted. Unfortunately, this can put students in an unfavorable position and make them feel hopeless–an emotion which they do not need when selecting which colleges to apply to.
Community colleges typically experience an uptick in enrollment when the economy is difficult, as students who would have otherwise left school are returning to finish their degrees or earn diplomas.
Some colleges offer rolling admissions, meaning they accept applications at any time. This can be beneficial for students who might miss their priority enrollment date or who possess special skills that might not have been included in their application.
Students should take away from this shift that they must prepare more than just an application. They should think about the skills, experiences, and personal traits which will enable them to succeed at their chosen college. Furthermore, it’s important to research which evaluation systems are used at each institution before making a final decision.
The decline of legacy admissions
There’s a sea change occurring in college admissions, and it’s not pretty. Many of America’s top colleges are slowly abandoning the practice of giving preference to applicants who are relatives of alumni – known as “legacy admissions.” This policy has become known as an unpopular trend among some alumni groups.
Legacy preferences have begun to wane as colleges and universities feel pressure to increase access for those historically denied higher education opportunities. This is especially true at elite institutions where students of color and immigrants are much less likely to be accepted than their white, wealthy counterparts.
Another explanation for why legacy preferences remain popular is that many universities believe these programs help maintain high levels of alumni giving. However, research indicates this may not be the case.
It’s worth noting that even at schools where legacy admissions are considered, legacies tend not to do better academically than their peers. This could be because legacy parents don’t put as much pressure on their kids’ college applications and don’t have the same high expectations for academic success.
Finally, many colleges are reluctant to eliminate legacy preferences because it could hinder their capacity for raising money for their institutions. A large portion of their funding comes from alumni donations.
However, giving preference to family members may not be beneficial. It can disadvantage non-legacy students and undermine college admissions integrity.
Furthermore, many believe the Varsity Blues scandal – in which some well-off families lied on their college applications to increase their chances of admission – is overblown. It does not reflect the reality of college admissions nor does it reflect the overall quality of applicants.
This poses a problem for college admissions in the future. As more schools discontinue giving preferential treatment to students whose relatives of alumni, there will be an increasing number of applicants competing for limited spots. Therefore, students must put forth effort into crafting captivating essays and attaining high SAT scores, but also have realistic expectations about their likelihood of acceptance at each school.