Admissions to colleges are in a state flux on many fronts mooxye.com/stella-carra-studying-in-usa-has-changed-my-life-i-have-grown-personally-and-athletically/ this year. Colleges are allowing fewer applicants and students are being transferred to other colleges in greater numbers. These trends indicate that higher education is changing rapidly and the requirements of today’s students are changing quickly as well. As a result, it is crucial for parents and students alike to be aware of these changes when they plan for their children’s college years.
Trends in College Admissions #1 Acceptance Rates are Declining
The biggest story in college admissions this year is that acceptance rates have dropped at nearly every school, however the most prestigious universities (including all Ivy League schools) have experienced the most dramatic declines. This lower acceptance rate coupled with an increase in the number of applicants, means there are more applicants for each spot at the top schools. This could lead to more admitted students being unable to attend or being denied in some cases, and could result in some colleges having to shut down or reduce programs.
Colleges are focusing on yield to combat this declining enrollment. This is the percentage of accepted students that actually enroll. In the past, colleges used yield to decide on admissions. In the present, they are also using it to determine if merit scholarships will be available. Merit scholarships are offered to students who show a combination of academic excellence and extracurricular involvement. These scholarships can amount to many thousands of dollars. A lot of merit scholarships are not claimed in the current economic climate. More students are being rejected by their top-choice colleges. This trend is expected to continue as colleges put more emphasis on yield and applicants should be aware of this when deciding on where to apply.
Another trend is the rise of colleges that offer early admissions such as Early Decision and Early Action Plans. This allows colleges to boost their revenue by admitting only a select group of students, and it can also give applicants an advantage over students if they get accepted. It is crucial to remember that the majority of colleges have very low admissions rates and the benefits of applying earlier are often reduced by the competition.
In addition, colleges are experimenting with new ways to attract students by introducing new programs like the expansion of the MIT interdisciplinary program to include fields such as engineering and biology. More schools are also moving away from the traditional academic calendar and instead offering summer classes, which allows more students to be served during the peak enrollment season.
Another thing to look for is that more families may choose to take the gap year, especially since COVID-19 rates decrease and the availability of vaccines increases. This could impact admissions as students who could have being enrolled at college in the fall might choose to take a break. However as the semester begins in the spring, it is likely that enrollment will increase to normal levels and many colleges will be searching for ways to fill their seats.