The content of students’ college application essays has an even stronger correlation to household income than SAT scores, according to a new working paper.
Topics: Admissions
‘Was that all I had to offer?’: The double-edged sword when students highlight their hardships
In an opinion piece, one high school senior describes the tension experienced by students of color when they feel obligated to “sell [their] pain” during the college admissions process.
Elite colleges admitted more underrepresented students this year, early reports suggest
As students weigh college admissions offers ahead of the May 1 decision deadline, early data indicate that the nation’s top schools could welcome an especially diverse class this year.
Could this unprecedented admissions cycle bring lasting change?
Admissions teams at the nation’s most selective institutions are facing uncharted territory this year as they attempt to review a record number of applications—many without test scores—to shape the Class of 2025.
Test-optional policies here to stay, ACT report suggests
Enrollment officials responding to an ACT survey indicated that they’re unlikely to return to test-required policies in the near term, although institutions whose test-optional policies were COVID-driven said the next few application cycles will be telling.
Pandemic may impede Latinx students’ college pursuits, experts warn
Pointing to this year’s enrollment and financial aid numbers, higher education experts are cautioning that the pandemic could reverse hard-won gains in Latinx students’ representation on college campuses.
Early-action applications declining across U.S. colleges
An education technology firm says U.S. colleges and universities received fewer early-action and early-decision applications this year, with smaller schools experiencing the most significant decrease.
Georgetown Reach exposes rising 8th graders to college admissions
A new program out of Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business aims to prepare students and families for the college application process by connecting early enough to influence students’ high school choices.
Common App sounds alarm about dip in first-gen, low-income applicants
New information from the Common Application offers another glimpse at the pandemic’s implications for equity in higher education, showing a decline in applicants who requested fee waivers and those who would be the first in their family to earn a college degree.
Digital recruitment, test-optional policies: Stopgaps for COVID-19 or lasting change?
Many colleges and universities pivoted to digital recruitment tactics and test-optional admissions policies out of necessity this past year. But some admissions experts expect the changes to persist well beyond the pandemic.
College Board says goodbye to SAT essay, subject tests
As more colleges and universities adopt test-optional admission policies, and the pandemic continues to limit testing sessions, the College Board has announced it is eliminating the essay and subject tests from its SAT exam.
Common App continues push to address access barriers
The Common App will remove questions thought to deter undocumented students from applying to college and will launch an artificial intelligence chatbot that guides students through the application process.