Inside Higher Ed
August 03, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
A new statement decries state-level restrictions barring colleges from requiring vaccination against COVID-19 or other public health measures such as mask wearing or surveillance testing, as many of the restrictions directly contradict current guidance from the CDC. More than 600 colleges nationwide have mandated COVID-19 vaccination for students and employees, but many are facing legislation that will not allow a vaccine requirement or other public health measures on campus.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
August 02, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Value and Affordability
Last year, the U.S. government reported an 18% drop in overall student-visa holders and a 72% decrease in new enrollments in 2020. Students and families worry about cost of tuition, safety, and immigration policies, and are questioning the value of an American degree. If America ultimately cedes its place as the world leader in international education, that will affect diplomacy, the economy, and the health of colleges and universities nationwide.
Inside Higher Ed
July 27, 2021 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends, Research
One in seven community college students in a four-year program earns a degree in six years. The typical student who tries to transfer between institutions loses 43% of their credits. Lack of coordination and communication between institutions and a superiority complex among 4-year institutions are contributing to these issues that directly impact student achievement. The Tackling Transfer Policy Advisory Board is working to ensure equitable post-secondary outcomes for Americans irrespective of their background.
Inside Higher Ed
July 26, 2021 Pre-College Outreach, Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Campus tours are back, but most of them differ from how they were before. They are smaller and more personalized. Tours frequently require preregistration and sometimes a health assessment. Virtual events still largely remain in place, and Admissions leaders worry about the Delta variant of coronavirus affecting future campus tours.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
July 23, 2021 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Student-visa issuance is returning to pre-pandemic levels. American consulates approved almost 117,000 F-1 student visas in May and June. More than 143,000 F-1 visas were authorized between January and June of this year. Globally, about 20% of U.S. consulates are offering interviews within 2 weeks and 30% within the month. With consular services restarting and the national-interest exemption in place, F-1 issuance has begun to pick up speed around the globe.
Higher Ed. Dive
July 23, 2021 Student Success
Policy and higher education experts say that schools should support unauthorized immigrant students by providing legal and mental health services on campus. Though DACA was ruled unlawful, students already covered will not face immediate ramifications. Prospective students who do not yet have protected status but were counting on it will no longer have access to in-state tuition prices or be eligible for some scholarship programs.
Inside Higher Ed
July 19, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Value and Affordability
The high school class of 2021 completed the FAFSA at a rate 4.8% lower than the previous year – about 102,000 fewer seniors, primarily low-income and/or minority students. FAFSA completions declined 6.5% among Title I-eligible public high schools, and for schools with more than 50% Black and Latinx students, the decline was 8.1%. Public high schools in cities and small towns declined the most, followed by schools in rural places and suburban high schools.
Inside Higher Ed
July 19, 2021 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
A new survey of test-optional colleges found that test-optional is improving access broadly for low-income, underrepresented, and first generation students. In lieu of test scores, there was a heavier reliance on high school transcripts and GPA, and public institutions were more likely than private institutions to make more use of essays and personal statements.
Higher Ed. Dive
July 12, 2021 Admissions
A dozen groups and individuals in higher education are pressing U.S. News and World Report to stop using average SAT and ACT scores to calculate its influential Best Colleges rankings. The publication has long built entrance exam scores into its methodology for the rankings, though recently it has taken steps to account for their diminished role in some schools’ admissions processes. More than 1,500 colleges will not require test scores for fall 2022.
Higher Ed. Dive
July 08, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
According to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, first-year persistence rates dropped to 73.9% in fall 2020, with community colleges seeing the largest decline, followed by private and public four-year colleges. Racial and ethnic disparities continued – 87% of Asian students persisted into their second year, compared to around two-thirds of Black and Latinx students. Additionally, retention rates fell by 0.7% and the downward trend continued in the spring. Colleges are hopeful that in-person classes will increase enrollment; however, high school seniors have mixed feelings.