Higher Ed. Dive
March 28, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends, Research
A Supreme Court decision challenging race-conscious admissions policies is expected toward the end of June. Pundits predict the high court will limit race-conscious admissions, which would directly impact a small proportion of colleges. Researchers found the most effective way of bolstering diversity at selective colleges was to consider race in the admissions process.
University Business
March 09, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
About 833,000 fewer students enrolled in public schools in fall 2021 than had been predicted, with the most surprising drops occurring in middle school, according to a report released by WICHE, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. A consecutive decline in U.S. birth rates, the impact of COVID-19, and ongoing educational inequities make it difficult to determine the primary driving force behind changes in public school populations. Falling enrollment could be a result of students shifting to homeschooling and private schools. Ramifications of this can impact college enrollment trends starting in 2025.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
February 14, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Of the roughly 2,600 colleges and universities analyzed by the Chronicle, more than 45 percent witnessed a drop by 10 percent or more in the enrollment of first-time, degree seeking students.
Public institutions generally had the most trouble recovering the following year, especially at the community college level. On the other hand, doctoral-granting and special-focus two-year intuitions were the most likely to recoup their losses in 2021.
Higher Ed. Dive
February 07, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
The COVID-19 pandemic limited students’ access to the testing centers where the SAT or ACT was administered, prompting many higher education institutions to make entrance exam score submission optional. In January, the Division I Council, one of the NCAA’s governing bodies, voted to end standardized testing requirements for athletes at the association’s annual meeting. Division II representatives followed suit, while Division III institutions set their own eligibility standards. Supporters of test-optional admissions argue that the tests position underprivileged applicants who cannot afford extensive tutoring at a disadvantage compared to wealthier peers.
Higher Ed. Dive
February 02, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Undergraduate enrollment decreased only 0.6% in the fall 2022, the smallest drop since the pandemic, according to National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data. Conversely, graduate student enrollment began to decline after two years of constant growth during the pandemic. Enrollment trends varied by region, with a notable decline in undergraduate enrollments in the Midwest and Northeast, while graduate enrollments rose by 1.3% in the Northeast. Across institution types, four-year for-profits saw the most significant increase in first-year student enrollment in fall 2022, at 6.9%, followed by community colleges, which saw a 6.1% increase.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
January 25, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
As student applicant numbers from China plummeted by nearly 25% from the pandemic, two of the leading countries for international applicants are currently coming from West Africa. Nigeria and Ghana seem to be only behind China and India – the leading source of international students for decades now, suggests the latest data from Common App. Lack of capacity in local universities is driving African students to study abroad, and as of 2023, applicants from Nigeria and Ghana have at least tripled and quadrupled, respectively, from the 2019-20 admission cycle.
Higher Ed. Dive
November 15, 2022 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
At least 1,835 four-year colleges in the US are test-optional for fall 2023. Of those, 85 are fully test-free. 1,450 colleges have made test-optional and test-free admissions permanent. Test-optional policies continue to be studied for their effects on admissions.
Inside Higher Ed
November 14, 2022 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Most international enrollment recovered from a steep decline during the pandemic. The total number of international students enrolled at U.S. institutions increased by 4 percent in 2021-22 and an additional 9 percent this fall.
Inside Higher Ed
November 07, 2022 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
A recent survey found that diversity among faculty and the student body is the top priority for students when searching for a potential college in which to enroll. Relatedly, only 9 percent reported receiving personalized and relevant outreach from prospective institutions.
Inside Higher Ed
October 24, 2022 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Direct admissions kicked off last year in the United States by the company Concourse. This year, 125 colleges around various cities are making admission offers via Concourse. The Common Application is also experimenting with direct admissions, with 14 colleges involved this year.