Higher Ed. Dive
November 14, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
There has been ongoing debate regarding university admissions considering legacy applicant status in admissions decisions. Many universities report conflicting information regarding their use, and definition, of legacy admissions consideration. Some policymakers, pundits and even college leaders have campaigned to end the practice since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down race-conscious admissions this summer, arguing it gives an unfair edge to wealthy and White applicants.
Higher Ed. Dive
October 30, 2023 Enrollment Management Trends
Preliminary enrollment data from the National Student Clearinghouse for fall 2023 largely brought good news to colleges and universities. Undergraduate enrollment rose 2.1% compared to the year before, and graduate enrollment rose 0.7%. Initial figures, however, indicated first-year enrollment fell 3.6% this fall, nearly reversing gains colleges saw last year. Additional enrollment trends are discussed in the article.
Inside Higher Ed.
October 26, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s latest enrollment report, undergraduate enrollment climbed by 2.1 percent this fall, its first total increase since 2020. Enrollment increases for Black, Latino and Asian students—by 2.2 percent, 4.4 percent and 4 percent, respectively—were especially notable after last year’s declines. However, freshman enrollment declined by 3.6 percent, nearly undoing last year’s gain of 4.6 percent and leaving first-year enrollment less than a percentage point higher than it was in fall 2021, during the height of the pandemic. Those declines were most pronounced for white students and at four-year institutions with lower acceptance rates, reversing years of growth trends for the most selective colleges and universities.
University Business
October 18, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Despite a boost in applications across multiple graduate and postgraduate programs from fall 2021 to fall 2022, enrollment decreased. Overall first-time enrollment fell by 4.7%. Doctoral degree enrollment dipped by 4.4%, while Master’s degrees experienced an uptick, at 2.5%. While graduate certificates have experienced impressive growth between 2016-17 and 2021-22 at 10.5%, they, too, declined overall by 1.2%.
Inside Higher Ed.
September 18, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Significant national developments have impacted college admissions in 2023. The Supreme Court’s decision to ban race-conscious admissions will impact the admissions landscape moving forward. Enrollment challenges are ongoing, but colleges remain hopeful about their future enrollment strategies.
Higher Ed. Dive
August 22, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
The Common Application’s direct admissions experiment involving 13 institutions and 33,000 students showed promise. Students with direct admissions offers were twice as likely to apply to those colleges. However, only 6% of the pool applied through this model, focusing on marginalized groups. This resulted in a 4% increase in underrepresented minority applicants and a 3% increase in low-income neighborhood applicants. Researchers suggest that while direct admissions helps, simplifying financial aid processes and providing support are essential for improving higher education access.
Higher Ed. Dive
August 28, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is undergoing a major revamp for the first time in 40 years to create a more streamlined process for students applying for federal aid. The form is expected to be released in December, two months later than usual. Colleges and universities must proactively prepare for the delay by reviewing admissions deadlines and financial aid practices.
Inside Higher Ed.
August 14, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Scrutiny intensifies over legacy admissions in colleges after Supreme Court’s affirmative action ban. Lawmakers are questioning traditional practices of giving preference to the children of alumni and are suggesting reforms to ensure a fair and inclusive admissions process.
Reuters
August 01, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
US colleges are revamping their student essay prompts in response to the recent ban on affirmative action. To ensure diversity, colleges are modifying their essay questions to concentrate on other aspects of applicants’ experiences and backgrounds, aiming to create a fair and inclusive admissions process while adhering to the new regulations.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
July 06, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
The Supreme Court ruling has limited the use of affirmative action in college admissions, raising concerns about the future of DEI efforts. Experts argue that this decision highlights the need for organizations to adopt new tactics to promote diversity. Despite the ruling’s impact, experts believe it is an opportunity to recommit to DEI work in different fields.