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Vol. 24 No. 4
December 2009
Out-of-State Students In....
Community College Students Out?
PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
are reportedly looking at more out-of-state students, according
to The Washington Post. State funding has decreased by
10 percent in Maryland, for example, and 20 percent in Virginia
since the current economic crisis began. But the higher tuition
that non-residents pay makes up for the lower tuition of residents.
Thus, some schools are admitting more out-of-state students than
they had originally planned. And, unfortunately, this has had
the effect of limiting admission for in-state students.
"It's a matter of fiscal realities," said Mark Emmert,
president, U. of Washington. "Public universities survive
on a combination of tuition revenue and state financial support.
If one goes down, the other has to go up if you want to maintain
your capacity."
Since 2007, the number of non-resident students in incoming
classes has increased. At the C. of William and Mary, out-of-state
students have gone from 34 to 37 percent; 19 to 25 percent at
the U. of Washington; 43 to 49 percent at the U. of Iowa; and
35 to 44 percent at Penn State. In fact, William and Mary admitted
more non-residents than residents for the first time in many
years. Four years ago, Virginia applicants had a 47 percent acceptance
rate, whereas this year the rate was down to 39 percent. On the
other hand, non-Virginians' admission rate has increased from
22 to 30 percent.
The U. of Maryland has increased its non-resident numbers
as well. This is, in part, because their in-state tuition has
stayed at $8,053 for the past four years while out-of-state tuition
has increased to $23,990. Two-thirds of William and Mary's tuition
revenue ($58 million) is collected through the $30,964 out-of-state
tuition and fees; in-state tuition is $10,800.
CalState's Enrollment Predicament. Meanwhile, across
the country California continues to dominate the college admissions
news and some suspect what is happening there portends what may
happen elsewhere in the country.
After years of encouraging students to come to its institution,
California State U. had to cut enrollment by approximately 40,000
students, according to the Time-Herald. That's 40,000.
This drastic reduction is necessary due to $564 million in upcoming
budget cuts. The enrollment decrease comes on top of the previous
10,000-student cut, staff furloughs and increased tuition and
fees that the state schools have already implemented.
"To deny students access to the CSU system is just about
one of the worst things that we can do" in this economic
crisis, said Chancellor Charles B. Reed. However, "you cannot
educate more students with $564 million less."
Each of the 23 CSU campuses will find its own way of lowering
enrollment, such as increasing academic standards. Reed also
stated that a tuition bump was a possibility. At the same time,
applicants have increased 50 percent since last year, the greatest
rise ever. And transfer applications from community colleges
have spiked 127 percent.
Surges at Community Colleges. With California's university
system cutting enrollment, community colleges have become one
of the best ways for students to get the background they need
to transfer to a university, according to The Mercury News.
California's 110 community colleges are touted as a two-year
launching pad to enter a UC or CSU school. And once students
do transfer to these schools, they graduate in slightly higher
numbers than other students.
However, the state's most recent "annual accountability
report" on community colleges showed that only 40 percent
of California's students are prepared to transfer to a university
after community college. There are many factors that lead to
this problem: financial issues stemming from the state of the
economy, parents losing jobs and on-campus budget cuts. Additionally,
students have trouble navigating the inconsistent requirements
for transferring into the university system. For instance, classes
that are necessary to transfer to UCLA are different than those
required at other schools.
San Diego Number Two? San Diego State U. received 5,400
more undergraduate applications for the fall 2010 semester compared
to the same time last year, according to La Prensa San Diego.
SDSU received 56,232 undergraduate applications for the fall
2009. For the prior fall semester, the university received 52,330
undergraduate applications, "making it the No. 2 most sought
after university nationwide," the paper said. But it will
have 4,600 fewer spots available than it did at the start of
the fall 2008 semester. The fall 2010 application deadline was
November 30.
Western Carolina U. Capitalizes on Interest in Public
U.'s. Stating that some of the larger UNC campuses "are
not looking to grow," Vice Chancellor Sam Miller said WCU
created a new recruiting model, according to The Smokey Mountain
News. The result is that applications have increased over
the last three years. In 2006, 4,830 students applied to WGU.
This year's projection: 14,500 applicants. Among the recruiting
strategies: Promoting the university's marching band, "luring
prospective students to open houses" and touting its tuition
and fees. "We feel we stand out as a value on the dollar,"
Miller said.
NYC Drops Its "Welcome" Sign. Because of
record enrollment numbers even as early as last summer, New York
City's community colleges have had to drop their "all-are-welcome
admissions policy," according to The New York Times.
Previously, the City U. of New York (CUNY) accepted applications
up to the week before classes, with a high school or GED the
only requirement for admission. This year, though, LaGuardia
Community C. did not take applications after July 30, the Borough
of Manhattan Community C. stopped in late June and Bronx, Hostos
and Queensborough Community Colleges closed applications at the
beginning of August.
"Enrollment has been growing steadily, but this was a
tidal wave for us this fall," said Gail O. Mellow, president,
LaGaurdia C. C. "I've never seen anything like this. We
used to pretty much be an open door [school]."
Applicants to the CUNY schools for the 2010 spring semester
have increased 19 percent since spring 2009. Also, the State
U. of New York (SUNY) enrollment went up 20 percent since last
year. The SUNY schools did not stop enrollment earlier than usual,
but some colleges restricted enrollment in specific programs,
such as nursing. Most colleges increased class sizes and added
extra class sections.
Concordia U. System Hits Record High. Enrollment at
10 Lutheran colleges this fall was up over 9 percent to 25,616
students, an all time high, according to The Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod. Graduate students were a big part of the increase, up
nearly 15 percent to 11,664. But undergraduate enrollment increased
over 5 percent to 13,138. The universities include Concordia
U. in Ann Arbor. For more details see www.lcms.org.
National Enrollment Reaches Record High. Overall, the
percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in higher education
is at its highest point ever, according to a new report from
the Pew Research Center. The report said that about 12 million
students (roughly 40 percent of the age group) are currently
enrolled at a two- or four-year college. The largest contributing
factor to the surge is the unprecedented numbers of students
attending community college.
Attendance has grown over the past several decades. But this
year, most of the increase comes from two-year college enrollment.
In 2007, slightly over 3 million students (11 percent) were attending
community colleges; 3.4 million (12 percent) students in 2008.
On the other hand, enrollment has remained steady at four-year
institutions. One factor might be jobs. Only 46 percent of 16-
to 24-year-olds were employed this fall, the smallest percentage
in over fifty years. For more info, see: www.pewsocialtrends.org.
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The Ups and Downs
of "Phantom App-ers"
Jeff Brenzel, dean of undergraduate admissions at Yale
U., told The Yale Daily News that early applications declined
5.2 percent this year. The school received 5,265 early applications
this fall, as opposed to 5,556 in 2008. Some guidance counselors
stated that the decrease is due to students waiting to apply
to schools during the recession. Brenzel, however, said the lower
numbers are the normal changes in admission cycles.
But the C. of William and Mary had "a dramatic increase
in early decision applications this year," according to
The Flat Hat, "causing administrators to examine
the role of early decision at the College."
As of November 20, the pool stood at 1,094. Last year, 951
students applied for early admission. "Right now we are
up 13 percent," said Earl Granger, associate provost for
enrollment.
"Two years ago, [the U. of Virginia] did away with early
decision, and so clearly we have a number of students in our
applicant pool who are what I call 'phantom app-ers,'" Granger
said, referring to those applicants who would have otherwise
applied to UVA, and will still go there pending acceptance, but
are, in the meantime, applying to W&M for an alternative.
Granger also said that W & M's student population is growing
more diverse. More international students are applying, as are
more Hispanic students.
Also, according to The Flat Hat, other four-year institutions
have reported an increase in early applications for the class
of 2014. Duke U. saw a 32 percent increase and Dartmouth C. saw
a 3 percent increase. Tufts U. and Georgetown U. saw no significant
change. Davidson C. had a 4 percent decrease in its number of
early applicants.
At George Washington U., early decision applications increased
dramatically for the second year in a row, according to The
Hatchet, growing 24 percent to more than 1,600 Early Decision
I applications. The increase in applications reflects the highest
number of early decision applications ever for the university,
which had 1,290 applications last year and 946 in 2007, said
Kathryn Napper, executive dean for undergraduate admissions.
While the deadline for applications was November 10, GW offers
a second early decision deadline January 10.
The Bowdoin Orient reported that the number of Early
Decision I apps appears up from last year at Bowdoin C. It received
506 applications by mid-November and was projecting a five percent
increase totaling 520-525. Last year, Bowdoin received 480 ED
I applications and about 41 percent of the Class of 2013 were
selected through early decision.
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International Affairs
International Enrollment Up. According to the latest
numbers from the Institute for International Education, a record
number of foreign students, 671,616, enrolled in U.S. colleges
and universities during the 2008-09 school year. Top destinations?
U. of Southern California, New York U., Columbia U., U. of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign and Purdue U. At the same time, 262,416 U.S.
students enrolled abroad, up nearly nine percent, another record.
New Visa Rules in the UK. International students who
wish to study in the United Kingdom may face delays, according
to Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK. This fall,
The Guardian reported that the UK has altered the immigration
requirements for students obtaining visas. International students
must prove they can afford tuition expenses 28 days before applying
for their visa, have their own bank account with money for living
expenses, "a biometric identity card" and test results.
The Guardian states more international students are having
their visa applications rejected. Recruiters argue these rules
are too restrictive for most students.
Over 340,000 students from outside the EU attend UK institutions,
adding about 8.5 billion British pounds to the economy yearly,
the paper said. According to Alasdair Murray, director of a "think
tank" called CentreForum, "The government faces depriving
universities of vital funds at the very moment it is scrabbling
around for cash to help tens of thousands of extra UK applicants
escape the recession." For more info see, www.guardian.co.uk.
Japan's Private College Crisis. Japan's Ministry of
Education recently reported that college enrollment is eroding
at 47 percent of the nation's 550 private four-year universities.
One problem: A shortage of 18-year-olds. The solution: Japanese
colleges have begun a heavy recruitment of Chinese students to
fill empty seats.
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THE COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Sneak Preview
What talents or
skills do colleges seek?
AS COLLEGES THROUGHOUT
the country continue to send in their answers to CB's
24th annual survey, others have already noted what talents or
skills they are seeking for next fall's class. Some requests
are tried and true. But readers say it is helpful to know who
is looking for what or whom.
What special talents or skills do you seek among 2009-10
applicants?
Adelphi U.: "We hope to attract more students
who are interested in the Arts, Music, Theater and Dance."
Alfred U.: "Creative thinkers with inquiring minds."
Binghamton U.-SUNY: "Leadership, debate, theater,
studio art, writing, music and athletics."
Bucknell U.: "Remains unchanged from our overall
mission to enroll a community of thinkers, scholars, scientists,
musicians, athletes, activists and artists who believe that personal
growth and development occur both in the classroom and beyond
it."
Claremont McKenna C.: "Leadership potential."
Creighton U.: "Commitment to leadership, community
service and high character."
Dickinson C.: "The ability to understand what
is distinctive about a Dickinson education-global perspective,
seeking connections, engagement and to be able to articulate
why these attributes are important. We want smart, engaged, active
learners who will make Dickinson an exciting place to live and
learn."
DePauw U.: "1) intellectual engagement 2) appreciation
for community 3) leadership."
Elon U.: "Students interested in service, leadership
and talented students."
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical U.: "Good math, science
and leadership skills."
Gannon U.: "They have been involved in outside
activities in high school or the community."
Greeensboro C.: "Theater and music."
Hampden-Sydney C.: "Strong character and leadership"
Harvey Mudd C.: "High achieving students passionate
about math, science and engineering and who understand the importance
and appreciate the humanities, social sciences and arts."
Husson C.: "A strong sense of community; strong
academics."
Illinois Wesleyan U.: "Solid academic preparation
and performance; interest in extracurricular involvement."
John Hopkins U.: "Creativity, open-mindedness,
inquisitiveness and diligence."
Lafayette C.: "Creativity, leadership, appreciation
for diversity."
Lewis and Clark C.: "We seek students with a diverse
range of talents and skills."
Louisiana State U.: "We seek a well-rounded individual
with a strong GPA, strong standardized test scores and strong
commitment to community."
Marymount Manhattan C.: "Well-rounded, independent."
Marquette U.: "Demonstrated leadership and service."
New C. of Florida: "Work ethic and self-discipline."
Oberlin C.: "Academic and artistic excellence."
The Ohio State U.: "Ohio State seeks students
who demonstrate the capacity to thrive at one of the nation's
leading public research universities. That capacity can be demonstrated
by a strong performance in a strong college preparatory curriculum
in high school; strong performance on standardized tests; and
a diverse range of co-curricular, work and volunteer experiences,
among other things."
Oklahoma City U.: "Servant leaders."
Quincy U.: "Academic, leadership, service."
Sacred Heart U.: "Leadership, community service."
Scripps C.: "Critical thinking, clear writing,
academic and extra-curricular passions."
St. Lawrence U.: "We continue to seek well-rounded
students who are intellectually curious."
U. of the Arts: "Creativity, high ability levels
in art, music, dance and theater."
U. of California-Santa Cruz: "Strong academic
achievement."
U. of Michigan: "Broadly diverse."
U. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: "We seek smart,
motivated and good-hearted students who will enhance our community
and the world while at Carolina, and afterwards. Instead of using
a single formula or evaluating students based on a single number,
we look for real people with a variety of qualities-from intellect,
curiosity, creativity, leadership, kindness and courage, to diversity
of background and experience."
Wabash C.: "Leadership, service."
Wartburg C.: "Community engagement, interest in
undergrad research."
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COUNSELOR'S BOOKSHELF
Several books are back by popular demand this fall.
The Hidden Ivies: 50 Top Colleges from Amherst to Williams
That Rival the Ivy League, 2nd Edition, by Howard R. Greene
and Matthew W. Greene; 469 pages; ISBN 978-0-06-172672-9; $18.99.
And, Making It into a Top College: 10 Steps to Gaining Admission
to Selective Colleges and Universities, 2nd Edition, by Howard
Greene and Matthew Greene; 482 pages; ISBN 978-0-06-172673-6;
$16.99; both from Collins Reference, an imprint of HarperCollins
Publishers.
Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know
about Getting into College, 2nd Edition, by Sally P. Springer,
Jon Reider and Marion R. Franck; 316 pages; (Jossey-Bass, a Wiley
Imprint); ISBN 978-0-470-48121-9; $14.95.
Paying for College without Going Broke, 2010 Edition,
by Kalman A. Chany with Geoff Martz, foreword by Bill Clinton;
324 pages; (The Princeton Review); ISBN 978-0-375-42942-2; $20.00.
Making Transitions. Working with adolescents is a challenge
and a new book that has come across our desk offers some interesting
perspective for schools and parents. Families, Schools and
the Adolescence: Connecting Research, Policy and Practice
is a collection of articles on strategies to help parents, edited
by Nancy E. Hill and Ruth K Chao; (Teachers College Press, 2009);
ISBN: 0807749958; $27.95.
Also, Universal Design for Transition: A Roadmap for Planning
and Instruction, by Thoma, Bartholomew and Scott; includes
chapter on postsecondary education; 248 pages; ISBN-13: 978-1-55766-910-0;
$34.95; and The Way to Work: How to Facilitate Work Experiences
for Youth in Transition, by Richard G. Luecking; 223 pages;
ISBN-13:978-1-55766-898-1; $34.95; both from Paul H. Brookes
Publishing Co, 2009.
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Kiplinger's "Best
Values in Private Colleges
Kiplinger's financial newsletter "quantitatively"
calculated the "100 best values in private colleges and
universities for 2009-2010" for the schools that give students
the best education at the most reasonable price. The schools
that made the list usually provided students with generous financial
aid.
In fact, most students who applied to college this year received
more financial aid than last year's students, according to Kiplinger's.
Private colleges upped their financial aid by 9 percent while
increasing tuition 4.3 percent. Pomona C. beat other liberal
arts colleges because the school was able to reduce expenses
"without lessening the quality of academics."
Kiplinger's top ten best value private universities,
in order, are: California Institute of Technology, Princeton
U., Yale U., Rice U., Harvard U., Duke U., Columbia U., U. of
Pennsylvania, Dartmouth C. and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The top ten liberal arts colleges, in order, are: Pomona C.,
Swarthmore C., Williams C., Davidson C., Claremont McKenna C.,
Amherst C., Washington and Lee U., C. of the Holy Cross, Colby
C. and Bowdoin C.
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SCHOLARSHIP SCOOPS
New Scholarships. Marist C. (with the help of the
National Science Foundation) is offering 12 full tuition, room
and board scholarships for fall 2010. Students must meet federal
Pell eligibility and demonstrate financial need; plan to be a
computer science or information technology and systems major;
possess a strong GPA, standardized test scores and essay; and
complete an interview with the dean or a professor from the School
of Computer Science and Mathematics. For more information, see
www.marist.edu/admission/nsfgrant.
New Scholarship for Freshmen.
Cleveland State U. will offer a $3,000 scholarship as part of
its Freshman Scholars Program to full-time first-years who start
in fall 2010 and have at least a 3.0 GPA and 23 ACT or 1060 SAT
score. The scholarship can be renewed for four years for up to
$12,000. Deadline: February 1. See, www.engagecsu.com.
New Scholarship Program for
Families. A new initiative for migrants, immigrants and their
families aims "to help two members of the same family move
up the economic development ladder through education," according
to the Western Union Foundation. The Family Scholarship Program,
as it is called, may be used for tuition for college language
acquisition classes, technical/skill training and/or financial
literacy. For example, one family member may request assistance
to attend college and the other family member may request assistance
to attend English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. All applicants
must be age 18 or older. Country of origin for at least one of
the applicants must be outside the United States. The awards
range from $1,000-$5,000 per family and are paid directly to
the educational providers. Deadline: February 5. For more info,
call 303-837-0788 or see wufamily@iie.org.
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
The Very Very Top Tuitions. Back in 2003-04, only
two U.S. colleges and universities charged $40,000 or more for
tuition, fees, room and board. A mere five years later in 2008-9,
58 colleges charged over $50,000, according to an analysis by
the Chronicle of Higher Education. Of course, that is
the sticker price, and aid packages have escalated as well for
many students. Yet, some students still pay full fare.
Sarah Lawrence C. leads the way with a price tag of $55,788.
Rounding out the top 10 are Landmark C., $53,900, Georgetown
U., $52,161, New York U., $51,933, George Washington U., $51,775,
Johns Hopkins U., $51,690, Columbia U., $51,544, Wesleyan U.,
$51,432, Trinity C. in Connecticut, $51,400 and Washington U.
in St. Louis, $51,329.
Million Dollar Presidents.
Meanwhile, 23 private college presidents reported earning more
than $1 million a year. The top 10 president salaries at research
institutions are paid by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, U.
of Tulsa, American U., Columbia U., U. of the Pacific, New York
U., Vanderbilt U., U. of Pennsylvania, Nova Southeastern U. and
Yale U.
Yet these aren't the salary leaders on U.S. college campuses.
That distinction goes to the football coaches. According to the
National Collegiate Athletic Association, the median salary for
the gridiron leaders at Division I-A schools is more than $1
million. Several of the coaches at top programs draw $3 to $4
million a year. The medium salary for basketball coaches has
reached $735,000.
Adjunct Conditions. Those
kinds of salaries are staggering not only to college-bound families,
but to the nation's adjunct professors, who according to several
sources now make up 50 percent of the professorate in U.S. colleges
and universities. Another recent Chronicle of Higher Education
survey of adjunct professors in the Chicago area found that only
18 percent of them make $20,000 a year or more from teaching.
Controlling College Sports?
Not surprisingly, college presidents think that someone has to
get control of the spiraling costs of college athletic budgets,
which jumped by 46 percent between 2004 and 2008, fueled in part
by big TV contracts. But in a survey conducted by the Knight
Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, which is celebrating
its 20th year, the presidents claimed they have limited power
to make changes.
"Presidents and chancellors are afraid to rock the boat
with boards, benefactors and political supporters who want to
win, so they turn their focus elsewhere," one president
said. Other presidents express worry about the growing divide
between academics and athletics.
U. C. Fee Increase. The
U. of California system raised fees (tuition) for students at
its 10 campuses by a whopping 32 percent or $2,500, effective
summer 2010. The decision prompted student protests at UCLA where
the UC Board of Regents made its decision, and on other campuses.
UC president, Mark Yudof, said the system may have to boost fees
even higher if the California state government, which is facing
a $21 billion deficit, fails to appropriate an additional $913
million next year. "When you have no choice, you have no
choice," Yudof reflected. "I'm sorry."
The
U. of Washington Dream Project. The U. of Washington developed
a student-run Dream Project that pairs UW students with first-generation
and low-income students in Seattle to help them through the college
admissions process, according to a recent issue of The Daily.
More than 300 students recently attended a "Fourth Annual
Admissions Weekend Workshop" with bus transportation provided,
meetings with student committees and access to computers. Students
at Colorado State U. attended the event to see if they can make
a group of their own and similar projects are beginning in five
other states.
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COLLEGE BOUND's Publisher/Editor: R. Craig
Sautter, DePaul University; Chief Operating Officer: Sally
Reed; Associate Editor: Emma Schwartz; Editorial Assistant:
Reed Lubin; Board of Advisors: Lisa Burnham, Edina
High School, Minnesota; Claire D. Friedlander, Bedford
(N.Y.) Central School District; Howard Greene and Matthew
Greene, authors, The Greenes' Guides to Educational Planning
Series; Frank C. Leana, Ph.D., educational counselor;
M. Fredric Volkmann, Washington University in St. Louis;
Mary Ann Willis, Bayside Academy (Daphne, Ala.).
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