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Vol.15 No.4 December 2000
CB's 2000 National Admissions Trends Survey Results...
New E-Prospects, More
E-Applications
Each year, for the past 15 years, COLLEGE BOUND has conducted a national survey of admissions directors across the nation to provide high school counselors, students and families, plus other college admissions officers, with an early assessment of the admissions trends of the past admissions cycle.
This year, 110 colleges and universities, public and private, in all regions of the nation, participated in CB's survey. The results of the survey appear in CB issues this month and next month. The complete data of each college's individual response will appear early next year in CB's annual book, Who Got In?
Here's what these admissions directors and other admissions officers told CB about their 2000 admissions cycle:
STILL MORE ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS
In 1997, 42 percent of the colleges and universities in CB's survey invited students to apply online. In 1998, 55 percent of the surveyed colleges let students submit their applications electronically. Last year, that number increased to 67 percent. By 2000, 73 percent of the colleges and universities in -B's survey reported they accepted electronic applications.
Ingrid Hale, Colgate University, was far from alone when she noted a "rise in (the number of) online applications." Much of the pressure to apply online appears to be coming from students themselves who are increasingly computer savvy. "More students have expressed an interest in applying electronically," reported Stacey Morris, Dartmouth College. "One of the main trends we spotted in the 2000 applications was the increased use of online applications," agreed Juan Arellano, Reed College.
In fact, the majority of colleges in CB's 2000 survey, 58 percent, said they received more applications online this year than in 1999. Only six schools reported that they received the same number this year as last. Muhlenberg, for example, logged 224 online applications, Reed 645, SUNY Brockport 489. At Southwestern, about 20 percent of applications came in through an online process. [back to top]
Here is a list of colleges that say "yes" to electronic applications: Albertson, American, Amherst, Baldwin-Wallace in Ohio (as of Jan 1, 2001), Bentley, Bethany Lutheran in Minnesota, Brandeis, Carnegie Mellon (web only, not e-mail), Case Western, Chapmùn in California, Christopher Newport in Virginia, Coe, Claremont McKenna, C. of Charleston, Colorado C., Cornell C., Creighton, Elizabethtown in Pennsylvania, Elon (web site), Emory, Hampden-Sydney, Hobart & William Smith, Kalamazoo and Lafayette.
Others include: LaSalle, Lebanon Valley in Pennsylvania, Loyola Marymount, Marquette (web site), Mary Baldwin in Virginia, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), Messiah in Pennsylvania, Michigan State, Middlebury, Midwestern State in Texas, Missouri Baptist, Monmouth in Illinois, Muhlenberg, Notre Dame, Oberlin, Ohio State, Prairie View A&M in Texas, Ripon, Purdue, Reed, Rockford in Illinois, Sacred Heart in Connecticut, St. Cloud State in Minnesota, Saint Louis, St. Lawrence, Saint Michael's iny´Vermont, Smith, Southwestern in Texas, the State University of New York (SUNY) Brockport and Stony Brook, Spring Hill in Alabama, Tiffin in Ohio, Towson in Maryland, U. of Evansville, U. of Iowa, U. of Louisiana at Lafayette, U. of Maryland Eastern Shore, U. of Montana, U. of Tulsa, Vanderbilt, Vassar, Valparaiso (via the web) and Williams.
Whether as a result of the (e)pplications or the sophistication of the students about the admissions process or because students desire to get the decision made sooner, rather than later, early decision, early action is no longer the rare occurrence of the past. Theodore A. O'Neill, University of Chicago, reported "more and more early action applications." [back to top]
MORE EDs AND EAs
While still not a universal occurrence, 55 percent of the colleges and universities in CB's 2000 national admissions trends survey offer early decision or early action options. Of those, however, 72 percent received more early decision/early action applications for 2000 than for the previous year. Matt Clayton, College of William and Mary, for example, also reported "more early decision applicants."
Some colleges saw significant increases in early decision/early action applications. Oberlin received 50 percent more this year.
Only 8 percent received fewer early applications; while 15 percent received the same number as the year before. For example, J. Elliott-Wonderley, Mary Baldwin College, said that he thought, "Early decision is declining."
Colleges and universities that received more early decision/early action applications this year included: American, Amherst, Bentley, Boston C., Brandeis, Butler, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western Reserve, Chapman, U. of Chicago, Christopher Newport, Coe, Claremont McKenna, Colgate, Colorado C., Cornell C., Duke, Harvard, Hobart & William Smith, Lafayette, LaSalle, Longwood, MCLA, Maryland Eastern Shore and Michigan State.
Others that received more early applications included: Middlebury, Muhlenberg, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Pepperdine, Prairie View A&M, Sacred Heart, St. Lawrence, St. Michael's, Smith, Southwestern, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Stony Brook, Vanderbilt, Vassar, U. of Virgin Islands, Wagner in New York and William & Mary. [back to top]
EARLY ADMITS
Among the colleges and universities with early decision/early action programs, 48 percent admitted more early students for 2000 than 1999. About 21 percent admitted fewer for 2000 than 1999. And 31 percent admitted the same number as for 1999.
Among the schools that admitted more early decision/early action students, were: American, Butler, Case Western, Chicago, Christopher Newport, Coe, Colgate, Colorado C., Cornell C., Elon, Hobart & William Smith, Lafayette, LaSalle, Longwood, Maryland Eastern Shore, MCLA, Muhlenberg, Northwestern, Oberlin, Sacred Heart, St. Lawrence, St. Michael's, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Stony Brook, Vanderbilt, Vassar, U. of Virgin Islands, Wagner and William & Mary.
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MORE TOTAL APPLICATIONS
Last year, 77 percent of the colleges and universities participating in CB's annual survey reported receiving more applications in 1999 than in 1998. This year, 68 percent of the 110 schools participating in CB's national survey reported higher numbers of total applications in 2000 than in 1999. Susan C. Minger, Cornell C., for example, observed "more students applying to more schools, probably because online applications are up, and more applications through e-mail."
In addition to more students using technology in the application process, Michael Steidel at Carnegie Mellon, saw "more students applyy´ng to multiple schools." William T. Conley, Case Western Reserve, agreed: "Application increases are being fueled by students applying to more schools." Ed Eckel, the College of Mount St. Joseph, also witnessed "more students applying to more colleges."
Only 20 percent of the colleges and universities reported receiving fewer applications in 2000 than in 1999. Nearly 7 percent received about the same number this year as last. But overall, as David Borus, Vassar, noted, there was "increasing applicant totals for both regular and early decision, especially at the most selective colleges." [back to top]
Colleges and universities reporting more applications in 2000 include: American, Amherst, Augustana, Baldwin Wallace, Boston C., Brandeis, Butler, California State at Stanislaus, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western Reserve, Central Missouri State, Chicago, Christopher Newport, Colorado at Boulder, Colorado C., Charleston, Claremont McKenna, Colgate, Creighton, Duke, Eastern, Elon, Franciscan U. of Steubenville, Hampden-Sydney, Hobart & William Smith, Kalamazoo, Lafayette, LaSalle, Longwood, Loyola Marymount, U. Of Maine, Mary Baldwin and Messiah.
Other schools which received more applications in 2000 include: Michigan State, Middlebury, Midwestern State, Missouri Baptist, Monmouth, Muhlenberg, Notre Dame, North Central in Illinois, Northeastern Illinois, Ohio State, Ohio U., Oklahoma, Prairie View A&M, Pepperdine, Purdue, Rockford C., Saint Michael's, St. Lawrence, St. Cloud State, Sacred Heart, Saint Louis, Santa Clara, Smith, Southwestern, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Brockport, Towson, Tulsa, U. of the Arts, U. of Massachusetts Boston, Vanderbilt, Vassar, Valparaiso, Wagner, William & Mary and Wittenberg.
Schools reporting fewer applications this year than last year included: Albertson in Idaho, Bethany Lutheran, Chapman, Coe, Emory, Evansville, Hope, Husson, Iowa, Lebanon Valley, List College of Jewish Studies in New York, Mount St. Joseph, Northwestern, Princeton, Ripon, Spring Hill, Tiffin, U. of Louisiana at Lafayette, U. of Virgin Islands and Westminister. [back to top]
YET FEWER ACCEPTED
While the colleges and universities in CB's 2000 survey generally attracted larger applicant pools, 46 percent of them accepted fewer students this year than last year, including colleges that received fewer applications. Nearly 36 percent of the schools accepted more students, while about 11 percent accepted the same number in 2000 as in 1999.
Some of the colleges and universities that accepted fewer students in 2000 included: Albertson, American, Augustana, Boston C., Brandeis, Butler, Carnegie Mellon, Chapman, Chicago, Coe, Colgate, Colorado C., Cornell C., Duke, Evansville, Hampden-Sydney, Hope, Iowa, Kalamazoo, Lafayette, Lebanon Valley, Mary Baldwin, Michigan State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Purdue, Ripon, Smith, Southwestern, Spring Hill, UMass Boston, Vassar, U. of Virgin Islands, Westminister, Wittenberg and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Some of the schools that accepted more students this year included: Case Western, Charleston, Claremont McKenna, Eastern, Maine, Middlebury, Monmouth, North Central, Oklahoma, Pace in New York, Rockford, St. Lawrence, Saint Louis, Saint Michael's, Tulsa, U. of Colorado, Valparaiso, Wagner, Williams and William & Mary.
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HIGHER YIELD
Yields, or the percentage of students accepted who actually enrolled, grew in 2000 over 1999 at most of the colleges and universities in CB's survey. Last year, about 35 percent of the colleges and universities in CB's survey posted higher yields than in 1998. This year, 56 percent of the schools reported higher yields than last year.
Michael O. Drummy, Chapman U., said, "Chapman was the first-choice school of a higher percentage of applications, which is reflected in our admit yield." As Cheryl Jorgenson, U. Oklahoma, said, "Applicants and enrolled students are both increasing." Susan Barge, Vanderbilt, noticed "more applications; reduced admit rate; higher yield."
Colleges also may be more successful in targeting interested students. Christopher Hooker-Haring, Muhlenberg C., said that he saw "more students going early; also overall growth in size of applicant pools; finally, our yield on offers of admission grew significantly, up to 37.5 percent from 30 percent the year before."
This was true at public institutions as well. Miriam Rivera, Northeastern Illinois U., noted "a decline in transfer applications and admissions. However, we had an increase in number enrolled."
About 17 percent of the schools recorded lower yields. And the yield of 27 percent of the colleges and universities remained stable.
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Colleges with higher yields included, (with percentages rounded out): Albertson, 42; American, 24; Baldwin Wallace, 42; Bentley, 38; Boston C., 34; Brandeis, 30; Butler, 33; Cal. State Stanislaus, 51; Carnegie Mellon, 25; Case Western, 25; Central Missouri State, 59; Chicago, 33; Christopher Newport, 55; Chapman, 44; Cornell C., 35; Duke, 44; Elon, 34; Evansville, 34; Hobart & William Smith, 26; Husson, 48; Iowa, 41; Lafayette, 28; List C., 62; Longwood, 42; Loyola Marymount, 34; Maine, 43; Mary Baldwin, 29; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, 44; Messiah, 43; Michigan State, 43; Montana, 63; Mt. St. Joseph, 48; and Northeastern Illinois, 62.
Others with higher yields this year included: Northwestern, 40; Notre Dame, 57; Oberlin, 34; Ohio U., 38; Oklahoma, 60; Pace, 35; Prairie View A&M, 44; Reed, 28; Ripon, 42; Rockford, 27; Saint Louis, 41; Saint Michael's, 32; Southwestern, 39; SUNY Stony Brook, 27; Tulsa, 41; U. of the Arts, 56; Vanderbilt, 35; Vassar, 33; Westminister, 43; Wittenberg, 31; and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 27.
Meanwhile, Harvard's yield remained stable, at 80 percent; as did Dartmouth's, at 50 percent. [back to top]
FIRST-YEAR CLASS SIZE UP
The old saying, "Make hay while the sun shines" seems to apply this year. While more students applied to the colleges in this year's CB survey, and fewer were accepted at many of them, the end result was larger first-year class sizes compared to last year at 76 percent of the schools. N. Kip Howard, Ohio U., said, "Applications were up nearly five percent; yield increased and resulted in the largest freshman class in 30 years."
About 11 percent ended up with smaller first-year class sizes this year than last year; while 13 percent of the colleges held steady with the same first-year class size as 1999.
Among the colleges with fewer applications that ended up with larger first-year classes were: Albertson, Emory, Husson, Princeton, Reed and U. of Virgin Islands. [back to top]
THE COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Trends from the Trenches
WHAT OTHER TRENDS did college admissions officers spot this admissions cycle? While the use of technology in the admissions process was cited as the number one trend this year, other admissions officers spotted a variety of other interesting trends on their campuses.
THE AFFLUENT STUDENT
Juliann K. Baker, Baldwin-Wallace C., noted "better quality in high school achievement; more able to pay." Indeed, a number of admissions officers noted that their students appeared to be better off. Stephen Williamson, Augustana C., saw "more wealthy students, greater desire for technology, concern with personal space and too many students bringing SEGA/video games to college." [back to top]
THE HIGH-TECH APPLICANT
Students are not just bringing high-tech games to campus. Margaret Herron, Central Missouri State, noticed an "increased amount of computer literacy." Gerald A. Ripke, Purdue, saw "more interest in computer-related majors among applicants." [back to top]
THE ON-LINE APPLICANT
Stacey Morris, Dartmouth, said, "More students have expressed interest in applying electronically." Others agreed, such as Kelle Silvey, Westminister C., and Christopher P. Moderson, Rockford C., who confirmed "increasing use of electronic applications and e-mail." Ellen B. Miller, Eastern Mennonite U. in Virginia, affirmed, "E-mail is the way of the future." Staci Powell, Elon C. in North Carolina, saw more "online applications" coupled with "increasingly academically talented applicants." Kerrie Cale, Midwestern State U. in Texas, said it received "more applications from the Internet and requests for applications from the Internet." Marybeth Kemp, Monmouth C., saw more "use of web in search" and "applying online." [back to top]
THE E-PROSPECT
Some colleges saw greater use of the web at this juncture, even if students didn't apply online. Matthew Bonser, Colorado C., emphasized the "importance of web research to discover more about colleges." Daniel C. Walls, Emory, saw "extensive use of Web, e-mail and technology on the part of students" as well as "continued interest in early decision options."
Kent Barnds, Elizabethtown C., noted that he saw "more electronic communications. Electronic inquirers are better applicants and follow through at a higher rate." Anita H. Garland, Hampden-Sydney C., reported "more Internet usage." Mara O'Laughlin, Hobart and William Smith, noted "increased use of web-based programs for information and applying; people starting the process earlier." Robert Chonko, Longwood C., also saw "more use of the Internet; more e-prospects; more e-applications." John W. Lind, Southwestern U., said, "More students are applying online and using the Internet for their search." Andi Jones, Valparaiso U., noticed "more on-line applications; more interest nationwide." [back to top]
THE HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENT
Mark Erste, Franciscan U. of Steubenville, saw a "continued increase in home-school applicants; an increase in the number of freshmen entering with college credit." [back to top]
MORE BARGAINING
Robert Blust, Marquette noted "more bargaining aid packages." William Strausbaugh, Messiah, said, "Students are waiting later to send in deposits."
Allyn Shaw, Michigan State, reported that admissions numbers were "up 300 percent with dual enrollment classes." [back to top]
HIGHER QUALITY
Mary E. Gooch, Prairie View A&M, noted, "Students are improving grade-point averages and applying earlier." Veronica Rovira, Saint Louis U., saw "higher ACT and GPA's." Louise K. Shulack, Towson U., saw a "larger and more competitive pool of applicants." [back to top]
MORE FEMALE APPLICANTS
It will come as no surprise to some, but colleges are seeing more female applicants. Scott Goplin, Ripon C., observed "more female applicants than male applicants." Ken Benne, Wittenberg, also observed "growing numbers of outstanding female applicants," adding, "students are staying closer to home." [back to top]
NEW CURRICULM INTERESTS
Mark Hill, Northwestern, saw "increased interest in study abroad and internships; continued questions about double and triple majors." Christopher P. Moderson, Rockford, observed a stronger interest in history, political science and sociology." Barbara Elliott, U. of the Arts in Philadelphia, noted "increased interest in visual and performing arts." Janet Boucouvalas, U. of Maine, viewed an, "increase in out-of-state applicants and enrollment and an increase in interest in Liberal Arts."
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MORE APPLICATIONS
M. J. Knoll, Bentley C. in Massachusetts, reported "more applications, more deposits and the same percentage melt." And Jennifer Cafiero, Pace U., saw an "increase in international student applications."
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MORE CAMPUS VISITS
Richard C. Vos, Claremont McKenna, noted "more campus visitors." Likewise, Patty Cavender, Christopher Newport, also noted "more students visiting more often." And, Alisa M. Fisher, U. of Notre Dame, witnessed "more visits to campus" in addition to "more electronic applications." [back to top]
ON THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Julie Hoffmann, Butler, noted an "increased computer/ Internet usage; and more schools are using predictive modeling." Carlena Bean, Husson C., observed that, "People are more knowledgeable about the process and are asking better questions."
John M. Carroll, Kalamazoo C., said colleges are being "more selective." Garrett Knoth, Hope C., found, "Most schools did not require the CSS profile which made obtaining it from our applicant pool a major obstacle."
Finally, Cate Zolkos, Amherst C. had this to say: "While college admission becomes more competitive, there continues to be thousands of excellent colleges and universities." [back to top]
Tests Are Still Here
Counselors have been telling CB they hear colleges are considering making the SAT or ACT optional. The College Board recently denied this. So CB asked colleges themselves. Somewhat surprisingly, 97 percent of surveyed colleges said they are not considering making the tests optional. Since it looks like tests will remain a tool for a while, below are the average scores for a few of the colleges participating in CB's 2000 survey:
School / SAT Combined / ACT
American / 1196 / 26
Amherst / 1398 / 30
Boston / 1292 / 29
Brandeis / 1307 / none
Claremont McKenna / 1400 / 30
Coe / none / 24
Dartmouth / 1420 / 31
Duke / 1350-1510 / 28-33
Emory / 1330 / 28
Middlebury / 1400 / 29
Northwestern / V681, M696 / 30
Notre Dame / 1340 / 30
Oberlin / 1330 / 29
Pepperdine / 1250 / 27
Purdue / 1129 / 25
Smith / none / 28
U. of Col. Boulder / 1154 / 25
Vanderbilt / 1330 / 28
Vassar / 1343 / 30
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Wait Lists Hold Steady
While NCAA basketball champion Michigan State put 2,000 students on its wait list and Oberlin put 400, Vanderbilt put 1,000 and Vassar added 600 on theirs, the widespread increase in the use of wait lists appears to have tapered off. This year, 61 percent of the 110 colleges in CB's survey used wait lists.
Only 33 percent of the schools that used wat lists reported adding more students to their wait list this year. And 28 percent said they placed fewer students on a wait list. Some of these such as Ohio U. ended up not taking any students from their wait list. And 44 percent, including Vassar, placed the same number of students on wait lists this year as last.
By comparison, in 1992, 40 percent of schools in CB's survey reported adding more students to their wait list than the previous year when the phenomenon appeared to be escalating with the increase in multiple applications. [back to top]
This year, the following schools added more students to their wait list: Carnegie Mellon (1,500), Case Western (350), Duke (800), Eastern (40-50), Hope (20), Kalamazoo (151), Lebanon Valley (30), Longwood (90), Loyola Marymount (275), Messiah (80), Muhlenberg (600), Pepperdine (600), Sacred Heart (253), St. Lawrence, (217), Saint Michael's (298), SUNY Buffalo (1,617), Towson , U of Chicago (800), Vanderbilt (1,000 ), Wagner (40) and William and Mary (1,991).
Those with fewer students on their wait list: American (200), Boston C. (2,000), Chapman (50), Claremont McKenna (308), Colgate (603), Colorado C. (389), Emory (1,000), Hampden-Sydney (35), Notre Dame (400 offered), Ohio U. (100), Princeton (31), Reed (49), St. Louis (0), Southwestern (145), Spring Hill (72) and WPI (157).
Some who had the same number of wait listed students: Amherst (750), Bentley (600), Brandeis (532), Butler (61), Dartmouth (700), Hobart & William Smith (289), Middlebury (750), Michigan State (2,000), Northwestern (408), Ohio State (200), U. of the Arts (18), Vassar (600) and Williams (750). [back to top]
Deadlines Looming
While students may be applying earlier than ever, many colleges still accept student applications well into the new year. Here is a sampling from CB's survey.
December 15: Amherst, Middlebury;
January 1, 2001: Carnegie Mellon, Claremont McKenna, Chicago, Dartmouth, Harvard, Lafayette, Williams, Northwestern, Vassar;January 2: Dartmouth, Princeton, Reed (EDII), Smith (Part I, Feb 1 Part II);
January 5: Vanderbilt, William and Mary;
January 9: Notre Dame;
January 15: Bethany Lutheran, Boston C., Colgate, Colorado C., Emory, Oberlin, Pepperdine, Reed (regular), Santa Clara;
January 31: Brandeis, Chapman;
February 1: American, Bentley, Case Western, Cornell C., Hobart & William Smith, Loyola Marymount, Marquette, Ohio U. (Dec. 15 for select programs), St. Michael's, U. of Evansville, Worcester Polytechnic Institute;
February 2: Kalamazoo;
February 15: Albertson (priority, June 1 Freshmen), List, Muhlenberg, Ohio State, St. Lawrence, Southwestern, U. of Colorado at Boulder, Wagner;
March 1: Lebanon Valley, Longwood, Purdue, Hampden-Sydney, U. of Montana (priority);
March 15: Christopher Newport, Coe;
March 30: U. of Virgin Islands;
March 15: Wittenberg;
April 1: LaSalle;
April 15: Mary Baldwin;
May 1: Creighton, Franciscan U. of Steubenville, Messiah, Towson;
May 15: U. of Iowa;
June 1: C. of Charleston, U. of Oklahoma;
June 30: Cal. State U. Stanislaus;
July 1: NE Illinois, Prairie View A&M;
July 10: SUNY Stony Brook;
July 15: St. Cloud State, Maryland Eastern Shore;
August 1: Eastern Mennonite, C. of Mount St. Joseph, St. Louis;
August 7: Midwestern State;
August 15: Rockford, Valparaiso;
September: North Central;
Rolling: Augustana, Baldwin-Wallace (however for optimum financial aid and scholarship, apply by February 1), Butler, Central Missouri State (last day before class starts), Eastern, Elizabethtown, Elon (priority, Feb 1), Hope, Husson, Mass. C. of Liberal Arts, Pace, Michigan State (30 days before fall semester), Missouri Baptist, Monmouth, Ripon, Sacred Heart, Spring Hill (when classes begin), SUNY Brockport, SUNY Buffalo (no specific deadline), Tiffin, U. of the Arts (March is priority), U. of Louisiana at Lafayette, U. of Maine, UMass Boston, U. of Tulsa and Westminster. [back to top]
COLLEGE BOUND's Editor: R. Craig Sautter, DePaul University; Associate Editors: Connie Amon, Jennifer C. Patterson; Assistant Editor: Larry Busking; Circulation: Irma Gonzalez-Hider; Illustration: Louis Coronel; Board of Advisors: Claire D. Friedlander, Bedford (NY) Central School District; Howard Greene, author, Greene's Guide Educational Series; Terence Giffin, Choate-Rosemary Hall; Frank C. Leana, Ph.D., educational counselor; Virginia Vogel, Educational Guidance Services; M. Fredric Volkmann, Washington University in St. Louis, Mary Ann Willis, Bayside Academy (Daphne, Ala.).
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In This Issue
FEATURE ARTICLE
New E-Prospects, More
E-Applications
THE COUNSELOR'S
CORNER
Trends from the Trenches
Other Articles
Tests Are Still Here
Wait Lists Hold Steady
Deadlines Looming
Coming Next Month... What CB learned about minority enrollment, retention rates, financial aid....and much much more. |
