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Vol. 16 No. 9
May 2002
CB's Spot Check of Selected
Colleges
Strong Spring
Admissions Numbers
NOTHING, apparently, can stem
the tide of college-bound students. Applications and admissions
at America's major colleges and universities are generally up
this spring despite a poor economy, terror attacks on the U.S.
and rising tuition costs, according to CB's nationwide spot check
this month of select institutions.
Also, an anticipated decline in international applicants as
a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York City
and Washington, D.C. never materialized, which surprised a number
of admissions officers interviewed. And contrary to speculation,
the foreign applicant pool increased at most schools contacted
by CB, although there were some exceptions.
Even increased tuition costs at many institutions seem to
have had no effect on the total number of applicants. An unknown
number of prospective students, however, may have had to set
their sights on schools other than their first choice as costs
soared beyond household budgets and many breadwinners were laid
off their jobs.
STRONGER APPLICANT POOL
Another notable trend was academically stronger applicant
pools reported by many colleges. Applicants, on average, had
higher SAT scores and grades and participated widely in extra-curricular
activities.
Smaller colleges surveyed reflected similar factors, reporting
the generally higher application and acceptance rates of the
larger institutions. There was also no significant decline in
their foreign applications, although some schools noted exceptions.
Also cited by smaller institutions and similar to larger schools,
were applicant pools with stronger scholastic credentials. Several
schools, both large and small, spotted slight increases in local
and in-state applications.
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SPRING PROFILES
Here, then, are the individual application and admission
profiles of 20 selective universities and colleges from COLLEGE
BOUND'S nationwide spring 2002 pulse taking. (It is worth remembering
that all of these numbers are still preliminary, but as up-to-date
as they can be at this time.)
Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts. According
to Katharine L. Fretwell, director of admission, Amherst received
5,231 applications for this year, up about 1.5 percent over last
year. The school admitted 933 students, down from last year's
973. Amherst received 368 early decision applications and accepted
132. Last year's early applications totaled 317, with 131 admitted.
"We would've expected dramatic geographical changes in
the applicant pool, but it seems almost identical to last year,"
observed Fretwell. She cited one exception, however. "Although
the numbers are still small, we had a four-fold increase in the
number of applicants from Pakistan."
Boston University. Colin Riley, a BU spokesman, reported
the university received a whopping 27,000 applications for the
fall semester, about the same number as last year. Approximately
13,000 to 14,000 were admitted, also about the same for 2001.
Early decision applications numbered about 300 to 400, with
about 170 to 180 admitted.
"We don't encourage early decision," said Riley.
"We'd prefer to have students complete their senior high
school year before deciding, and then apply during the regular
application period." A large number of this year's admission
essays at BU focused on the events of September 11, Riley noted,
but the essays "not only focused on the trauma, applicants
also wrote about opportunities to do something positive about
the situation."
BU's international applicant pool represented about 60 to
70 countries, according to Riley, with foreign students comprising
from 7 percent to 9 percent of the total student body.
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. Michael
Goldberger, director of admission at Brown, said its applications
numbered 14,606 this year, down from last year's 16,601. The
number of students offered admission reached 2,433. Early decision
students admitted were 506, an acceptance rate of 26 percent.
Brown's overall admit rate this year was 16.6 percent, a slight
increase over last year's 16 percent.
Speculation that the events of September 11 might result in
a decline of international applicants did not materialize at
Brown, said Goldberger. Instead, the percentage of international
applications remained steady. The number of countries represented
at Brown climbed to 55, a slight increase over last year's 52.
Among domestic minority students, Asian Americans comprised
the largest segment with 16 percent of all students accepted.
Others included African Americans, 9 percent; Latino Americans,
8 percent; and Native Americans, less than 1 percent. Sixteen
percent did not cite their ethnicity.
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Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Michael Steidel, director of admissions, noted that this year
applications were down 14 percent from last year to 14,078. Carnegie
Mellon admitted 5,317 students, also down about 38 percent from
2001. Of last year's applications, about 33 percent were admitted.
"We had a small early decision applicant pool of about
400, with no more than 20 percent of those admitted," said
Steidel. "International applications are also down."
Speculating on the cause of decreased applications, Steidel said
that perhaps the dot-com collapse was responsible, but that there
were other factors as well. Carnegie Mellon, which attracts a
high number of applicants interested in computer science, information
technology and other technology disciplines, would of necessity
be impacted by the current downturn in the tech sector of the
economy, Steidel explained.
Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire. Mary Wetherbee,
assistant to the dean of admissions, told CB that this year Dartmouth
received 10,193 applications, an increase of about 5 percent
over last year, and admitted 2,076 students, down about 3 percent.
Of the 1,118 early decision applications Dartmouth attracted,
386 were admitted. Dartmouth also recorded increases among students
of color, Wetherbee noted, but no significant changes in most
other areas. "The applicant pool was well-rounded,"
she confirmed.
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. Christoph
Guttentag, director of undergraduate admissions at Duke, reported
15,860 applications this year and 3,565 admits, about 23 percent
of the applicant pool. Last year, Duke attracted 14,711 applications
and 3,673 admits, an admission rate of 25 percent. Early decision
applicants numbered 1,589 with 507 admits. Last year, there were
1,299 early decision applications, with 501 admits. Winning the
2001 NCAA men's basketball championship didn't hurt its numbers.
"We had significantly more international applications
this year," said Guttentag. "For the first time, we
offered need-based financial aid to foreign students. We had
an increase from about 700 international applications last year
to about 1,200 this year."
Duke also had a record number of admissions of students of
color, according to Guttentag.
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Jaime Briseño,
senior assistant director of admissions, reported that this year
Georgetown attracted a record high 15,534 applications, up about
1 percent over last year's pool of 15,308. Georgetown admitted
3,012 students for fall 2002, about 19 percent, a slight decline
from last year's 21 percent.
Georgetown received 4,408 early action applicants for this
fall, an increase of 7 percent over last year's early action
pool of 4,104. About 972 early action applicants were admitted,
nearly 22 percent.
"We anticipated a possible decline in _applications owing
to the September 11 terror attack," said Briseño,
adding that interest and applications are greater than last year,
with applications coming from all 50 states plus Guam, Puerto
Rico and Washington, D.C.
Foreign applications to Georgetown have also increased, with
116 countries represented and slight increases in every segment.
About 33 percent of Georgetown's applicant pool and admitted
students pools are from U.S. minority groups.
Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts. According
to Marlyn McGrath Lewis, director of admissions, Harvard received
19,605 applications, "a staggering amount," said Lewis,
"up about 2 or 3 percent over last year" (and higher
than CB's initial count in the April 2002 issue.)
Harvard admitted 2,068 students, the same number as last year.
"Class size doesn't change," noted Dr. Lewis. Domestic
early action applications numbered 6,126, with 1,174 admitted.
International early action applications were smaller than usual
initially, but then evened out to approximately their usual levels,
although exact figures were not available at press time.
"This year's applicant pool was the strongest ever, both
academically and by other admission criteria," Lewis explained.
"Our applicants are always pretty spiffy academically,"
she said, noting that in this cycle they were very strong in
other areas as well.
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New York University, New York, New York. Peter Farrell,
director of admissions, outreach and technology, told CB that
this year, NYU received 29,375 applications, down from last year's
30,651, and admitted 7,784, for an admission rate of about 27
percent, down slightly from last year's 29 percent. International
applications numbered about the same as 2001.
"We weren't sure what would happen in view of September
11," reflected Farrell. "Applications came in a little
lighter, which is not surprising or alarming. Geographically,
the applicant pool is just as diverse as before, and they're
more competitive than ever."
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. Carol
Lunkenheimer, dean of undergraduate admissions, said applications
this year reached 14,280, up about 2 percent over last year.
About 4,900 students were admitted, down about 4 percent from
last year. NU drew 965 early decision applications, with about
500 admits, an increase of 23 percent in both applications and
admissions.
"But early decision," said Ms. Lunkenheimer, "is
not a big part of our class. Notable this admission cycle is
the increased number of Midwestern and local applicants. Apparently
there's not a lot of traveling to distant schools and I would
attribute that to 9-11," she speculated.
Reed College, Portland, Oregon. Paul Marthers, dean
of admissions, reported 1,844 applications, an increase of 7
percent over last year, and 990 admits, a 54 percent rate, but
a decline from last year's 1,235. Reed received 130 early decision
applications and admitted 102, roughly the same as last year.
"We had a very high quality applicant pool with strong academic
achievement," Marthers noted.
Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts. Karen Kristof,
assistant director of admissions, reported that Smith's applications
this year for the fall semester numbered 3,047, up about 6 percent
over last year. This year 1,615 students were admitted, up 56
from last year. There were 140 first round early decision applicants,
but second round figures were not available at press time. Total
early decision admits were 156, but this number is not final.
"International applications increased about 17 percent
over last year," observed Kristof, "which surprised
us in view of 9-11. This year, about 31 percent of our admits
were persons of color, with last year at 28 percent."
Stanford University, Stanford, California. Robin G.
Mamlet, dean of admission and financial aid, reported that Stanford
University made offers of admission to 2,320 students, about
12 percent of applicants selected from a pool of about 19,000.
Although the number of applicants remained roughly the same as
last year, there was a slight decline from the 2001 admissions
rate of roughly 13 percent.
More than half of this year's admissions are people of color,
an unprecedented level, with 13 percent African American, 24
percent Asian American, 10 percent Mexican American, 3 percent
other Latinos and about 2 percent Native American/Native Hawaiian.
International students comprise about 5 percent of admitted students.
Commenting on the quality of the application pool, Mamlet
said, "I have been continually bowled over by the academic
and personal accomplishments of our applicants. I keep expecting
that this excellence will begin to feel ordinary, but it never
does. These young people are absolutely phenomenal."
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State University of New York at Albany. Harry Wood,
director of undergraduate admissions, noted that his institution
is one of the four University Centers in the SUNY system. It
received 17,550 applications of which an estimated 9,000 will
be admitted. Last year's applications numbered about 18,000.
Early action applications numbered 2,500, an increase of about
7 percent over last year. Noteworthy this admission cycle, said
Wood, was an increased number of out-of-state applicants and
more visitors to the campus.
University of California at Los Angeles. Los Angeles,
California. Vu Tran, director of the office of undergraduate
admissions and relations with schools, said that UCLA attracted
43,369 applicants and admitted 10,366, a slight decline from
last year's 10,733.
Although admissions fell, there was an increase in underrepresented
students to 17 percent of admissions, compared to last year's
figure of about 16 percent. The largest group among the underrepresented
were Chicanos/Latinos, numbering 1,354 admits, an increase to
13 percent, up from last year's 12 percent.
"The quality of our applicants is increasing every year,
with 90 percent of the student application pool meeting UC eligibility
requirements," said Tran. (Some applications are still being
reviewed so admission figures may alter somewhat.)
University of Maryland, College Park. George Cathcart,
director of university communications, told CB that its total
application pool was the highest ever, reaching about 23,000
students. But he pointed out that applications were in before
the University of Maryland won the NCAA 2002 men's basketball
championship. "We were in the Final Four last year, so we
already were exposed to the public as a good school for basketball.
Admits this year are up about 10 percent. Our applicant pool
showed increased academic accomplishment, with better SATs and
grades."
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana. Bob
Mundy, director of admissions operations, reported that this
year's 9,740 applications represent an increase of about 4 percent
over last year's 9,380. This year, ND admitted 3,091, a decline
of 9.2 percent from last year's 3,338. ND's early action applications
were estimated at 2,200, with about 1,100 admitted, up about
100 applicants over last year. "We tried to get a feel to
see if current events impacted us in any way, but so far, contrary
to theory, there's been no significant changes," concluded
Mundy.
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University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Lee Stetson,
dean of admissions, told CB that applications this year totaled
18,782, about 1 percent less than last year. About 3,960 students
were admitted, also down from last year's 4,132. The number of
students admitted usually runs about 16 to 18 percent, said Stetson.
Early decision applications for this fall numbered 3,037, up
about 7 percent over last year, with 1,182 admitted, up from
last year's 1,033.
"This year's application pool was significantly larger
than last year and stronger academically," observed Stetson.
"I think this holds true for the entire Ivy League. Applicant
pools have been stronger across the board. I believe this is
attributable to students doing a better job of preparing for
their SATs."
About 10 percent of total admits were foreign students, Stetson
added. "I believe the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard
have the highest percentage of international students in the
Ivy League," he said.
University of Utah, Salt Lake City. John Boswell, director
of admissions, said, "We have open admissions right up to
the first week of school, August 21." So rather than report
exact numbers, Boswell noted that applications have been running
about 6 percent higher than last year with admissions up about
5 percent. There are no early action or early decision programs.
"The increase in admissions may be attributable to the
Olympics and the wide international exposure it received,"
Boswell reflected. "But there's been no significant demographic
change this year over previous years."
Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut. Rather than check
the mailbox each day for news, this year's applicants to Yale
College were able to learn from Yale's website whether they had
been accepted. An overwhelming majority of the applicants used
the Internet to determine their status, logging in to the interactive
site beginning at 9 a.m. on April 3 and receiving a response
almost instantly. More than 3,000 applicants visited the site
in the first hour. By 9 p.m., more than 9,700 applicants had
logged on to the web page, including 1,190 of the admitted students.
"It really was quite flawless," Richard H. Shaw
Jr., dean of undergraduate admissions and financial aid, said
of the new system's debut. He noted that the flood of phone calls
the admissions office usually receives from applicants never
came this year.
Applicants who learned of their admittance from the interactive
website were linked to a personal page on which they had previously
indicated their academic and extracurricular interests. The page
had the names and e-mail addresses of current Yale students who
can answer questions about the admitted student's interests.
The admitted student could also view a map of the United States
that indicated where other applicants and admitted students are
from, and whether any former students from their high school
are currently at Yale.
The website also provided information about "Bulldog
Days," which give admitted students an opportunity to learn
what it is like to live at Yale. Hundreds of admitted students
have registered on-line to attend the three-night stay on campus
this spring.
The total applications to Yale College this year for the Class
of 2006 was 15,443, an all-time high. A total of 2,008 students
were admitted, including students who gained admission through
the early decision process. The URL for the Yale undergraduate
admissions website is: www.yale.edu/admit
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National Scholarship
Month!
THIS MAY IS NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP MONTH!
And the theme this year, "Scholarships: Lighting the Future,"
focuses on providing scholarship aid for students who are academically
able, but financially lacking in resources to pursue postsecondary
education.
National Scholarship Month was created in 1998 by the Citizens'
Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA), the nation's largest
private sector scholarship and educational support organization
with 18 regional offices. CSFA has distributed over $776.2 million
dollars to more than 748,000 students through its scholarship
and other support programs since its founding in 1958.
The purpose of National Scholarship Month is twofold: to recognize
the current level of private sector scholarship support and to
challenge communities, corporations and individuals to step forward
to provide much-needed additional funding.
During National Scholarship Month, CSFA is honoring students
who have received scholarships at a National Scholarship Month
Kickoff on May 3 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.,
with Katie Harman, Miss America, 2002, and George Mitchell, former
Senate Majority Leader, and at a Families of Freedom, Families
of Promise Rally on May 17 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, featuring
Dolly Parton.
For more information see the National Scholarship Month page
at website at www.csfa.org. (And for tips on thinking about
how to get scholarships, see page 3 inside.)
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THE COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Scholarships:
Lighting the Future
NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP MONTH
is a great time for guidance counselors and admissions officers
to remind students that they can apply for scholarships and often
right in their own backyard. Scholarships are a highly visible
way of supporting our youth at the community level. And with
increased scholarship support, we ensure that no student will
be left behind. All students can achieve their educational dreams
and enter society as productive citizens.
My words of wisdom for students applying for scholarships?
Apply early and apply often, with one caveat: Students need to
take the time to do the research necessary to ensure that they
meet the criteria for the scholarships. Taking a few moments
to find out the eligibility criteria will save valuable time.
Otherwise, students may spend time applying for scholarships
for which they will never be considered.
BASIC STEPS TO SUCCESS
IN FINDING SCHOLARSHIPS
1. Finding scholarships starts with the high school guidance
counselor. Guidance offices need to be filled with all kinds
of resources for students including actual listings of scholarships,
particularly in the area where students live or are planning
to go to school.
2. The next step is the financial aid office where students
are planning to go to school. All students should be directed
to the resources beyond federal and state grants--specifically,
grants from the college or university or scholarships.
3. The Internet has become a good way to do initial research.
CSFA has its own Student Info Page at www.csfa.org which is full
of helpful information and resources. Also, I would recommend
the following websites:
- www.fastweb.com is one of the most comprehensive scholarship
search databases;
- www.wiredscholar.com is Sallie Mae's financial aid site and
scholarship database; and
- www.nasfaa.org is the National Association of Student Financial
Aid Administrators' website which also lists scholarships as
well as general resources.
4. The Public Library is another place where students can
access printed scholarship listings. Students will also can find
plenty of reference books about schools, foundations and companies
that offer scholarship programs of all kinds.
5. Once students have exhausted these sources, it is important
for them to think about their spheres of influence. They should
be asked, for example, "What are you involved in at school?
Music? Athletics? Arts? Drama? Language Clubs?" Various
organizations tied to these fields sponsor scholarships for a
particular field of study.
6. Students should also look to their own community. Ask them,
"Where are you involved in your local community?" Fraternal
and service clubs, such as Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary or American
Association of University Women, as well as religious organizations,
sponsor scholarships for youth in their community.
7. Is there a Dollars for Scholars chapter in your community?
This program, sponsored by CSFA, has more than 1,000 volunteer-supported
chapters nationwide that act as a central coordinator for many
community groups providing scholarships. In 2000, Dollars for
Scholars chapters raised nearly $37.6 million, awarded $16.8
million in scholarships for 24,200 students, and invested the
remainder primarily in endowment funds for future scholarships.
8. What about parents? Employers may offer sons and daughters
of employees scholarships. CSFA's Scholarship Management Services
program provides administrative support for about 840 such programs
nationwide.
A WORD ABOUT SCHOLARSHIP
SCAMS
When students are applying for scholarships, they
need to beware of possible scholarship scams. They should think
twice if they hear:
1. We have a unique database of scholarships that no one else
has.
2. We can get you a scholarship fast.
3. Scholarships are the only options to finance college.
4. You can only get one scholarship. We can help you find
the best one.
5. Only the government and colleges give scholarships.
6. High school counselors don't have the time or information
to help you.
7. There are very few scholarships available if you are not
at the top of your class academically or athletically.
8. We don't need any information about you-only your grades.
9. It costs money to get scholarships and we need money from
you up front.
10. You can't find scholarships on your own.
On the contrary, students with initiative, drive and determination
can find scholarships on their own, and in many instances, finance
a major portion of their college education.
START EARLY, APPLY OFTEN
It's never too early for young people to think about
their future and CSFA provides a number of tools:
- ScholarShop is a special CSFA program that provides resources
designed to motivate and prepare junior and senior high school
students for postsecondary education. It serves elementary students
beginning in the fourth grade.
- ParentShop, available in both English and Spanish, is a series
of interactive workshops to help parents understand career and
college exploration, and better support their children through
the process.
Over 4,000 youth participate in these programs in more than
150 urban, rural and suburban locations in 24 states and the
District of Columbia.
In addition, in response to the 9/11 tragedy, CSFA has co-founded
the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund with the Lumina Foundation
for Education to provide scholarships for postsecondary study
to financially needy dependents, including children and spouses
of September 11 victims. For more information, visit www.csfa.org
or www.familiesof
freedom.org; or call 1-800-642-7207.
FINAL WORD
Students should never give up their quest for education
beyond high school! They will never regret the advantages for
life and work that postsecondary education provide them.
Dr. William C. Nelsen is president of Citizens' Scholarship
Foundation of America, headquartered in Minneapolis and St. Peter,
Minnesota
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COLLEGE BOUND's Publisher/Editor: R. Craig
Sautter, DePaul University; Chief Operating Officer: Sally
Reed; Contributor: Marc Davis; Circulation: Irma
Gonzalez-Hider; Illustration: Louis Coronel; Board
of Advisors: Rosita Fernandez-Rojo, Choate-Rosemary Hall;
Claire D. Friedlander, Bedford (N.Y.) Central School District;
Howard Greene, author, The Greenes' Guides to Educational
Planning Series; 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
Strong Spring
Admissions Numbers
National
Scholarship Month!
THE COUNSELOR'S
CORNER
Scholarships:
Lighting the Future
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