Vol. 17 No. 5 January 2003

CB's Annual Admissions Trends Survey
In last month's issue, COLLEGE BOUND focused on Part I of its 17th National College Admissions Trends Survey. It described the impact of the economy on admissions, the need for financial aid, the status of applications and where wait lists were used. It offered advice to 2003 applications and noted who was looking for what qualifications among applicants.

This month, CB focuses on the yield and size of first-year classes for fall 2002 as well as on the state of admissions for minority students and international students. It looks at some of the new majors on campuses and new merit scholarships for first-year students. By press time, over 110 colleges and universities, public and private, large and small, coast to coast had responded to this year's annual survey. The complete results will be available in CB's annual book, Who Got In?

Yields Divided
The yield, or percentage of students accepted who actually enrolled, is a number that is closely watched by enrollment experts. Because of the uncertainty of the economy and international events, admissions officers worried that their yields might decline.

Indeed, 38 percent of the 110 colleges and universities reporting by press time for part II of CB's annual survey reported a lower yield than in 2001. However, about 40 percent of these schools saw a higher yield than last year, while almost 21 percent recorded the same yield as in 2001.

Victor Carrillo at Adelphi U. felt that one major trend in 2002 was "students applying to more colleges, increasing the number of applications and reducing the yields."

Julie Hoffmann at Butler U. felt there were lower yields, with students staying closer to home. Likewise, Emil Rinderspacher at U. of Iowa noted a lower yield from non-resident admits, perhaps tied to its double digit tuition increase. Meanwhile, the U. of Maine had an increase in its out-of-state yield. Janet Boucouvalas said that some people "sense that public universities are experiencing some growth, probably due to lower costs."

At the U. of Oklahoma, Cheryl Jorgensen said that, "Our yield of resident-freshman applicants was significantly higher than last year."

Some of the colleges and universities with higher yields this year, and their actual yields, included: Bard, 31%; Boston U., 29%; City College (CUNY), 42%; Colgate, 35%; C. of Charleston, 43%; Dartmouth, 51%; DePauw, 31%; Dickinson, 27%; Elizabethtown, 29%; Elon, 37%; Emory, 33%; Harvard, 78%; Hope, 42%; Lebanon Valley, 32%; Lehigh, 31%; List, 72%; Louisiana State U., 63%; Loyola U. Chicago; Messiah, 43%; Moravian, 32%; Northwestern, 43%; Oberlin, 37%; The Ohio State, 41%; Philadelphia Biblical, 66%; Portland State, 67%; Princeton, 74%; and Reed, 31%.

Others with higher yields this year included: St. Cloud State, 54%; St. Lawrence, 35%; Santa Clara, 28%; Southern Illinois Carbondale, 40%; Southern Methodist, 34%; SUNY Buffalo, 31%; Colorado at Boulder; Maine, 43%; Oklahoma, 59%; Texas at Austin, 59%; Wabash, 42%; Wells, 31%; and Yale, 67%.

WAS THERE A SUMMER MELT?
CB also asked colleges a related question. Did their student "melt down," or the number of students who said they were enrolling and paid a spring deposit but didn't show up, increase during the summer of 2002, compared to 2001? Just 19 percent of the 108 colleges in Part II of this year's survey said "yes", their summer melt numbers had increased.

At Fisk U., for example, William Carter noted that "last-minute commitments" were a new admissions trend in 2002.
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LARGER FIRST-YEAR CLASSES
With more applications and early decisions, what does it all add up to in terms of final class sizes? In 2002, 57 percent of the colleges and universities participating in CB's annual survey fielded larger first-year classes than last year.

Colleges and universities with larger class sizes included: Albion, 526; Augustana, 422; Boston U., 4,560; Butler, 939; Carnegie Mellon, 1,360; City C. (CUNY), 1,013; C. of Mount Saint Joseph, 303; Colorado State, 3,829; Cornell C., 314; Creighton, 802; DePaul, 2,256; DePauw, 699; Duke, 1,656; Eastern Mennonite, 213; The Evergreen State, 492; Fisk, 300; Fordham, 1,686; Husson, 370; James Madison, 3,291; Knox, 300; Lafayette, 581; Lebanon Valley, 425; Lehigh, 1,145; List, 52; and Loyola U. Chicago, 1,623.

Others with larger first-year classes were: Marquette, 1,856; Messiah, 764; Michigan State U., 6,886; Monmouth, 365; Moravian, 373; Norfolk, 1,178; Northeastern, 2,973; Northwestern, 2,005; Oberlin, 720; Ohio Northern, 921; Point Park, 326; Portland State, (about) 1,500; Prairie View A&M, 1,544; St. Cloud State, 2,500; St. Lawrence, 620; St. Michael's, VT, 540; Santa Clara, 1,124; Smith, 682; Southern Illinois Carbondale, 2,396; Southern Methodist, 1,380; SUNY Buffalo, 3,077; U. of Alabama-Tuscaloosa, 2,655; U. Colorado Boulder, 5,400; U. Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 6,366; U. Iowa, 4,184; U. Maine, 1,764; U. North Dakota, 1,987; U. North Florida, 1,553; U. Oklahoma, 3,833; U. Texas Austin, 7,936; U. Toledo, 3,900; Valparaiso, 717; Wabash, 271; Wells, 109; and Wittenberg, 664.

But by either design or accident, about 33 percent welcomed smaller first-year classes than in 2001, including: American, 1,319; Amherst, 408; Bard, 344; Bethel, MN, 610; Centre, 298; Claremont McKenna, 250; Coe, 349; Colgate, 731; Dartmouth, 1,075; Dickinson, 574; Elizabethtown, 470; Elon, 1,194; Hampden-Sydney, 300; Hope, 702; Longwood, 880; Louisiana State U., 4,809; Mary Baldwin, 239; Missouri Baptist, 148; Muhlenberg, 547; Northwest Missouri State, 1,212; Pace, 1,534; Philadelphia Biblical, 188; Purdue, 6,323; Providence, 877; Reed, 320; SUNY Brockport, 970; Swarthmore, 373; Truman State, 1,448; U. Michigan, 5,187; U. North Carolina Chapel Hill, 3,460; U. Notre Dame, 1,940; U.S. Naval Academy, 1,214; and Wheaton, IL 569.

About 9 percent kept their class sizes the same as last year including: Adelphi, 686; Colby-Sawyer, 300; C. of Charleston, 2,006; Emory, 1,250; Harvard, 1,638; Harvey Mudd, 175; The Ohio State U., 5,888; Princeton, 1,166; U. Vermont, 1,842; and Yale, 1,300.

MORE MINORITY STUDENTS ADMITTED
How did minority students do at the 108 colleges and universities in Part II of CB's 17th annual survey?

John M. Corona, Colgate U., noted a "continued increase in the student-of-color population." Allison Welch at Fordham U. saw "greater geographic and ethnic diversity."

Indeed, about 52 percent admitted more Asian American students in 2002 than in 2001; 28 percent admitted fewer Asian American students; while 18 percent admitted the same number as last year.

Colleges admitting more Asian American applicants were: Adelphi, Albion, American, Bethel, Boston U., Carnegie Mellon, Colgate, Colorado State, Cornell C., Creighton, Dartmouth, DePaul, DePauw, Dickinson, Eastern Mennonite, Fordham, Harvard, Hampden-Sydney, Harvey Mudd, James Madison, Knox, Lafayette.

Loyola U. Chicago, Mary Baldwin, Messiah, Michigan State, Northwest Missouri State, Oberlin, Philadelphia Biblical, Providence, Reed, St. Lawrence, Santa Clara, Smith, Southern Methodist, SUNY Buffalo, Truman State, U. Colorado Boulder, U. Iowa, U. Maine, U. Notre Dame, U. Oklahoma, U. Texas Austin, U. Vermont, U.S. Naval Academy, Valparaiso and Wheaton.

About 55 percent admitted more African American students in 2002 than in 2001; 26 percent admitted fewer African American students; while 15 percent admitted the same number as last year.

A few of the schools admitting more African American applicants were: Adelphi, Albion, American, Bethel, Boston U., Butler, Carnegie Mellon, Claremont McKenna, Colby-Sawyer, Colgate, C. Mount St. Joseph, Cornell C., Creighton, Dartmouth, DePaul, DePauw, Dickinson, Eastern Mennonite, The Evergreen State, Fordham, Knox, Lafayette, Lebanon Valley, Loyola U. Chicago, Marquette, Mary Baldwin, Messiah, Michigan State U., Missouri Baptist, Moravian, Norfolk State, Northeastern, Northwest Missouri State, Oberlin, Philadelphia Biblical, Portland State, Prairie View A&M, Providence, Reed, St. Cloud State, St. Lawrence, St. Michael's, Southern Illinois Carbondale, Southern Methodist, Swarthmore, U. Alabama, U. Colorado Boulder, U. Maine, U. Notre Dame, U. Texas Austin, U. Toledo, Valparaiso, Wells and Wittenberg.

About 56 percent admitted more Hispanic students in 2002 than in 2001; 20 percent admitted fewer Hispanic students; while 14 percent admitted the same number as last year.

A few of the schools admitting more Hispanic applicants were: American, Bard, Boston U., Butler, Carnegie Mellon, Claremont McKenna, Creighton, Dartmouth, DePaul, DePauw, Dickinson, Elon, Fordham, Harvey Mudd, James Madison, Knox, Lafayette, Loyola U. Chicago, Marquette, Mary Baldwin, Messiah, Michigan State U., Missouri Baptist, Moravian, Norfolk State, Northeastern, Northwest Missouri State, Northwestern and Oberlin.

Also admitting more Hispanics were: The Ohio State U., Pace, Point Park, Prairie View A&M, Providence, Reed, St. Cloud State, St. Michael's, Smith, Southern Illinois Carbondale, Southern Methodist, Swarthmore, U. Alabama, U. of Colorado Boulder, U. Iowa, U. Maine, U. Michigan, U. North Carolina, U. North Florida, U. Texas Austin, U. Toledo, U. Vermont, U.S. Naval Academy, Valparaiso and Wheaton.

But only 29 percent admitted more Native American students in 2002 than in 2001; 26 percent admitted fewer Native American students; while about 40 percent admitted the same number as last year.

A few of the schools admitting more Native American applicants were: Albion, Boston U., Carnegie Mellon, Claremont McKenna, Colgate, Colorado State, Creighton, Dartmouth, DePaul, The Evergreen State, Hampden-Sydney, Mary Baldwin, Norfolk State, Oberlin, Portland State, Reed, Santa Clara, Southern Illinois Carbondale, SUNY Buffalo, U. Alabama, U. Iowa, U. Michigan, U. Notre Dame, U. Texas Austin, U. Vermont, U.S. Naval Academy and Wells.
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International Affairs
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMITS DECREASE SLIGHTLY
FOLLOWING SEPTEMBER 11, there was a good deal of discussion about the future of international students-would they apply to U.S. colleges, would colleges accept them? CB's 17th annual survey indicates international students still applied, and were accepted. Where they applied, however, may have changed slightly.

"International students were more hesitant to apply," said Susan H. Hertz, associate director of university marketing at American University where fewer international students were accepted in 2002 compared to 2001.

Indeed, 41 percent of the colleges surveyed accepted fewer international students in 2002 compared to 2001. In 2001, 48 percent of the colleges surveyed by CB actually reported admitting more international students. But 23 percent said they admitted fewer in 2001 than in 2000.

Still, in 2002, 36 percent of the colleges and universities in CB's survey reported that they admitted more international students, and 11 percent admitted the same number. Here are examples of what colleges said about international students, and the numbers they accepted.

MORE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Boston U. (780); Brandeis (210); Butler (138); Carnegie Mellon (558); DePauw (34); Elon (100); Emory (243); Fisk (40); Lafayette (92); Lehigh (139); List (2); Messiah (77); Michigan State (1,801); Northwestern (258); Providence (37); St. Lawrence (424); Santa Clara (86); Smith (127); SUNY Brockport (50); U. of Alabama (25); U. of Iowa (134); U. of Michigan (701); U. of Texas at Austin (383); Valparaiso (72); and Wells (35).

FEWER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Colleges accepting fewer international students (and the number they accepted), included:

Bard (65); Centre (9); Coe (40); C. of Charleston (111); Colgate (90); Creighton (32); Dartmouth (147); Dickinson (43); Fordham (74); Hope (26); Husson (23); Knox (88); Lebanon (4).

Loyola U. Chicago (92); Monmouth (25); Muhlenberg (11); Northeastern (507); The Ohio State (364); Pace (402); Point Park College (30); Portland State (191); Prairie View A&M (44); Reed (48); U. of Maine (116); U. of Notre Dame (161); U. of North Dakota (407); U. of N. Florida (21); U.S. Naval Academy (7); Wheaton, IL (14).

SAME NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS ADMITTED
CUNY (8); Claremont McKenna C. (40); Duke (128); Harvey Mudd C. (14); Mary Baldwin (17); Northwest Missouri State (90); Oberlin (87); Purdue (300); St. Cloud (225); SUNY Buffalo (269); and Wabash (12).
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Electronic Applications Soar
ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS have become a major part of the admissions process. This year, 98 percent of colleges in CB's survey accepted electronic applications. And 89 percent received more e-applications this year than last. This compares to 42 percent who accepted e-applications in 1997, 55 percent in 1998, and 73 percent in CB's 2000 survey. The percent of students applying on-line ranged from about 20 to 66 percent.

As Patty Suarez, Creighton U., noted, there was a "further increase in on-line applications." Likewise, DePaul U. noted an increase in on-line applications as a new admissions trend in this year's survey. Wells C. said that the use of electronic applications was up and the use of the Internet was up considerably. Knox C. said it saw a continued shift toward applying on-line versus paper, noting it uses the Common Application exclusively for its on-line applications.

At Truman U., Ken Hussey said, "We continue to notice an increased use of our website by prospective students. More on-line applications were submitted than the previous year by a substantial margin. Also, more students are seeking information through formats such as email, instant messaging and online contact forms."

The electronic applications are not without their downside. Jason Ferguson at Hampden-Sydney observed that, "With the increase in electronic applications we are seeing a higher incompletion rate."

For complete results, see the full survey in CB's forthcoming Who Got In? 2003.
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THE COUNSELOR'S CORNER
More Majors, New Programs
IN THIS YEAR'S CB SURVEY, colleges reported new majors and programs on their campuses. Some reflect what students are interested in, others are in response to the needs of the workplace. But admissions officers also note the following trend: More women interested in science and math. In fact, science-based majors were strong among new students.

Also, more students appear to be taking tougher high school curricula and more qualified students are applying. No matter the reason, here is what is new in the college curricula, listed alphabetically by school.

    Audio Production, Communication Studies. American U.
    Entrepreneurship in the School of Management. Boston U.
    Creative Writing, Internet Studies. Brandeis U.
    IT, Applied Psychology, Communications. Bryant C.
    Environmental Science Minor. Centre C.
    Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering. City College of New York.
    Applied Biology. Claremont McKenna C.
    Film Studies. Colgate U.
    Astrophysics, Computer Science, Music and Technology, Latin American Studies and Medieval Studies. Connecticut C.
    Athletic Training. Creighton U.
    African & Black Diaspora Studies, Creative Arts Therapy, Art Education, Special Education. DePaul U.
    Biochemistry, Black Studies, Environmental Geoscience Majors; Film Studies, Theatre Minors; Information Technology Associates Program (ITAP). DePauw U.
    Archeology. Dickinson C.

FILM AND DOCUMENTARY STUDIES ADDED
    New Certificate Programs in Documentary Studies and Information Sciences & Information Studies. Duke U.
    Criminal Justice (B.A.), Information Systems (B.S.). Elizabethtown C.
    Computer Information Systems, Dance, Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Elon C.
    Chinese Studies. American Studies. Emory U.
    Nursing. Fisk U.
    Golf Management, Athletic Training/Sports Medicine, New Medical School. Florida State U.
    American Catholic Studies, Middle East Studies. Fordham U.
    Economics with Commerce. Hampden-Sydney C.
    Environmental Science & Public Policy. Harvard U.
    Mathematical Biology. Harvey Mudd C.
    Mathematical Finance Majors; Social Services, Dance, Journalism, and Business Management Minors. Knox C.
    Digital Communications. Lebanon C.
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NEW ENGINEERING PROGRAMS
    Information Systems, Computer Science and Business, Bio-engineering, Environmental Engineering. Lehigh U.
    Jewish Art and Material Culture. List.
    Criminology & Criminal Justice. Longwood U.
    Physics, Social Justice and Welfare. Marquette U.
    Computer Information Systems, Master of Letters (M. Litt.) Mary Baldwin C.
    E-Marketing, Entrepreneurship. Messiah C.
    B.S. in Electronics Engineering, B.S. in Optical Engineering, M.S. in Computer Science, M.A. in Criminal Justice. Norfolk State U.
    Interactive Digital Media. Northwest Missouri State U.
    Legal Studies. Northwestern U.
    Comparative American Studies, Cinema Studies. Oberlin C.
    Online Journalism. Ohio U.
    Exercise Physiology, Youth Ministry. Ohio Northern U.
    Forensic Science. Pace U.
    Master of Divinity. Philadelphia Biblical U.
    Film, Biotechnology, Sports, Arts, Entertainment Management. Point Park C.
    Astronomy in Physics. Reed C.
    Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Global Studies, Minor in Film Studies. St. Lawrence U.
    B.S. Information Systems. St. Michael's C.
    Biotechnology Program. Santa Clara U.
    Engineering. Smith C.
    Management Major replaced Organizational Behavior and Business Policy. Southern Methodist U.

NEW PROGRAMS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
    The Environmental Sciences, Womens' Studies. SUNY Brockport.
    Ph.D. in Anthropology. U. of Alabama.
    Rehabilitation & Disabilities Studies, Human Communication Science. U. of Illinois.
    Outdoor Education, New Media. U. of Maine.
    Program in the Environment, Organizational Studies Program. U. of Michigan.
    Communication & Public Discourse, Criminal Justice Studies, Engineering, Nursing-Doctorate, OT-Masters, PT-Doctorate, PA-Masters. U. of North Dakota.
    Extensive Study Abroad programs; over one-third of students spend a semester or year broad. U. of Notre Dame.
    Applied Sociology. U. of North Florida.
    Religious Studies, Paleontology, Environmental Design (this one was suspended and is now reactivated). U. of Oklahoma.
    Bio-medical Engineering. U. of Texas at Austin.
    Health Information Systems. U. of Toledo.
    Environmental Engineering, Biochemistry, Nuclear Medicine Technology. U. of Vermont.
    Information Technology. U.S. Naval Academy.
    Actuarial Science; Computer Engineering; Communication Law; Communication: New Media Journalism; Communication: Public and Corporate Communication; Communication: Public Relations. Valparaiso U.

Dartmouth noted it had "unlimited opportunities to create interdisciplinary majors." And Michigan State said it offers 150 majors and programs while Ohio State reported it has over 170 majors and 500 student organizations!
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Top Ten Majors
What are the most popular majors on college campuses today? In CB's survey of 108 colleges at press time, here are the top 10 cited: Psychology (over 50 percent of the colleges surveyed noted this was one of the most popular majors) followed by biology, English, business, education, engineering, economics, communication, political science and computer science.
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SCHOLARSHIP SCOOPS
What new merit scholarships are there for first-year students? CB's 17th National College Admissions Trends Survey found the following (check with the colleges for further details or see their websites):

Briton Award ($8,000); Webster ($9,000); Presidential ($10,000); Trustee ($12,000). Albion C.

Presidential, Dean's, Frederick Douglass, Leadership, Athletic, United Methodist, Private/Restricted Scholarships. American U.

National Merit sponsored school. Bethel C.

Several ranging from $5,000 to full tuition. Bryant C.

CUNY Honors College. City College of NY.

New merit scholarships for business, economics, accounting majors. Coe C.

Early Honors. Colby-Sawyer C.

Full tuition in theatre, music and an academic William Fletcher King Scholarship. Cornell C.

The merit scholarship program will place more emphasis on leadership, service, involvement. Creighton U.

We honor outside scholarships. Dartmouth C.

Range from $4,000 a year to full tuition. DePaul.

Engage the World Fellowship ($3,000) for selected John Dickinson Scholarship winners. Dickinson C.

None that are new this year. Duke offers five full-tuition scholarships and many others that pay partial tuition. Duke U.

Top 20 percent, 1300 SAT ($12,000); top 10 percent, 1150 SAT ($7,750-$10,000); $7,500. Elizabethtown C.

Honors Fellows ($6,000). Elon U.

Emory Scholars (deadline Nov. 15). Emory U.

Evergreen Foundation Scholarships. The Evergreen State C.

Provost, Presidential, Fisk. Fisk U.

Over 600 awards are available each year ranging from $7,500 to full tuition, room and board. Fordham U.

Nova Scholar Award. Harvey Mudd C.

Range: $4,000-$18,000. Hope C.

Valedictorial/Salutatorian-full tuition; Academic/Leadership for others. Husson C.

Academic Scholarships (up to $15,000 a year); Art, theatre, music, dance, creative writing, social concerns up to $3,000 a year. Knox C.

Fellows Scholarship, Deans Award, Community Service Scholarship, USY Award, Ramah Award. List C.

Four Citizen Scholars ($6,000 a year); Honors Program with Community Service Component. Longwood U.

Full tuition/room and board ($4,000). Marquette U.
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Merit Scholarships that range from $2,750-$9,350; Bailey Honors Scholarship ($3,500); VWIL ($2,000-$7,400). Mary Baldwin C.

Increased the amount of our Provost's Scholarship from $4,500 maximum to $8,000 maximum. Messiah C.

Comenius Medallion; full tuition trustee scholarship; National Honor Society. Moravian C.

Higher top-end value on our Presidential Scholarship raised (to $12,500). Muhlenberg C.

Board of Visitors, Science and Technology. Norfolk State U.

Carl S. Ell and Ralph J. Bunche Scholarships (full tuition, room and board) to a limited number of the most talented incoming freshmen; Also, Reggie Lewis Scholarship (full tuition); partial scholarships and Achievement Awards; Deadline January 1. Northeastern U.

A+ Scholarship. Northwest Missouri State U.

John Frederick Oberlin, Stem, Johnston and Bonner Scholarships. Oberlin C.

President's and Dean's Scholarships. Pace U.

PSU Scholarship Program ($500 - $1,000); out-of-state opportunity scholarship awards ($2,500-$4,000). Portland State U.

Jesse H. Jones for men; M.G. Jones for women. Prairie View A & M U.

Foundation, Presidential, Dean's Academic & University Achievement Awards. St. Cloud State U.

Presidential and State Scholarships. St. Michael's C.

Dean's Scholarship. Santa Clara U.

Engineering (full tuition). Smith C.

To be continued. More next month.
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Average scores for 2002

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.).

In This Issue

Feature Article
CB's Annual
Admissions Trends
Survey

-Yields Divided
-International Affairs
-Electronic Applications Soar

THE COUNSELOR'S
CORNER
-More Majors, New Programs
-Top Ten Majors

SCHOLARSHIP
SCOOPS
-Average scores for 2002

To order Who Got In? 2003 ($14.95) write COLLEGE BOUND, P.O. Box 6536, Evanston, IL 60204 or
call 773-262-5810.