Vol. 18 No. 4 December 2003

CB'S 18TH ANNUAL SURVEY
Inside Admissions Offices
The Competition Is Indeed
Stiff (and Getting Stiffer)
ADMISSION TO COLLEGE IS getting "more competitive," according to a host of admissions officers responding to this year's COLLEGE BOUND survey of national admissions trends. In fact, in many places, it is "much more competitive" than a decade ago.

The preliminary tally of responses from the representative institutions participating in COLLEGE BOUND's 18th Annual Admissions Trends Survey reveals that some 77 percent of the institutions responding by press time believe admission to their college is "more competitive" or "much more competitive" than 10 years ago.

COLLEGE BOUND's annual survey pieces together a national overview of the 2003 admissions season, as seen by admissions officers from 70 colleges and universities, large and small, in all sections of the United States. The survey is designed to aid high school counselors, college-bound students and their families, and college admissions officers themselves to understand the trends of the previous year as well as to help track the current admissions process as it unfolds.

WHERE'S THE COMPETITION?
About 51 percent of respondents said the 2003 admissions season was "more competitive" than a decade ago. This included, for example, virtually all the state universities in the survey to date, plus schools such as Dartmouth C., Kalamazoo C., Knox C., Northwestern U., St. Lawrence U., Union C. and Yale.

However, 26 percent of colleges surveyed said admissions was "much more competitive" than a decade ago. This included American U., Amherst C., Boston U., Carnegie Mellon U., Claremont McKenna, Oberlin C., New York U., Northeastern U., Providence C. and SUNY Buffalo.

Boston U., for example, reported that it had "the most academically distinguished matriculated pool in the university's history." Likewise, "the quality of the applicants continues to get stronger," said Cate Granger Zolkos, at Amherst College. Don Bishop, Creighton U., said "we enrolled our best classes ever in 2002 and 2003."

Only 14 percent of the surveyed schools said that competition for admission hadn't changed much in terms of competition over the past decade. For instance, Paul Marthers, Reed C., concluded, "The hype makes it seem more competitive."

CB's early analysis is that the competition has stiffened, in particular, at private liberal arts colleges and large public state universities. Alison Almasian, St. Lawrence U., noted "increased competition." as did T. Bouseman, U. of Illinois, Urbana, who said "public universities with strong academic reputations have become very popular."

This phenomenon appears to be widespread around the country. Gary M. Lavergne, U. of Texas at Austin, saw "more applications from highly-qualified students," and Hans Gatterdam, U. of Texas-Arlington observed "stronger test scores."

Part of this has to do with the preparation in the high schools. Jim Mackin, Moravian C., said "more students are bringing in Advanced Placement courses and college-level classes." And at Longwood U., the "SAT average is up 50 points and the GPA up 0.5 point," said Robert Chonko.

APPLICATIONS ARE TRULY UP
To be sure, there are multiple applications. But not one college surveyed mentioned that as a trend. It appears now to be the norm. With changing demographics and the continued push for postsecondary education, the increase of real students applying is not an illusion. Also, "More students are applying online," said Bill Edwards, Duquesne University.

About 74 percent of the colleges that responded to CB's survey by press time received more applications in 2003 than in 2002. Northeastern U., for example, saw a 26 percent increase in applications over last year. Reed C. witnessed a 23 percent increase. Applications also were up at American, Amherst, Augustana, Boston U., Butler, Carnegie Mellon, The Cooper Union, Dartmouth, Duquesne, the Evergreen State, Hampden-Sydney, Hope, Kalamazoo, NYU, Oberlin, St. Lawrence, SUNY Buffalo, U. of Illinois, Valparaiso and Yale, for example.

Again, the increase seems most striking in the public universities and private liberal art colleges. David C. Cook, SUNY Buffalo, observed "greater interest in public higher education." The U. of Oklahoma noted "the number of applicants from out-of-state has been steadily increasing." And James Barrett, Slippery Rock U., said, there is a "rising number of applications."

But the greater number of applications also appears in other sectors. Heather Breed, North Central C., also reported a "greater number of applications."

Only 4 percent of the colleges surveyed said they received the same number of applications as the year before, while 10 percent fielded fewer than during the previous year.

Another trend impacting the number of applications: Saint Michael's C. in Vermont found that more students are using the Common Application.
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ACCEPTANCES UP
With the increase in applications, colleges also said they accepted more students. Approximately 46 percent of the colleges in CB's survey accepted more applicants for 2003 than a year ago.

A few of the colleges accepting more students in 2003 compared to 2002: Butler U. (3,350); Dickinson C. (2,394); Elizabethtown C. (1,780); The Evergreen State (2,863); Hampden-Sydney (825); Kalamazoo C. (1,127); Lafayette (2,122); NYU (8,697); Oberlin (2,159); Union C. (1,822); U.S. Coast Guard Academy (226); U. of Illinois (13,939); and U. of Oklahoma (6,638).

Approximately 10 percent accepted about the same number of applicants as last year. And 25 percent of the schools accepted fewer applicants this year than last.

Examples of colleges that accepted fewer students in 2003 than in 2002: American U. (6,107); Boston U. (15,191); Carnegie Mellon (5,561); C. of Charleston (5,972); Creighton U. (2,813); Duquesne U. (3,280); Northeastern U. (10,200); St. Lawrence U. (1,767); U. of Iowa (10,979); and U. of Texas at Austin (11,504).

WAIT LISTS
The use of wait lists has calmed down in some places. But wait lists are still an important tool in the admissions process. About 49 percent of the schools in the survey used a wait list. (This is the same percentage as in CB's survey of 2002.)

Of the schools with the wait lists, 50 percent placed more students on their wait list, 17 percent fewer and 32 percent wait listed about the same number as last year.

American U. wait-listed 545 students, and admitted no one from its wait list. Amherst placed about the same number of students on its wait list (700) as last year, but admitted more (72). BU wait listed more students (2,871) and admitted more students from the list (1,214). Claremont McKenna wait listed 150 students, down from 2002, and admitted no one from its wait list. Dartmouth placed about 700 students on its wait list and admitted 54. Hampden-Sydney wait listed 46, more than in the past, and admitted 25. Hampshire wait listed 389 and admitted none.

Smaller liberal arts colleges were waiting listing too. Lafayette C. wait listed 1,700 students and admitted 86, more than in 2002. A word of advice to applicants: Hope C. noted, "Apply early-we start to wait list in February."

EARLY APPLICATIONS
Early Action/Early Decision programs are thriving but the percentage of colleges using them as an admission tool did not increase over the previous year. About 52 percent of colleges in CB's survey use ED/EA programs. Of those, 61 percent received more ED/EA applications, 17 percent fewer and 22 percent about the same number as last year.

CB asked, "What percent of the 2003 first-year class was accepted ED/EA?" The answers ranged from 3 percent (American) to 87 percent (Kalamazoo C.).
For example, 30 percent of the Amherst class was accepted early, 6 percent of BU, 3 percent of Carnegie Mellon, nearly 20 percent of Claremont McKenna, 36 percent of Dartmouth, 33 percent of NYU, 22 percent Northwestern, 31 percent Oberlin C., 30 percent Reed, 22 percent St. Lawrence U. and 35 percent of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Union College said more students are applying Early Decision. The U. of North Dakota, for example, saw "more web use for a quicker response." Patricia Murphy, Dickinson C., said there was "an increased interest in Early Decision and Early Action programs."

One interesting aside: Carol A. Rowlands, Lafayette C., noted that while Lafayette's regular deadline is January 1, "any student who applies by the January 1st deadline can convert to Early Decision as late as February 15th."
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ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS
Electronic applications are becoming the norm. E-applications were up, compared to 2002. In 2002, 62 percent of the colleges in CB's survey used electronic applications. In 2003, 74 percent of colleges in the survey used electronic applications. And 100 percent of them had more electronic applications this year than last through this new medium.

Kevin J. Hastings, Knox C., noted that there's been "a significant growth in application numbers, driven, in part, by the ease of applying electronically and the desire to shop around for the best scholarships."

Susan C. Minger, Cornell C., said, "More students are using the internet to answer pressing questions regarding the admission process."

But electronic applications are not without problems. Andi Jones, Valparaiso U., complained there are "more incomplete web applications than ever before." However, Anita H. Garland, Hampden-Sydney, said she found there were "more electronic apps, but also a higher completion rate within them."

FIRST-YEAR CLASS SIZES UP
With more applications and more applications early, more colleges ended up with larger first-year class sizes. About 61 percent of colleges responding to CB's survey to date had larger class sizes compared to 2002. Some 23 percent had smaller first-year classes and 13 percent kept their first-year class size the same as in 2002.

Examples of colleges that ended up with larger first-year classes in 2003: Augustana C. (424); Butler U. (976); Claremont McKenna (285); Cornell C. (369); Dickinson C. (624); Georgia Southern U. (2,761); Hampshire (392); NYU (3,939); Northeastern (3,194); Oberlin C. (762); U. of Illinois (6,801); Valparaiso (795) and Yale U. (1,366).

According to Bernard S. Valento, SUNY Brockport (where the first-year class size was larger), "public colleges and universities enrolled record numbers."

American U. created a smaller class size of 1,216 in spite of the fact that it received more applications (10,282) and its yield was about the same (21 percent).

Other colleges with smaller first-year class sizes in 2003 compared to 2002 were: Boston U. (3,961); Carnegie Mellon (1,347); Knox (268); Northwestern U. (1,945); Reed (301); St. Lawrence U. (566); Saint Michael's C. (523); Union C. (559); U. of Iowa (4,083); U. of Oklahoma (3,808); and U. of Texas at Austin (6,544).

YIELDS: THE BOTTOM LINE
All these admissions numbers played out this fall when admitted students actually enrolled. About 38 percent of the colleges responding to CB's survey to date actually reported lower yields compared to 2002. Roughly 32 percent reported higher yields this year. And 19 percent reported the same yield as the previous year. (By comparison, in 2002, 45 percent of colleges surveyed reported higher yields and 34 percent lower yields.)

The percentage of accepted students who enrolled ranged from 21 to 80 percent. The majority of colleges surveyed were in the 30-40 percent range; the religious-based institutions had higher percentages. The public state universities were in the 50 percent range.

Here are some examples of yields: American (21 percent), Amherst (41 percent), Augustana (32 percent), Boston U. (26 percent), Butler U. (29 percent), Carnegie Mellon U. (26 percent), Claremont McKenna (34 percent), The Cooper Union (71 percent), Cornell C. (36 percent), College of Charleston (46 percent), Creighton U. (33 percent), Dartmouth (50 percent), Dickinson C. (26 percent), Kalamazoo C. (35 percent), NYU (38 percent), Northwestern (39 percent), Reed (29 percent), St. Lawrence U. (35 percent), SUNY Buffalo (33 percent), U.S. Coast Guard (71 percent), University of Illinois Urbana (50 percent), U. of Iowa (37 percent), U. of Texas at Austin (57 percent), Valparaiso (80 percent) and Yale (69 percent).

At the U. of Iowa, where the yield in 2003 was lower than last year, Emil Rinderspacher noted that while it has seen an increase in resident and non-resident applications alike, there's a "slight decrease in the yield from both groups."

Also, Paul Hartzog, Rockford C., which reported a higher yield compared to 2002, noted that "more students made multiple deposits, shopped longer and committed later."

OTHER TOP TRENDS IN ADMISSIONS
What other trends did admissions officers spot in 2003? John Sullivan, executive director of admissions and financial aid at Coe C., said that more "students are staying closer to home." T. Bouseman, U. of Illinois Urbana, said there is "more of an integrated approach to admission decisions."

"Students are seeking immediate results from the admissions committee," said Jay Fedje, Bethel C. in Minnesota. And, Kenneth G. MacKenzie, Boston U., stated that "students are beginning their college search as early as sophomore year." He added, "This allows more time to physically visit a campus before making the decision to submit an application." Likewise, Susan Hertz, American U., saw an "increase in high school sophomores beginning the college search."
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Average Test Scores

1. Educate the students to start their search sophomore or junior year, narrowing their list their senior year. Take SAT/ACT junior year, if not before. (Valparaiso U.)

2. High schools must begin preparing for the March 2005 SAT writing exam. Writing skills across the board have made the transition difficult for high school students. (U. of Texas-Arlington)

3. Complete grade-point average and class rank on an unweighted 4.0 scale. (U. of Oklahoma)

4. Keep the counselors informed. (U. of North Dakota)

5. Keep clear transcripts with easy to understand lexicons, include the 12th grade schedule. (Slippery Rock U.)

6. Provide a clear and comprehensive profile, encourage students to look beyond the "usual suspects." (St. Lawrence U.)

7. Counsel students on realistic expectations regarding admission to selective schools, athletic scholarships, financial obligations/priority. (Rockford C.)

8. Cooperate with college visit schedules. (Reed C.)

9. Encourage students to take the ACT or SAT early. (Prairie View A&M U.)

10. Educate students on affordability of private education and the benefits of attending a liberal arts institution. (North Central C.)

11. Encourage students to apply before the last minute. (Northwestern U.)

12. Urge students to apply early; send completed admission application with transcripts and ACT scores. (Northeastern Ill U.)

13. Create a more disciplined environment; need better respect from the students. (Moravian C.)

14. Encourage students to use on-line applications. (Longwood U.)

15. Prepare school profiles that are as detailed as possible. We try to assess every applicant in a thorough and fair review process. Knowing as much as possible about individual high schools and their programs is very helpful. (Lafayette C.)

16. Continue to rank students, give clear information about classes, send a school profile with community information. (Hampden-Sydney)

17. Work with students early. (Duquesne U.)

18. Work with students and families to develop a college application set based on the fit between the student and college, and not on perceived prestige or popularity. (Dickinson C.)

19. Less grade inflation. (Creighton U.)

20. Encourage students to visit colleges that make their short list. Fit becomes one of the most important factors in the admission process and this can't be "felt" without a campus visit. (Cornell C.)
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21. Doing proper advisement of financial aid process as it applies to private schools. (Claremont McKenna U.)

22. Having guidance counselors who are informed about Carnegie Mellon specifically and the city of Pittsburgh in general. (Carnegie Mellon U.)

23. Allow daily visits, not just lunch visits. (Butler U.)

24. Rank students. (Bethel C.)

25. Prepare students better and emphasize importance of fit rather than reputation or bottom line cost. (Elizabethtown C.)

26. Stress to students the need to make their own assessment of colleges based on their own criteria, rather than letting various college rankings make the decision for them. (Hampshire C.)

27. By educating students about the college search process. (Saint Michael's C.)

28. Start talking about college early on, some guidance in the ninth grade. (Amherst C.)

29. Continue to encourage students to be deliberate in selecting a college, carefully considering personal goals, learning styles and opportunities for active involvement in their education. (Knox C.)

30. Standardize GPA's across the country. (Coe C.)

31. Be informed. (UNLV)

32. Stop grade inflation! Seniors are shocked to discover that they are not in the top of the class. (U. of Illinois Urbana)

33. Stress a well-planned visit and emphasize financial aid opportunities. (Ohio Northern U.)

34. Provide high school rank. (U. of Iowa.)

35. Get paper work in early. (Ohio State Lima)

36. Work early with promising students. (U.S. Coast Guard)

37. Compiling GPA's on a four-point scale, and class rank info. (Southern Virginia U.)

38. Be aware of scholarship and application deadlines so that the admissions process can run smoothly. (Presbyterian College)

39. Keep open communications lines with the colleges. (Husson College)

40. Encourage students to continue to challenge themselves academically, to apply early and to get involved in extracurricular activities. (SUNY Brockport)

41. By promoting merit scholarship programs and by encouraging students to submit applications on time. (Boston U.)
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P.S.
"What college guide books most accurately describe your institution?" CB asked admissions officers. Here are the top five guides cited in CB's survey, listed in alphabetical order.

1. Barron's;
2. Fiske Guide to Colleges
3. Peterson's Guides;
4. Princeton Review
5. U.S. News and World Report;
Others mentioned: The College Board, Colleges That Change Lives, Private Colleges, National Survey of Student Engagement, Cool Colleges, Colleges of Distinction and Lovejoy's.
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Advice for 2004 Applicants
What advice do admissions officers offer for 2004 applicants? Many say simply, "Apply Early." But beyond that, here is what some recommend. (We'll have more suggestions next month.)

"Deadlines are serious-take great care with application essays." (U. of Texas at Austin).

"Do research early and well. Seek good advice. Visit campuses to help in finding a good match. Apply to the best colleges that are best for you. Don't be lured by prestige, but more by the match-what feels right for you. Apply to a range of schools to be sure you have options. All should be schools where you could be happy!" (Union C.)

"Follow directions, meet deadlines, research schools with which you are unfamiliar." (St. Lawrence U.)

"Dedication to a multi-year participation in fewer activities is more impressive than passing interest in many activities." (Rockford C.)

"Apply to the college you want to attend. Consider the match. Don't play the lottery." (Reed C.)

"Submit all the required documents before the deadline dates." (Prairie View A&M U.)

"Stay in touch. Follow up with primary schools." (Ohio State Lima)

"Start your search early and become more targeted in visits and determine early on the features and benefits that are important to you." (Ohio Northern U.)

"Visit the campus before making a final decision." (North Central C.)

"Visit campuses-at least two to three of them." (Northeastern Illinois U.)

"Continue to earn strong grades during your senior year. Select a school that feels comfortable and that offers a variety of programs. Pay close attention to application instructions and be sure to meet all deadlines. (Northeastern U.)

"If you haven't already started the college search process, start now. Don't be afraid to talk with admission representatives and current students who call you from their colleges. Ask questions about each college you are considering. Visit the colleges, do your research. Make sure that you are well informed prior to making your final college choice." (Linfield C.)

"Plan ahead. Your senior year can be a busy one and time can be scarce. You want to do all you can to avoid stress." (Lafayette C.)

"Create a checklist of every item required by each college to which you apply and the due date. Be sure you send in every required item." (Hampshire C.)

"There are many right colleges for each student." (Hampden-Sydney C.)

"Learn about the rolling admissions process. Present your unique qualities to the admissions committee whenever possible." (Elon U.)

"Know your admission requirements. Research your intended major." (Duquesne U.)

"Understand fully what each applicant college stands for and what makes each college distinctive." (Dickinson C.)

"Challenge yourself both in academics as well as in life. Do what you love and do it well." (Dartmouth C.)

"Develop a more active career planning process so that you can select a college that will fit your career goals. (Creighton U.)

"Be yourself." (The Cooper Union C.)

"Become a well-rounded student with work experience, volunteer experience, hobbies and sports interests." (Carnegie Mellon U.)

"Get a liberal arts degree." (Augustana C.)

"Fall in love with as many schools as possible." (Amherst C.)

"Strive for academic excellence and creativity while demonstrating commitment in at least one extracurricular activity." (American U.)
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Upcoming Deadlines

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 Articles
The Competition Is
Indeed Stiff (and Getting
Stiffer)

Average Test Scores

COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Advice to Counselors
P.S.

Advice for 2004 Applicants

Upcoming Deadlines

COMING UP...
CB's survey findings on financial aid (yes, it is a real concern); new scholarships for first-year students; the state of minority admits and retention; were more (or less) international students accepted? andthe most popular majors, as well as new majors and programs.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!