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Vol. 21 No. 6
February 2007
Increasing Access
and Graduation Rates
HOW WELL are
U.S. colleges and universities doing in admitting and graduating
interested students? A new "Research to Practice Brief"
from the National Association for College Admission Counseling
(NACAC) recaps some telling statistics from the National Center
of Educational Statistics that point to important work ahead
for high school counselors and the nation's colleges.
On the positive side, high school graduation rates have clearly
improved across the board. In 1976, nearly 88 percent of white
students completed high school. By 2005, the white student high
school completion rate had risen to nearly 93 percent. For black
students, the 1976 high school graduation rate was 74 percent
and rose to 87 percent by 2005. For Hispanic students, the 1976
rate was 58 percent. But by 2005, that had risen to only 63 percent.
The report, entitled "The Changing Landscape of Higher
Education: College Admission in Context," also notes that
college access rates have improved as well. The college enrollment
rate for white students in 1976 was close to 49 percent. By 2003,
it had risen to 66 percent. For black students, the 1976 to 2003
change in college enrollment was 45 percent to 60 percent. For
Hispanic students it was about 54 percent to 58 percent.
BUT COMPLETION RATES DISMAL
However, college completion rates are still disturbing.
The bachelor's degree or higher education completion rate for
white students in 1976 was 26 percent. By 2005, that rate had
risen to only 34 percent. For black students in 1976, the completion
rate was only 13 percent. In 2005, it had increased to merely
18 percent. And for Hispanic students, the 1976 college completion
rate was a paltry 7 percent. By 2005, it had jumped to 29 percent.
Significant disparities in all of these groups exist according
to family income levels. Poor students have much lower levels
of access and completion.
NACAC noted that "a hallmark of the 20th century was
that within the postsecondary sector, competition outweighed
cooperation, and a firewall existed between K-12 and postsecondary
education."
NEW PARTNERSHIPS NEEDED
Among other recommendations, NACAC urges that "all
sectors of higher education" forge "inter-segmental
partnerships" with K-12 schools to expand access to college,
especially for underrepresented groups. NACAC further urges all
parties to "develop successful, systematic college preparation
programs aimed at increasing academic achievement among underrepresented
groups.
STATES MUST TAKE LEAD
Meanwhile, the National Conference of State Legislatures
released another report urging states to take a lead role in
reforming higher education. "Transforming Higher Education:
National Imperative-State Responsibility" said that if states
don't act, the vacuum will be filled by the federal government.
Among other things, the report noted that while states currently
spend roughly $70 billion a year on higher ed, they need to link
higher education reform to state economic needs. And they need
to find ways to make state colleges and universities more accountable
for achieving those goals. The states must also do more to increase
accessibility for the growing low-income and non-traditional
student populations if they are to make real progress. The full
report can be purchased at http://www.ncsl.org/bookstore/.
NEW PARTNERSHIP TO BETTER
PREPARE STUDENTS
"The requirements of today's economy have made
the old distinction between academic and career skills obsolete,"
wrote four higher education leaders in the "Point of View"
section of the December 15 Chronicle for Higher Education.
"Young people need the same fundamental skills whether they
pursue college or work after high school, and most will eventually
need at least some postsecondary education."
That is why Governors in 26 states have joined the new American
Diploma Project Network, a national program that "helps
states take concrete steps toward making the high school diploma
count." The authors hope to involve more colleges and universities
in the effort to better align their standards with the high school
curriculum. One benefit will be that college-bound students could
be better prepared and hence finish college.
As David S. Spence, president of the Southern Regional Education
Board, wrote: "I don't think high schools can go any further
without higher education being clear about college-readiness
standards." For more information see: http://www.acenet.edu/programs/advancing.
THE FEDERAL RESPONSE TO
COLLEGE RESULTS
As CB reported in December, U.S. Secretary
of Education Margaret Spellings has expressed her concern about
college learning and graduation rates. At the recent meeting
with accreditation groups, Spelling said, "We need to get
about the business of making this system work better."
Among immediate actions she will seek are federal grants to
reward colleges, states and consortia that report on student
learning. She promised a cooperative approach among all relevant
parties.
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Employment Outlook
Why Are Fewer Students Working Part-Time? According to a new
study from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the number of
teens working part-time has reached the lowest point since the
mid-1960s. In the late 1970s, nearly 59 percent of teens held
jobs. Currently, only 43 percent of teens work part-time, or
hold summer or holiday temporary jobs. Teens from all income
levels have shown declines in part-time work participation.
Education Top Priority. Some of the jobs teens used to do
have been snapped up by adult workers. Some teens, flushed with
affluence feel little inclination to work. But the Federal Reserve
says an even more important factor is the practical value teens
and their parents now put on getting an education that will pay
off many times more than the minimum wage most earn as part-time
workers. "The wage premium associated with a college education
is now nearly twice as high as in the late 1970s," said
the Fed report.
"It's a big deal," Fed economist Dan Aaronson, lead
author of the report, told the Chicago Tribune. "Something
has definitely changed. There is no other smoking gun other than
education." He points out that nearly a quarter of the 17-year-old
population lives in states with scholarship programs that provide
free in-state tuition for high school graduates who have earned
good grades. This encourages study over work. And enrollment
in less expensive community colleges is growing.
Help Wanted. Will these students be disappointed? It is not
likely. Coming soon, the retirement of the baby boomers. The
impact? Tens of thousands of job openings will be available for
those with qualifications. According to recent data from the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2004 and 2014, the number
of replacement openings will comprise 65 percent of the nations
54.7 million jobs. Many of these will not require a college degree
because the opportunities will come in professions across the
board.
But almost 19 million new jobs will also be created by 2014,
and 87 percent of those will require some postsecondary training.
These days workers who have some college earn two-and-a-half
times those who do not, which amounts to about $31,408 a year.
According to the Current Population Survey, in 2005,
employed workers who didn't finish high school made up nearly
10 percent of those employed and earn on average $22,374. High
school grads made up nearly 30 percent of the employed workforce
and earned an average $31,665. Those with some college made up
about 28 percent of employed workers and earned on average $38,009.
College grads made up 21 percent of the workforce and earned
an average $56,740. Those with master's degrees made up 8 percent
of the employed workforce and earned an average $78,093. And
those with a Ph.D. made up 1.5 percent of the employed workforce
and earned an average $93,593. Those with a M.B.A., J.D. or M.D.
made up about 2 percent of the workforce and earn on average
$119,343. Yes indeed, "Education Pays!"
Organic Ag. The U. of Florida in Gainesville has launched
"a science-based organic agriculture undergraduate degree
program" making it one of three institutions to offer this
major, it said, noting Colorado State U. and Washington State
U. debuted similar programs this fall. UF has offered a minor
in organic agriculture for the past year. The aim is to meet
the growing need for employees in the organic food sales industry.
Cal State Teacher Drive. Meanwhile, on the other side of the
continent, California State U., the largest four-year system
in the nation, graduates 15,000 teachers a year. And since California
has a critical shortage of math and science teachers, Cal State
has launched a $2 million, five-year drive to increase the number
of math and science teachers it graduates from 800 to 1,600.
Cal State is also beginning a free 80-hour retraining program
for current math and English teachers.
Additionally, Cal State is trying to prepare future students
by distributing its Early Assessment Program to 150,000 high
school juniors so that students who find out they lack the skills
to succeed in college still have time to catch up during their
senior year.
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THE COUNSELOR'S
CORNER
Inside Admissions Offices
Who Gets Financial Aid? Do Visits Count? What About
Essays? Here are more results from CB's Annual Survey
WHAT PERCENT OF STUDENTS
RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID
(AND WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AID PACKAGE?)
Binghamton U., SUNY (67 percent/$11,516), Boise State
U. (61 percent/$7,371), Brandeis U. (48 percent/$23,816), California
State U., Stanislaus (69 percent/$6,139), Campbellsville U. (95
percent/$9,632), Case Western Reserve U. (93 percent/$26,989),
Centre C. (57 percent /$18,150), Chapman U. (82 percent), Claremont
McKenna C. (60 percent/$28,500), Colgate U. (39 percent/$33,573),
Cornell C. (97 percent/$19,825), C. of Mount St. Joseph (80 percent/$14,486),
Creighton U. (83 percent /$8,000), DePauw U. (53 percent/$24,065),
Duke U. (45 percent/$29,850 median), Elizabethtown C. (90 percent),
Elon U. (62 percent), Grinnell (90 percent/$20,000), Hampden-Sydney
C. (97 percent/$20,700), Harris-Stowe State U. (85 percent),
Harvey Mudd C. (81 percent/$27,609), Hope C. (63 percent/$17,606),
Husson C. (74 percent/$10,145), Kettering U. (87 percent/$13,586),
Lawrence U. (85 percent /$23,000), Lehigh U. (52 percent/$25,400),
Longwood U. (60 percent), Marymount Manhattan C. (85 percent/$16,000),
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (70 percent), Messiah C.
(95 percent/$16,000), Michigan State U. (75 percent), Midwestern
State U. (76 percent/$6,491), Muhlenberg C. (74 percent/$17,574),
North Carolina State U. (60 percent), Oberlin C. (60 percent/$24,255),
Ohio U. (77 percent/$8,438), The Ohio State U. (52 percent/$9,726),
Philadelphia Biblical U. (94 percent/$11,900), Purdue U. (74
percent /$10,120), Reed C. (55 percent/$30,000), Saint Michael's
C. (80 percent/$10,500), Scripps C. (55 percent/$29,642), St.
Lawrence U. (83 percent/$27,225), Sweet Briar (91 percent), Texas
Lutheran U. (95 percent/$15,035), U. of the Arts (80 percent),
U. of California, Berkeley (75 percent/$12,988), U. of California,
Davis (64 percent/$11,697), U. of Charleston (90 percent/$20,495),
U. of Idaho (69 percent/$9,471), U. of Maryland (60 percent),
U. of Maryland Eastern Shore (89 percent/$8,791), U. of North
Dakota (70 percent/$10,300), Valparaiso U. (90 percent/$18,000),
Virginia Tech (67 percent/$9,065), Wagner C. (82 percent/$14,734)
and Westminster C. (98 percent/ $13,000).
CAMPUS VISITS? ARE THEY
IMPORTANT?
CB asked admissions officers whether a campus
visit is a factor in their admissions decision. Over 60 percent
answered "No."
Among the schools that do consider a campus visit important
in the admissions process: Babson C., Brandeis U., California
State U., Stanislaus, Campbellville U., Case Western Reserve
U., Cornell C., Elizabethtown C., Elon U., Hampden-Sydney C.,
Hope C. ("somewhat"), Kalamazoo C., Lawrence U., Lehigh
U., Louisiana State U., Marygrove C., Muhlenberg C., Oberlin
C., Reed C. ("Yes, a slight advantage"), St. Lawrence
U., Saint Michael's C. ("highly recommended"), Texas
Lutheran ("No, but a visit is highly encouraged"),
U. of Bridgeport, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Valparaiso U. and
Wartburg C.
WHERE ESSAYS COUNT
CB's survey this year also asked about the
role of the essay in college admissions. Some admissions officers
reported on the new SAT/ACT essay. Others offered comments on
the essay in general. Here is what some said.
Brandeis U.: The essay is "important."
Centre C.: "It is always important."
Chapman U.: said, "Essays and all writing samples
are very important."
Colgate U.: "It is considered as part of the review
process."
C. of Mount St. Joseph: "We pass results along to
our humanities department."
Duke U.: "Always required an essay."
Elon U.: "It will be considered but has little weight in
the overall decision."
Fordham U.: "It plays a significant role."
Grinnell C.: "There currently are no plans to use the essay
in the application evaluation process."
Hampden-Sydney C.: "It will give us a little more info about
the student."
Harvey Mudd C.: It is "very important."
Husson C.: Uses it for "placement."
Lawrence U.: "We are assessing it with greater scrutiny."
Lehigh U.: "Same part of the application."
Marygrove C.: "It counts for 10 to 15 percent of the admit
decision."
Marymount Manhattan C.: "It counts for 10 percent
of the weighting."
Massachusetts C. of Liberal Arts: It plays a "minor
role."
Michigan State U.: It is "required but not yet analyzed."
Muhlenberg C.: "The essay helps us get to know an applicant
beyond the numbers and lists. As such, it is very helpful."
North Carolina State U.: "It is optional, but strongly
encouraged."
Oberlin C.: "It is a required part of the application."
Ohio U. It is "optional."
Reed C.: "Application essays are always significant."
Saint Michael's C.: "It is part of our application
review process."
St. Lawrence U.: "The application essay will continue
to be part of our holistic review."
Texas Lutheran U.: "The essay is a required element
of the application."
U. of California, Berkeley: The essay is "an important
part of our comprehensive review."
U. of California, Davis: "The essay adds information
regarding the applicant's academic and non academic accomplishments,
and it can show the context of the individual's achievements."
U. of Colorado at Boulder: "The essay is important."
U. of Iowa: "The essay is important for students
whose schools don't rank."
U. of Maryland: "We will not use this in our 2007
process."
U. of Maryland Eastern Shore: "We will review each
essay."
Wagner C.: The essay plays a "minor" role.
Westminster C.: "The essay is one of many components. There
currently are no plans to use the essay in the application evaluation
process. It is used to better understand students and their interests."
Upcoming Deadlines. Here are few colleges with deadlines for
admissions still ahead. Baldwin Wallace (March 1); Boise State
U. (July); California State U. Stanislaus (July 1); Campbellsvile
U. (August 20); Cornell C. (March 1); Elizabethtown C. (March
1); Evergreen State C. (March 1); Hampden-Sydney C. (March);
Longwood U. (March 1); Louisiana State U. Baton Rouge (April
15); Purdue U. (March 1).
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ADMISSIONS WATCH
More CB Survey Results. More results from CB's
2006 National College Admissions Trends Survey continued to arrive
after press time last month. The full results will appear later
this year in CB's annual book, Who Got In? Here
are more highlights:
Adelphi U. in New York saw an increase in nursing students.
It received 5,496 applications in 2006, and accepted 3,720 students.
It wait listed no students. With a yield of 23 percent, Adelphi's
first-year class of 839 was about the same size as in 2005. About
85 percent of its students receive an average financial aid package
of $14,500.
Babson C. in Massachusetts received 3,436 applications
in 2006, more than in 2005, and accepted 1,265 students. It also
wait listed 493 and admitted 67 of them. With a yield of 35 percent,
Babson's first-year class of 443 students was larger than in
2005.
Baldwin-Wallace C. in Ohio received 2,619 applications
in 2006, more than in 2005, and accepted 2,083 students. It wait
listed no students. With a yield of 34 percent, Baldwin-Wallace's
first-year class of 707 was larger than in 2005. About 98 percent
of its students receive financial aid.
Barry U. in Florida received 3,204 applications in
2006, fewer than in 2005, and accepted 1,880 students. It also
wait listed no students. With a yield of 29 percent, Barry's
first-year class of 450 was smaller than in 2005. About 90 percent
of its students receive an average financial aid package of $14,000.
Angela Scott, dean of enrollment, said she sees "applicants
depositing to multiple colleges."
Evergreen State C. in Washington received 3,258 applications
in 2006, fewer than in 2005, and accepted 2,838 students. Diane
H. Kahaumia said that Evergreen received "fewer applications
from community college transfer students." It wait listed
no students. With a yield of 87 percent, Evergreen State's first-year
class of 583 was smaller than in 2005. About 65 percent of its
students receive an average financial aid package of $11,619.
Kalamazoo C. in Michigan received 1,800 applications
in 2006, more than in 2005, and accepted 1,241 students. It also
wait listed 65 students and admitted 12 of them. With a yield
of 31 percent, Kalamazoo's first-year class of 380 was larger
than in 2005.
Louisiana State U. received 10,135 applications in
2006, fewer than in 2005, and accepted 7,455 students. Bernie
Braun said that at LSU the "average standardized test scores
and GPA are up." It did not wait list any students. With
a yield of 61 percent, LSU's first-year class of 4,508 students
was smaller than in 2005. About 77 percent of LSU students receive
an average financial aid package of $7,100.
Middlebury C. in Vermont received 6,200 applications
in 2006, more than in 2005, and accepted 1,505 students. It also
wait listed 900 students and admitted 50 of them. With a yield
of 44 percent, Middlebury's first-year class of 563 was the same
as in 2005. About 43 percent of its students receive an average
financial aid package of $33,150.
New C. of Florida received 1,065 applications in 2006,
more than in 2005, and accepted 523 students. It also wait listed
120 students and admitted 99 of them. With a yield of 33 percent,
New College's first-year class of 175 was smaller than in 2005.
About 38 percent of its students receive an average financial
aid package of $12,018. Jennifer Croffy said that she spotted
"an increase in 'stealth prospects'-students who do all
their college research online and their initial contact with
the school is their application."
Ohio Wesleyan U. received 3,579 applications in 2006,
more than in 2005, and accepted 2,257 students. It also wait
listed 35 students and admitted 10 of them. With a yield of 25
percent, Ohio Wesleyan's first-year class of 565 was smaller
than in 2005. About 98 percent of its students receive an average
financial aid package of $19,571.
Santa Clara U. in California received 8,670 applications
in 2006, fewer than in 2005, and accepted 5,762 students. Johanna
Van Egmond said it had more applications, stronger academic profiles
and "more geographic diversity." It also wait listed
1,800 students and admitted 41 of them. With a yield of 23 percent,
Santa Clara's first-year class of 1,424 was larger than in 2005.
About 71 percent of its students receive an average financial
aid package of $19,706.
Seton Hall U. in New Jersey received 5,370 applications
in 2006, more than in 2005, and accepted 4,157 students. It also
wait listed 800 students and admitted 750 of them. With a yield
of 27 percent, Seton Hall's first-year class of 1,059 was smaller
than in 2005. About 90 percent of its students receive financial
aid.
U. of Bridgeport in Connecticut received 4,014 applications
in 2006, more than in 2005, and accepted 2,576 students. It also
wait listed no students. With a yield of 12 percent, the U. of
Bridgeport's first-year class of 313 was smaller than in 2005.
About 90 percent of its students receive an average financial
aid package of $22,600.
U. of Michigan, Ann Arbor received 25,806 applications
in 2006, more than in 2005, and accepted 12,246 students. It
also wait listed 8,339 students and admitted 583 of them. With
a yield of 46 percent, the U. of Michigan's first-year class
of 5,339 was smaller than in 2005. About 78 percent of its students
receive an average financial aid package of $19,500. Admissions
officers there saw "more involvement from parents."
Wartburg C. in Iowa received 1,850 applications in
2006, more than in 2005, and accepted 1,546 students. It wait
listed no students. With a yield of 35 percent, Wartburg's first-year
class of 505 was smaller than in 2005. About 98 percent of its
students receive financial aid.
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P.S. Financial Aid Flash
Tuition Free. Several universities have recently announced
that they will pay the full cost of tuition for students from
low-income families. Arizona State U. is the latest to do so.
Beginning in 2007, admitted students from families earning below
$25,000 will not have to worry about the $13,000 annual cost
of tuition, room and board. The offer is good for eight consecutive
semesters.
Arizona State joins the U. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
and the U. of Virginia in offering such benefits, as well as
other elite universities such as Princeton and Harvard.
Emory Advantage. Emory U. has established a new Loan Replacement
Grant called the Emory Advantage for students from families with
incomes of $50,000 or less who can then graduate with no need-based
loans from their four undergraduate years. A new Loan Cap Program
will also assist students from families of $50,001 to $100,000
by capping their total need-based loan amount over four years
at $15,000. The changes begin the 2007-08 academic year. For
info see www.emory.edu.
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NEWS YOU
CAN USE
Fewer Florida High School
Counselors. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
recommends that high schools have no more than 250 students per
counselor. But like many other states, the ratio in Florida is
closer to 500 to one. "They're responsible for what we call
the three domains: academic achievement, personal and social
development and college and career planning," says Richard
Wong, ASCA's executive director. As a result, some Florida counselors
complain that college-bound students are being short changed.
Now Florida legislators are requiring students to choose "major"
areas of study before they enter ninth grade. That means more
focus for students, but less time for college counseling.
Rich
College/Poor College. Colleges with big endowments are getting
richer, while colleges with small endowments are struggling to
keep alive. That was the finding of a Chronicle of Higher
Education study. Over the past decade, average endowment
per students of the top quartile of U. S. colleges and universities
grew from $250,197 to $376,980. For the bottom quartile schools,
the growth was from $24,076 to $32,668.
The average amount spent per student for classroom instruction
is one immediate outgrowth of endowment size. For the top quartile
of colleges and universities, that grew from $9,506 a decade
ago to $13,069. The average amount spent per student on classroom
instruction at a school whose endowment ranks in the lower quartile
grew from $3,117 a decade ago to $3,290. The gap is quite startling.
Campus
Crime Understated? Many colleges underestimate campus crime.
The 1990 Clery Act requires colleges to report their official
crime statistics. But the figures submitted by many schools are
at variance with official FBI stats. The October 23, Wall
Street Journal noted that, "Under pressure from Congress
and Security on Campus Inc., a nonprofit group that lobbied for
the Clery Act, about a dozen colleges have owned up to errors
in their statistics and paid fines to the Education Department
since 1998." Prospective students should always inquire
about crime stats.
Student
Attitudes. What are college-bound high school students thinking?
According to Peterson's 2005-2006 Online Poll, 42 percent of
college-bound high school students plan to improve their GPA
during the school year; 27 percent say they want to figure out
how to pay for college; 21 percent want to prepare for a standardized
test and 10 percent seek to build their extracurricular resume.
Also, 48 percent say they haven't started preparing for the SAT
or ACT, while 41 percent say they have prepped, but need more
practice. About 23 percent expect to pay for college with loans
and savings; 31 percent expect their parents to pay for college;
35 percent hope to rely on scholarships and 11 percent on federal
grants.
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COLLEGE BOUND's Publisher/Editor: R. Craig
Sautter, DePaul University; Chief Operating Officer: Sally
Reed; Assistant Editor: Emma Schwartz; Illustration:
Louis Coronel; Board of Advisors: David Breeden,
Edina High School, Minnesota; Claire D. Friedlander, Bedford
(N.Y.) Central School District; Howard Greene and Matthew
Greene, authors, The Greenes' Guides to Educational Planning
Series; Frank C. Leana, Ph.D., educational counselor;
M. Fredric Volkmann, Washington University in St. Louis;
Mary Ann Willis, Bayside Academy (Daphne, Ala.).
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In This Issue
Feature Articles
Increasing Access and Graduation
Rates
Employment
Outlook
THE COUNSELOR'S
CORNER
Inside
Admissions Offices
ADMISSIONS WATCH
-More
Survey Results...
P.S.
Financial Aid Flash
NEWS YOU CAN USE
-Fewer
Florida High School Counselors
-Rich College/Poor
College
-Campus
Crime Understated?
-Student
Attitudes
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Subscription
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