University Business - October 2006 - (Page 30)

ADMISSIONS work. Let them select for you what best becoming an ever greater concern. who will be the first in their family to en- speaks for them instead of the contorted We have to ask, when and why did roll in college and those who attend rela- prompts we have read this year served up the historic mission of higher educational tively unsophisticated high schools are by many colleges. Alternately, work with institutions in America to serve the inter- much less likely to understand the Early the Common Application and member ests of our nation change? Who will profit Application plans in time to consider the schools to add one additional 300-word in the longer term by this interscholastic potential advantages of this strategy, or to prompt to the application, which can be competition for the players with the big- comprehend the potential loss of finan- altered according to each college to which gest batting averages but not necessarily a cial aid opportunities. Harvard recently the student sends the application: Why are commitment to the real cause of the game addressed this issue by dropping its Early you applying to [name of the college] and and the team? We also worry for those ed- Action option. why do you believe it is a good match for ucational institutions lacking the resources you? How will an education at [name of the to continue competing in this financial ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY college] help you reach your educational, aid arms race. There are few colleges and We understand the rationale from the extracurricular, and career goals? team's management for offering large Finally, we plead for an increase in the amounts of money in the form of aca- Rather than a contorted length of the main Common Applica- demic merit awards to garner as many all- prompt, let applicants tion personal statement from 250 to 500 stars as possible as they hope to win the select supplemental words, to 750 words. We know, we don't world series of college rankings over time. need to read the thousands of essays you But look at what this is doing to stu- materials that best speak receive during the admissions season, but dents who qualify for and desperately to them. we do see a dramatic difference between need financial aid in order to fulfill their a great 750-word essay and a 500-word goal of a college education. essay that has been overly condensed. It universities in the country able to offer We see too many families with all the might surprise many admissions read- unlimited need- or merit-based aid, and means to send their children through col- ers though perhaps not that one of the trying to keep up with those that do can lege without financial duress both sur- toughest parts of writing the main per- bankrupt or severely impact the options of prised and cynical when their children sonal essay is not trying to get to 500 many private and public institutions. are granted these impressively named words, but rather trying to cut down from non-need-based awards dare we say 1,000 words what the student truly be- THE COMMON APPLICATION discounts? . At the end of the day, these lieves is what he or she wants to say. Yes, we have discussed this topic in an parents will focus on the right college for earlier column a year ago. Nevertheless, in their child or the most prestigious, won- IN THE BEST INTEREST the short period of one admissions cycle dering why a college needs to offer money OF THE CLIENT we have witnessed the increase in the com- when it was not asked for. So, like all passionate fans, we like to think plexity of applying to many of the colleges There are so many hungry, ambitious we have the answers to make your team a that accept the Common Application. youngsters out there who will bring their winner. We appreciate the pressures and Numerous students ask us, Why is it excitement for learning and appreciate the expectations put upon the admissions called the Common Application? They, opportunity you can give them through team and the manager, but we are in the and we, believe that there are too many financial support at a realistic level. These field every day with a wonderful array of different supplemental requirements that may well be and from our interaction, we young people who are ready and willing are both time-consuming and confusing find that many are the most loyal and gen- to play the game on fair and transparent to many intelligent applicants. We know erous of alumni in time. To clarify, we are terms. Give them a break. We want to that the aim is not intentionally to make talking about the vast middle group of col- convince them that colleges and universi- students suffer, but try convincing them lege-bound families in America, those for ties have their best interests in mind, that otherwise! whom some combination of need-based they are the main players and winners in If your institution agrees to accept the and merit-based financial assistance can this game and, of course, we want them, Common Application, then why not make make a great difference in their ability to and you, to move away from the game it truly universal in its required content? consider, enroll in, and complete an educa- metaphor and the whole idea of winning We suggest that you either encourage or tion at a selective public or private college in the admissions process! Now we're off require applicants to submit supplemental or university. In addition to the neediest of for that morning coffee and a debriefing exhibits of their talents and skills, such as a families having the lowest income levels, on yesterday's ball game. written or visual representation of their best these are the families for whom access is 30 | October 2006 universitybusiness.com Admissions.indd 30 9/21/06 10:20:35 AM http://www.universitybusiness.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business - October 2006

Contents
College Index
Company Index
Advisory Board
Editor's Note
Behind the News
Marketing
Future Shock
Admissions
Viewpoint
Financial Aid
On the Hill
Beyond Baldrige
Made in America
Wiring the Dining Experience
Lighting The Way
Internet Technology
What's New
Calendar of Events
Direct Connect
End Note

University Business - October 2006