Are private colleges in less demand due to economy?

Parents Forum
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<p>My S is applying to several liberal arts colleges. He won't qualify for financial aid because we saved for his college. I have been hearing anecdotes from other parents that last year and this year, private colleges have become a bit more accessible than they used to be. At the same time, apparently, public universities are receiving more applications because they cost less, particularly from in-state students.</p>

<p>Is it true that private colleges are a bit more accessible than before for those who are obliged to pay full tuition? I ask because if that turns out to be true, I may encourage my S to apply to a couple more reach colleges.</p>

<p>I'm sure the top tier (Harvard, Yale, MIT etc) probably haven't seen much of a difference, but am wondering how the economy is affecting private schools such as Claremont McKenna,Kenyon, Lafayette, U of Rochester.</p>

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<p>Last year U of Rochester received more than 12,000 applications. The most they ever received.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the info meezermom. Wonder if students are applying to more colleges to see if they can increase their chance of merit and financial scholarship. I believe the number of applications is orthogonal to admissions rates for those who have to pay full tuition fees.</p>

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<p>I don’t know, my private college had the largest incoming class ever, so I doubt it.</p>

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<p>There’s another thread here (college search and selection?) which has an article from the NY Times about this subject.</p>

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<p>I just read that Brown received 28,000 applications. Around town, I heard some students were concerned about applying to our state schools since there is a lack of funding so services are being cut, while prices are going up.</p>

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<p>CMC’s early decision round this year was up from their record number last year.</p>

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<p>Thanks, I found the NYTimes article link ([The</a> Early Line on Early Admission - The Choice Blog - NYTimes.com](<a href=“http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/early-admission/]The”>The Early Line on Early Admission - The New York Times)).</p>

<p>From what I have read so far, there is no clear trend.</p>

9

<p>I would think that at schools like the last 3 on your list, being full pay will be a boost this year.</p>