<p>I'm wondering what impact the economy will have on college applications. I imagine there will be an increase in applicants to public schools and a decline to private schools (especially since we are over the 'hump' of the large high school class of 2009 last year), but I wonder if it will be a large enough shift to give opportunity to boarderline students at their college of choice. I wonder what admissions offices are seeing in the first Early Decision rounds...</p>
<p>Highly ranked private schools will still see huge amounts of applicants and even small increase. As to public universities, guess there may be some increase over last year but possibly not and may be even some decreases since the “economic” issue existed just as much last year as this one. Lower ranked privates may see some decrease but again that was already a factor in place to the extent it is an economic issue last year.</p>
<p>George Washington reported another large increase in ED applicants this fall - from 946 in 2007, to 1290 in 2008, and over 1600 in 2009. Doesn’t seem logical in this economy, but they did increase financial aid given for the current school year.</p>
<p>The most tippy top schools still have good finaid, but mid-range privates, where the difference in education from a decent public is negligable, will probably see a decline. Good publics, like the UCs, UMich, UNC will probably see a “trickle down” of these students into their student body.</p>
<p>Prediction: Big increase in ED applicants to colleges with strong endowments this year. ED accepted students will back out and go to their state flagship if the financial aid package doesn’t cover the costs. Waitlisted student who can pay full fare will have a chance.</p>
<p>But for some reason, Yale, with its mega-generous FA policy saw a 5% decline in EA apps…</p>
<p>At schools below the top, there will definitely be an advantage for the full pay borderline student. These schools have to work hard to get a good number of kids who can pay the bulk. Last year such schools increased their merit awards to be more competitive with state schools and they will continue that.</p>
<p>The drop from 2009 numbers is gradual, and schools have stepped up international recruiting to address the US numbers going down. We’ll see applicants to top schools continue to rise.</p>
<p>ED is all over the place this year–Yale down, Dartmouth up just a little and Duke way up.</p>
<p>I know I sound heartless, but because my family has enough money to pay in full will the bad economy help me at all at top colleges? (Brown, Dartmouth, UPenn, UChicago, etc) By the way my brother is at Dartmouth and my parents have paid for everything without fail.</p>