<p>is it really harder to get into the same schools now than it used to be? it certainly seems this way as many of my friends parents went to great schools that their high performing kids don't even really have a chance at? Is this simply explained by population growth?</p>
<p>Well I know for a fact more people go to college now than ever before, so thats definately a reason. Also, since technology has absolutely sky rocketed since post WWII, there have been so many more job opporunities that require a higher level of education that more people are forced to atleast attend a 2 year community college, at the minimum. That would be a logical explanation if it is actually harder now.</p>
<p>The top schools were bastions for the wealthy in our parent's generation. The rich and influential could get kids into ivies that don't have a chance today. Today everyone has information and access. The global economy is bringing more internationals and yes, the numbers are high now.</p>
<p>Some schools, especially highly-ranked ones, are more selective now in terms of the average GPA of SAT scores of their students, but it's actually EASIER to go to college in general than it was in decades past.</p>
<p>To begin with there are a lot more colleges now - more than 3000 of them in the US. Hundreds of schools been founded in the last couple of decades or so. College used to be reserved for the upper crust. They were the ones who could readily afford it. Today with loans and financial aid and thousands of schools to choose from, pretty much any motivated student can get into and graduate from a college.</p>
<p>Also, you must account the fact that the schools are now integrated. No more segregation. University is not just for the upperclass white citizens anymore</p>