Is it really going to be that bad...?

Applying to College
1

<p>Everyone on CC keeps stressing that this particular year will be even more difficult than usual in terms of college admissions. I guess I understand why and it makes sense, but I guess what I'm trying to ask is how much more competative will it really be?</p>

<p>It's stressing me out because I'm a strong applicant, but not really stellar. I feel like my top choice schools like bryn mawr, smith, bates, and holy cross are matches, but then I take in consideration how difficult this year is going to be... ugh.</p>

2

<p>Here's my FAQ on the issue: </p>

<p>DEMOGRAPHICS </p>

<p>Population trends in the United States are not the only issue influencing the competitiveness of college admission here. The children already born show us what the expected number of high school students are in various years, but the number of high school students in the United States, which is expected to begin declining in a few years, isn't the whole story. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/education/09admissions.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&hp%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/education/09admissions.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&hp&lt;/a> </p>

<p>First of all, if more students who begin high school go on to college, there will be more applicants to college even with a declining number of high school students. And that is the trend in the United States and worldwide. </p>

<p>Second, colleges in the United States accept applications from all over the world, so it is quite possible that demographic trends in the United States will not be the main influence on how many students apply to college. The cohorts of high-school-age students are still increasing in size in some countries (NOT most of Europe). </p>

<p>Third, even if the number of applicants to colleges overall stays the same, or even declines, the number of applicants to the most competitive colleges may still increase. The trend around the world is a "flight to quality" of students trying to get into the best college they can in increasing numbers, and increasing their consensus about which colleges to put at the top of their application lists. I do not expect college admission to be any easier for my youngest child than for my oldest child, even though she is part of a smaller birth cohort in the United States. </p>

<p>And now I would add to this that at the very most selective colleges that have just announced new financial aid plans, next year's (and the following year's) crush of applicants will be larger than ever. When colleges that are already acknowledged to be great colleges start reducing their net cost down to what the majority of families in the United States can afford, those colleges will receive more applications from all parts of the United States, and very likely from all over the world. </p>

<p>The Austin American-Statesman newspaper in Texas published news about these trends in an article about a particular applicant in April 2008. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/19/0419perfect.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/19/0419perfect.html&lt;/a> </p>

<p>The Economist magazine published a brief article about these trends in April 2008. </p>

<p>University</a> admissions in America | Accepted | The Economist </p>

<p>You best improve your own chances by applying, and taking care to do your applications well. Then just don't worry about it, and let the colleges decide what to do with their applications.</p>

3

<p>thanks for that info tokenadult. I guess the thing about the new financial aid plans is good news...</p>

4

<p>good links, I'm gonna mark this thread and read it later</p>

5

<p>i may be missing some vital info here but i personally believe it wont be as bad as everyone says for the following reasons</p>

<p>-not every American goes on to college only about 40-50% do
-also with the current state of the American economy so many unemployeed etc people cant afford to go to college
-and public universities at least here in michigan (except UMich) are hurting because the state government has been cutting funding</p>

6

<p>i love being in Idaho...i think it is a big help</p>

7

<p>I think you're in good shape with the women's colleges if you have their median stats or above. Those schools don't have the demand many do.</p>

8

<p>I wish I wasn't from PA... I don't think that helps me much. Also, with the increase of applicants applying to state schools because of the economy, does that mean less are applying to small LAC's? Less competition.... maybe?</p>

9

<p>I love being from Michigan and being a Michigan State fan. Because we have close to the highest high school dropout rate, highest unemployment rate, and poorest city. So the majority of the people in my state cant afford instate tuition, people out of state cant afford out of state tuition which leaves with with a bit of an edge</p>

10

<p>being from idaho IS a big help. My stats were pretty low and I got in most places I applied.</p>