<pre><code>Jan. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Harvard University and Princeton
</code></pre>
<p>University received a record number of freshman applications as
the recession drove more students to boost future job prospects
by seeking admission to the top-ranked educational institutions
in the U.S.
Princeton’s applications for freshman admission increased
by 19 percent, while the number of applicants to Harvard, the
most selective college in the Ivy League, rose 5 percent. Brown
University’s applications soared 20 percent while Duke
University’s jumped 12 percent.
More students are seeking admission to top-ranked
universities because they think a degree from these schools can
help them land a job after graduation, particularly during a
time of economic uncertainty, said Mike Mills, associate provost
for university enrollment at Northwestern University in
Evanston, Illinois, whose applications rose 9 percent.
“Flight to quality” is “the best safeguard you have at
maximizing your opportunities,” Mills said in an interview.
<p>News reports often provide glib explanations for trends without any apparent effort to weigh alternate explanations. We hear statements such as, Stocks tumbled today on fear that China may cool growth, as if there’s a perfectly clear cause-effect relation between one concern and the behavior of large populations. Maybe in some cases reporters have their ears close to the ground, an event happens, and a response is observed that is strong and immediate. But I suspect that in many cases what we are getting is, at best, informed speculation.</p>
<p>Also, many of the top schools - particularly HYP - have exceptionally generous financial aid programs. I would guess that given the recession, some candidates who may not have otherwise applied could have decided to take a shot at them for aid-related reasons.</p>
<p>I agree with you, tk… it’s another simplistic, fear provoking article; there are many paths to success. </p>
<p>gadad, Good point re: the financial opportunities these schools can provide…which makes me wonder why the author didn’t mention the rise in state school apps…maybe not sensational enough?</p>
<p>The prestigious colleges will always be popular.</p>
<p>So true. Stocks have even risen recently on days where higher than expected job losses were reported. The people making up the scripts should really read “a Random Walk Down Wall Street”.</p>