The 2018 State of College Admission was recently published by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).  Here are some of their findings:

-       Four Year Colleges admit approximately 2/3rds of applicants

Only 20% of colleges accept fewer than 50% of applicants

-       The upward trend of students applying to multiple colleges continues.  There was a 4% growth in applications last year. There was an 8% growth in applications from international students

-       The top recruitment strategies used by colleges are their website and email.  Other common strategies include high school visits, college fairs, and hosting campus visits. 

-       More than 70% of colleges assign some importance to “demonstrated interest” on the part of the student

-       NACAC reports that the overall ratio of K-12 School Counselors to students is 470-to-1

The ratio of school counselors to students in public high schools is 313-to-1

The ratio in private high schools is 263-to-1

What does all of this mean for students and their parents?

1.      Good students will be accepted by a college.  College acceptance just seems impossible because students and parents spend so much time focusing on colleges that are super selective. 

2.     A good number of seniors will apply to eight, ten, or twelve colleges this year.  This is a difficult process to manage.  Are all twelve of those colleges a good fit for the student?

3.     Many colleges appreciate your “demonstrated interest.”  If you are serious about a college, visit the college officially.  If that isn’t possible, take a virtual tour and contact an admissions counselor.  If the college comes to your school or a nearby college fair, make sure you meet the representative. 

4.     High School Counselors have long job descriptions.  Job one is to make sure all of their students graduate from high school.  Other jobs include handling mental health issues and organizing and administering standardized tests.   Some schools have counselors who specialize in the college process.  Others do not. 

Applying to college today is different than it was ten years ago and quite different than it was 30 years ago.  If you have questions or need help, Student First Educational Counseling can help you.