This paper examines the factors influencing preferences for undergraduate study using administrative data on applications to the state university system of Sri Lanka, which is characterized by centralized administration, rule-based admissions, and virtually costless applications. The feature of costless applications implies that students are…

This article presents data from a collection of yearlong case studies on resident multilingual writers' college admissions essays. The focal student in this piece revealed the challenges that such writers face in presenting themselves to college admissions officers. Exploring these cultural and linguistic conflicts, this analysis uses Goffman's…

A study of historical data on medical school applicants from 1978-79 through 1991-92 indicated that acceptance rates for underrepresented minorities and others increased as applicant numbers declined, then decreased as applicant numbers rose. However, when controlled for undergraduate science achievement and Medical College Admission Test score,…

Most private colleges should concentrate on increasing the number of serious applications they receive rather than trying to increase the conversion of applicants to enrollees. Effective student recruitment requires cooperation of all departments, offices, and committees, not just the efforts of the admissions office, in creating an attractive…

Presents the findings from a national survey of high school counselors on college advising. Some findings indicate that more attention to how counselors undertake the college advising role may be warranted. Includes five tables. (MD)

According to a recent study of 150 leading private colleges and universities, raising tuition/fees faster than the growth of family income is self-defeating. It forces institutions to divert some new revenue into financial aid, narrows the applicant pool, and undermines the social contract supporting need-based aid. (MSE)