Undergraduate admissions in the United States is a multibillion dollar industry involving families, higher education institutions, journalists, testing companies, test preparation companies, private consultants, marketing firms, high school guidance counselors, high school teachers, coaches, financial advisors, and publicly funded programs.…

The college-going rates of rural students lag behind those of more urban students, a gap likely due, in part, to rural students' lower educational aspirations. These lower aspirations appear to be tied to the dilemma that higher education presents for many rural students: whether to remain in their rural home, working in traditional trades and…

In an effort to recruit digitally native high school students, admission professionals at colleges and universities are incorporating blogs on their websites in an effort to render authenticity in their marketing materials. Of 4-year accredited colleges and universities, 66% have a blog; 85% percent of institutions with blogs reported that their…

Regardless of the setting, prospective students should put their best foot forward when they talk with admissions officers. Many college admissions programs refer to the campus encounter as an "information session" and tend to be less formal, but the students are well-advised to be prepared to promote themselves. (MLW)

Advice about planning and preparing for campus visits and interviews is provided to college-bound students. The decision of whether or not to go for a campus visit and when to go is covered, along with planning and specific arrangements, such as contacting the admissions office. Also considered are what to look for on campus, how to read a college…

Questions about finding information about colleges, deciding which school to attend, and suggested changes in the application and admissions process are answered by six high school students randomly called throughout the nation. (MLW)