As enrollment management assumes added importance and admissions officers confront increased pressure from diverse constituencies, the challenge will be to strike a balance that safeguards the professional integrity and economic security of the admissions officer and that protects the institution from incompetence. Four suggestions are offered.…

Presents an excerpt from Essays That Worked, a collection of outstanding essays on applications submitted to some of the top colleges in the country. Admissions officers were interviewed by the two Yale University student authors. Their attitudes towards, and evaluations of applicant essays, are presented. (KS)

Observes that admissions counselors have been concerned with policies that affect the lives of students as they make the transition from high school to college. Traces the ways in which the National Association of College Admission Counselors has worked to ensure that all aspects of human relations are addressed. (ABB)

Investigated occupational equity for female and minority directors of college admissions, based on a survey of 1,391 institutions. Results showed the largest increases for women and minorities were in two-year insitutions, but overall an imbalance in position shares exists. (JAC)

Surveyed 77 high school counselors and 61 college admissions officers to examine the use of wait lists. Discusses the counselor's role and provides recommendations for counselors and admissions officers to reduce student frustration and improve communication. Stresses the need for a national deadline for wait lists. (JAC)

In order for individualized review in college admissions to be fair, issues of consistency and reliability must be considered. There are a number of ways to assess interrater reliability, including calculating the composite reliability of readers, computing the proportion of times that readers make consistent ratings, and evaluating reader…

Examples of deceptive recruitment are highlighted in a review of questionable practices used to attract students both from within the United States and abroad. Major issues for action are identified as sacrificing quality for numbers, the hiring of marketing consultants, professional training of admissions directors, and federal regulation.…

Assesses the utility of small group interviews comprised of two or more interviewers and two or more interviewees as a selection tool for entrance into allied health educational programs. Also examines data on decision making processes in small group selection interviews. (CT/Author)

The Department of Education has ruled that a federal privacy-protection law gives college students the right to see their admissions files, based on a Harvard University graduate's request. The ruling could help shed light on how institutions select students and on the validity of racial discrimination charges in other institutions. (MSE)

Asserts that, despite efforts to help minority students gain access to higher education, full participation of black, Hispanic, and Native American students in colleges and universities remains unrealized. Discusses what is being done to overcome this dilemma and the challenge it presents to education professionals. (NB)

Addresses pressure placed upon college admission offices, arguing that admissions staff are evaluated, not by what they do or how well they do it, but by numbers: how many first-year students, transfer students, and minority students have enrolled; and how one year's enrollment compares to previous year's enrollment. Urges working toward practice…

Admission counselors (n=200) completed surveys about employment, title, on-the-job training, travel, and availability and satisfaction with certain responsibilities. Most satisfying admission responsibilities were program organization and implementation, applicant review and decision, and formal presentations. Least satisfying were telemarketing,…

Examines process of college admission and recruitment activities to assure that colleges and universities recruit the best students for their campuses. Describes how to find the most desirable prospect pool for the college and how to recruit students from this pool. Offers suggestions to help assure the best fit for both the student and the…

University associate director of admission shares his theory on a better way to visualize an applicant's qualifications while quickly determining the applicants the university in particular should accept by individualizing the admission rating system. Discusses how to define the ideal applicant, establish an admission philosophy, prioritize rating…