Recruiting College Students
How much do colleges actually spend to recruit a student?
According to CNN.com, the average, private, four-year college spends more than $2,000 on recruiting a student successfully to their college. Can this pay off financially for the college? Yes.
The Package
Most students do not pay for all college expenses out-of-pocket. The financial aid formula tries to make college affordable to everyone. Therefore, students receive Award Letters with scholarships, grants, work study and loans as dictated by the FAFSA. If a needy student receives generous financial aid from the federal and state governments, the $2,000 spent on recruiting that student is well worth it.
Students that may require generous financial aid but are outstanding academically may be very beneficial to the college. High ACT scores will kick the college average up a notch. Higher scores raise the ranking of the college. Higher ranking produces higher prestige.
Wanted: Students
While the college campuses may seem quite full today, the future is not looking very comfortable. High schools are shrinking and the "boom" we are experiencing on college campuses will reach a peak in 2009. After that, class sizes will be declining and the competition for college students will become tougher. Some are wondering if some colleges will close their doors or cut programs.
What Students Want
Pamela Kiecker, Royall & Company's head of research, says students ask three main questions of a college:
- Can I get in?
- Can I study what I want?
- Can I afford it?
Acceptance Rates
Presently, the average college has an acceptance rate of around 70% of students that apply. With a shortage of students pending, this is likely to climb to 75, 80 and even 85%. The colleges that are able to give generous financial aid will more likely win students to their campus. In just four years, the tables will turn from students feeling lucky to be accepted to colleges feeling lucky that a student accepted their offer.
Read previous articles on Educational Issues. For great information on college life by Naomi Rockler-Gladen, visit http://collegeuniversity.suite101.com
Copyright article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
