In response to the US News article on January 15, 2010, it is sad, but true, that students who can afford to pay for college will have better acceptance rates in 2010. While colleges are a non-profit, they are still a business and have bills to pay. While it is unfortunate for students who have financial need, it makes sense to seek out qualified candidates that can pay, especially when there is a huge candidate pool of qualified wealthy students.
In response to a previous comment regarding how a college could know…Unfortunately, college applications are full of questions that reveal things about a student that parents don’t even realize. The biggest indicator is the glaring question of “will you be applying for financial aid”. This tells a lot about an applicant. Also, every school submits their profile when they submit a student’s transcript. This too allows admissions officers to see where a student is from. Attending a wealthy school, regardless of your personal net worth, is also an indicator of ability to pay. Schools also ask for parent degree level and job title, yet another clue. Finally, a student’s extra-curricular activities also indicates parent’s monetary potential. A student who is involved in expensive or private activities reveals information to the admissions committee.
Understandably there will always be exceptions to one’s perceived wealth, but these are just a few of the common indicators that enable school’s to project who can pay, who would be willing to take out a loan, and who can’t. There was a time when only the wealthy could afford the best colleges. Over the past decade, those who were financially needy have enjoyed seeing the tables turned and were actually sought after by colleges wanting to show their “diversity” and willingness to show a “blind” eye to need. It seems the tables turned again.
In education, things always come full-circle. Hopefully our economy will recover and school’s will once again be able to give generous aid to those deserving students. In the meantime, students should continue to apply to the schools they feel would be a fit for them academically and socially, and know that if they only apply to schools they truly want to attend, they will be happy and successful regardless of whether they got a full ride to an expensive university or chose to stay at the affordable school in their home state.