INTRODUCTION
When we think of higher education, images usually include lecture halls filled with students listening intently as their professors dictate the meaning of each word. But for many students, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. An increasing number of higher education programs are experiencing a period of irregular attendance or low activity levels, which is leading to a lack of innovation and a culture of low mobility in college admissions.
That’s bad news for applicant pools that need more than just a lecture hall full of people telling them what they should do next. College applications are never easy. There are so many factors – size, demographic makeup, extracurricular activities, peer groups, and so much to choose from – that it can be challenging to know where to start. Thankfully, we have tools available to help colleges make better informed decisions about their campuses’ top applicants.
These tools have been around since the beginning of time and are already proven successful at reducing churn in college application processes. Here are 5 reasons why colleges should consider adding these new platforms to their high school or community college applications process:
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College application processes are getting harder and more ad hoc
The advent of the Internet and social media have made it easier than ever to post and share fantastic advice and information. But that doesn’t mean that applications have become easier. The trick is to make sure that your application process is more ad hoc. That means that you’re building on past success, rather than creating a more flow-driven application process. Ad hoc refers to the fact that you might be applying to a different college or school each time you apply. So, for example, your application might be accepted for a single school, but later have applications from other colleges rejected.
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College admissions teams are making really bad decisions
As the number of colleges and universities has grown, so has the number of students applying. As a result, the number of teams competing for spots in colleges has grown, too. That means that teams have a much better chance of being accepted if they are competing with each other. But teams are usually made up of students from similar backgrounds, majors, and interests. That means that there may be problems with one’s application, or perhaps a lack of passion for a particular topic. That’s why it’s so important to have a candid conversation with your high school student about why they are applying there. You want to ensure that they aren’t being shy about expressing their feelings about the application process, or the school itself. This isn’t a reflection on the school itself, but on the application process itself – which can be ad hoc and unclear at the same time. Ad hominem attacks are a prime way to avoid answering basic questions about your school.
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Colleges are embracing artificial intelligence to increase cognitive ability in admissions
As more students move toward a cognitive ability level of higher than average, so does that ability on the SAT and GMAT exams. That growth in cognitive ability has been noted by researchers as being linked to an increase in discipline, a feeling of efficiency, and an interest in math and science. That’s led to an increase in interest in computer-generated applications. A large number of students are using online applications, either through their high school degrees or through gigabit speed Internet connections. That’s Changing Course, and it’s causing colleges to rethink their application process.
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Apps can serve as apps that help colleges make better decisions about their campuses’ top applicants
When it comes to making better decisions for their applicants, you can’t ignore the need for data. This is why you need tools that let you collect and analyze data. For example, you can use an app like PSA to collect information about your high school, your neighborhood, and your school. You can also use that information to make better college and high school applications. When you see that your school has an overall high ranking, or that a certain percentage of your classmates are joining a certain club or organization, you can use those data points to help you make better informed decisions.
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Colleges are excited about using data to improve their applications process
Advertising is king when it comes to college applications. That’s why it’s so important for colleges to ensure that they are excited about the new data-driven process. It’s not just about getting comfortable with new technology. It’s about putting in the time and effort that it takes to properly set up an application process. How do you get your application to the top of the list when you’re just starting out as a student? Or, how do you get your name in the door when you’ve just applied? You need to be actively looking at ways to increase the likelihood that your application will get in front of a potential college applicant.
Bottom line
The difference between a successful college application and a failed one is night and day. That’s the result of a lack of innovation in the higher education system. When colleges fail to increase innovation, they fail to reduce churn. College applicants are the most innovative of all. They are the people who are willing to try new things, fail, and learn from their failures. If the systems and processes of higher education are changing, then the best chance we have of staying ahead is by adjusting our processes so that they are more like those of a normal university.