Comments on: Some Selective Colleges Experience Decline in Applications http://greatcollegeadvice.com/some-selective-colleges-experience-decline-in-applications/ Expert Advice on College Admission Tue, 15 May 2012 22:50:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Matt Cobb http://greatcollegeadvice.com/some-selective-colleges-experience-decline-in-applications/comment-page-1/#comment-2503 Matt Cobb Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:22:09 +0000 http://greatcollegeadvice.com/?p=2023#comment-2503 Peter & Mark, based on this data I blogged about a couple of years ago (http://collegeadmissionforum.blogspot.com/2006/10/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-get-into.html) it looks like we are indeed at the peak of the baby boom 'echo'. However, as you'll see from the chart, the number of graduating high schoolers only dips a bit before it starts rising again in a few years. It looks more like we're at a plateau, at this high level. So based on this I wouldn't expect to see any significant decline in the demand for selective colleges in the coming years, based on demographics. Peter & Mark, based on this data I blogged about a couple of years ago (http://collegeadmissionforum.blogspot.com/2006/10/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-get-into.html) it looks like we are indeed at the peak of the baby boom ‘echo’. However, as you’ll see from the chart, the number of graduating high schoolers only dips a bit before it starts rising again in a few years. It looks more like we’re at a plateau, at this high level. So based on this I wouldn’t expect to see any significant decline in the demand for selective colleges in the coming years, based on demographics.

]]> By: Matt Cobb http://greatcollegeadvice.com/some-selective-colleges-experience-decline-in-applications/comment-page-1/#comment-2501 Matt Cobb Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:13:07 +0000 http://greatcollegeadvice.com/?p=2023#comment-2501 Mark, "strangest and least predictable college admissions seasons" indeed. Even though the top liberal arts schools had declining admissions, many other selective schools had application records. This includes Stanford (up 20%), MIT, all the Ivies, Duke, Vanderbilt and others as you'll see here http://collegeadmissionforum.blogspot.com/2009/03/applications-up-applications-down-whch.html Mark, “strangest and least predictable college admissions seasons” indeed. Even though the top liberal arts schools had declining admissions, many other selective schools had application records. This includes Stanford (up 20%), MIT, all the Ivies, Duke, Vanderbilt and others as you’ll see here http://collegeadmissionforum.blogspot.com/2009/03/applications-up-applications-down-whch.html

]]> By: Mark http://greatcollegeadvice.com/some-selective-colleges-experience-decline-in-applications/comment-page-1/#comment-2495 Mark Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:40:10 +0000 http://greatcollegeadvice.com/?p=2023#comment-2495 Hi, Peter. You're right that demographics are a factor. Everything I hear is that we're now at the top of the demographic bubble, and next year starts the decline in the numbers of kids graduating from high school. The economic crisis has just brought the trend on a bit earlier than anticipated, perhaps. I think you're right that the normal trend would have been (i.e., without the economic mess) a continuing slight decline in applicants for the most selective schools. But I think less selective schools might see a steeper decline. Hard to tell at this point: the economy is throwing such a monkey wrench into things, making the trends hard to read. Nice to hear from you, as always. Hi, Peter. You’re right that demographics are a factor. Everything I hear is that we’re now at the top of the demographic bubble, and next year starts the decline in the numbers of kids graduating from high school. The economic crisis has just brought the trend on a bit earlier than anticipated, perhaps. I think you’re right that the normal trend would have been (i.e., without the economic mess) a continuing slight decline in applicants for the most selective schools. But I think less selective schools might see a steeper decline. Hard to tell at this point: the economy is throwing such a monkey wrench into things, making the trends hard to read.

Nice to hear from you, as always.

]]> By: Peter Baron http://greatcollegeadvice.com/some-selective-colleges-experience-decline-in-applications/comment-page-1/#comment-2494 Peter Baron Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:05:44 +0000 http://greatcollegeadvice.com/?p=2023#comment-2494 Mark, how do demographics fit into all of this? Are we started to see a dip in the number of seniors? Likely not THE reason for a Williams-like drop, but it could be one of the reasons why schools are seeing slight 1%-2% drop off in #s. Mark, how do demographics fit into all of this? Are we started to see a dip in the number of seniors? Likely not THE reason for a Williams-like drop, but it could be one of the reasons why schools are seeing slight 1%-2% drop off in #s.

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