An Admissions Break for “Rich” Students?
Posted 29 Mar, 2010
For some time now many colleges have practiced what they call “need-blind admissions,” meaning that they accept students based on their merit, even if those students will need financial aid. But as the college acceptance season for 2010 progresses, for the first time in years colleges are making headlines for ditching this practice.
Need Blind to Merit Blind?
The average American family can’t simply shell out the money to pay for a college education up-front, but with the effects of the difficult economy still lingering, those lucky families who can cover the whole tuition bill are rarer than ever–but schools are hunting them down.
According to an article in the U.S. News and World Report, schools are saving more spots than ever for full-paying students, even if their grades are not as competitive. The tipping-point for borderline admits will now be more focused on money than it has been for many years.
Help for the Rest of Us
If your family doesn’t fall into that lucky group of full-pay families, it is not a “Do Not Pass Go” head right to a community college path for your child. Grades still count, and though schools are taking more notice of financial means, those extra seats being saved are a small portion of most colleges’ overall admittance quotas.
There are dozens of things your family can do to up the odds of your child having the best college experience. Here are three tips to get you started:
- Learn how to choose the right schools for your child. College selection is about much more than Ivy League prestige or even choosing a strong major program. Learn what areas you and your student need to consider when you are pouring over those college guides and brochures.
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- Show interest. Colleges want to admit students who want to attend–it saves them time and money to get it right the first time. That’s why many colleges track student interest to help them choose students who are serious about their school. Simple things like making a phone call, emailing a question, or setting up a campus visit can all help colleges recognize your child’s interest in attending.
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- Don’t skip out on scholarships. I’ve written several articles about how students can up their odds of winning a scholarship, but your challenge is to get your child to act. Scholarship funding is one of the best ways for students to help contribute to their school costs–and it is one of the only times in most children’s lives when writing a strong essay could garner them thousands of dollars towards higher education. One of my staff members was able to fund his entire college education on his own with scholarships and savings–it takes some work, but it is possible!
All the best,
Deborah Fox
Deborah Fox is the founder of Fox College Funding®, a nationwide company that helps families find creative ways to reduce their college costs.
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For some time now many colleges have practiced what they call “need-blind admissions,” meaning that they accept students based on their merit, even if those students will need financial aid. But as the college acceptance season for 2010 progresses, for the first time in years colleges are making headlines for ditching this practice.
Need Blind to Merit Blind?
The average American family can’t simply shell out the money to pay for a college education up-front, but with the effects of the difficult economy still lingering, those lucky families who can cover the whole tuition bill are rarer than ever–but schools are hunting them down.
According to an article in the U.S. News and World Report, schools are saving more spots than ever for full-paying students, even if their grades are not as competitive. The tipping-point for borderline admits will now be more focused on money than it has been for many years.
Help for the Rest of Us
If your family doesn’t fall into that lucky group of full-pay families, it is not a “Do Not Pass Go” head right to a community college path for your child. Grades still count, and though schools are taking more notice of financial means, those extra seats being saved are a small portion of most colleges’ overall admittance quotas.
There are dozens of things your family can do to up the odds of your child having the best college experience. Here are three tips to get you started:
- Learn how to choose the right schools for your child. College selection is about much more than Ivy League prestige or even choosing a strong major program. Learn what areas you and your student need to consider when you are pouring over those college guides and brochures.
. - Show interest. Colleges want to admit students who want to attend–it saves them time and money to get it right the first time. That’s why many colleges track student interest to help them choose students who are serious about their school. Simple things like making a phone call, emailing a question, or setting up a campus visit can all help colleges recognize your child’s interest in attending.
. - Don’t skip out on scholarships. I’ve written several articles about how students can up their odds of winning a scholarship, but your challenge is to get your child to act. Scholarship funding is one of the best ways for students to help contribute to their school costs–and it is one of the only times in most children’s lives when writing a strong essay could garner them thousands of dollars towards higher education. One of my staff members was able to fund his entire college education on his own with scholarships and savings–it takes some work, but it is possible!
All the best,
Deborah Fox
Deborah Fox is the founder of Fox College Funding®, a nationwide company that helps families find creative ways to reduce their college costs.
Subscribe in a reader
Subscribe by Email
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