Beginning next year the University will no longer offer an early admissions program. The University's current early decision program will be replaced by a single admissions program, in which all applications for the class entering in fall 2008 will be due Jan. 2, 2007.
In an announcement yesterday, administrators said the move represents an effort to equalize opportunities for low-income students.
Dean of Admissions John Blackburn said the early decision program has yielded low levels of low-income students. Of the 948 students admitted last year through the early descision program, fewer than 20 applied for financial aid. Only one of the 172 current first-year,students classified as 'low-income' was admitted early decision, Blackburn noted.
University President John T. Casteen, III noted yesterday that few low-income students have applied for early admission since about 1990.
Casteen explained the rationale for the change in yesterday's statement.
"The message is that the playing field is level for all who aspire to compete for admission," Casteen stated, noting that secondary schools should encourage diligent students to apply "to any college or university that might be their goal."
The lack of low-income students among the group selected during the early admissions process can be primarily attributed to two factors, according to Blackburn.
Students from low-income familes often have parents who have not received a college education, and who would not be as well-prepared to counsel their children to apply early to college. Low-income students may also be hesitant to apply early because they want to compare the financial aid packages offered by multiple schools, Blackburn explained.
All applicants can benefit from waiting to compare different college offers, as students can learn whether they were admitted to honors programs at different schools, Blackburn added.
First-year College student Katie Gorman said she applied early to the University last year because it was the only school she wanted to attend. She also hoped applying early would give her a better chance of gaining acceptence.
"I wanted to increase my chances of getting in, because I'm from out of state," Gorman explained. "I saw it as another extra advantage."
Gorman noted, however, that she thinks it is "probably for the best" that the University has decided to eliminate the program, noting that the program does not allow students room to change their minds.
"There's a great sense that students should wait until April to see what might be the best choice for them," Blackburn noted.
The University's change in admissions procedures will not only affect potential applicants; it will also impact the way in which the admissions office operates.
Blackburn said it will be difficult to read all of the applications between January and March, but the standards used to evaluate applications will not be lowered.
"We put a lot of time and energy into reading the essays and applications," Blackburn said. "We're going to insist that we keep that."
Blackburn said the change in policy will have an additional positive effect. Instead of reading applications in November, admissions office staff members will be able to focus on recruiting more potential students.
The University's announcement comes on the heels of Harvard and Princeton, which both recently announced that they were abandoning early admissions programs. Blackburn said that while the University had considered eliminating early decision over the past two years it chose to act now because other schools were also eliminating the program.
"We felt that we shouldn't just do it alone," Blackburn said, noting that if students wanted to be accepted to college early, the University might "lose out" on potential applicants to schools with early admissions programs.
Blackburn said he expects other schools to follow in the footsteps of Harvard and Princeton in amending their admissions policies.
David Petersam, president of the Vienna, Va.-based company AdmissionsConsultants, Inc. said he applauds the efforts and intentions of those schools which have eliminated early decision programs, but notes the risk of losing potential students who want to apply early to college.
Blackburn said he expects students who are attracted to the "unique character" of the University will be willing to wait and apply in January.
"I am confident that large numbers of students will want this," Blackburn said. "I think people will apply for it."
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