The Impact of Low College Admissions Rates

Jan 27

As the college admissions process becomes increasingly competitive, students and parents are feeling the pressure. With select colleges receiving thousands of applications from qualified (and even over-qualified) applicants, it’s no longer a matter of whether or not an individual is academically prepared for a particular school—it’s about which applicant has a small edge over their peers. Unfortunately, when students receive a denial or deferral letter in response to their application, they may think that they weren’t good enough or didn’t do enough. Let’s discuss the impact of low college admissions rates on students.

The Emotional Toll on Students and Parents

Low college admissions rates can have a negative emotional impact on both students and parents alike. It can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression as well as lower self-esteem and self-worth. The pressure to get into more “selective” schools is immense, with many believing that attending one of these “elite” universities will guarantee them success upon graduation. However, this isn’t necessarily true.

The Dream of Success Post-College

When looking at the success rate of those graduating from less sought-after colleges, research suggests that there is no difference in outcomes between graduates of higher-ranking or lower-ranking institutions. For example, a 2012 study by the American Institutes for Research looked at students’ first-year earnings and found that graduates of “selective” colleges earned slightly more than other college graduates. However, after five years, these differences were negligible. Furthermore, another study conducted by Harvard University in 2014 revealed that the college reputation wasn’t a factor when it came to long-term career success—rather, individual characteristics such as problem-solving and communication skills were most influential when it comes to achieving higher earnings and greater job satisfaction. These findings highlight the importance of focusing on individual strengths rather than trying to meet the standards set by certain universities. Moreover, it is important to keep in mind that there are numerous paths to success regardless of the school or program chosen, as a great education may come from any institution.

Back to the Basics: Build a Smart College List

When it comes to the college admissions process, creating a smart list of schools is essential in order to maximize your chances of admission. It’s important to have a balanced list that includes reach, target, and likely schools (Ex: 3 Reaches / 4 Targets / 3 Likelies). Reach schools can be those with a typically accepted profile more competitive than yours, or are simply highly selective; Target schools are those in which you meet the average qualifications; Likely schools are those that you exceed or match the requirements. By having a mix of all three types on your list, you greatly increase your chances for acceptance. Building an informed and well-rounded college application list will give you greater flexibility when it comes time to make decisions about which school is right for you.

Conclusion

Ultimately, having realistic expectations during the college admissions process will help ensure students have a more successful experience when searching for schools. There are numerous paths to success regardless of which school or program an individual chooses; so while striving for excellence, it’s equally important to keep in mind that there are plenty of other places where one can thrive and be happy after graduation.