College admission has become an increasingly tougher rock for students to lift. Universities and colleges have changed their requirements, and their acceptance rates have dropped to a scarce percentages.
Harvard is at a 5.9% acceptance rate, the lowest ever, Yale and Princeton with just a percent and two higher with a 6.8% and 7.86%.
Back in 2004, Yale had received over 19,000 applicants and only accepted a little over 2,000. It is the most competitive university, receiving over 28,000 applicants. Yale’s acceptance rate has decreased since then from a 10.4% in 2004, to a 6.8% in 2012, according to the USAToday. Princeton’s rate has also dipped, falling from a 12.7% in 2004 to a 7.86% acceptance rate in 2012.
Kieran Thompson, a junior at Seminole said, “I feel that colleges are accepting fewer applicants than 10 years ago. It’s really difficult for my generation to get into a good college anymore, as colleges and universities are becoming more prestigious. As a student aspiring to enroll in USC, this frightens me a little bit.”
“Ivy Leages and Universities are proudly announcing their historically low admission rate for freshmen next fall.” Valerie Stauss, of The Washington Post, said “It’s important to remember a few things about these admissions rates. For one thing, at most schools in America, most kids who apply get in, and many of these schools are terrific.”
Acceptance rates are based on how many get accepted out of the total amount of applicants submitted. If a college only receives 3,000 applicants and they accept 1,785, their acceptance rate will be over 50%. Larger universities and colleges are selective with more than just a student’s performance in an academic setting.
Irmaris Camacho, a senior at Seminole, said, “College admission is kind of hard to understand for some people, but you just have to do the research and talk to the right people. I’ve talked to a couple of people about it and I understand it better. Help is always good!”
According to Deal Skarlis, “College has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. High quality, students, diversity and “full pays” less concerned with making best match.” There’s a better chance for students to get admitted whose parents can “write the check” to those who require financial aid.
Junior Sabrina Gandharry at Seminole said, “My main problem is prejudices and dishonesty that could result in someone not being accepted into a college. I strongly believe that in this economy, students will do and say just about anything to secure their plans for education and their future. College admissions officers look for people with good qualities and assets that would make their college a better community.”
America is a country with a rising number of student drop outs, where 7 out 10 middle aged adults haven’t graduated from college. Apparently the problem isn’t motivated parents and ranked information. “True crisis in College admission, too little motivation among parents and students along with insufficient information,” Derek Thompson of The Atlantic, wrote back in 2011.