<p>I think the US kinda needs to rehaul the higher education system we currently have. I’m not necessarily supporting a government-run process (like in other countries…though those programs have certainly been proven more efficient)…I just think something needs to happen before the system collapses!</p>
<p>Even just 5 years ago, it was considered VERY uncommon to apply to more than maybe 5 schools. Now, as I learned applying to colleges this year, the pressure is on to apply to as many as possible, and the average number of applications/student is continuing to rise. When you have a very competitive batch of students applying to upwards of 8 or 10 competitive schools each, acceptance rates at colleges go WAY down, rankings become more competitive, and it becomes more difficult for schools to gauge yields, etc. </p>
<p>I don’t want to seem too outspoken, especially as I am a culprit myself, having applied to 9 schools this year. But I really think something needs to be done to make the process more fair and more controlled. For example, in England, all colleges (public and private) share the same application process. No Common App, no public system apps, no “VIP” or “leaders” apps, just ONE simple application. Also, they cap the number of schools kids can apply to (I think it was 5 or so), and guarantee acceptance (somewhere) to every applicant.</p>
<p>I think our current system is giving wealthy kids (who have access to test prep courses, can afford multiple applications, etc.) an unfair advantage, and also making it much more difficult for the middle-range applicants (3.0GPA, decent scores/ecs) to make it into the schools they want to attend. Again, I hate to sound political, and I apologize for this weird rant…it’s just that information like what you guys are bringing up (rising apps, falling acceptance rates, etc.) reminds me of how crazy and out of control this process is getting.</p>
<p>I’m assuming nothing will happen anytime soon…but I can’t really see the college admissions industry getting any smaller anytime soon either.</p>
<p>Sorry. hahah. Just had to vent. :P</p>