The College Admissions Game
Navigating College Admissions: A Series Overview()
February 22, 2007 Getting into the right college is enough to send students – and their parents – into panic. But getting a great education means more than going to an Ivy League school. Read about NPR's multipart series exploring the alternatives to the college admissions game – including not going at all.
Part 1: Some Top Students Look for Hidden-Gem Colleges()
February 22, 2007 It's a mini-trend among high school students. Some are choosing small, lesser-known schools over more prestigious colleges. They say they want to go to a college that fits who they are.
Part 2: Colleges Want to Cool Admissions Frenzy()
February 22, 2007 College presidents are trying to reduce the frenzy surrounding the admissions process through small changes. The goal is to reduce anxiety among applicants and offer more help for low-income students who want to go to selective schools.
Part 3: Quirky Essays a Window to Future Success?()
February 23, 2007 Tufts University is trying to spot the future leaders in its vast pool of applicants by assigning optional essays on offbeat topics. Other colleges are doubtful of the experiment, but watching with interest.
Part 4: The Community College Path to Higher Ed()
February 23, 2007 Community colleges enroll 46 percent of all U.S. college students, playing a key role in educating those who can't afford or get into a four-year school. Many are looking for ways to help students with complicated lives beat the odds to complete a two-year degree or more.
Part 5: Students Uncertain About HBCUs()
February 23, 2007 The number of black students applying to historically black schools is on the decline. This generation of black students likes the idea of not being in the minority at college, but doesn't necessarily feel the same allegiance to these schools.
Part 6: Opting Out of College for a Blue-Collar Life()
February 25, 2007 More high-school graduates are heading to college these days. But more college students are also dropping out. To many, the figures reflect a growing pressure for kids to follow the college track, even when they might be better suited to other options.
Part 7: Paving a Path for Poor Students()
February 25, 2007 Money, poor grades and preparation, and red tape in admissions and financial aid can all be barriers for first-generation college students. Programs in both high schools and colleges in Washington state try to build a bridge to college for low-income students.
Choosing a College: Tips for Finding the Right Fit()
February 21, 2007 The college search doesn't have to begin and end with the Ivies and the name brand schools. Martha O'Connell, the executive director of Colleges That Change Lives, shares some advice for trying to find schools that works for you.
Standardized Testing: Is It Necessary?()
February 21, 2007 A growing number of liberal arts colleges are making standardized tests optional for their applicants. That's good news for the SAT's critics, who have long alleged that the test underpredicts the performance of minorities. But some say the test still has a role to play in college admissions.
