Is it really harder to get into top colleges?

There was an interesting article in a recent American Prospect online edition. The author argues that contrary to the popular media, it is not more difficult to get into the top colleges now compared to several years ago. The argument is that the number of applicants to the top colleges is not really increasing, it is the number of applications that is increasing. This is a function of students on average applying to more colleges now than they did a number of years ago. In fact, the author states, the most elite colleges in the nation sent out more acceptance letters in 2006 than they did in 2002.

The reality, however, is that the number of acceptances, is still extremely low considering the number of well qualified students applying to a limited number of colleges. The solution, in part, as we have talked about before, is for students applying to college to learn that there are more than 50 colleges in this country. Although the “name” colleges get most of the publicity, there are many more wonderful choices available for any student.