Gender Gap in Colleges

According to an article recently published in the Los Angeles Times, the widening of the gender gap on college campuses have caused some alarm. Nowadays, there are more females applicants submitting college applications. Male applicants, on the other hand, have decreased. Thus, college campuses are faced with the question of either accepting the most qualified applicants regardless of his or her sex, or maintaining the female male ratio. For some universities, the balance between males and females on campus is extremely important. This need for balance however is more commonly found in private universities. For example, at Vassar College—initially an all women college—accepted 35% of its male applicants in comparison to 20% of female applicants. Even though the female applicants outnumbered the male applicants, more males were accepted. As for public universities, the discrepancy between female and male acceptances isn’t as apparent. This can be attributed to how public universities look at applicants; there is more of a focus on grades and test scores. Therefore, the importance of one’s gender in applying to college is alarming. Applicants may be more than qualified but small details such as one’s sex can guarantee a “yes” or “no” from a university.

What Not to Look for in a College Consultant

Nowadays, getting into college has become more competitive and cutthroat. Parents are hiring admission consultants in order to improve their child’s chances of being admitted into his/her first choice. The problem, however, is that there are many people who claim to be a legitimate and trustworthy consultant. As a parent, be wary of admission consultants that state they have “influence” at a certain university. Also, the consultant should have firsthand knowledge of various college campuses due to his/her own personal visits to the campus. In addition, the consultant should have formal training and be part of IECA or NACAC. Furthermore, college consultants should not guarantee that your son/daughter will definitely be accepted into their first choice. Consultants are there to find the most suitable university for your child and assist in the admission process. Their job is to showcase different opportunities available at various campuses. Moreover, they lay down the groundwork for applying—it’s ultimately up to the student to complete the admission process. Yes, we all want our children to be admitted into a university but at what cost?

Adrienne Kwan
Director of Social Media
University Advisors

College Rejection Letters: How to Deal

As colleges are sending out their letters of acceptance or rejection, high school seniors will have to learn how to cope with either. For students who receive a letter of admission, he/she should know whether or not he/she truly wants to commit four years or more to that particular institute. Seniors should double check the courses offered at the university and also, if possible, take another campus tour. Knowing about the academic opportunities along with the social aspects is extremely important in deciding to accept or reject a university’s offer of admission.

Students, however, that receive a rejection letter should not feel downtrodden. If anything, seniors have the option of sending in a letter of repeal. In addition, there are many great possibilities with other universities. All college campuses have strong aspects and it’s up to the student to capitalize on what the college has to offer.

Adrienne Kwan
Director of Social Media
University Advisors

Accepting the Good and Bad

The new year has begun and high school seniors are eagerly anticipating college acceptance letters. Still, many high school seniors will face the sting of rejection from a specific university. A rejection, however, does not mark the end of a potentially great college experience at a non-first choice school. Instead, when accepting any university’s offer of admission, high school seniors should consider all aspects such as the university’s net cost, college environment, and the university’s course offerings. In addition, being close minded about choosing a university can only hinder the student. All universities have strong and weak points—it’s the matter of knowing what you want as an individual and whether or not the university can benefit your future plans. Furthermore, making the most of your college experience depends on you. Thus, it is important to consider all options before selecting a college and remain open minded.

Adrienne Kwan
Social Media Director
University Advisors