How 'Yield' figures into the Admissions Equation

U.S. Naval Academy

Congratulations to the thousands of college-bound high school students currently in the enviable position of sorting through admissions offers. You are now officially in the ‘driver’s seat!’

Yes, you worked hard in high school carefully crafting personal portfolios boasting of challenging courses, good grades, and significant accomplishments. You volunteered in your community, participated in school activities, and revealed true leadership potential.

You spent years making your case for admission. Now colleges have exactly one month to make a case why you ought to accept them.

And you should enjoy every minute.

Between now and May 1, colleges will work hard to earn your business. There will be invitations to ‘admit weekends’ and local events designed to get you signed on the dotted line. You will receive emails, brochures, pleading letters in the mail, and phone calls from enthusiastic admissions offices or current undergrads who are deliriously happy with their experience.

If you were lucky enough to be accepted at Stanford, you may even get a call from a famous Nobel Laureate, who routinely lends a hand to the admissions office this time of year.

And a few really special students will get offers of free trips and will be flown in for a total VIP weekend chocked full of parties, concerts, and all varieties of entertainment solely directed at winning them over.

Why would colleges go to so much effort? The answer lies in the almighty “yield”—the percentage of students who ultimately accept offers of admission.

It works this way: colleges typically send out many more letters of admission than they expect to be accepted. Those with historically lower yields send out relatively more letters than those with established attractiveness like Harvard.

Yield is important because it has become a proxy for popularity—the higher the yield, the more popular the school. Or so some folks think.

This popularity contest is so important that USNWR makes yield a fairly significant metric in its overall college ranking computations.

Colleges try very hard to precisely peg yield because it makes life in the front office a whole lot easier. Too high a yield and dorms get overcrowded. Too low and the wait list may get drained or seats might be empty in the incoming class.

Careers ride on yield, and admissions offices don’t want to mess it up. Beyond a popularity measure, yield is a clear indication of admission office skill in predicting numbers and match between institution and the individual student.

USNWR uses its access to Common Data Set information to generate lists of college yields ranked from highest to lowest. Interestingly, it is one ranking not totally dominated by the Ivy League.

The following is a summary of the highest yields posted by liberal arts colleges and national universities using the most recent data available (2011-12):

• US Naval Academy:  86.2%
• US Military Academy:  83.6%
• US Air Force Academy:  82.1%
• Brigham Young University—Provo:  79.7%
• Providence Christian College:  76.7%
• Harvard University:  75.9%
• Berea College:  71.3%
• Stanford University:  70%
• University of Nebraska—Lincoln:  68.9%
• Thomas Aquinas College:  68.15
• Yeshiva University:  67.8%
• University of Alaska—Fairbanks:  66.6%
• Georgia Southern University: 64.9%
• MIT:  64.6%
• Yale University:  64.1%
• University of Pennsylvania:  62.7%
• Clearwater Christian College:  61.6%
• Soka University of America:  61.5%
• Principia College:  61.3%
• University of North Dakota:  60.8%

Local colleges and universities have mixed results:

• Virginia Military Institute: 49.5% ↓
• University of Virginia—Wise: 41.9↓%
• University of Virginia: 43.8% ↓
• Georgetown University: 45.9% ↑
• Washington & Lee University:  41.8% ↑
• Virginia Commonwealth University: 40.4%↑
• Virginia Tech:  37.7%
• Old Dominion University: 35.3% ↓
• George Washington University: 31.5% ↓
• College of William & Mary: 33.4% ↓
• UMBC: 28.9% ↓
• University of Maryland College Park: 33.9% ↑
• Johns Hopkins University: 35.8% ↑
• Sweet Briar College:  35.5%
• Howard University:  31.8%
• St. Mary’s College of Maryland:  30.3%
• George Mason University: 28.8% ↓
• University of Richmond: 25.3%↓
• American University: 19.8% ↑

As you can see, the numbers vary by year depending on how accurately the admissions office pegged its “yield” or how desperate the need to control the composition of the freshman class. For a college with openings after May 1st, the pool of waitlisted students is something like a candy jar from which colleges can pick and choose depending on needs and wants.

Being waitlisted can be more frustrating than simply being rejected.

“There's no way around it,” commented Jeannine Lalonde, UVa senior assistant dean of admission. “This is probably the toughest decision to get from a school.”

A candidate who is denied admission to his or her first choice school is free to accept other offers. S/he can move on with his or her life. But a waitlisted candidate who really wants to attend a particular school is stuck in limbo.

Sure there are steps you can take to try to get off the list—write a letter, get another recommendation, meet with an admissions rep—but there is an emotional cost which must be weighed against the slim possibility of winning the waitlist lottery.

Is it worth it?

Maybe. But not usually.

20 Public Colleges with Out-of-State Tuitions under $10K

A particularly inventive high school counselor in New Hampshire recently challenged her students with a list of ten public colleges and universities posting out-of-state tuitions of less than $10,000 per year and asked, “Are you adventurous?”

Setting aside tuition-free colleges (the service academies and several others), the Chronicle of Higher Education lists 20 residential public institutions with out-of-state tuitions coming in under $10K.  In fact, adding in room and board, all 20 post totals of under $20,000 per year for out-of-state students.

The counselor’s point was that given increased stress over the escalating cost of college, these schools could represent a relatively good value, particularly when compared with more expensive public universities where in-state tuition far exceeds $10,000, like Pitt ($16,590), Penn State ($16,590), or the University of New Hampshire ($16,422).

Of course this doesn’t take into account important expenses like travel, and there may be a few hidden fees not included in posted tuitions.

Nevertheless, there’s  food for thought here!

For the record, here are the 20 residential public colleges listed by the Chronicle of Higher Education with out-of-state tuitions under $10,000 per year for 2012-13 (and many are still accepting applications):

• Institute of American Indian Arts, NM:  $4170
• New Mexico Highlands University, NM:  $5672
• Peru State College, NE:  $5618
• Minot State University, ND:  $5922
• West Texas A&M, TX:  $7620
• Southwest Minnesota State College, MN:  $8070
• Bemidji State University, MN:  $8105
• Thomas Edison State College, NJ:  $8111
• Mayville State University, ND:  $8436
• Northern State University, SD:  $9134
• Black Hills State University, SD:  $9185
• Midwestern State University, TX:  $9188
• South Dakota State University, SD:  $9350
• Southern University New Orleans, LA:  $9630
• Harris-Stowe State University, MO:  $9648
• University of South Dakota, SD:  $9650
• Wayne State College, NE:  $9720
• Chadron State College, NE:  $9776
• Dakota State University, SD:  $9815
• Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM:  $9861

There are definitely some geographic themes here.  And yes, you may have to be a little adventurous!

Stanford Officially Beats Harvard in Selectivity

Stanford University

Twenty-four hours after Harvard officially released astonishing admissions results indicating that a mere 5.8 percent of all applicants were invited to the Class of 2017, Stanford stepped forward with even more amazing numbers and clearly beat Harvard in the selectivity race by posting a 5.69 admit rate—the lowest in university history and the lowest among USNWR powerhouse schools.

According to a press release, Stanford received a total of 38,828 applications this year—a six percent increase over last year’s figure of 36,631.  Stanford accepted 725 students in December through its restrictive early action (REA) program and extended additional offers to 1,485 students last Friday.  An additional 813 students were placed on a waitlist.

“The most exciting part of our review is the opportunity to consider the world’s most exceptional students,” wrote Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Richard Shaw (ironically the former Yale Dean of Admission—Harvard’s traditional 'old school' rival). “The most daunting challenge is to select a relatively small number from among a most competitive and exceptional group of candidates.”

Falling slightly behind Stanford, Harvard received 35,023 applications.  Together with 895 students admitted through restrictive early action, Harvard offered admission to a total of 2,029 students.

Although the competition to see which school can admit the lowest percent of applicants is not particularly attractive, make no mistake—these admissions offices notice and care about what the others are doing.  In fact, it’s a game driven by the desire to be Number One.  And it all supports the USNWR ranking metric these colleges so love to hate while not-so-secretly feeding the machine.

Although Stanford has won the selectivity competition, the true test will come when all the numbers are tallied and “yield” is computed.  This is the percent of students offered admission that actually matriculates.  Harvard has traditionally boasted of a higher yield than Stanford, but even this difference is shrinking as more students elect to go with California’s cool breezes and palm trees over New England’s snow and gray days.  And if relative yields get much closer, there may be some changes at the top of the rankings.

“I wonder how many of those admitted will accept Stanford's offer. After all, who wants to live in a farm with Spanish architecture and a bunch of ducks?  Eww…,” muses one commenter on the Stanford Daily website.

Quite a few, evidently.

Deadline extended for amazing $10K Community Service Scholarships

To celebrate their 10-year anniversary, Montage Hotels & Resorts is honoring students who “give back” by offering five $10,000 college scholarships for those who have made “significant contributions” to their communities.   

And the application deadline has been extended one full week!

Between now and April 8, 13- to 17-year old “ young humanitarians” are invited to visit the Montage website and upload an essay (between 100 and 200 words) or a PowerPoint detailing their efforts to inspire and provide service to their communities.  Videos are welcome, but optional.

Ten finalists will be selected by a panel of expert judges, including CEO’s from DonorsChoose.org, KaBOOM!, and DoSomething.org, based on the creativity and impact of the achievement on the community as well as inspirational value to others.

The finalists will be announced a couple of weeks later on a “social voting” platform where fans, family, and friends may support their favorite candidate.  These votes will determine the final five recipients of the scholarships each of whom will receive $10,000 payable to an accredited university as well as a trip for two (2) to Montage Laguna Beach to meet with the company founder and CEO.

Time is running out.  If you have a track record of community involvement, take the time to submit an entry.  No recommendations, transcripts or other materials are required.  Simply write the essay or send a PowerPoint by April 8, 2013.

It's really pretty easy.

April Fools' Day is Alive and Well on Campus

Penn severs association with 15 fraternities

It’s April Fools’ Day, and college publications have been busy coming up with pranks—some funnier and more thoughtful than others.

The GW Hatchet at George Washington University found an upside to the USNWR scandal as the admissions office focuses on “hipsters” attracted to the “off the list” university. “In interviews with accepted students – who took spring campus tours sporting non-prescription glasses, checkered scarves and beer-stained Wavves T-shirts—most said they were drawn to GW’s newfound anonymity after it was kicked off the U.S. News & World Report’s top colleges list last fall.”

Clearly marked satirical, a headline from The Pitt News proclaimed that a Pitt student was named CEO of IBM after completing the Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) program, which claims to teach the skills and qualities necessary to forge the perfect student upon graduation.

NYU’s Washington Square News announced that NYU President John Sexton has been selected to replace Jay Leno on “The Tonight Show.”  One NBC executive who spoke on the condition of anonymity complained, “We shot a screen test with him and it was a disaster.  It was like he had to hug everyone in the room before he could even begin the monologue.”

The Guilford College Goofordian  reports that Guilford is legalizing recreational marijuana use. “It seemed like the right thing to do, and the right time to do it,” said Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs Aaron Fetrow.

In Philadelphia, the Daily Pennsylvanian claimed that Penn would be severing association with 15 fraternities due to engagement in “fraternity-like activities.”  At least half, but probably all, of the sanctioned fraternities participate in “alcohol consumption, unprotected sex, hazing, loud music playing and other activities that are completely typical of fraternities everywhere.”

Further west, the University of Nebraska’s “Daily Halfasskan” issue described the suspicious behavior of a man who has been stuck on top of the Capitol building in Lincoln.  “We figure the poor fellow is just scared witless up there,” Lincoln Police Chief Michael Rakes said.

The April Fools’ edition of the University of Wisconsin Daily Cardinal reports that after crushing first-round losses in both the men’s hockey and men’s basketball NCAA tournaments, it was revealed that each team was mistakenly sent to the wrong city and competed in the wrong sport.

The University of Georgia Red & Black advertised a new Master’s in Surgical Assisting as “the fastest way into the operating room short of needing an operating room” and reports on a study documenting tool usage among bearded capuchin monkeys.

And if you’re looking for a more general satirical analysis of current events and daily routines at colleges and universities, check out CronkNews, an online faux magazine that claims to parody the Chronicle of Higher Education.  Today’s edition features articles reporting traces of horse meat found in dining room tofu, the expulsion of “bookish” students at a Boston area college, and the thirteenth renaming of a campus “Center for Student Engagement” in hopes of drumming up more interest and improve NSSE scores.

Profane, mean, and sometimes a little libelous, campus satire evidently isn’t quite dead yet.