This month, more than 200,000 high school seniors will receive proactive college acceptance offers as part of a new direct admissions program.
Individual schools and school systems have also rolled out similar initiatives to broaden their reach. Last spring, the State University of New York senthas noticeably lagged since the start of the pandemic, when a significant number of students decided against a four-year degree in favor of joining the workforce or completing a certificate program without the hefty price tag.
"Students are electing to pursue shorter-term programs," said Doug Shapiro, executive director of the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. "More 18-to 20-year-olds, especially at four-year institutions, are opting out."Not only are fewer students interested in pursuing a four-year degree after high school, but the population of college-age students is also shrinking, a trend referred to as the "enrollment cliff.
"It's important to ask critical questions," he said. Consider how much aid is being awarded, as well as the academic fit, campus culture and career services offerings.