As the May 1 deadline for high school seniors to choose a college approaches, a survey conducted by the College Board and the Art & Science Group confirmed a widespread prediction that the current national economic climate is playing a large role in high school student’s college decisions.
About 1,000 high school seniors from across the nation, who are registered to take or have previously taken the SAT, answered the questions provided on the StudentPOLL survey.
The survey concluded the economy impacted the college decisions of one in every six students in deciding where to apply and where to attend.
“There is going to be a shift — maybe even a tectonic shift — in college choice patterns,” said Rick Hesel, Art & Science Group Principal. “When the results come in starting May 1st, the shift will be from private schools to public schools.”
Hesel said statistics will show a turn from four-year colleges to community colleges, along with the general trend towards schools that charge lower tuition.
“I can’t think of anything else that would affect a choice so much,” Hesel said.
Hesel added even though the survey showed the recession will affect families of all income levels, it will have a much greater impact on lower-income students.
“Recessions are not kind to poor people,” Hesel said. “Everyone feels the affect of them, but especially poor people.”
One in every five college-bound students surveyed also said their families suffered a decline in income. The loss coincided with increased anxiety and fear about the impact the economy will have on their family’s ability to pay for higher education.
More students reported plans to commute to their chosen colleges as well, while more will work part-time to contribute to their tuition cost or will require increased financial aid.
According the Hesel, the University of Wisconsin is in a good place for student application and enrollment.
“I’m sure the university has taken a number of painful steps to save money, but it’s still not enough to make up for the cuts made by the state, so what do institutions have to do? They have to raise tuition,” Hesel said about the university’s Madison Initiative for Undergraduates.
Hesel added the relatively low tuition in comparison to the quality of education will cause students to see UW as “the best value.”
According to UW spokesperson John Lucas, the initiative was designed to preserve affordability while simultaneously closing the gap in need-based financial aid and preserving the quality of the institution for the future.
“Hiring more faculty will help people get the classes they want, graduate in four years,” Lucas said. “The initiative will also provide advising and a good classroom and learning experience.”
Lucas agreed the initiative would not change the overall perception of UW as an excellent college package.
“We’ll continue to have a reputation for being a great value as a university that has a total experience of not only academic but cultural, by living in a great city and a great state, but also fantastic academics that we’re known for in many specific programs,” Lucas said.
