Class size may be affected by budget cuts.

 I can’t even begin to imagine how the students at the College of Santa Fe felt earlier this year when they were told that their school would cease operations as of May 22.  Though the administration explored many options to keep the doors open, for a school already facing financial challenges, the recession was the final blow.  Unfortunately, they’re not the only college that has found themselves at the brink of a financial precipice in the last year.

While the number of schools in this precarious position is very small, shrinking budgets are affecting most, if not all, colleges.  Budget cutbacks and financial concerns have led me to encourage students to consider some additional factors as they search for colleges.  Below are six questions I believe should be added to the list of questions students ask prospective colleges.

1.  How will admissions be affected by budget cuts?
We saw this year how many more students were put on waiting lists than in the past.  That was a direct result of budget cuts and the uncertain economy.  Some schools may have to decrease the number of students they accept, while others may increase that number to be sure their classrooms are full in order to meet costs.

 2.  Will financial aid packages be affected by budget cuts?  In what ways?
A great deal depends on how much of a school’s endowment is used to fund financial aid.  If those funds took a big hit in the stock market, there may be less money available.  However, you might be pleasantly surprised as some private and less known public schools seek to make themselves more desirable by offering more merit aid or guaranteeing no tuition raises to incoming students.  This can be a win-win situation for everyone.

3.  Are programs being discontinued? If so, which ones?
Ask the swimmers at UW or the dancers at WSU why this is important.  While some cuts, such as these, could not have been easily predicted; others may be expected.  If the admissions people don’t know the answer, ask someone closely associated with the program you’re interested in.  They may have more insight and information that can help you.  (You can assume that mainstream programs such as Biology and English are safe.)

4.  How will cuts affect the academic program?
The bottom line here is how will the cuts directly affect you? Will classes be bigger?  Will there be fewer research opportunities available?  Will field studies be limited?  Will there be more TA’s?  Will there be fewer full-time professors on campus?  It’s better to ask the questions now than find yourself looking to transfer later.

5.  How may student services be impacted?
Yes, you’ll still get fed, but that place where you could get a snack at 10 pm may now be closing at 8 pm.  Ask about staffing cuts in libraries, tech support, career centers, health services, and academic support services such as math or writing labs.  These may not seem important to you now, but they will be.

6.  Will I be able to get the classes i need to graduate in four years?
A real concern when you cut professors, is that it often comes with a decrease in the number of sections offered of a particular class.  If that class is required for advancement to the next level of study or for graduation, you may be stuck in a holding pattern till you can get into that class.  Most colleges try to prevent this from happening, but sometimes it is unavoidable.  

No matter what, budget cuts and belt-tightening are going to be part of the college landscape for some time.  They can actually be a very good thing as colleges trim away programs that no longer serve students the way they should and excesses which may have gone unchecked get reined in.  Re-evaluating priorities is, in fact, a wise thing to do.  The important thing is to know what to expect and what you need from a college.  For example, if you’re not an athlete, it’s probably not going to matter to you if the gymnastics program disappears, but if you struggle with algebra, the math lab is essential to your success.  

I encourage you to look at the budget cuts as an opportunity for you to re-examine the criteria you have been using to evaluate potential colleges.  You may discover that it helps you to further identify what is most important to you and, consequently, enables you to find the school that truly is a great fit for you.

 If you have an idea for an article or there's a topic you'd like me to cover, you can contact me by going to www.collegenavigation.net.   I'd love to hear from you.