Harvard and Princeton Universities Both announced this year they are adapting a single-choice early application program for the high school students of 2012. This means the students looking forward to join these colleges should apply for an admission slot by November 1 this year to receive their results by mid-December. The only other Ivy League institution with an early admission program is Yale University. Others have early decision option obligating accepted applicants to attend the institution. Prior to the year 2007, Harvard and Princeton had an early admission program before ending it in the hope other colleges would follow the example. There was little to show of it in other colleges. The University of Virginia canceled the program only to reinstate it in the year 2010.
Why did Harvard University do away with the early admission program in the first place? They felt it gave an advantage to wealthy students over low-income students. Many low-income students do multiple applications to compare financial aid packages. To increase chances of admission, students from affluent schools apply early to increase their chances of being admitted. Low-income students, students from rural areas, and those from high schools with fewer resources apply most of the time miss out.
Looking at Princeton University, why they canceled early admission program in the first place according to Janet Lavin Rapelye, the Dean of Admissions: “in eliminating an early program was to encourage excellent students from a broad array of background and geographical areas to consider Princeton, and to assure them that their applications would be reviewed with the same care and attention as every other applicant”, she said. However, the lack of an early admission program resulted to some pitfalls. The number of applicants including minority and low-income students at Harvard and Princeton reduced dramatically. The student lost students joined schools with an early admission option.
Harvard as a countermeasure has come up with a remedy encouraging students to partake in existing programs such as Underground Minority Recruitment and Return to High school programs. This aims to develop interest in Harvard among students of diverse backgrounds.
Comments