Summer melt: for college admissions, it’s not the heat (or the humidity)

August 14, 7:37 AMCollege Admissions ExaminerLauren Starkey

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There’s been much speculation during the year about how the economy is affecting college admissions. We saw record numbers of applications, and those pricy private colleges didn’t get ignored the way some anticipated they would. Deposits were also pretty normal at most schools. The only real standout was the phenomenal growth of interest in community colleges. 

But now comes summer melt. In admissions jargon, the term refers to the loss of students who sent in their deposits in May, but never show up for orientation or enroll. Most years, the melt is about 2%. This year, it’s anyone’s guess.

Reasons for the melt are typically based on finances. It’s one thing to send in a $500. deposit while you’re still giddy from that acceptance letter. Families seem to be more optimistic about meeting tuition bills in May, however, than they are in August.

The Washington Post reports this morning about the extraordinary lengths some very competitive colleges are going to to make sure they hit their enrollment numbers. “Admissions counselors at Catholic University hand-lettered their annual summer postcards to welcome incoming freshmen. Trinity Washington University put a new student checklist on Facebook. At American University, returning students have contacted every incoming freshman by e-mail or telephone to offer greetings and help. ‘I think everybody is doing something to try to be a little more personal,’ said Sharon Alston, interim executive director for enrollment at American.”

In California this year, the problem is more acute. The budget crisis has put Cal Grants at risk; they provide an average of $6000. a year to students at state and private institutions.  Jane Sweetland, dean of enrollment at CSU Channel Islands in Camarillo, told the Ventura County Star, “this is the most volatile enrollment cycle in anyone’s memory. We could see a seismic change if the state Legislature doesn’t fund Cal Grants.”

The article continues, “As admitted students give up their spots for financial reasons, they create even more volatility because colleges fill those spaces by taking students off their wait lists. That, in turn, creates a domino effect as the wait-listed students then give up spots at their second- or third-choice colleges.”

The melt this year could mean that the wait list is hotter than ever. Even outside California, admissions departments are anxious about enrollment numbers. For students who reluctantly sent in their deposit to a second- or third-choice school, there might be a silver lining. If they were wait-listed, especially if they were told they were near the top of the list, it might be worth a call to find out who’s melting. Summer melting, that is.