Tuition increases and a tougher guaranteed-admissions policy seem to be having an effect on the number of students applying to the University for fall term, Director of Admissions Martha Pitts said.
Freshmen applications are coming in later than usual this year, and although there are no hard numbers yet, Pitts said she expects fewer people will apply for fall entrance for the first time in about four years.
“I think it’s likely that by the end of the process we will be down slightly in applications,” she said. “But the quality of applicants still seems very high.”
Last year, a record number — 10,200 — of high schoolers applied to the University, Pitts said. Of those, about 8,600 were admitted and about 2,800 enrolled, said Kirk Koenig, senior associate director for operations in the Office of Admissions.
Although the University’s priority application deadline was Jan. 15, the Office of Admissions will accept applications as long is there is space, which makes it difficult to determine exactly how many people are applying at this stage, Pitts said.
But Pitts said she is worried that the guaranteed admission requirements, which were changed from a 3.0 GPA and 14 academic units to a 3.25 GPA and 16 academic units last year, could have students doubting their chances of acceptance to the University.
“We’re concerned that there are some students who are counting themselves out of the process,” she said, adding that she has been working with high-school counselors to encourage students to apply.
South Eugene High School junior and senior counselor Greg Smith said many students look to the University because it is close to home and they may have had family members who attended.
“U of O is always a popular choice,” he said.
But for the past couple of years, he said, students have expressed concerns about attending the University because of a growing student body, tuition hikes and raised requirements for guaranteed admission.
“It’s starting to have an impact,” he said, adding that students have consequently asked more about alternative schools.
Smith said students also seem concerned about possible cuts to courses, as many see their older siblings taking longer to graduate.
“It’s getting more and more competitive to get that class that you need,” he said.
South Eugene senior Kai Davis, who has already been accepted by the University, said he plans to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a Duck.
“My only real concern was which school would let me work with different subjects,” he said, adding that if the University doesn’t fulfill his needs, he plans to transfer to a different school.
Sheldon High School counselor Tia Dubé said she thinks the same number of students are applying to the University as last year, but many more are also applying to private schools.
“I really do feel like it’s either U of O, or if they go out of state, it might as well be a private school,” she said.
She said if students do decide to apply to other Oregon University System schools, it’s usually for programs the University doesn’t offer.
Coos Bay’s Marshfield High School senior Nina Lee said her biggest concern was rising tuition.
“I planned to go to U of O, but now I’m going to Lane Community College instead,” she said, adding that she will eventually transfer to the University.
Smith said many students seem more interested in attending community colleges for their first or second years of school because of University tuition increases.
“Every time it costs more we’ve had more students asking about Lane Community College,” he said.
Junction City High School counselor Cheryl Duman said students tend to worry most about tuition.
“They’re more concerned about the financial aspect versus classes cut,” she said.
Guaranteed admission standards are also a concern for some students.
“They’re worried because it’s been so competitive,” Duman added.
On the other hand, Fern Ridge’s Elmira High School counselor Eric Wright said he believes raised GPA standards are not too much to ask of students, especially considering grade inflation in American schools.
“I think asking students to achieve a 3.25 GPA in high school is a more than reasonable request to show readiness to succeed at a university of the University of Oregon’s caliber,” he said.
Wright added that compared to out-of-state tuition rates, the University offers a “great deal.” With its proximity for local students, its honors college, and its research and athletics notoriety, the University has a lot to offer students, Wright said.
“I think kids are still feeling U of O is very accessible,” he said.