It’s loved. It’s hated. And, at long last, it’s live.
After months of preparation, the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success has delivered a new college-application platform. As of Monday, a handful of participating colleges are now accepting applications through the online portal, which supporters hope will redefine the admissions process. A total of 56 institutions plan to start using the coalition’s application over the next few weeks.
The first day of August, when the Common Application goes live each year, has long marked the unofficial start of the admissions cycle for rising seniors. This year the date also marks a major milestone for the coalition’s controversial platform. Nearly two years ago, a group of highly selective private and public colleges announced plans for a shared application that students could use to apply to one or more member institutions. The membership requirements would restrict participation to colleges that met specific criteria, such as a six-year graduate rate of at least 70 percent.
Instead of just building an alternative to the Common Application, the coalition envisioned a platform that would allow high-school students to start profiles as early as ninth grade, which would encourage teenagers to plan for college, familiarize themselves with the process, and invite a cast of helpful mentors to help along the way. The idea has sparked months of debate that reached a high point at a national admissions conference last fall.
Now high-school students have the chance to form their own opinions. After logging in for the first time, users can click through “Guidance Resources,” information tailored for freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. There are primers on financial aid and finding the right-fit college, and a section on admissions terminology (what’s the difference between “need-blind” and “need-aware”?).
Students are asked to create a profile by providing personal information, with questions about coursework, test scores, and academic interests. Students are also prompted to list the two primary extracurricular activities — such as sports, volunteering, or “family responsibilities” — that have taken up most of their time.
After that, students may choose colleges from a drop-down menu. To apply, they must answer application questions specific to each member institution. A quick test-drive over the weekend revealed that at least a couple — including Carleton College and Vanderbilt University — were already accepting applications through the system.
In “Application Questions,” Carleton invites students to answer three questions in 150 words each (one: “Carleton is powered by wind turbines. What empowers you?”). There are also three short word-association prompts (“What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see the word … Knowledge?”). In the “Upload” section, Carleton, like Vanderbilt, requires students to submit a personal statement, and Vanderbilt gives students the option of submitting a résumé, too.
“The specific requirements aren’t much different from either the Common App” or the Universal College Application, writes Nancy Griesemer, an independent college counselor who had tooled around on the platform, “only the interface and the framework.”
Yet, as she notes, the latest chapter of the coalition application is just beginning. It’s too soon to know whether the new platform signals a revolution — or merely a mild revamp of admissions as we know it.
Eric Hoover writes about admissions trends, enrollment-management challenges, and the meaning of Animal House, among other issues. He’s on Twitter @erichoov, and his email address is eric.hoover@chronicle.com.
