The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success is rolling out a new college-application platform that it says will help a diversity of students make their way through the college-admission process.
The coalition has won praise for its goal of rethinking key aspects of that process and opening up admissions to disadvantaged students. But it has also drawn criticism for its exclusive membership of highly selective private and public colleges, and for some of its innovative methods.
Here’s a look at how and why this controversial new approach was devised, and where it might go from here.
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News‘Coalition’ Leader Wants New Application to Serve the Underdog in Admissions
Annie Reznik, the first executive director of the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success, says the group aims to empower disadvantaged students. -
Admissions
The ‘Coalition’ Application Has Arrived
Nearly two years ago, a group of highly selective colleges riled critics when they announced plans for a shared application platform. Love it or hate it, it’s finally here. -
Admissions
Amid Debate Over New Rival, Common Application Keeps Rolling
The dominant player, having just handled nearly 1.1 million applications for more than 600 colleges, isn’t standing pat, with a new effort to help students apply for financial aid. -
News
Why the Debate Over a New Admissions Process Matters
Will a hidebound profession embrace real innovation? How can colleges best reach a diverse cohort of teenagers? -
NACAC 2015
Coalition’s Plans for New Application Platform Stir Debate
Admissions officers and college counselors got a description of the new site over the weekend — and a chance to critique it. -
NACAC 2015
New College-Application Site Aims to Capture Traits of Success — Like Grit and Engagement
A coalition of selective institutions hopes to shake up how students apply to college. The group’s online portal is meant to bring more clarity to the process. -
Admissions
80 Selective Colleges Unveil Plans for a New Application — and Inspire Some Skepticism
The group hopes its innovations will put more young people on the path to college earlier. But some experts question whether the effort will really expand access. -
Proof
Why the Admissions Office May Be Part of the Problem of College Access
Too often, the author argues, the admissions office is the chief obstacle to low-income, first-generation, and minority students’ efforts to gain access to college. -
Admissions
Elite Colleges Explore Alternative to Common App
Frustrated with glitches in the popular admissions platform, a group of public and private institutions pursues a rival system as a backup.
