Two recent studies using data from the Common App recently consider students’ application and enrollment patterns and offer insights for practitioners and policymakers.
The first study examined the demographics of students who start a Common Application but do not submit it, also known as Common Application “non-submitters.”
With use of Common Application data from the 2018-19 application cycle covering 1.2 million students, the study revealed that almost 25% of students start but never complete a Common App college application.
One of the most significant findings from the study is that 94% of applicants provided a valid essay response on their Common App compared to just 43% of non-submitters. This finding shines a light on the fact that one of the greatest
potential barriers for students to complete the Common Application is the essay portion. Providing students with more tailored supports specifically with the Common Application essay has the potential to get more applications out the door.
Check out these resources on how practitioners can support their students writing college application essays:
Another important finding is that students who reported aspiring to work in occupations that require advanced levels of education (e.g., engineer, physician, policymaker) had the lowest non-submission rates compared to those who reported aspiring to work
in occupations that do not typically require a college degree (e.g., homemaker, farmer, chef). Students who did not report a career aspiration had the highest non-submission rate of 85%.
Many students learn about career paths from the people who surround them such as their family members. It is important to recognize that not every student has a family member or someone in their broader network who is an engineer, physician, or policymaker,
and might never think that these careers are attainable. This presents an incredible opportunity for schools and community organizations to introduce students not only to careers that require a postsecondary degree, but to also inform them of the
path that is required to get there while providing support along the way.
Other key findings that describe the demographic differences between Common Application submitters and non-submitters include:
Only 38% of non-submitters were white compared to 52% of white applicants.
52% of applicants reported having parents who earned a college degree compared to 43% of non-submitters.
48% of non-submitters attended Title I schools compared to 40% of applicants.
While one of the first steps for a student to access college is submitting an application, a successful submission of the Common Application does not necessarily mean that a student will enroll in college.
A second study using Common App data examined the impact of direct admissions (i.e., high school students are guaranteed
a place in college based on existing data such as GPA and standardized test scores) on college applications and enrollment. By using data from the Common App and the
National Student Clearinghouse, the study found that a combination of an early guarantee of college admission, proactive nudge, and fee waiver made students 12% more likely to
submit a Common App college application. However, and notably, these nudges had no impact on an increase in enrollment.
An important fact to note from these studies is they both acknowledge that 72% of Common App member colleges are private while 75% of Common App users come from public high schools. Practices that perpetuate racism and classism (e.g.,
redlining, generational wealth, gentrification) exclude many BIPOC and first-generation students from being able to afford private high schools and especially private colleges. This means that the 33% of first-generation students and 43%
of BIPOC students from public high schools who use the Common App might be applying to private colleges with high sticker prices which, if the college does not provide a significant aid package, could be a financial burden to a student and their family.
Getting applications out the door does very little if the colleges to which students are applying are financially out of reach. For this reason, high school administrators should also streamline processes so that their
students can easily apply to colleges that are not Common App members, but which might be more financially feasible.
Streamlining the process for students from low-income backgrounds to also apply to broad access colleges might lead to higher rates of enrollment. However, broad access colleges often do not have the same resources and funding to ensure that their students persist to obtain a degree. These two studies demonstrate the importance of supporting high school students to complete and submit their college applications,
but the work does not stop there. A student’s college choice is an equally important factor so that their money, effort, and time will be well spent and lead to a postsecondary degree. By supporting students beyond just the application stage, practitioners
can make an incredible difference in ensuring students find the college that suits their financial and academic needs.
Taking these steps to try to increase college applications to induce enrollment is an important part of the college access puzzle. Still, more support from high schools, colleges, and state and federal governments is needed
to address barriers related to affordability, a NCAN’s Growing Gap research has consistently demonstrated. Kudos to the Common App for sharing their data with the field and
experimenting to improve students’ postsecondary access.
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