Changes in College Applications

Online resources enable great access to students and create new methods for college application process.

“I think the current trends will continue and we’ll see colleges deemphasize standardized test scores and other traditional academic markers of success,” says Sara Garcia, a policy analyst for postsecondary education with the Center for American Progress. “In the meantime, technology will keep changing the process.”

Just exploring colleges involves a lot more technology now. College web sites have virtual tours, videos by enrolled students from their perspective, chat functions and social media connections where prospects can link up with the college and others who might attend. Various systems exist for exploring colleges, including the government’s College Scorecard (https:// collegescorecard.ed.gov), which the Trump administration says it will enhance.

College application websites and various systems such as the government's College Scorecard provide and add resources to educate students on the application process.

Some schools also expect students to submit portfolios about music, art or STEM projects using their own platform or SlideRoom (https://bit.ly/2CsdjWs), which is accessible through the common application and college sites.