This is somewhat contradictory to the last few posts concerning the increasing difficulty in gaining admission to elite and semi-elite U.S. colleges and universities. However, once I saw it was the most emailed story of the day on the NY Times, I took a second read through. Realize, we are just talking about a small percentage of the overall incoming class of freshmen, but is it really any different in the business world when banks or consulting firms compete for the same talent? The story goes on to say, "For a few weeks in April, the ordinary dynamics of college admissions are stood on their head. High school seniors who spent a year or more trying to attract the attention of college admissions officers — and who by early April have been offered admission to a fistful of prestigious institutions — suddenly find themselves being recruited aggressively. The pursuers become the pursued."
How about that for the old switcharoo? Check out what some of the top schools are doing to secure their freshmen class: "Many universities woo seniors with personal e-mail messages from undergraduates and alumni, phone calls and e-mail from professors, even postcards from potential future teammates. Brown reserves three or four cars on an Amtrak train to take students from Washington, Baltimore and other cities to visit Brown in Providence, R.I. Denison University in Granville, Ohio, starts up what it calls "Air Denison" in April, paying up to half the airfare for any admitted student from outside Ohio who wants to visit the campus. Many universities pay airfare for low-income students who cannot afford to visit on their own. Colgate and many others hold a dozen or more receptions in cities around the country, featuring alumni, admissions officers and at least one current undergraduate, for accepted students who cannot go to the campus."
What's next, a private chartered plane with five star dining for kids from New York or New Jersey who are considering attending Stanford?
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