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Increased Applications at North Carolina Central University and Elizabeth City State University

The application season is off to an impressive start, with North Carolina Central University (NCCU) reporting a remarkable 57% increase in applications compared to last year.

“Last year on January 24, we had 9,629 applications,” stated Michael Bailey, the director of undergraduate admissions at NCCU. “As of this year, that number has risen to 15,187.”

A significant contributor to this surge is NCCU’s membership in the Common Application, which was embraced last spring. The Common App allows students to apply to over 1,000 institutions using a single application form, streamlining a process often regarded as intimidating.

Bailey expressed optimism regarding this shift, stating, “Joining the Common App has proven instrumental in enhancing our visibility and brand across North Carolina.” He further noted that senior leadership at NCCU prioritized reaching potential students both statewide and nationally, emphasizing efforts to attract local talent.

“The numbers reflect a growing interest in our institution, indicating that our name is gaining traction,” Bailey added. “Students are utilizing the Common App as their primary vehicle for submissions.”

The Common Application, which began over four decades ago with a focus on private and selective institutions, has evolved to promote equitable access to education. In recent years, it has expanded its reach to include more Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), now comprising 134 MSIs and 30 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including NCCU. This broadened membership has led to a more diverse applicant pool and increased connections with HBCUs.

Similarly, Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), another public HBCU in North Carolina, joined the Common App last spring. Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, Marcio Moreno, noted that prospective students frequently inquired about the option to apply via the Common App, prompting ECSU to integrate it into their admissions process.

“We recognized that including the Common App would enhance our application options,” Moreno remarked. Since adopting this platform, ECSU has experienced a 20% rise in applications compared to the previous year. With expectations set at 1,000 applications through the Common App, ECSU has already exceeded that figure, receiving 1,300 applications.

“Using the Common App has allowed ECSU to reach new student demographics, particularly from out-of-state regions where we traditionally had less visibility,” Moreno stated. “Our confirmations for the upcoming fall semester are also running 20% ahead of last year’s figures.”

While these trends are promising, the Common App acknowledges there is more work to be done in achieving equity. Recent analyses indicate an encouraging rise in applications from first-year, low-income, and underrepresented minoritized students; however, a substantial number of applicants still come from households with higher incomes.

To address these disparities, the Common App is piloting initiatives like direct admissions, which allow students to receive acceptance letters based on academic data submitted via their Common App accounts. This year, fourteen new institutions, including the HBCU University of Maryland Eastern Shore, will participate in this pilot.

Dr. Preston Magouirk, senior manager of research and analytics at the Common App, emphasized the organization’s commitment to fostering diversity. “Our efforts focus on illuminating inequities and expanding access within the college admissions landscape,” he commented. “There’s a strong correlation between expanding our membership and enhancing recruitment initiatives that promote equity.”

The proactive partnerships formed by the Common App are yielding positive results for both NCCU and ECSU. Although the application season is still in its early stages, Bailey is optimistic about forthcoming outcomes. “We are enthusiastic about the trajectory we are on and the encouraging data we are observing,” he stated.

While students may still opt to apply to NCCU through alternate methods, Bailey noted, “We are now proudly part of the Common App.”

Source
www.higheredjobs.com