MU could see enrollment increase
Schools across the state have seen more applications this year.
Published Dec. 9, 2008
As the end of the semester approaches, high school seniors are planning to pack into MU and schools across the state in record numbers.
With a record freshman class this year, this could have many implications on housing and financial aid next fall.
Vice Provost of Enrollment Management Ann Korschgen said she and other administrators have been analyzing financial aid.
"We will continue to strive to make MU affordable for our students," she said.
Compared to this time last year, MU has seen about a 20 percent increase in applications received, Korschgen said.
"This is due to several factors," she said. "Mizzou is seen as providing an outstanding education. Also, we have an effective admissions team. We have new residence halls and a world-class recreation center. And we have national visibility due to athletics and to our research."
Many schools across the state have noticed an increase in applications as well. At Drury University in Springfield, early numbers indicate an increase in applications from last year.
"We do have an increase in applications as compared to this week last year," Drury Assistant Director of Admissions Becky Roy said. "A lot of it has to do with the fact that we are trying some new things and are working very hard."
An increase in enrollment along with the economic downturn could produce a number of problems with students trying to get financial aid, but Roy said she is not particularly worried.
"We are actually offering larger scholarships this year than we have ever offered in the past and we hope to keep doing that," Roy said. "We also guarantee scholarships for any students that have accepted their enrollment before Feb. 1."
On the high school level, schools have noticed an increase in the number of students seeking help with the college application process.
"We are using a new online application tracker tool," said Betsy Jones, a counselor at Rock Bridge High School. "We are seeing an increase in students getting help with that."
There has also been an increase in the number of students taking college preparatory classes, including Advanced Placement courses.
"We have noticed a slight increase from last year," Jones said. "We are doing a better job helping kids understand the importance of rigor in high school in order to prepare them for rigor in college."
Along with many high school students preparing to choose colleges, impending college graduates are looking at their career options.
According to a survey done by audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG LLP, salary and benefits are not the top concern of the majority of accounting students surveyed, despite the recent economic downturn.
In the survey, 104 accounting students from MU were interviewed and only 17 percent counted salary as their top criteria. The top concern of 34 percent of these students was future career opportunities.
As for long-term career concerns, 65 percent of MU students interviewed said finding a balance between work and life was their primary focus.
