2 posts tagged “applications”

Our final application deadline was yesterday.  Here are the numbers for this year:

First-years, second-years, and alumni (and anyone else), I need your help.

Applications are way down this year and I don't know why (it is, after all, very difficult to figure out why someone doesn't apply).

Facts:

This year, we received 70 applications for the first deadline.

We have received 10 applications going into Monday's second deadline.

At this time last year we had received 310 applications.

Last year, 32 of the 310 applications were reactivations (applicants did not need to resubmit a new applications, they merely replied to an email I sent).  We did not offer reactivations this year.

We changed the application website.  Last year, you had to click on the MTC Application Page and then click through to another website that hosted the actual application.  This year the application is embedded directly in the MTC page (which, theoretically, should make it easier since it is one less click).

We added a second essay question: What qualities do you posses that would make you an effective teacher?  Otherwise the application is the same.

We have received two internship applications, also very low.

We have not changed our recruiting strategy significantly.  Selected career fairs and info sessions.  Email and blog updates every two weeks.  I did switch all of the email addresses over to the Constant Contact website.  This site allows people to subscribe or unsubscribe as they wish, rather than sending me an email.

The turnout for info sessions (St. Johns, Smith, Amherst, Williams) has been higher this year.

The turnout for career fairs (UM, Harvard, Texas, Georgetown) has been lower.

The number of "hits" the website receives is down slightly.  About 10 fewer people visit the website daily this year as compared to last year.

The ration of "high quality" applications to "low quality" applications is much higher this year, about a 1 to 1 ratio.  In years past it has been a 1 to 4 ratio of high to low (meaning we are receiving, in my opinion, a lot of high quality applications and not a lot of low quality applications as compared to last year).

Theories:

"High Quality" applicants are self-selecting out of applying because they think they won't get in.  We do, after all, highlight the competitiveness of the program.

"Low Quality" applicants are self-selecting out of applying because they know they won't get in.

This is part of an overall trend for all service programs like Peace Corps and TFA (I have not checked with either).

There is some technical glitch with the application process (every test application I have submitted has gone through).

There is a glitch with the email updates I send out.

So there are the facts and theories I have.  I turn it over to you.  Why is the application count so low?