Gauri Chhabra
For students who are about to begin applying to college for the class of 2016, there are several emerging trends that may have a significant impact on the application process and the overall college experience. These developments mirror shifts in the larger world that emphasize personal expression and individuality. Everything from traditional academic institutions, online universities and specialized skills programs are making headlines as the higher education market changes its colors to meet the demands of a crowded and competitive market.
The ever changing Higher Education landscape
So what do the continuous sifts in Higher Education landscape mean? For one thing, it means that the landscape is rapidly evolving and changing. Higher education is increasingly crowded, and therefore we can continue to see market shifts at rapid-fire pace. It also means colleges must stay on top of the latest trends and stay nimble in this ever-changing era.More importantly, for students, it means the need for bracing yourself for this fluid landscape.
Here are some trends to watch out for
Inflation in college applications
The volume of college applications has been rapidly increasing. In the past, applying to six or sevencolleges might have been considered more than sufficient. Now that number has become not just commonplace, but in many cases, lower than the norm. Some students even apply to 15 or more institutions.Does application volume naturally decrease acceptance rates? Theoretically, yes. If a college receives 5,000 more applications this year than it did the previous year, but does not plan to increase the size of its class, then its acceptance rate will naturally decrease. This is not a guarantee, however.If you hope to attend a highly selective institution, then yes, it is wise to apply to a higher volume of colleges and universities to increase your chances of admission to one.
While increasing college application volume can likewise increase the pressure on school students looking to apply to college, with shooting cut offs, the trend is not as all-consuming as it is sometimes thought to be. Delhi’s St Stephen’s College declared its admission cut-offs and the minimum benchmark for the first list in the general category didn’t see an increase, a first in years.The most sought-after course of Economics saw the cut-off go down by 0.25 % for science, commerce and humanities streams.The highest cut-off was for English at 99% for commerce students, the same as last year.The only subject that saw an increase of 0.5% was for the BA program for science and commerce students. The cutoff increased to 96.5% for science and 97% for commerce.Therefore, in this race of increasing applications and soaring cut offs, the key to success on all applications is ultimately hard work and careful research.
Specialized degrees
A growing number of colleges are offering specialized degrees.The market for specialized master’s programs in accounting, management, finance, and a number of other business disciplines has never been stronger. There is a whole new suite of degrees, sometimes as many as half a dozen or more, in response to a new generation of students. Previously, specialized MBA programs focused upon a particular discipline such as an MBA in Finance, Marketing, or HRM. While these programs were the most popular MBA programs, the choices have now increased to other fields which include an MBA in Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Entrepreneurship, MediaStudies amongst numerous others. There are even more untraditional MBA specializations such as Wine Marketing and Management; Luxury Brand Management; Aviation; Oil, Gas and Energy, Health Management. The students are hungry for the specialized knowledge these programs offer and are looking to distinguish themselves in an increasingly competitive job market. The surge in interest in these programs comes at a time when many business schools are at crossroads, with their flagship MBA programs struggling to attract students.
If your career interests can be narrowly defined, it may be worthwhile to research Business schools that can provide you with a tailored program.
It’s about right skills than the right degree
Gone are the days when degrees from traditional four-year universities reigned supreme. In today’s information economy, employers are looking for graduates with skills immediately applicable for career advancement. As a result, vocational education is back in vogue, teaching students the specialized, technical skills they need to succeed in the job market.
Colleges have and need to redesign their programs to be shorter term and focused exclusively on skill building. Colleges, students and employers alike are shifting their focus more to gaining the “right skills” than the “right degree.”
Today, employers are hiring based on skills and competency as an alternative to hiring based on college degrees. This way of thinking has led many colleges to start breaking down their programs into skills types and then developing validation tools to test how well the students have acquired those skills. These competency-based programs have the potential to revolutionize the way students are prepared for the workforce.
Don’t forget MOOCs
What is a trends discussion without the inclusion of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)? In the future, MOOCs have the potential to transform higher education, but it’s still very much in the nascent stage. Perhaps if more online courses include live instructor interaction or if MOOCs are able to establish partnerships with companies that provide better opportunities for students to find work, we may see more of a transformation. IIM Bangalore has started MOOC’s in the areas of Fundamentals of Business Management, introduction to Managerial Economics etc.
Personalized learning
Colleges are trending toward more open and participatory styles of learning. In some ways, individualized instruction has always been the ideal form of teaching – hence the emphasis on student-teacher ratio and office hours – but improved technology has truly made it possible to deliver a more customized experience. Personalized learning is the logical extension of this shift, where tools like apps deliver individualized content to each student. As a student, your role here is two-fold. First, remember that this trend is new to your instructors too. Do not be shy about asking for help or clarification, as your questions and comments can help your professors improve their classes for everyone.
The second important element is you and your engagement with learning. In personalized learning, students are active participants in directing their own education. It is up to you to pursue the extra help available when a topic is unclear. So, be engaged and proactive.
The changing role of social media
Where students were once able to present a highly curated portfolio of grades, personal essays and test scores, colleges now have the opportunity to view applicants more candidly. Social media tools like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter make it possible for admissions staff to both speak with and quietly observe prospective students via informal channels.
You may, for example, write a personal essay extolling the virtues of hard work and diligent study. If your Facebook page contains picture of you at the beach during school hours, however, colleges may not take your words seriously. Conversely, social media offers students the chance to engage directly with admissions staff. You have the opportunity to humanize yourself in a way that essays simply cannot match, and you have the opportunity to explore campuses and student life in detailed and creative ways.There is no arguing that social media is only increasing in significance, both generally and in the college admissions realm. Be aware of its risks and possibilities as you interact with prospective colleges.
Summing up
This is a dynamic time in education when you need to capitalize on the best of the old while embracing the new. As these trends continue to unfold, we can expect to see even more innovation in education.
As students, it is for you to make the most of it…
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