How much pressure is too much? The dynamics behind our current college-encouraged society.
Ainsley Woodford had never intended to attend her current university, New York University. The application process, similar to many students in the same position, pushed her to apply to various universities, some at the last minute. “I grew up in the Bay Area, and I feel like schooling there, regardless of public or private, is very competitive, especially when you get to the college application process. There was a lot of pressure and expectation to get into the highest level institution you could,” she said. After being deferred and waitlisted from some of her top choices, she realized the benefits of attending a school like New York University and the opportunities it could bring compared to other colleges in the country. “NYU is a very reputable school, and if you have the opportunity to go to it, specifically if you want to be in the entertainment, performing arts, or business industries, it’s very good,” she explained. As someone interested in the connection between sports, fashion, business, and entertainment, Woodford believed that the various courses, majors, and professors would allow her to further her passions and explore potential career choices. She had applied to over fifteen schools when the process was over. While this may seem surprising, this is a common strategy for various applicants.
More emphasis on higher education and the ability to attend such schools with more access to scholarships, financial aid, and more schools compared to past decades has increased the number of applicants yearly. Holding a college diploma has become the norm among employers. It is heralded as a key to prosperity: a student who receives a Bachelor’s Degree will earn 84 percent more annually than those who graduate. But the competitiveness in getting one seems to be an obstacle for many students.
One city where colleges are continually becoming more competitive is New York City. The desire to live in New York City for college can be cutthroat. Schools in Manhattan have seen consistent rises in application numbers, even as their tuition has increased annually. In 2021, it was announced that New York University had received a 20 percent increase in applications, reaching over 100,000. A rise in applications does not necessarily mean that more students want to attend top schools but rather ensures that students have options, specifically if raised in competitive environments.
“When you apply to a school, and even if you get accepted, you’re not saying I can 100 percent afford this university. You want to see your opportunities of getting in and if you can get any financial aid. I think a lot more people are being educated than in previous decades, like when our parents applied to schools, there were a lot fewer applicants, which is why it’s getting more competitive,” explained Woodford.
Some schools in Manhattan, such as Parsons School of Design at The New School, provide much flexibility with financials for their students, encouraging many that are accepted to attend the school. Isa Gonzalez, a freshman at Parsons School of Design majoring in Strategic Design and Management, realized her goals for starting a business in fashion could be achieved in the city.
“Specifically, Parsons gives you either an academic scholarship or portfolio based on what you submit. I did not submit a Parsons Challenge, so they gave me $44,000 a year just through my academics,” she said.
Financial flexibility, however, is not always noted at all universities. In 2021, 42.8 million borrowers had student debt, with the federal student loan balance exceeding $1 trillion. This has not stopped students from attending such expensive schools. More education has allowed students to understand financials before entering their respective universities and create plans to help pay off these tuition rates, whether through the support of guardians, federal loans, third-party scholarships, or university merit opportunities.
“I know that others aren’t as fortunate, and they still make it work, which I admire them for. Just recently, I had to withdraw from a class and speak to my financial advisor about everything and how that would affect what I’m earning for my scholarship. I was able to drop that class without losing any money,” Gonzalez explained.
With more emphasis on top-level education compared to previous generations, more pressure has resulted in more rigor for students wanting to continue their education. Even in the past decade, numbers have substantially risen, with an increase of 21.3 percent from 2019–2020 to 2021–2022. Smaller schools have also received more appeal from students, specifically for courses designed for more interaction.
Shweta Pandit, a Cooper Union sophomore majoring in Civil Engineering, explains her draw to a smaller college in Manhattan. “I liked how small it was; there are less than 1,000 people, including the graduate students,” said Pandit. “I also really liked that there were a lot of undergraduate research opportunities, and I thought that would help my career.”
Experience and opportunities have become a common goal for many students, specifically in the post-pandemic world. However, experience comes in various forms, with some students opting to travel or take a gap year before entering college. The pandemic has made many students re-evaluate their plans, with some choosing to explore before settling down on education.
“Because of the pandemic we’re currently facing, inflation has become a big deal, and students are taking more gap years, considering that they feel like traveling is more important now since they are facing various changes and limits that the virus has put on us,” said Gonzalez.
The pandemic has not stopped the increase in college applicants, though. As their numbers continue to rise, students are strategically balancing their plans and goals before entering the workforce of their choice.
