Emory and Georgia Tech universities have joined a coalition of 80 colleges that are revamping the way students apply to college.
The Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success is developing a platform of online tools for high school students to streamline planning for and applying to college. The group says moving from the traditional Common Application used by many colleges allows the 80 to personalize the process for students, particularly high schools students from low-income families and those with less information about and access to college. The goal is to allow students to begin planning for college as early as ninth grade and create new ways for college admissions officers and school counselors to help them.
“We believe this platform will reduce unnecessary stress, help families identify excellent college options and put their best foot forward in the college admission process,” said Rick Clark, director of undergraduate admission at Georgia Tech.
The 80-member coalition of colleges includes some of the highest-ranked colleges in the country, including the Ivy League universities along with top liberal arts and public colleges, and have student graduation rates of at least 70 percent. Member schools pay a membership fee similar to the fee to use the Common App and other application systems, according to the group’s website.
The first phase of the online tools from the group will be available to high school students beginning in January 2016.
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