Blog 5: Chapter 5: Admissions Office Scams

Many might feel that getting into college is an achievement that one accomplishes but in the chapter of Beer and Circus one finds our differently. One might think that the “bait and switch” tricks only apply to the business world. Many schools often tried to make deals with applicants, offering them deals such as reduced tuition bills if the students enroll at their institution of learning. Large university would use the business deals of “bait and switch” enticing a generous package for the freshman year but then reducing the aid by a substantial amount for the following year. “Some schools played-“let’s make a deal” with applicants, offering such financial “come-ons” as reduced tuition bills if the student enrolled at the institution” (Sperber 55). Admissions offices used these tactics on student who have made the most successful transition to college knowing that these students would have less of a motive to transfer. Universities are being run like a business; they need to fill their classroom and on-campus housing in order to have a successful business. Universities and colleges across the country tried to solve their admission problems by going deeper into the application pool and pulling out students with lower SAT/ACT scores than their previous standards just to fill their schools. Larger universities have an advantage over a smaller university because they are able to entice students with a tour and a weekend stay that often included free tickets to sports events, planned parties and fancy meals. Students get excited because they experience a good time and are eager to come back for more.