Interesting article in USA Today Front Section...

[WilsonBlvdHoya]

on socioeconomics and enrollment at selective undergraduate institutions.....

www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-09-20-cover-colleges_x.htm

The Washington Post business section several years ago reported that the median annual family income for an undergrad at GU was $150K vs. $75K at UMd. While GU has always had its share of affluent kids, it seems to me that the composition of the student body has skewed even more to the wealthy in the last 25+ years. While GU's need-blind admissions policy has helped to ensure that those who qualify for a GU education can receive it, are there other steps GU should take to promote socioeconomic diversity in its undergrad student body? Thoughts from the board?

[showcase]

I wonder whether admissions trends or costs are dictating the median household income for students. I bet a number of qualified students are self-selecting out based on the perceived exorbitant cost of attending a Top-25 university (for now) in an expensive city. The admissions policy may be need-blind, but unless the University is willing to pour more money into financial aid (or do its part to attenuate the cost of room and board) (and I wouldn't think that the University's current financial situation is going to allow either anytime soon), the invitation to study at GU proffered by Admissions may seem fairly hollow.

Sorry for the obvious answer - it's the best I could muster on a Monday afternoon.

[DFW HOYA]

For those that read about it, the University of Maryland will begin a drive for a $200 million scholarship fund, which would effectively endow over 1,000 full tuition grants a year at the present $9,000/year tuition.

Georgetown's next campaign (which will be in the $1.2-1.5B range) should make tuition relief, not faculty chairs or debt service, its #1 priority. A full ride at Georgetown is up to almost $1M per endowed scholarship.