College Admissions Research Questions
1.
How does submitting an SAT or ACT score affect admission outcomes at U.S. colleges that use test-optional
policies?
2.
To what extent does access to a high school college counselor influence four-year college application and
enrollment rates among first-generation students in the United States?
3.
How does eligibility for application fee waivers affect the number and selectivity of colleges to which
low-income U.S. high school students apply?
4.
What is the relationship between the timing of a student's college application and the likelihood of admission
at U.S. colleges with Early Action and Regular Decision plans?
5.
How do differences in household income influence the number of colleges students apply to and the types of
institutions they target in the United States?
6.
To what extent does participation in college-preparatory programs affect admission rates for students from
high schools with limited access to advanced coursework?
7.
How does the use of direct-admission programs affect college application and enrollment decisions among
first-generation and low-income students in the United States?
8.
What relationship exists between applicants' high school course rigor and admission outcomes at selective
U.S. four-year colleges?
9.
How do students' perceptions of application complexity influence whether they complete applications to
four-year colleges in the United States?
10.
To what extent does submitting a personal essay affect admission outcomes for applicants to U.S. colleges
that consider essays in their review process?
11.
How does access to reliable information about financial aid and scholarships influence where low-income
students apply and ultimately enroll in college in the United States?
12.
What factors predict whether community college students who plan to transfer successfully gain admission
to a four-year institution in the United States?
13.
How do college counseling resources differ between high schools serving low-income and higher-income
communities, and how are those differences associated with students' application behavior?
14.
How does the availability of test-preparation resources influence standardized-test submission rates and
admission outcomes among students applying to U.S. four-year colleges?
