Page 30 - BusinessWest April 18, 2022

cation numbers are hitting new records. In past years, students would typically apply to three or four colleges they hoped to attend. These days, it’s not unusual to see a student apply to 10 or even 15 schools. It’s part of a trend Scully has observed in the last five years.
“With the ability to do everything online, the process has gotten easier,” he said. “As a result, application numbers are hitting astronomical heights.”
He isn’t alone. BusinessWest spoke with sev- eral area college-admissions professionals who report that applications are up and admissions
offered in person and some online. While remote and virtual options performed well when they were needed, surveys of current and prospective students at UMass Amherst show they still want a residential college experience.
“They want to live in residence halls, join clubs and organizations in person, eat in din- ing halls, and cheer on our teams,” said Mike Drish, director of First Year Admissions at UMass Amherst.
While students crave the campus experience, they also want more flexibility with the academic part of the experience.
are meeting or exceeding expectations. Part of that is a return to some semblance of pre-COVID normalcy. As infection rates have declined, cam- puses have adopted mask-optional policies, among other shifts, while staying ready to wear them again, if necessary.
Like every organization, colleges quickly shift- ed to an online presence early in the pandemic and can now offer courses in person, online, or through a hybrid model, with some coursework
“They want to live in
“Students and faculty are looking for more opportunities to blend in-person, online, and hybrid learning,” said Bryan
residence halls, join clubs Gross, vice president, Enroll- ment Management and Mar-
and organizations in keting at Western New England
University (WNE). “They want to know to know more about
the technology that exists and how it can enhance learning and outcomes.”
The benefits of this new remote world has brought ben-
efits outside the classroom, said Gina Puc, vice president of Strategic Initiatives at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Now that so many people are comfortable with Zoom, she noted, MCLA’s events can have an impact beyond the campus.
“We’ve been able to host a number of guest speakers and lectures on Zoom and open them to the public,” Puc said. “That has really expand- ed our audience.”
MIKE DRISH
person, eat in dining halls, and cheer on our teams.”
Darcey Kemp says STCC has broadened the way it meets student needs over the past two years.
Community Spirit
A common theme admissions professionals discussed with BusinessWest involved “meeting students where they are.” At UMass, Drish said, that can mean expanding access to students from a variety of backgrounds and involving other departments on campus to ensure success
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