Is it more difficult for women to be admitted to the University?

No. “Parents of daughters—relax,” says Greg Roberts, dean of admission. “The University has long had a policy of gender-blind admission. The credentials of each individual are evaluated independent of their gender, with no effort to form a first-year class with a specific female-male ratio in mind.”

Since 1976, young women nationwide have completed high school at a higher rate than young men. Most recently, that difference was measured at 4.5 percent. With the total number of graduating seniors peaking this academic year, it is reasonable for the parents of young women to wonder whether their daughters will face steep odds.

“Although we see no differences in the way in which females and males are evaluated by the Admission Office, we do see real gender differences in application and enrollment rates,” says Roberts.

For the last 25 years nationwide, more women than men have enrolled in college. This trend is projected to continue at least until 2016, according to the National Association of College Admission Counseling. Fifty-seven percent of college applicants nationwide are women. Reflecting national trends, young women have averaged 53 percent of the University’s first-year applicant pool since 2001. Young men and women have been admitted to the University at virtually the same rate during that same time period. “However, we find that young women accept the University’s invitation to enroll at a rate 2 to 4 percentage points higher than men.”

Comments

There are no comments for this article yet. Begin the discussion below!