At Fresno State (part of the California State University
system), the original deadline for freshman applications was Feb. 1. But
last Friday, the university stopped taking freshman applications, three
weeks early. They stated they had already received enough applications to have a good pool of applicants.
Every year I repeatedly tell college-bound students to submit their applications EARLY as they can and not wait until the deadline approaches. Everyone knows missing the deadline is a problem. But this is an example of what can happen when you wait to submit paperwork with the ASSUMPTION that you have UNTIL the deadline to safely submit applications.
We are a nation that makes last minute action an art form. Every 12/24 a newscast features people who waited until Christmas Eve to shop. While the consequences of that delay may mean taking what's left or doing your shopping in a 7-11, it's not life changing. Simple as this announcement sounds, it may be a huge problem for students who needed to specifically attend Fresno State. This may be a harsh lesson for many students about what happens when you wait until the last minute.
I wonder how long it will be before someone files a lawsuit - another art form we have mastered in the US! Good news is Fresno made the February 1 cutoff subject to change per their website. However, I can already visualize a tearful student and their lawyer going on camera to demand Fresno honor their closing date. They will have all kinds of reasons for the application not being ready and will demand their right to submit the application.
I appreciate there is a cost to review an application and cutting them off may save some dollars. And while I agree Fresno has the right to stop accepting applications when they have a good statistical applicant pool, they may find it would have been smarter to just let the clock run out. However, I also appreciate the need for publicity this will bring regarding the budget crisis in education (espc here in California).
It is going to be an interesting 2009-2010 school year as we see how finances - parents and colleges - will play out this fall!
Your opinion?
