Three colleges report increase in applications
Three of the colleges in St. Lawrence County are posting increases from last year in admission applications despite the poor economy.
St. Lawrence University, however, has 11.3 percent fewer applications compared with 2008, but those numbers are not too disturbing to SLU officials.
"This is the second highest total in the university's history," said Terry E. Cowdrey, vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid at SLU. "We have seen similar patterns at other liberal arts colleges in New York — a decrease from last year, but higher than two years ago."
SLU has increased financial aid for the coming year, and has been working closely with families to help them figure out how to afford the education.
"My sense is that we have had more families thinking ahead about the four-year investment rather than focusing only on the first year," Ms. Cowdrey said.
St. Lawrence is preparing for fewer admitted students to decide to attend the college. So even though it is aiming for a slightly smaller first-year class of 580 to 600 students, it admitted about the same number of applicants this year.
"If we come in under target, we will be able to make additional offers of admission to students on our waiting list," Ms. Cowdrey said.
CLARKSON UNIVERSITY
Clarkson topped 4,000 applications for the first time, a 30.3 percent increase from last year.
"I think a school like Clarkson has benefited because at the end of four years, there are such career opportunities and such wonderful starting salaries for our students. So people see this as an investment," said Brian T. Grant, director of admissions. "It has been a year of surprises. Even with the economy going down, there were more companies on campus recruiting. That certainly plays a part in the admissions side."
Admissions counselors are working hard to promote financial aid opportunities at the school.
"One thing we do is spend evenings here making calls to students and their families. They're certainly concerned with the cost and loans," Mr. Grant said. "So it's important that we touch base with families this year more so than ever, to assure them that Clarkson is an option and there are opportunities for scholarships out there."
SUNY CANTON
SUNY Canton applications have been growing steadily in recent years, and in 2009 are already up 28.7 percent over the same time last year. The college has rolling admissions, meaning it admits students up until the first day of class.
"For us, with the type of school we are, students are definitely seeing our value as a career-oriented institution. They see that once they graduate, there is the prospect for jobs," said Jonathan D. Kent, director of admissions. "We have definitely seen an increase in nontraditional applications as well, with GM closing in Massena, the zinc mine closing in Gouverneur and with layoffs at Alcoa."
Some of SUNY Canton's limited programs such as nursing and veterinary technology have filled up quickly. The business and engineering technology programs have no maximum capacity for the number of students that can take part.
"With a lot of our programs we can guarantee 100 percent placement. We have lot of employers coming here recruiting our students. Engineering technology students are going to have jobs for a long time to come, with the stimulus package," Mr. Kent said.
SUNY POTSDAM
SUNY Potsdam has had a typical gradual increase in applicants this year, but there has been a sharp jump in interest from transfer students.
While the overall number of applications has gone up 5.8 percent at SUNY Potsdam, transfer student applications have increased 13.8 percent. More transfer students also are committing to the college, with a 37.8 percent jump in the number who already have made deposits compared with the same time last year.
"The transfer numbers are amazing, and they may speak a little more to the economy," college spokeswoman Deidre L. Kelly said. "It's certainly encouraging that people who have gone to other institutions are deciding that SUNY Potsdam is the place for them."
SUNY Potsdam is trying to increase its enrollment, with an eventual goal of 5,000 students. So the college is not worried about overcrowding or a jump in interest this year, Ms. Kelly said. SUNY Potsdam also has rolling admissions.
While 13.8 percent more St. Lawrence County students have applied to SUNY Potsdam in 2009 compared with the same time last year, more transfer students are coming from outside the north country.
"The admissions office has made a concerted effort to go beyond the borders of the county to find students who fit the college both academically and personally," Ms. Kelly said. "We have seen our open houses growing significantly, and that's been encouraging. Especially when the economy is tight, people tend to look to public schools."
