More students turn to for-profit schools as public colleges fill up
Private, for-profit colleges in California apparently are stepping up to fill a need in public higher education caused by budget shortfalls and increased enrollment demand. According to a recent article in the Vallejo (Calif.) Times Herald, for-profit schools like University of Phoenix and Kaplan University are seeing huge jumps in enrollment, as limited slots at California community colleges and public schools are making it difficult for students to fulfill their degree requirements.
It’s a disturbing trend in higher education that bears further attention. In November, I wrote about increased occurrences of community colleges having to turn away would-be students because of overcrowding and underfunding.
Private for-profits can provide education where it otherwise might not be available, but these schools are not for everyone. Tuition costs can be much higher than at public institutions, and, as I pointed out in another recent post, the dismal economy is making some employers pay close attention to where job applicants received their college educations – with many giving less-than-favorable marks for degrees obtained from private for-profits.
Community colleges and public institutions are working hard to find solutions to the overcrowding/underfunding problems, but budgetary constraints imposed by the economy have placed a chokehold on any quick solutions. As demand for a college education increases and opportunities grow more limited, your best bets for acceptance remain:
* Applying early.
* Applying to more than one school.
* Conveying your seriousness as a student at every opportunity – on the application itself and on tests such as CLEP, ACT and SAT.
