The College of the Holy Cross is one of 80 colleges and universities that have joined the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success. The Coalition is dedicated to improving the college admission application process for all students by working together to develop a free platform of online tools that will help streamline the experience of planning for and applying to college.
Ann McDermott, director of admissions at Holy Cross, wrote a piece for Inside Higher Ed about what the College hopes to accomplish with this new admissions system. She writes, “too many talented students are opting out of or severely limiting their college search because of the perception that a college is out of their and their family’s financial reach.”
McDermott writes about how students will be able to build a digital portfolio early in their high school career. “I am excited that the application process promises to be a resource for first-generation college students and those from underrepresented groups or low-income households,” she writes. “For example, a student from a low-income background can now use the collaborative platform to invite mentors, advisers, a parent and others to engage in a dialogue. They can provide feedback directly on the platform and let the student know if what he or she is producing is on the right track. I see enormous possibilities for students in these groups to be empowered by the options and flexibility this platform will provide. I also hope that starting earlier in the process will give them a college mind-set.”
Related Information
This “Holy Cross in the News item” by Emma Collins ’16.
