This week, Vanderbilt University remains test-optional, Virginia bans legacy admissions at public institutions, Yale objects to possible legacy ban, Brown University becomes need-blind for international applicants, and FAFSA delays continue.
Vanderbilt University has announced that it will extend its test-optional policy through 2027. The decision applies to both new and transfer applicants.
The state legislature of Virginia has voted to ban legacy admissions at all public colleges and universities; Governor Glenn Youngkin has indicated that he will sign off on the bill. The ban will affect the University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary, two highly selective institutions in the state.
The Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid at Yale College, Jeremiah Quinlan, has stated his opposition to Connecticut’s move to ban legacy admissions at both public and private colleges and universities.
Brown University has announced that it will become need-blind in international undergraduate student admissions starting with the Class of 2029. With this initiative, made possible by raising $120 million in funds, Brown becomes one of only eight colleges in the country to be need-blind for international undergraduates.
Another delay in the new FAFSA rollout means that colleges will not receive student federal aid information until March at the earliest–two months later than the initial late January timeline. This allows a much smaller window for applicants to consider their options, a particularly challenging situation for low-income and first generation students. Additionally, colleges may be forced to push back their traditional May 1 commitment deadline.
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