The (Not So) Common App: Variations In and Influences on College Application Complexity

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 2:15 pm - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Student Access and Navigating Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Applications are a central part of the college admissions process. However, little is known about how applications vary in complexity or the factors that contribute to their differences. In this study, we examine the complexity of college applications by measuring their number of required elements and using latent class analysis to classify colleges by their application types. We then estimate the influence of institutional characteristics on application complexity using linear regression, and on colleges’ predicted application types using multinomial logistic regression. We find substantive variation in application complexity and classify applications into three types. We also find multiple institutional characteristics associated with application complexity and type. This work contributes to literature on college applications and future studies of college access.

Authors

• Zyrashae N. Smith-Onyewu, University of Florida

• Hope Allchin, University of Florida