Students Report Applications Stressful And Support the Old SAT

Based upon Princeton Review survey-see survey basis at end

· Applications are stressssssss-ful.

73% of respondents gauged their stress levels as “High” or “Very high” – a 17% increase over the 56% who reported such stress levels in the survey’s initial year, 2003.  Students reported higher stress levels than parents.

 · Toughest factor? Tests.

Asked which aspect of the application process was the toughest, 34% (the plurality) chose the answer, “Taking the SAT, ACT or APs” while 33% said “Completing applications for admission and financial aid.”

 · ACT or current SAT more preferred than forthcoming new SAT.

Asked which college admission test they’d prefer to take (or see their child take) if each of these were current options: the ACT, SAT, or new SAT (which won’t debut until spring 2016), 39% said the ACT, 37% said the SAT, and 24% said the new SAT. 

 · Biggest worry? Debt.

39% (the plurality) said their biggest concern was “Level of debt to pay for the degree.” For 35% their biggest worry was “Will get into first-choice college, but won’t have sufficient funds/aid to attend.” Given the $28,400 average debt of 2013 college grads, these concerns are understandable. In 2009, the answer most selected was “Won’t get into first-choice college.”

College cost estimate? $50,000+

87% estimated their degree to cost “More than $50,000.” Within that cohort, 42% said “More than $100,000.” Parents’ estimates were higher than students’.

· Main benefit of college? Jobs.

45% said the biggest benefit of a degree was a “Potentially better job / income” while 24% said the “Education” and 31% said “Exposure to new ideas.”

· Distance from home of “ideal” college? Near say parents.  Far say students.

52% of parents chose “Less than 250 miles” as distance of ideal college: 63% of students chose answers in ranges from 250 to 1,000 miles.

Other findings report: how many colleges students were applying to, and what will influence their college choice when commitment decisions are due May 1. The Princeton Review also asked respondents their advice for next year’s applicants. The most repeated advice: “Start early.”

A complete survey report is at www.princetonreview.com/college-hopes-worries

The survey upon which these findings are based is Princeton Review “College Hopes & Worries” 15-question survey.  Respondents were users of Best 379 Colleges book and  site, www.princetonreview.com. They were all college applicants and parents of college applicants.