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Colleges are rethinking admissions essays as AI use becomes more common, testing shorter prompts and in-person writing samples. Admissions offices are trying to preserve access for applicants who lack private coaching. The shift matters because it could change how applicants are evaluated and who can compete fairly.
The Justice Department has filed suit against Penn State over its policy of charging in-state tuition to undocumented students. The move signals a shift toward targeting individual colleges directly, following earlier federal litigation aimed at such policies at the state level. For higher-education leaders, it suggests that institution-specific tuition practices, not just statewide rules, may now draw federal legal challenge.
Iowa's public universities brought in more revenue than projected, helped by tuition increases in the most recent fiscal year. Even so, campus leaders are preparing for an enrollment decline driven by demographic shifts. Rising costs and weaker state tax revenue add pressure, making the revenue beat a temporary cushion rather than a durable fix.
As competition to attract prospective students intensifies, colleges are trying to make the admissions process feel less daunting. During a fall campus tour, one high school senior described the experience as overwhelming and close to a full-time job, having already visited several schools with more planned. The shift matters because a friendlier admissions experience may shape where students apply and ultimately enroll.
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