The decision, announced on Hampshire’s Web site the day before Thanksgiving, aims to attract as many qualified applicants as possible to Hampshire. “The cost of multiple application fees causes some to limit their applications,” said Hampshire College Director of Admissions Karen Parker. “It is important that we are accessible to all students who wish to apply.”
Amherst College Dean of Admissions Thomas Parker does not expect the College to follow Hampshire’s example in the near future, informing The Student that Amherst has not considered making a similar move. He noted that none of the schools he considered to be Amherst’s “direct competitors” has made such a move.
In the face of the current recession, College President Anthony Marx recently asked non-academic departments to find ways to reduce budgets by up to 10 percent. Academic departments are also examining their budgets for potential savings. Eliminating application fees would be antithetical to that move, especially since students may currently apply for a fee waiver if the $60 application fee represents a substantial financial burden. “Students apply through the College Board and if they meet certain income criteria, the fee is waived,” Parker explained. “We also do some [waivers] on a case by case basis. Students can also use our financial aid quick pass to get one.” He estimated that as many as 750 to 1,000 students apply for fee waivers in a given year.
Even with the recession, the application fee has not served as a deterrent to high school seniors. Parker noted that this year has seen a record number of early decision applicants, though it is “too early to tell” whether this will have any impact on the regular decision applicant pool.
Parker described Hampshire’s decision as “effective immediately and retroactively.” Students who have already sent payment with their applications will have them returned or refunded.