Katrina hits college enrollments

0 Comments | USA TODAY, April, 2006 | by Mary Beth Marklein

In a year marked by uncertainty and upheaval, officials at New Orleans universities that draw applicants nationwide are not following the usual rules of thumb when it comes to college admissions.

The only sure bet, they say, is that this fall's entering classes -- the first since Katrina -- will be smaller than usual.

In typical years, most college admissions officials can predict fairly accurately by this point in the admissions cycle how many high school seniors will commit to enrolling in their institutions. Many of the most selective schools require students -- who increasingly are applying to multiple institutions -- to make their choices by May 1.

"I've been dean for seven years, and I've always had my class on May 1," says Debbie Stieffel, admissions...