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Article Type

Professional Proficiency

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Article Abstract

Related Issue:

Although the enrollment decline in U.S. higher education may be attributed to many factors, higher education practitioners should make every attempt to simplify the admissions application process for prospective students. This study: 1) analyzed the readability of undergraduate admissions information, 2) applied a text simplification intervention, and 3) engaged with experts working full-time in college admissions to review the simplified information for accuracy and thoroughness. Results suggest undergraduate admissions information can be simplified with statistical significance across readability level (p < 0.001), word count (p < 0.001), and token-type ratio (p < 0.001). Implications for research, practice, and college access are addressed.

Author(s)

Z. W. Taylor, Ph.D., is the Data Manager for Student Engagement at Georgia
State University. Dr. Taylor has worked in education for nearly twenty years,
including in K-12 settings as a full-time teacher and pre-college counselor.
In higher education, he has worked as a lecturer, communications consultant,
assistant director of admissions, admissions analyst, and assistant professor.

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