NCAA March Madness boosts College Applications
March 26, 2008 – 4:50 pm by Nick
A new study from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania reveals a clear link between successful athletic programs and a boost in college applications. The national success of a NCAA team affects how students choose the colleges, they apply to. The occurrence is unofficially named the “Flutie effect” after Boston College witnessed a 30% boost in applications due to Flutie’s “Hail Mary” pass.
The study analyzed the success 330 NCAA Division I colleges, each year between 1983 and 2002. Every win in the NCAA Tournament translates in the following increase of student applications each year:
- Entering the NCAA basketball tournament yields 1% increase
- Sweet sixteen schools see a 3% boost
- Final Four schools receive 4-5% boost
- NCAA championship team witnesses 7-8% increase.
Top twenty college football teams witness an increase of 2.5% of applications. Top ten football schools gain 3%, and the championship winner witness a jump of 7-8%.
Recent examples include, University of Missouri Tiger’s football success translated to a 20% student application increase the following year, and George Mason University’s basketball success in 2006 boosted admission inquiries 350%. .
All this success leads to a higher donations and a bigger pool a students to choose from. To read more about the study, visit the Kansas City Star’s website.
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