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THE 'MONEYBALL' ERA OF ADMISSION: How data is reshaping college recruitment -- and why human judgment still matters most.

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Title: THE 'MONEYBALL' ERA OF ADMISSION: How data is reshaping college recruitment -- and why human judgment still matters most.
Authors: Martin, Kyle
Source: Journal of College Admission. Spring2026, Issue 270, p32-37. 6p.
Subject Terms: *Student recruitment, *University & college admission, Data analytics, Judgment (Psychology), Prediction models, Demographic databases
Abstract: The article examines how data analytics is transforming college admissions recruitment by shifting strategies from tradition-based territory management to data-informed decision-making. Enrollment professionals increasingly use tools like CRM analytics and publicly available demographic data to target recruitment efforts more precisely amid demographic declines in college-age populations. Despite advances in predictive modeling and artificial intelligence, admission leaders emphasize that data should complement—not replace—human judgment, particularly in building authentic relationships with students and families. The article also highlights concerns about overreliance on third-party consultants and cautions that predictive models must align with institutional goals, such as enrollment versus retention, to avoid unintended consequences. [Extracted from the article]
Copyright of Journal of College Admission is the property of National Association of College Admission Counseling and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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DbLabel: Education Research Complete
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+recruitment%22">Student recruitment</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22University+%26+college+admission%22">University & college admission</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data+analytics%22">Data analytics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Judgment+%28Psychology%29%22">Judgment (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Prediction+models%22">Prediction models</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Demographic+databases%22">Demographic databases</searchLink>
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  Data: The article examines how data analytics is transforming college admissions recruitment by shifting strategies from tradition-based territory management to data-informed decision-making. Enrollment professionals increasingly use tools like CRM analytics and publicly available demographic data to target recruitment efforts more precisely amid demographic declines in college-age populations. Despite advances in predictive modeling and artificial intelligence, admission leaders emphasize that data should complement—not replace—human judgment, particularly in building authentic relationships with students and families. The article also highlights concerns about overreliance on third-party consultants and cautions that predictive models must align with institutional goals, such as enrollment versus retention, to avoid unintended consequences. [Extracted from the article]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of College Admission is the property of National Association of College Admission Counseling and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=193880534
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        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Student recruitment
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      – SubjectFull: University & college admission
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      – SubjectFull: Data analytics
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      – SubjectFull: Judgment (Psychology)
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      – SubjectFull: Prediction models
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      – SubjectFull: Demographic databases
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      – TitleFull: THE 'MONEYBALL' ERA OF ADMISSION: How data is reshaping college recruitment -- and why human judgment still matters most.
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              Text: Spring2026
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