Colleges are increasingly targeting rural students, but the challenge lies in convincing them to attend. The STARS College Network, funded by a wealthy alumnus, has been instrumental in encouraging selective colleges to recruit from rural areas. Despite a quarter of the American population being rural, only 3% of students at the University of Chicago, for example, were from rural backgrounds. This disparity has led to initiatives like the STARS program, which has seen over 90,000 rural students apply to its member institutions, a 15% increase from the previous year. However, the real challenge is getting these students to attend and graduate. Rural Americans often distrust the benefits of college, and many rural households struggle to afford private colleges. The article highlights the personal experiences of students like Jack Hancock and Olivia Meier, who faced self-doubt and financial constraints when applying to selective colleges. The event at Amherst College, where students from rural areas were invited to visit and make s'mores around a fire pit, aimed to make them feel welcome. The college's assistant dean of admissions, Nathan Grove, noted that rural students often have less access to resources that prepare them for college. The article also mentions the importance of financial aid and the increasing number of rural students admitted to colleges like Amherst, which has seen a rise in the proportion of rural students on campus from 6% to 11%. However, the journey for rural students is not without challenges, including homesickness and a sense of not belonging. The article concludes by emphasizing the benefits of increasing rural student enrollment, not only for the students but also for the colleges, as it brings diverse perspectives and experiences to the table.
