Many colleges and universities report that, despite their efforts to encourage online applications, most prospective students still prefer to submit paper applications. Although over 75 percent of the nation's schools now accept applications online, according to the National Association of College Admission Counseling, the number of online applications received last year ranged from one-third to only 2 percent of schools' totals. Many applicants admit that they simply feel more secure sending paper applications. Also, many say their parents and guidance counselors are reluctant to embrace the new technology in the belief that college admissions officials look down on online applications. Admissions officials, however, say this is not true and that, in fact, most prefer online applications because they facilitate data entry.
Some institutions even wave the application fee for students who submit online.
However, those skeptical of the movement toward online applications counter that schools must be prepared to deal with issues of the digital divide, as some students applying to college will not have immediate access to a computer or the Internet. Educators say the courses are essential to matching the needs of the new economy, and participating students agree that the courses are a key step toward finding jobs, often quite lucrative ones. However, some educators question this emphasis on new media, especially considering the current shakeout occurring in the dotcom sector. Officials at the colleges offering the courses acknowledge that few students actually complete the entire curriculum. This summer Napster users will likely have to begin paying an undisclosed subscription fee to use the file-sharing network.