Another Rough Spring for College Admissions

Even as applications grow, campus officials fret; `It's going to be a long spring,' says one

Despite glowing press releases from many public and private institutions trumpeting an increase in applications, most college admissions officers are bracing themselves for another rough year. Fierce competition for high-school graduates and comparison shopping by recession-weary families promise to make this admissions season stretch beyond its normal close in May.

Add delays in the distribution of financial-aid forms this year and admissions officers say they are stocking