Expanding Access: How the STARS Network is Opening Elite Colleges to Rural Students

Amherst College recently hosted a two-day visit for admitted rural applicants, part of a broader effort to encourage enrollment among students from underserved areas. This initiative is central to the work of the STARS College Network, a coalition funded by billionaire investor Byron Trott that has grown to include 32 prestigious member schools, among them Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, MIT, Stanford, and Yale.

"Applications from rural students rose 15% last year, surpassing 90,000."

The Enrollment Challenge

While rural students represent nearly a quarter of the U.S. population, they account for just 3% of students at some elite colleges. The disparity is stark, and the barriers are multifaceted.

Key obstacles include:

• Cost of travel and campus visits
• Perceived lack of fit at selective institutions
• Homesickness and cultural adjustment
• Lower college-going rates — only 54% of rural high school graduates go directly to college, compared to 60% of urban and 63% of suburban graduates.

Furthermore, rural students are more likely to drop out than their urban or suburban peers.

STARS Network: A Strategic Response

Member schools of the STARS College Network now offer paid campus visits for admitted rural students. Last year alone, over 1,000 students participated in these programs.

The network's focus has shifted from recruitment to ensuring enrolled students persist through graduation.

Measurable Impact

At Amherst College, the impact has been significant. Since joining STARS, the proportion of rural students in the student body rose from 6% to 11%. This year, 119 rural applicants were accepted.

"The focus has now shifted to enrolling and graduating these students."

This targeted approach demonstrates that intentional outreach and support can meaningfully bridge the gap between America's rural talent and its most selective educational institutions.