Question 30

College II has been rated more favorably than College I in a number of widely read articles in the popular press.

This statement provides a clear explanation for the fluctuations in the number of applicants to both colleges over the years. Positive media coverage can significantly influence prospective students' perceptions and choices, leading to increased applications to College II.

A) College I built a state-of-the-art recreation center in 1996, while College II refurbished its existing recreation center in 1998.

While the improvements to the recreation centers may have attracted some students, this option does not directly address the trends in applicant numbers shown in the graph. The timing and nature of these developments do not sufficiently explain significant changes in applicant behavior.

B) Both College I and College II have raised their tuitions significantly since 1999.

Raising tuition could deter some applicants, but this option does not clarify why one college might receive more applications than the other. Without context on the impact of tuition increases on applicant decisions, this explanation remains inconclusive in relation to the data.

C) Since 2000 College II has been rated more favorably than College I in a number of widely read articles in the popular press.

This choice effectively explains the data by suggesting that favorable press coverage has improved College II's reputation, thereby attracting more applicants. Media perception is a powerful factor in college selection, making this explanation the most relevant to the observed applicant trends.

D) Since 2001 both College I and College II have tried recruiting aggressively from all parts of the country.

While aggressive recruitment could potentially increase applicant numbers for both colleges, this option does not clarify why one college would outperform the other in terms of applications. It fails to provide a specific reason for the observable differences in the graph.

Conclusion

Option C is the best explanation for the data presented, as it directly correlates favorable media ratings with increased applicant interest in College II. The other options either lack direct relevance or do not adequately explain the observed trends, reinforcing the significance of reputation in college selection processes.