How to interpret a college's Common Data Set?

I've recently stumbled upon the Common Data Set for Emerson College. Can someone please explain how to interpret the information provided? Which sections should I pay attention to for insight into the admissions process and student demographics?

The Common Data Set (CDS) is a valuable resource for understanding a college's admissions process and student demographics. It's a standardized document that colleges use to report data about enrollment, financial aid, class size, and more. To make the most of Emerson College's Common Data Set, here are some key sections you should focus on:

1. Section B: Enrollment and Persistence – This section provides information on the college's total enrollment, first-year retention rate, and graduation rates. These figures give you an idea of student satisfaction and the college's ability to support students through graduation.

2. Section C: First-time, First-year (Freshman) Admission – This section offers valuable insight into the admissions process, including application requirements, acceptance rates, waitlisted students, and SAT/ACT score ranges for admitted students. Pay attention to data points like admit rate (C1) and the number of applications received (C2) to gauge the college's selectivity. Additionally, information on Early Decision or Early Action programs can be found here (C6-C8).

3. Section D: Transfer Admission – If you're a transfer student, this section shares relevant information like the number of transfer applications, acceptances, and enrolled students, as well as transfer-specific admission requirements.

4. Section E: Academic Offerings and Policies – This part outlines the college's academic programs, majors, special study options, and AP/IB policies. Comb through this to learn about academic opportunities available at Emerson College.

5. Section F: Student Life – This section contains data on the college's housing options, extracurricular activities, and campus safety, providing a big-picture understanding of the campus experience.

6. Section G: Annual Expenses – Here, you'll find information about tuition, fees, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses, helping you assess the cost of attending Emerson College.

7. Section H: Financial Aid – This part is crucial for understanding what types of financial aid are available, the average amount of financial aid awarded, and how many students receive aid. Look for data on need-based and non-need-based scholarships, grants, and loans.

8. Section I: Instructional Faculty and Class Size – In this section, you'll find the number of faculty members, their qualifications, and the student-to-faculty ratio. Additionally, you'll get an insight into average class sizes, which can be an essential factor in your college experience.

9. Section J: Degrees Conferred – This section breaks down the number of degrees awarded by each major during the previous academic year. This information might give you an idea of popular majors and areas of study at Emerson College.

Going through these sections will help you understand Emerson College's admissions process and student demographics more comprehensively. Keep in mind that while the CDS is a helpful tool, you should also research the college's website, explore social media, attend virtual or in-person campus events, and consult other resources to gain a well-rounded perspective on the school.