Higher Education Data Analytics Services

Admissions Analytics, Compliance & IPEDS/ACTS Reporting for Higher Education

Helping colleges and universities understand, strengthen, monitor, and defend their admissions processes and data.

The admissions landscape is becoming increasingly complex. New federal enforcement activity, evolving regulatory and transparency expectations, and expanded IPEDS/ACTS reporting requirements are placing greater demands on colleges and universities to demonstrate that their admissions processes are well designed, compliant with applicable law, supported by reliable data, and appropriately documented.

For institutions, compliance is about more than checking a reporting box. It requires a clear understanding of how admissions decisions are made, what the data reveal about those decisions, and whether the processes and outcomes can withstand regulatory, legal, and institutional scrutiny.

Berkshire Associates brings together expertise in Industrial/Organizational (I/O) psychology, labor economics, statistics, compliance, and data analytics to help higher education institutions address these challenges. We work with institutions to evaluate or modify admissions criteria and decision-making processes, analyze admissions data and outcomes, respond to government inquiries and investigations, establish ongoing monitoring programs, and prepare accurate IPEDS/ACTS submissions.

Whether you are proactively assessing your admissions program, responding to a government inquiry, or preparing for expanded reporting requirements, Berkshire can provide the analytical expertise and practical support you need—from admissions-process analysis through data validation, reporting, monitoring, and response.

Our services include:

• Admissions Processes and Decision Criteria Analysis and Design

• Litigation and Government Investigations Support

• Proactive Admissions Monitoring and Compliance Analytics
• IPEDS/ACTS Data Preparation, Validation & Reporting
  

Admissions Processes and Decision Criteria Analysis

Berkshire can conduct a comprehensive review of an institution's admissions process, including the criteria, models, policies, and decision points used to evaluate applicants. Our multidisciplinary team can include Industrial/Organizational (I/O) psychologists, labor economists, statisticians, and compliance professionals who bring complementary perspectives to the analysis of admissions practices and outcomes.

Our analysis can include:

• Review of admissions criteria, rubrics, scorecards, and decision rules
• Analysis of the admissions lifecycle, from application and recruitment through admission, waitlist, enrollment, and financial aid decisions
• Statistical analysis of applicant, admitted, and enrolled populations
• Identification of patterns, anomalies, disparities, and potential areas of compliance concern
• Analysis of the relationship between admissions criteria and admissions outcomes

Respond to Government Investigations and Regulatory Inquiries

When a government agency or other entity initiates an investigation, requests information, or questions an institution's admissions practices or reported data, institutions need to respond quickly, accurately, and strategically. Berkshire can support colleges and universities in responding to government investigations, regulatory inquiries, data requests, audits, and monitoring reports involving admissions practices, selection criteria, applicant and enrollment data, and related reporting requirements.

Working in coordination with institutional leadership and legal counsel, Berkshire can assist with:

• Reviewing and analyzing the data, policies, and admissions processes relevant to a government inquiry
• Conducting statistical and process analyses to understand the issues underlying an inquiry
• Analyzing government findings, investigative reports, monitoring reports, and requests for corrective action
• Assisting with the development and implementation of corrective-action plans
• Providing expert analysis and technical support to counsel in connection with government investigations
• Helping institutions prepare for follow-up reviews, monitoring, and reporting obligations

Ongoing Admissions Monitoring and Compliance Analytics

Admissions compliance should not be a one-time exercise. Berkshire can help institutions establish ongoing monitoring programs to identify emerging issues before they result in a government inquiry, adverse finding, or reporting problem.

Monitoring services can include:

• Periodic analysis of admissions decisions and outcomes
• Monitoring compliance with institutional admissions policies and documented procedures across programs, campuses, and admissions cycles
• Trend and anomaly analysis
• Monitoring changes in applicant pools, admissions rates, enrollment outcomes, and other relevant measures
• Periodic review of admissions rubrics, decision rules, and discretionary practices

The objective is to give institutional leaders an early-warning system for admissions-process, data-quality, and compliance issues—rather than waiting for an external investigation or audit to identify them.

IPEDS/ACTS Data Preparation, Validation & Reporting

The IPEDS Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) requires institutions subject to the new reporting requirements to provide substantially more detailed information about applicants, admissions, enrollment, academic achievement, financial aid, and student outcomes. For colleges and universities, meeting these requirements is about more than completing a report. Berkshire can assist institutions with the operational demands of expanded IPEDS reporting.

We can help your team:

• Identify and map the data required for IPEDS/ACTS reporting

• Review historical data and identify gaps
• Clean, reconcile, and validate data from multiple institutional systems before submission
• Establish quality control and documentation procedures
• Conduct analytical reviews of reported data to identify data-quality issues, inconsistencies, trends, and potential compliance concerns
• Prepare and assist with filing of required IPEDS/ACTS submissions

Our approach helps institutions address both sides of the challenge: accurately reporting what happened and understanding whether the underlying admissions practices are compliant and defensible.

Get Started Today

Contact Berkshire Associates to develop a tailored admissions analytics and compliance strategy for your institution.

Whether you need assistance analyzing admissions practices, developing compliant admissions processes, or preparing and filing required IPEDS/ACTS reports, Berkshire can help you evaluate and defend your admissions program.