By Harry Trustman (The Daily Pennsylvanian).
Nonprofit educational organizations are not typically associated with antitrust lawsuits, but The Common Application — a nonprofit member-based organization “committed to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process” — has been embroiled in a costly legal battle for the past three years.
CollegeNet, a software development company that creates web-based college applications, made a legal complaint against the Common App last year for using techniques to “monopolize the market.”
According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, the Common App has historically allowed member colleges to pay significantly less per applicant if they agree to offer online applications only through the Common App. This discourages colleges from offering multiple online applications. CollegeNet alleged in the initial lawsuit that this policy has cost its company more than 200 college customers in the last 10-15 years. Read the full article
