A coalition of more than 80 public and private colleges and universities is trying to remake the college admission process, recasting it as the culmination of a multiyear process, increasing participation by under-represented groups, and easing the pressure of a traditional senior-year rite of passage.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Brown University is among a group of more than 80 private and public colleges and universities that is developing a new suite of online tools to improve the college admission process, beginning in January 2016.

In its initial presentation Monday afternoon, Sept. 28, 2015, the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success announced its intention to develop online tools that will be available to high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors — an effort to recast the college admission process as a more engaging and educationally centered activity that runs throughout the high school years. In addition to reducing the senior-year stress of admission, the Coalition said in its announcement, the new tools should help develop a stronger college-going mindset among all students, particularly those from low-income families and under-represented groups.

“We’re pleased and excited to be part of the Coalition, which now numbers in excess of 80 institutions,’ said James Miller, dean of admission at Brown. “Working together, we intend to provide the tools, information, and incentives all students need to engage the college admission and financial aid processes thoughtfully and with confidence throughout their secondary school careers. We see our membership in the Coalition as another important initiative in our ongoing efforts to find and bring to College Hill the most talented students in this nation and the world.”

The new online tools, which the Coalition will describe in detail later this year, will include a digital portfolio, a platform for collaboration, and an application portal, reshaping the college admission process as the culmination of a students interests and developments during the secondary school years.

The Coalition cited research showing that students from disadvantaged backgrounds often do not participate effectively in the college application process, struggle with applying for financial aid, and often do not get awarded all the financial aid they qualify for. As a result, even the most highly qualified students do not attend college, attend a college that does not engage their full potential, or do not complete their degrees. Attending a high school with a college-going culture greatly increases students’ college success.

Members of the Coalition include a diverse group of public universities that have affordable tuition and need-based financial aid for in-state residents, as well as private colleges and universities that meet the full, demonstrated financial need of every domestic student they admit, as Brown does. Coalition schools graduate at least 70 percent of their students within six years, with many having much higher graduation rates.

More colleges and universities are expected to join the Coalition. Additional information about the Coalition, its application tools, and its current member institutions is available online at coalitionforcollegeaccess.org.