"Even most of the surveyed companies that weren't recruiting from a shortlist of universities said they were focusing on "target schools," while also accepting applications from a list of other schools. That means candidates from prestigious universities that are located close to a company's headquarters are typically given priority, according to Chelsea Schein, Veris's vice president of research strategy, the Wall Street Journal reported."
""Talent is everywhere" hiring seems to have fallen out of style for many reasons, according to entry-level recruiters. For one, it's expensive. It takes high sums to set up meetings with candidates and get recruiters to campuses across the country. Further, AI-generated résumés have made many applications appear identical, causing some recruiters to fall back on university prestige to distinguish candidates. And for many companies, DEI is no longer a priority."
Higher education faces an identity crisis as political attacks, AI disruption, and budget shortfalls erode public confidence in college degrees. Employers are increasingly returning to targeted campus recruiting from a short list of schools: a 2025 survey of over 150 companies found 26% recruited from a brief selection of universities, up from 17% in 2022. Most firms that do not limit recruiting still prioritize "target schools" while accepting other applicants, often favoring prestigious universities near company headquarters. Recruiters cite high costs, AI-generated résumés making applicants appear identical, and waning DEI emphasis as drivers of this shift.
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