The application platform used by many colleges and universities does not require or request the inclusion of an applicant’s U.S. Social Security number. Its omission from the application process is a deliberate measure to protect applicant privacy and prevent potential misuse of sensitive personal data.
This policy is beneficial in safeguarding individuals from identity theft and reduces the risk of unauthorized access to personal information. Historically, requiring such identifiers was seen as a potential vulnerability within application systems. Eliminating the need for this data streamlines the process and minimizes potential data breaches.