system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why do public universities charge application fees?
gpt
Two things. First, someone has to be paid look over the applications. Second, it encourages only those with interest in the school to actually apply. If there was no application fee, they would likely see a much larger number of applications, many from people not really serious in their university. This would require a lot more staff to sort through and result in much more uncertainty that those accepted in will actually attend your university.