MITIGATE (v.) to make less violent, alleviate (When I had a sore throat, only warm tea would mitigate the pain.)
MNEMONIC TRICK: Your gate is dangerous due to the razor sharp edges. To alleviate the risk of cutting yourself, you placed your mit there on the edge of the gate.
Newsflash
Every college admissions cycle has its own set of dynamics, and this year is no exception. Many selective private colleges are reporting a boom in applications and, as a result, expect to admit a lower proportion of high school seniors than last year.