Applying in advance to universities has always been a strategic tactic for students seeking to enhance their chances of acceptance. Despite [school] admitting only 12.5% of its Early Decision candidates, early application does not guarantee acceptance. Nevertheless, it serves as a method to increase students’ likelihood of admission, especially given that Duke University is expected to have a regular decision acceptance rate of 4.5% for the Class of 2028, with early decision applicants securing roughly half of the available spots.
In the wake of the pandemic, Moon Prep advisors have observed significant shifts in school policies, such as the introduction of new test-optional policies and the elimination of race-based admissions, which have reshaped the college admissions landscape. Here are some notable changes from the most recent cycle:
Continued Increase in Application Volume
In recent years, there has been a surge in applications submitted through the Common App, with the total application volume [increasing by 65% since 2019-20]. Consequently, many institutions have witnessed a decline in their early acceptance rates compared to previous years. For instance, Yale University experienced its lowest acceptance rate () in the past two decades.
The trend of rising application numbers is not exclusive to highly competitive schools. Florida State University saw a 28% uptick in Early Action applications and a 3.5% increase in Early Action applications. Additionally, [school] received 49,248 early applications, indicating a surge of 10,774 applications compared to the 2022-23 cycle, marking it as their most competitive pool yet.
Test-Optional Policy Gains Popularity
While certain universities like Yale University, Dartmouth College, and Brown University still mandate some form of standardized testing, many applicants prefer the flexibility of going test-optional. More than [roughly half of total applicants] opted not to report their scores this year, marking an almost 20% increase from the previous year. Only 42% of ED 1 and ED 2 applicants at Boston University wished for their test scores to be considered.
Institutions like Emory University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, and Carleton College have already declared their intention to remain test-optional through at least the 2025 application cycle.
Enhanced Diversity in Applications
One notable development is the increased diversity among applicants. Since 2019-2020, there has been a 67% rise in the number of applicants identifying as underrepresented minorities. First-generation students have also increased at the same rate.
While the percentage of [minority group] applicants remains relatively small, this demographic has been steadily growing at a rate of 67% since 2019-20. The most significant growth rates have been observed among American Indian or Alaska Native (86%) and Black or African American (70%) applicants.
In response to the shift away from race-based admissions, some universities have revised the essays they require. For example, Northwestern University’s prompt this year focused on considering applicants’ backgrounds and personal experiences to assess their fit within the university community and beyond.
Essays like these offer students the opportunity to showcase their diverse backgrounds and perspectives, aiding colleges in maintaining a varied student body.
Rebound of International Applicants
The number of international applicants decreased in 2020-21 due to the pandemic; however, there has been a steady increase in international applicants each year since. Residents of countries like Ghana, Bangladesh, Nepal, Ethiopia, and Nigeria have shown significant growth rates in their application numbers. Conversely, China experienced an 18% decrease in applicants since 2019-20.
Growing Preference for Public Colleges
When compiling their college lists, students should consider the average cost of tuition as a crucial factor. On average, students at public institutions borrow more than their counterparts at private schools. This could explain the rise in applications to public universities such as the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia, which collectively saw an 83% increase compared to private universities growing at a rate of 47%.
Increase in Deferrals and Waitlists
Another consequence of the pandemic on college admissions has been the increased use of waitlists. Due to uncertainties surrounding enrollment numbers and the surge in applications at top-tier universities, many colleges have resorted to waitlisting or deferring students more frequently. For instance, of the [roughly number] who applied to the University of Southern California this year, over 38,000 were deferred to regular admissions.
Florida Atlantic University introduced a waitlist for the first time and aims to finalize decisions for students by May 31.
Rising Acceptance of Admission Videos
While the acceptance of admission videos is not a new phenomenon, more institutions are incorporating this element into their admissions process. Duke University permits students to submit a 60-90 second video to provide a deeper insight into the applicant. The video must be recorded in one take, although students have the liberty to record it multiple times.
Similarly, applicants to [school] can submit an optional two-minute video, which can be pre-recorded and edited. Schools like Bowdoin College, Washington University in St. Louis, George Mason University, and the University of Arizona’s Accelerated Pathway to Medicine have also included videos as part of their application process.
While the video submission is often listed as optional, presenting a compelling video can be advantageous, especially since schools like Brown and Duke boast single-digit admission rates.
Final Remarks
As the college admissions landscape continues to evolve, students are advised to conduct thorough research and analyze past admission trends to determine if applying early aligns with their goals.