College admissions is a complicated game, and the rules are constantly changing. Parents of students applying to college may be surprised at how much the process has changed in the last 20 years. Tuition has doubled, standardized test scores have been dethroned, applying to schools is easier, and getting in is harder.
One fundamental principle still applies: Finding the right school for the individual student is the goal. There is no shortage of research and data to help us plan the journey. Let’s take a look at some facts that illustrate the state of college admissions today.
Rise of Common App: 900 Schools and Counting
The Common Application has changed the landscape of college admissions, enabling students to apply to up to 20 colleges with one application. Over 900 colleges accept the Common App, and one third use it exclusively. This has streamlined the application process and enabled more students to apply to more schools.
Some schools still insist on using their own application. Notable holdouts include MIT, Georgetown, and the University of California system.
The Common App is released every year on August 1. The process is more of a marathon than a sprint, so we advise students to hit the ground running.
75% of U.S. Colleges Are Test Optional
When COVID threw a wrench in the standardized testing process, schools went test-optional by necessity. Many students simply couldn’t get to test centers. But standardized tests have long been criticized as poor assessments of college readiness. And students with the resources to get coaching have an advantage.
According to Bob Schaeffer of FairTest, “Schools that did not mandate ACT/SAT submission last year generally received more applicants, better academically qualified applicants, and a more diverse pool of applicants.” By looking beyond standardized testing, schools are able to build a more diverse class. Academic rigor is as crucial as ever, but test scores are no longer a barrier to entry.
40% Common App Students Don’t Submit Test Scores
Previously, a student with anything less than a 1500 composite SAT score might lose all hope of getting into Stanford after a quick Google search. Many highly capable students with excellent grades simply don’t test well. These tests come with a great deal of fear. The shift to test-optional admissions offers hope to these students, which may explain the rise in applications to Ivy League and other highly-selective schools.
But just because most schools are test-optional doesn’t mean they’re test-blind. According to FairTest only 84 colleges will ignore test scores if they’re submitted. So clearly, test scores still matter. But now students have the opportunity to prove their academic merit in other ways that better play to their strengths.
The #1 Most Important Factor: Grades
Don’t be fooled by the test-optional trend. Academic performance is still the top consideration at admissions departments. Holistic admissions may consider the whole human being. But only human beings with stellar transcripts are getting into the most selective schools.
As NACAC writes in their State of College Admissions Report: “Academic performance in high school has been the most important consideration in freshman admission decisions for decades.” For schools like Harvard and Princeton, most admitted students had a 4.0 GPA, and more than 90% have at 3.75 or better.
Getting into an Ivy League School is Harder than Ever
Harvard’s class of 2026 has the lowest acceptance rate ever at 3.19%. Harvard received 61,220 applications, up nearly 7% from the previous year. That’s 59,266 students who didn’t make the cut. Other Ivies are reporting similarly daunting acceptance rates; Columbia saw applications surge by 50%. The Common App and test-optional admissions have made applying to these schools more accessible. While that’s great news, it means highly selective schools are also sending a record number of rejections.
Biggest Boost to Get In: Early Admissions
More than 50% of most-selective colleges offer Early Decision or Early Action admissions. As ED admissions are usually binding, it allows schools to build their class with more confidence. For students who are certain about their school of choice, it greatly increases their chances.
Just look at Columbia’s class of 2026, with a razor-thin acceptance rate of 3.7%. But the shocker is that 10.3% of early applicants were accepted compared to 2.96% for regular applicants. Of Harvard’s class of 2026 38% were accepted early. Meanwhile, Grinell admitted 65% of ED students vs. 17% for regular admissions.
Don’t Hold Your Breath: Wait-lists Grow, Chances Are Low
According to the most recent research by NACAC, wait-listed students face a slim chance of getting in, especially at the most selective schools. Wait-lists are another way admissions departments ensure they hit their enrollment targets. Schools reported wait-listing 10% of students on average. 50% opt to stay on the list. Of those who remain in limbo, 20% get in, and for most-selective schools that number is even lower. Of the 617 students on MIT’s wait-list in 2020, zero were admitted.
Students on wait-lists should make sure to communicate their continued desire to attend, and manage expectations.
Research Shows “Fit” Matters Most
College counselors emphasize finding the right fit for good reason. Students and families are obsessed with rankings. But rankings can’t tell us how a particular student will thrive at a particular school. Engagement is key, and one size does not fit all.
Stanford researchers examined the relationship between school rankings and outcomes like learning, job-satisfaction, income, and general well-being. They concluded that: “Differences are driven by individual students, not by the quality of the student body as a whole or the institutions themselves.”
Their research determined that the most successful students engage with the opportunities offered by their particular school, regardless of rankings.
