If it seems that getting into college has become harder to get into, it’s because it has. With some acceptance rates as low as 3.2% and the national average at 68%, not everyone who applies will be accepted. Excellent grades, top test scores and extra-curricular activities no longer offer the competitive edge they once provided and now appear to represent the minimum bar required to even consider vying for certain colleges. Some of these highly qualified students are now questioning whether they even have a chance at some schools.
Applying to College
More students than ever are applying to college, creating an avalanche of applications each year for admissions officers to sift through. Higher Ed Dive reported that the average student submitted 6.22 applications for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle vs just 4.63 in 2013-2014, representing a 30% increase.
Some of the factors at play for college admissions are:
Greater Accessibility: With the advent of online applications and common application platforms such as the Common App, students can apply to multiple colleges more easily than before.
College Mindset: Whether true or not, there's a growing perception that more applications sent will increase the chances of acceptance, leading to students applying to more schools. Students believe that getting into college and obtaining a degree is a crucial step for a successful career.
Test-Optional Policies: Many colleges have adopted test-optional policies due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in an attempt to make higher education more accessible to a broader range of students who may struggle with formal testing. Poor test takers need not let their scores hinder the application process anymore.
More First-Generation College Students: There's been an increase in first-generation college applicants, possibly driven by more outreach and support programs.
Demographics: High school graduation rates are at an all-time high according to the Department of Education, reaching 87% for the 2019-2020 school year. With more high school graduates come more college applications.
Rise of Online Learning: The shift towards online learning has made college education more accessible, especially to students looking to work while attending college, leading to a rise in applications.
Federal Financial Aid: The availability of federal financial aid for students has made the hardest hurdle of financing a degree more obtainable. With grants, subsidized and unsubsidized loans, the federal government helps students pay for college that otherwise might not have been possible.
What’s Behind the Declining Admissions Rates
While no one will argue it’s stressful applying to college, seemingly more competitive than ever, one has to wonder if fewer students are being admitted than before? The short answer is yes, but as you will read, not for reasons you might think.
Limited Spots to Fill: While the number of student applications to colleges have been increasing, the actual number of colleges to attend has decreased in recent years. According to the National Institute for Education Statistics the number of Title IV higher education schools decreased to 5,916 in 2020-2021, down from 7,021 in 2010-2011. This is a case of high demand and limited and decreasing supply creating smaller and smaller admissions percentage rates.
Harvard University for example received 27,462 applications for the class of 2012, admitting 7.92% of students. That number nearly doubled to 56,937 applications for the class of 2027, dropping the acceptance rate to 3.41%. Harvard has about 1700 spots for students and this number hasn’t really changed over the years, despite the growing interest to go there.
More Highly Qualified Students: If the competition feels fierce it might be because more and more high schools are offering a wider selection of honors and AP (Advanced Placement) classes. These classes increase the maximum GPA a student can earn by up to 1 additional point. So, a 4.0 GPA for a class could rise as high as 5.0, causing total weighted average GPAs to grow over time. The average student in 1990 had a GPA of 2.68, whereas the average high school students’ GPA in 2021 rose to 3.36, a whopping 25% increase!
With competition increasing, not only due to the quantity of applications but also with the quality of students applying, coveted spots fill up fast causing students to strategize their approach to the application process. Strategies could involve taking advantage of early decision or early action programs, or employing the assistance of admissions consultants and more to ensure a spot is secured.
Rankings: Believe it or not, U.S. News & World Report pioneered the concept of college rankings in the 19th century, not the late 20th century as many might think. They became more of a significant influence on higher education when they added additional criteria to their ranking methodology, giving it more of an objective point of view
While college rankings can provide valuable information, they help promote schools that top their lists, which in turn encourages even more applications than the school might have otherwise received. This free marketing only increases the number of applications a school might receive with a good chance many of the added applications are coming from highly qualified students.
Recent Affirmative Action Ruling by the Supreme Court
On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action in the college admissions process. Affirmative action had been in place since 1964 when President Johnson signed it into law. Having been in place for nearly 60 years, it’s unclear how this new ruling will impact the number of college applications submitted by students effected by this change or how colleges will pivot to adjust to a new admissions process without affirmative action. The outcome and implications are yet to be seen.
What are Prospective Students to Do?
Applying for college can feel overwhelming but understanding the situation and employing the right strategies can help increase the odds of acceptance. Here are some tips:
Start Early: Allocating more than enough time to carefully complete each component of the college application such as the essays, letters of recommendation, and gathering any necessary documents will eliminate missing out on an acceptance letter because some detail was inadvertently omitted.
Be Mindful of Deadlines: Every college has different deadlines for applications, financial aid, and housing. Deadlines missed are lost opportunities.
Be Realistic: Honestly identify your strengths and weaknesses as well as career goals and matching those qualities up to the school(s) that will best meet those needs. Having a genuine respect for the school’s culture and requirements along with a realistic view about your ability to meet those needs will help manage expectations when decisions arrive.Choose the Right Recommenders: Choose people who know you well and can speak to your skills, achievements, and character. A glowing recommendation from a teacher or mentor can go a long way.
Write a Compelling Essay: Your essay is your chance to show who you are beyond grades and test scores. Make it personal, engaging, and true to yourself. This is your opportunity to really show how you can add value to the school’s campus community.
Apply to a Range of Schools That Make Sense: Don't put all your eggs in one basket but also don’t apply to every school you can think of. Apply to a mix of schools to maximize your chances of acceptance but do so working smarter, not harder. Steer clear of schools you are only interested in for reasons that have nothing to do with your career goals.
Demonstrate Interest: Attend college fairs, request information, or arrange a campus visit. These actions can show a college that you're seriously considering them. They want to know you will accept and attend if invited.
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread: A simple typo or grammatical error can leave a negative impression. Double-check, triple-check and then have your friends and family check everything before you submit.
Prepare for Interviews: If offered an interview, prepare by researching common admissions questions, practicing your responses, and learning about the school.
Take Advantage of Early Decision/Early Action: If you have a clear first-choice school, applying early decision (binding) or early action (non-binding) can increase your chances of acceptance.
Remember, there's no guaranteed strategy for getting accepted into college but if you have a better understanding of the landscape and what challenges they pose you can navigate the journey more mindfully and hopefully with some degree of success.