6 Things About College Admissions You Need to Know Now

You know the saying: “you don’t know what you don’t know”? It’s the precise thing that could hurt your child’s college application most. And as many of the most important factors in college admissions depend on decisions made earlier in our children’s academic careers (as early as middle school), it pays to have a good understanding of these factors now to be able to enjoy a successful and low-stress admissions process when the time comes.

Here are six things to know about recent changes in college admissions, how it may affect

your future college student, and what to do about them.

1. The volume of college applicants is higher than ever and college acceptance rates are at their lowest ever. Each year, students apply to more colleges than the year prior, with high school counselors now recommending it because “all bets are off” now.

The increase in applications across the board has allowed colleges and universities at every rank and profile to lower their acceptance rates, with former “safeties” now being “targets” or “reaches”. 

2. The SATs and ACTs that caused us so much angst back in the day, have gone optional temporarily at over 200 colleges. With Columbia University becoming the first Ivy League to become test optional permanently in the College and Engineering program, we are now at a tipping point. Many universities were test-optional before the beginning of the COVID pandemic though its arrival accelerated the change. Now some universities have returned to requiring SAT scores while others still allow optional test scores with a minimum GPA.

   
   

3. Many high schools are dropping Advanced Placement classes, which can make it more difficult for a student to demonstrate rigor in a subject.

   
   

4. Legacy is steadily disappearing. And that’s a good thing too. Originated in the 1920s

   as a “backdoor strategy” to circumvent the admission of Jewish, minority and immigrant students by giving preference to the children of alumni; now, it’s seen as favoring the wealthy and well-connected.

   
   

5. The US Supreme Court’s recent ruling overturn affirmative action policies could

   potentially pose challenges for students from diverse backgrounds seeking admission

   to universities in the current landscape.

   
   

6. Federal student aid applications have been simplified with an aim to benefit more

   low-income students while potentially reducing aid to students from middle-class

   backgrounds.

Taken together, it’s clear the college admissions landscape is changing dramatically and rapidly. Competition for admissions has increased, while some changes have made it more difficult for a student to stand out. But while this news may seem bleak, it’s possible to use these changes to your student’s advantage with the right strategy.

Using deep insight into the college admissions process and a strong understanding of the current admissions landscape, our advisors at Admissions Intelligence can help you take the stress out of admissions. With a plan tailored to your student’s specific strengths, challenges, and target schools, Admissions Intelligence can help your student have a successful admissions process.

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