College Admissions Trends

Here’s what’s going on with the Common App right now and why juniors need to pay attention heading into next fall:

Key Trends from the Common App

More Students Are Applying
Applications are up across the board. The pool is bigger, which means competition is too.

Early Action Is Exploding
Early Action applications jumped 17%. More kids are trying to get in early, and colleges are responding by getting pickier.

First Generation Applications Are Rising
Applications from first generation students are up 15%, which is an important shift in the applicant landscape.

Diversity Continues to Grow
Latinx and Black or African American students are among the fastest growing applicant groups, with 14% of students identifying as one of these backgrounds.

Half of Students Are Still Submitting Test Scores
Even with test optional policies, 50% of applicants are choosing to report SAT or ACT scores.

Public Universities Are Getting Flooded
Applications to public colleges are up 11%, which is more than double the growth rate of private schools.

What This Means for Juniors

If you are a junior, these trends matter. A lot. Here are the biggest takeaways I want families to understand right now:

Test Scores Are Not “Dead”

Everyone loves to say testing does not matter anymore. That is not actually what is happening. Even though most schools are technically test optional, more students are submitting scores every year, and that trend is growing fast. Translation: scores still help. If you can submit a strong score, it can absolutely give you an edge.

If you are applying without scores, that is okay, but you need to be smart about your list. Not every school evaluates test optional applicants the same way, and you should do your research early.

Public Schools Are Getting More Competitive, Especially in the South

Big state schools are having a moment. Southern publics in particular are seeing huge surges in applications. They are amazing schools, but out of state admissions can be brutal because they prioritize in state students. This is why I always tell juniors: do not build a list with only public flagships. Private colleges often admit more out of state students and can offer serious merit money, which can make them just as affordable.

Early Action Is No Longer the “Easy Round”

Early Action is growing fast, and that means it is getting more competitive. Colleges are also deferring more students instead of giving early yeses. So strategy matters. If you have a true top choice and you are financially able to commit, Early Decision can be a powerful option. And every junior should have at least one rolling admissions school on their list so you are not waiting until March for your first decision.

Final Thoughts

The college process is changing every single year, and juniors who start planning now are going to be in the best position next fall.

Bigger applicant pools, more early competition, more testing being submitted, and public universities getting slammed with applications means one thing:

You need a smart, balanced strategy, not just a dream list.