Getting into the Right College: This isn't the 1990's Admission Process

Remember when you applied to college?

‍
Maybe you took out your word processor and pulled together a handful of applications (there may have been some white-out involved), wrote an essay or two, and sent them off with a wing and a prayer. Then you got your acceptance letters (in the mail) and that was that. Fast forward to today - the college admissions landscape is completely unrecognizable to those of us who applied to college in the days before laptops and iPhones. Understanding the changes and what they mean to students (and you) can help families navigate the process successfully, and minimize everyone’s stress along the way.

The number of students applying to colleges has increased significantly, while the available spots have not kept pace. This means that, particularly at the most desirable institutions, there are simply not enough spots for everyone who would like to attend, and the competition for coveted college seats has become fierce.  In 1988, for example, Columbia University accepted 65% of the students who applied - this year, for the class of 2028, their acceptance rate was 3.85%.  That same year, the University of Southern California accepted 78% of applying students.  For the class of 2028?  The acceptance rate was 9.2%.

The introduction of the Common App’s first online application in 1998, which allowed students to apply to multiple schools with one application only amplified the pressure. It made it easier for students to apply to a greater number of schools - the current Common App allows up to 20 applications per student - with a single application and only one personal statement (responding to one of 7 prompts) for all of the schools they apply to.

And Covid didn’t help.

The pandemic created significant challenges for students hoping to take the SAT or ACT.  The unavailability of test dates and locations resulted in a major disruption in the application process - Most schools in the US shifted to being test-optional and not requiring standardized tests for admission.  That change has persisted and, according to FairTest.org, more than 1,900 colleges and universities in the US are fully test-optional (allowing students to decide if they will provide test scores for consideration) and 85 are test-free (no tests will be considered).  While there are always news stories about schools that have returned to requiring tests, the vast majority of schools in the US remain test-optional.  This reality may be helpful for some students, but has only added to the pressure. Students now need to decide where, and when, a test score will help their application.  It has also increased application numbers further - between the ease and convenience of submitting applications through the Common App and the fact that so many schools no longer require test scores, students may apply to schools for which, in reality, they may not be fully qualified, only adding to the intensity.

It’s not all bad news, though.

There are ways for students to stand out in this new competitive landscape.  When applications arrive at schools, they are reviewed by admissions staff, who allocate less than 15 minutes to each application.  Knowing this allows students to maximize the information they share. They can use their application to create a story that helps the admissions office understand and get to know them better.  Essays are one critical way to do this - as is carefully choosing their high school classes and thoroughly describing their extra-curricular activities.  All this information can offer a great deal of information about who a student is personally and academically.

Students can also take advantage of a change in early admission strategies.  Many schools have added a non-binding Early Action option, in addition to (or in some cases, instead of) Early Decision.  Like Early Decision, this option, which requires an earlier application submission, allows students to hear from schools earlier. Students who are admitted Early Action don’t have to respond to their offer to enroll until May 1, National College Decision Day.  And although early applications have increased, students who apply early often have a statistical advantage over those who apply for Regular Decision. While these programs exist because of efforts by colleges to maintain or improve their yield rates - many schools fill up to half of their incoming classes this way - students can use them to improve their admissions prospects.

Now more than ever, it's crucial for students and families to understand the ever-changing world of college admissions. Working with a certified Independent College Counselor can help families both navigate the process and reduce the associated anxiety, paving the way to success.  From planning their high school curriculum to creating a well-balanced list to drafting essays and preparing their applications - an Independent College Counselor can serve as a guide to help students find a school that will be a perfect fit while facilitating a less stressful application process.  Your perceptions of schools from when you last visited colleges are likely woefully out of date - Keeping an open mind and getting support while letting your child lead the way will empower them to thrive through this process.   This allows you, the parent, to maintain your sanity while your student savors their final moments in high school and at home without every conversation at the dinner table revolving around college admissions.