It’s no surprise that college admissions is more and more competitive every year. Students are applying to more schools and for the most part, the high-flyers are applying to the brand name select schools that everyone has heard of.
For example, New York University’s acceptance rate was approximately 21% in 2021 but dropped to 12% in 2022. Villanova University’s acceptance rate was over 30% prior to 2021 but dropped to 23% in 2022. Northeastern University saw a huge drop: In 2019 their acceptance rate was 18% and it dropped to around 7% in 2022.
There are a few factors that have caused the drop in acceptance rate at well known institutions. Students are applying to more schools. The Common App makes it easy and simple to do so. Test optional policy has made it accessible for more students to feel they are applicable for these highly selective schools. Often times, students do not take the time to find schools that are the right fit but apply to the popular schools, that many households have heard of because of alumni connections or if the school won an NCAA championship, etc.
Students who have earned straight As, excelled in school, extracurriculars, starred in their high school play, were captain of their high school basketball team or interned at their local hospital feel they have a shot at these schools and they should. The problem is there are just too many great applicants and not enough spots in the incoming class. Many times, when a student is denied, it has nothing to do with the applicant and more to do with the institution. There just aren’t enough spots.
What can you do?
1.Students need to work on researching and finding schools that are a good fit for them, not just schools that they have heard of. Thinking of location, size, major, demographics, to name a few traits is very important. Go to the source- and read up on different college websites. Take a virtual tour, virtual information session, webinar, and visit in-person if you have the time.
2. It’s also very important to research the acceptance rate of a school from the previous year. A simple google search will not do this. Usually in August or the early Fall, the institution will post this information on their website so go to their Admissions page but if you cannot find it there, google the institution name and Common Data Set and look at Section C for the admissions information from the previous year.
3. Follow school’s social media accounts: Instagram and TikTok for example. You learn a lot about the student body from following their accounts and get a feel for life at a certain school. This will help you create a list that is personal to you!
4. If you know that you absolutely love a school and that you have a reasonable chance at acceptance, then I suggest you apply Early Decision (ED). ED is a binding agreement so you must be sure you want to attend that school and you need to be sure that you have a chance of acceptance, not a Hail Mary. Acceptance rates are typically higher for the ED rounds of admissions as well.
I have confidence that students can create a college list that fits their personality and character, it just takes a little extra time. And remember to have a balanced list of likely, target and reach schools. Good luck!