Yes, college admissions are becoming more competitive.
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College admissions are indeed becoming more competitive. With the increasing number of high school graduates and international applicants, as well as the pressure to get into prestigious universities, colleges are receiving record-breaking numbers of applications each year. This trend is reflected in the declining acceptance rates at top universities across the United States.
According to a report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, between 2005 and 2015, the average acceptance rate at four-year colleges and universities dropped from 71 percent to 63 percent. And at some of the most selective colleges, acceptance rates are as low as 4 percent.
As stated by the former Harvard dean of admissions, William R. Fitzsimmons, “The level of achievement among students has never been higher, so we’re seeing an increase in selectivity as well as applications.”
Apart from the increase in competition, there are several additional factors contributing to the trend of college admissions becoming more competitive:
- The Common Application: This platform allows students to apply to multiple colleges with ease. As a result, colleges receive a larger volume of applications than they did before the introduction of the Common Application.
- Rising Importance of Test Scores: As colleges’ reliance on test scores has increased, they have become a more significant factor in the admissions process. This has led to more pressure on students to perform well on standardized tests.
- The Importance of Demonstrated Interest: Colleges want to admit students who are truly interested in attending their institution. As a result, students who demonstrate a strong interest in a particular college are more likely to be admitted.
Additionally, colleges are looking for a diverse student body that reflects a range of backgrounds, interests, and experiences. This means that even students with impressive grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities may not be admitted if they do not add diversity to the student body.
As college admissions become increasingly competitive, it is essential for students to start preparing early and to put their best foot forward in all aspects of their application.
Here is a table showcasing the decreasing acceptance rates at top universities:
| University | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Harvard University | 4.6% |
| Stanford University | 4.34% |
| Columbia University | 6.1% |
| Princeton University | 5.5% |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 6.7% |
In conclusion, the trend of college admissions becoming more competitive shows no signs of slowing down. Students will need to work harder than ever to be accepted into their desired universities. As stated by admissions consultant Steven Mercer, “It’s not the grades that make the student; it’s the student that makes the grades”.
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But recently, the college admissions landscape has gotten more competitive: The number of submitted applications rose by 21.3% between 2019-2020 and 2021-2022, according to a March 2022 Common Application report, which included data from 853 member schools.
College admissions are becoming more competitive due to a rebound in applications following the lockdown, an influx of international students, and better-prepared applicants. However, the acceptance ratio for most universities is high. Only elite schools have very low acceptance rates.
But recently, the college admissions landscape has gotten more competitive: The number of submitted applications rose by 21.3% between 2019-2020 and 2021-2022, according to a March 2022 Common Application report, which included data from 853 member schools. The increase was especially large among students of color and first-generation applicants.
The stats each year demonstrate just how much more competitive the world of college admissions has become. Stanford rejected almost 96 percent of its applicants, and a large percentage of them had perfect SAT or ACT scores. It’s obviously not enough to be a strong student with great test scores.
As college admissions continue to become more competitive, Early Action and Early Decision applications have become increasingly popular. Schools are offering more early application options, including Early Decision II and Early Action II.
Statistics show that the most competitive colleges in the U.S. are getting even more selective — applications in general were up by 10 percent between 2021 and 2022, making for a grueling and often-disappointing experience for applicants and their families.
In fact, the competition for acceptance to elite colleges is fiercer than ever. Highly competitive colleges like Harvard, Yale, and Stanford have seen a dramatic increase in the number of applications received, resulting in an overall lower admittance rate.
The increase in competition is fueled in part by the growing population of 18- to 24-year-olds in the U.S. with more students considering college; this translates to a surge in applicants that may increase a school’s selectivity – meaning lower acceptance rates.
Being a competitive college applicant is becoming increasingly more difficult as the number of students wanting to continue their education beyond high school continues to rise—not to mention the number of over-achievers with killer high school résumés that impress college admission committees.
To hear schools tell it, getting into college has become an uphill battle, with each new freshman class eclipsing the one before it. Last week, the University of Pennsylvania announced that the class of 2018 was the most competitive class yet, as UPenn’s admit rate had dropped below 10 percent for the first time in its history.
See related video
In this video, former Ivy League admissions director John Morganelli explains how the pandemic has impacted college admissions and the level of competitiveness for top-tier schools. He clarifies that while post-pandemic admissions have appeared more competitive due to lower acceptance rates, it can be attributed to weaker applicants applying as a result of relaxed requirements. He emphasizes the importance of understanding admissions terms like academic direction, major, and perspective major to create a strong academic story and improve chances of getting into desired schools. Morganelli debunks the myth of wanting well-rounded students and explains why colleges prefer individuals who excel in specific subjects or fields to create a well-rounded class. He advises focusing on developing specific interests and skills rather than trying to be well-rounded to prepare for college admissions.