This year, college admissions are changing on many fronts. More applicants are applying to schools than ever before, colleges admit fewer students, and more students are moving from their original college to another. These trends indicate that higher education is evolving rapidly and students’ needs are also changing rapidly. It is therefore essential that parents and students are aware of the changes in their children’s college experience.

Trend #1 in College Admissions: Acceptance rates are decreasing

One of the most notable aspects of college admissions this year is that acceptance rates have dropped at nearly every school, but the most prestigious universities (including all Ivy League schools) have seen especially sharp drops. The lower rates of admission together with the higher number of applicants overall, means that more students are competing for every slot at the most selective schools. This will lead to more students accepted being put on waitlists, or being rejected as well as some schools may even close or cut their programs.

Colleges are focusing on yield to combat this downswing in college enrollment. This is the percentage of accepted students who actually enroll. In the past, colleges used yield to make admission decisions. Now, they are also using it to determine whether merit scholarships will be available. Merit scholarships are offered to students who demonstrate a combination of outstanding academic achievement and extracurricular participation. These scholarships can be worth thousands of dollars. In the current environment, with more students being turned down by their initial choice college, a lot of merit scholarships are not being claimed. This trend is likely to continue as colleges focus on yield and applicants should keep this in mind when deciding where to apply.

Another trend is that more colleges are offering early admission, which includes Early Decision and Early Action plans. This allows colleges to boost their income by admitting more selective students. It also gives applicants an advantage when they are accepted. However it is important to realize that most colleges have a low percentage of applicants and the advantages of applying early are often balanced out by the increased competition.

In addition, more colleges are innovating to attract students with new programs, such as the expansion of the MIT’s inter-disciplinary program to include fields such as engineering and biology. More schools are also moving away from the traditional academic calendar and instead offering summer classes, allowing them more students to be served during peak enrollment season.

Another trend to keep an eye on is the rise in families opting to take a gap year particularly since COVID-19 numbers are decreasing and the supply of vaccines is growing. This could have an impact on admissions, since it is possible that students who otherwise have enrolled at college in the fall will opt for taking a break instead. As the spring semester gets closer, it is likely that college enrollment will return to normal levels. Most colleges will seek ways to fill their available seats.

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