US College Admission Trends in 2022
As the dust starts to settle on the previous US college application cycle, now is a good time to take a look at three trends that will continue to impact admissions.
Trend 1: Application Numbers & Shrinking Admit Rates
According to the Common Application, overall applications increased by 22% and the total number of applicants rose by 13% this last application cycle. This increase was not evenly spread across all institutions, though. While many colleges struggled to meet enrollment targets, the Ivies and other selective colleges saw a significant rise in applications once again and their admit rates shrank even further.
Why?
Test optional was a factor, with more students "throwing their hat in".
With online applications and more colleges on the Common App than ever, it is becoming increasingly easy - although not advisable - for students to increase the number of applications they submit.
Colleges actively recruited more widely, using social media and online marketing to reach more international students and underrepresented, low-income, and first-generation students.
Some colleges, such as Boston University, oversubscribed the previous year and were more cautious this year. Waitlists were actively used as an enrollment management tool by many colleges.
Future Trend
The most well-known and selective colleges in the US will continue to receive large numbers of applications and admit rates will remain low.
Trend 2: Early Decision & Yield Protection
Early Action allows students to receive a decision from a college early but does not bind them to attend. Early Decision, however, is a binding commitment, unless a student can prove they cannot afford to attend.
The University of Pennsylvania regularly admits around 50% of its students via ED, with the remaining 50% going to the wider RD pool and QuestBridge students. That translates to a 16% admit rate for ED compared with 8% overall, making it an attractive option for students. Vanderbilt University also loves ED and plans to stay steady at admitting roughly 54% through its EDI and EDII rounds next cycle.
Even more colleges got in on the act this year, with Northeastern and Boston University among those increasing the number of students accepted through their ED rounds.
Why?
Colleges - especially private institutions - love demonstrated interest, and Early Decision is the ultimate proof that they are the number one choice.
Colleges also try to protect their yield rates - the number of students who ultimately choose to enroll - as some college ranking systems are punitive towards low yield rates. ED guarantees enrollment.
Future Trend
Yield rate protection will continue.
Trend 3: College Essays
College essays, which have always been impactful for selective colleges, have increased in importance at many colleges over the past few years. More colleges have added their own supplemental questions for students to answer as part of their application.
Why?
The transcript, grades, and activities list tell the college what a student has done. College essays reveal more about who the student is as a person. They provide context to the course choices and extracurricular activities, and also help colleges learn about a student's communication skills and what makes them tick.
Many colleges have reviewed the way they read applications with the absence of a test score and opted for a more holistic approach.
Future Trend
Essays will remain an important part of the application decision for many universities, and even more so for super selective colleges.
Book a free consult today for help navigating your journey to college.
