Top 5 Trends Influencing College Admissions
The collegiate landscape is constantly in flux, thanks to broad technological, cultural, and political societal shifts. We know the undergraduate class of 2029 has already applied to their dream schools and, likely, already received those coveted acceptance letters. However, for the upcoming class of university hopefuls, here’s a heads-up on the latest trends influencing college admissions.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives Are Here To Stay
It’s no secret that diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts have come under fire in recent years. Increasingly polarized political tension pulls at every facet of modern life, and college admissions are no exception. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial 2023 decision that ruled race-conscious admissions programs–which were implemented decades ago to combat racial discrimination–unconstitutional, 28 states have proposed a total of 86 anti-DEI bills. Of those 86 bills, 54 have been tabled or failed to pass, and 14 have final legislative approval. Notably, only 14 anti-DEI bills have actually been signed into law.
The states that allowed these bills to pass include Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Only 12 states out of 50 have upended DEI legislation, which points to a more significant trend often overshadowed by the headlines: diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are here to stay.
Many colleges and universities have maintained or even increased their diversity efforts through intentional strategies, like partnering with high schools and community organizations in underserved areas to broaden their applicant pools. Despite political or legislative pressure to abandon DEI, schools are finding ways to circumvent race-based diversity outreach by focusing on socioeconomic diversity and first-generation college students.
Higher education institutions are also maintaining DEI initiatives by participating in holistic admissions, a practice that “broadens opportunities for qualified candidates from non-traditional backgrounds and enhances the diversity and richness of the graduate student community, benefiting students, faculty, and the university as a whole.” Keeping up with the ever-shifting, constantly frenzied world of politics can be an intense and stressful experience for young people. Cultures don’t change overnight, though, and the majority of colleges and universities still recognize the value of maintaining diverse student populations.
Test-Optional Policies Are Still Prevalent
While some institutions are reintroducing standardized testing requirements into their applications, test-optional policies still dominate the collegiate landscape and will likely continue to do so over the next five years. Test-optional admissions, which allow students to choose whether or not to submit their SAT or ACT scores with their applications, became prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The movement was also a response to rising concerns that standardized tests contribute to inequities in higher education.
The number of colleges and universities that require standardized test results has decreased dramatically among Common App members in the last decade, from 55 percent in the 2019-2020 school year to a staggering 4 percent in the 2023-2024 school year. Test-optional policies are beneficial because they offer applicants more flexibility in presenting their academic achievements. Some universities have even gone test-blind and don’t consider standardized test scores at all.
However, testing isn’t completely obsolete. Strong test scores are still determining factors in the admissions process for students seeking entry into highly sought-after schools like Harvard and MIT. In fact, despite the drastic decrease in schools requiring test scores, there’s been a 10 percent increase among test score reporters in the past year. The most competitive students still rightfully view their test scores as invaluable additions to a strong college application.
Technology Is Playing a Greater Role
Advancements in technology are also influencing the evolution of college admissions. Admissions officers are using artificial intelligence to assist with evaluating increasingly large volumes of applications. Specifically, AI is being used to review transcripts and “analyze course rigor, grade trends, and subject-specific performance to provide admissions officers with a summary of a student’s academic journey.” By automating time-consuming work like looking for signs of plagiarism and tracking performance patterns over time, admissions officers can focus on the personalized nuances of each application.
Students also use artificial intelligence to format resumes, brainstorm essay ideas, and research colleges. AI is the future; however, we caution against relying on it too heavily. To ensure fair admissions evaluations, many institutions are training admissions officers to spot heavy AI usage that’s replaced personal effort with technology.
Colleges and universities are also reviewing applicants’ digital footprints, including social media profiles, blogs, portfolios, and more. Digital literacy and proficiency with burgeoning technologies are becoming increasingly relevant.
College Enrollment Is Declining
In 2020, only 53 percent of U.S. high school graduates enrolled in college for the following fall semester, a notable drop from the 70 percent documented in 2016. Despite the fact that college graduates earn nearly $1 million more throughout their lives than those with just a high school diploma, college enrollment is on the decline, particularly among young men. In fact, in 2022, 1 million fewer American men aged 18 to 24 enrolled in college than in 2011.
Widespread economic insecurity, mounting student loan debt, the desire to pursue careers that don’t require college degrees, and a growing suspicion about the perceived value of a college education have all been cited as reasons for enrollment decline. Regardless of the reasons, though, this decrease in applicants is affecting college admissions. Fewer potential students lead to increased competition among colleges and universities to attract the best students. Stronger competition can drive down admission standards and produce more aggressive recruitment strategies.
If young men continue to abandon their collegiate prospects and college enrollment continues to fall overall, the world of higher education will shift significantly in the coming years.
Extracurricular Activity Is Increasingly Relevant
As we mentioned earlier, holistic admissions processes are becoming more commonplace. This means that in addition to grade point averages and test scores, schools are giving more weight to letters of recommendation, essays, and extracurricular activities.
And there are also countless extracurricular opportunities around the world for high school students looking to enhance their applications. Our own research cohorts allow students to explore advanced subjects beyond the classroom and earn letters of recommendation from their faculty advisors. The value of high school research programs on a collegiate resume can’t be overstated. We’re currently accepting applications for our Spring research programs, and this summer, we’re offering more than 35 cohorts that span STEM, art and design, and the humanities.
Strong extracurriculars are especially important for students pursuing highly selective majors like computer science. A well-rounded academic profile that demonstrates academic creativity, character, and diversity of interests is the golden ticket to the top schools, and it will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.
These trends are shaping the landscape of higher education. Parents and students alike should stay knowledgeable about them to remain competitive in 2025 and beyond.