Students about to embark on the ever-challenging college application process would do well to know the latest trends, and use this knowledge to their benefit.
1. The volume of college applications has continued its upward spiral. More students are applying to college than ever before, and they are applying to a greater number of schools. The Common Application reports the overall volume of college applications increased by 30% over the past three years.
New York University (NYU), for example, received 120,000 applications from high school students graduating this year, and 85,000 applications from those who graduated in 2020 – an increase of 41%. As a result, the acceptance rate has fallen to record lows at many of the most sought-after universities.
2. Tuition and fees have also continued to rise. Over the past 20 years, costs for in-state students to attend public universities increased by 175%, while costs to attend private national universities increased by 134%, according to Forbes. Colleges and universities with a sticker price exceeding $80,000 per year (including tuition, fees, room, and board) include University of Pennsylvania, Boston College, Cornell University, Franklin & Marshall College, Tufts University, Brown University, Amherst College, Wake Forest University, and the University of Southern California. The exact figures can be found in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges.
3. More students are recognizing the benefit of applying Early Decision (ED) and/or Early Action (EA) to colleges, typically requiring that applications be submitted by November 1st of senior year. Many colleges report a significantly higher acceptance rate for ED and EA applicants.
At Williams College in Massachusetts (ranked #1 National Liberal Arts College in Best Colleges), the Early Decision acceptance rate is 40% while the regular acceptance rate is 9%. The same numbers are reported for #2 ranked Amherst College, also located in Massachusetts, according to statistics posted on Niche.com
4. Acceptance into direct entry medical programs, where students move seamlessly from their undergraduate education into medical school, has become increasingly competitive. Such programs are offered at a gamut of schools, including Rutgers and Rowan universities in New Jersey, and Drexel, Temple, Thomas Jefferson, and University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. At many of these programs, the acceptance rate ranges from 1% to 5%.
5. Ever since The College Board stopped offering SAT Subject Tests (also known as SAT II exams) in 2021, college admissions officers have placed a greater importance on Advanced Placement courses and the scores students are earning on these end-of-year exams.
Enrollment in AP courses is quite popular in Central New Jersey, as students seek to stand out, academically, among their peers. Statistics from U.S. News & World Report cite the partition rate in AP courses in 2022 as 74% at Princeton High School, 67% at Montgomery High School, 52% at Hillsborough High School, and 44% at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362
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