First Year Application Trends 2022-23
Last month, Common App published its report on trends in applications for this year. They reported the following key findings.
The volume of applications rose 24% since 2019.
Students are also applying to more colleges each (up 4%).
56% of U.S. applicants live in the top 20% of ZIP codes nationally.
The number of international applicants rose 45% from 2019.
47% of applicants reported a standardized test score this application cycle (even though only 5% of colleges required scores). 51% of continuing generation applicants and 33% of first generation applicants submitted test scores.
In the current environment of higher numbers of applications, it is even more important for students to research and visit colleges to create a balanced college list. If applying to selective colleges, it is not uncommon for students to apply to 12 or more colleges to create balance. While individual situations may differ, the other key takeaway is that most students should sit for standardized tests to try to achieve a score that they can submit. Students also need to write compelling personal statements and supplemental essays to show admissions officers why they would be a good addition to that college. Click here to read the entire Common App report.
