JUNIORS

• When choosing classes for next year, pick a schedule that's rigorous yet manageable. Choose electives that allow you to pursue your individual interests

• A good way to start working on college applications is to write a list of activities. Include brief descriptions and any leadership positions. This will become an important part of the Common App.

SENIORS

• It's almost May 1st. Make sure that you've accepted at least one college's offer of admission, and be sure to pay any required deposits.

Important Trends from This Year’s Admissions Cycle

Application numbers and admissions rates have shifted a bit in this cycle. Some colleges saw growth in the number of applicants while other colleges saw declines. However, admission rates at super selective colleges continue to be around 6%. For current high school students, there are several trends to keep in mind.

The Common App reported a 5% growth in the number of applications from last cycle and a large increase of 2.1 million more applications compared to 4 years ago. International applications are down about 9% this cycle. The South is the region with the most applicants, and Texas just passed New York as the state with the most applicants.

Many Ivy League and other super selective colleges had larger application pools and lower admission rates. Yale recorded its second largest applicant pool with almost 48,000 applications. Columbia University had its largest applicant pool this year (up over 1,400 applications from last year). Brown, Columbia, Duke, MIT, Vanderbilt, and Yale all reported admission rates under 5%. Many other selective colleges are reporting admissions rates at or below 7% including Amherst (7%), Bowdoin (6.5%), Northwestern (7%), and Williams (7%).

At many selective colleges, there was a large difference between Early Decision and Regular Decision admissions rates. For example, this year Vanderbilt accepted about 12% of the students who applied ED1 and ED2 and only 2.8% of the students who applied in the regular decision round. Tulane had a 53% acceptance rate in ED1 but an overall acceptance rate of 15% this year. It is wise to be realistic when choosing a school to apply to Early Decision.

More colleges are reinstating the requirement of standardized testing. Even at colleges that are still test optional, many accept a higher percentage of students who submit test scores. Juniors and sophomores should make sure that they have a plan to take standardized tests if they are applying to selective colleges.

GPA is a central factor in admissions, but the rigor of a student’s courses is also very important. With many applicants reporting a high school GPA in the A range, admissions officers are looking closely at students’ classes. Generally, applicants to selective colleges need to take the 5 core academic courses all 4 years of high school. Students who are interested in STEM should be sure to take advanced science classes and calculus. Undergraduate business applicants should take calculus and (if possible) statistics.

Students’ activities are also very important in admissions. Colleges tend to favor sustained involvement in authentic interests which results in a leadership role and/or significant impact in that area. Applicants interested in STEM should try to find research opportunities in high school.

Majors matter! The major that a student indicates on their application can affect their chances of admission. Business, engineering, and STEM majors can be more selective, depending on the college. For colleges that admit by major, it is essential for students to show a commitment to and experience in the specific academic area.

Optional videos are becoming a part of admissions materials at several colleges. Brown, Case Western, Claremont McKenna, Duke, University of Chicago, Wake Forest, and Washington University in St Louis (among others) allow students to submit a short video introducing themselves to the admissions officers. Students should use this as an opportunity to highlight one of their interests or strengths.

Institutional priorities continue to add to uncertainty in the college admissions process, especially at selective schools. Some colleges have higher admissions rates for male students as they try to create balance in the gender ratios in the incoming class. Others are trying to boost enrollment in specific majors. Researching colleges’ strategic plans can often offer insight into their institutional priorities. Also, creating a balanced college list, made up of reach, target, and likely schools is the best way for applicants to ensure a successful process.

You Got Accepted!
What To Do Now

1. Compare the colleges that have offered you admission. Look at curriculum, location, extracurriculars, and other aspects. Consider financial aid offers and learning support services, if applicable.

2. Revisit one or more campuses. Talk to current students, professors, and administrators. Ask questions about any specific concerns you may have whether they are related to academic pursuits, campus community, or career services. If you intend to try to join a specific team or club, reach out to see if you can connect with them while you are on campus.

3. Attend admitted student events. They are a good opportunity to talk to current students and alumni and to meet other admitted students. Join social media groups for accepted students at the college.

4. After you have done your research, it is time to decide which college is the best fit for you.

5. Follow the college's instructions to accept your chosen school by May 1st and submit the deposit (if required). Set up your email address with the college to start getting information. Remember to keep track of required health and housing forms.

6. Figure out if you want/need to find a roommate or if there is an option for the college to match you with someone.

7. Inform the other colleges that have accepted you of your decision not to enroll. If you have been accepted to a college that you know you will not attend, let them know as soon as possible to potentially open up a spot for someone else.

8. Pay attention to your schoolwork. You will need to send your final grades to the college, and you do not want to show a dip in your grades.

9. Enjoy the last few months of high school and get excited about college!

Steps to Take if Your Application
Has Been Waitlisted

After the long process of college applications, it can be tough to be waitlisted at one of your top choice colleges.

1. The first thing to do is to decide if you want to accept a place on the college's waitlist. If you have been accepted to one or more colleges that you would attend over the waitlist school, feel free to choose not to remain on the waitlist.

2. Get an idea of your chances of getting off the waitlist by checking the historical data of how many students are typically accepted off the waitlist at that specific college. Some colleges use their waitlists more than others. You can accept a spot on more than one waitlist.

3. If you choose to accept a place on the waitlist, check the college's portal for instructions (including the deadline) and follow them. Some colleges will allow an update or additional letter of recommendation, while others simply allow a student to check a box. Let the college know if you are committed to attending if admitted. Certain colleges do not want any updates or additional materials, sending anything extra to those schools will not increase your chances of getting off the waitlist.

4. Once on the waitlist, you should not expect to hear back on waitlist decisions until after May 1st. Most colleges want to close their books on the current admissions class by the middle of July (at the latest). In the meantime, spend time learning about the colleges where you have been accepted. You will need to commit to one of those colleges by May 1st. Get excited about the college you choose, even if you are on waitlists for other schools.

News About Colleges

• All 12 of Florida's public universities can no longer offer introductory sociology courses that count toward a student's general education requirements. Florida's public colleges can only teach these courses under a state-approved, revised framework that restricts instruction on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Read the full article here.

• After a long academic and financial review, Syracuse University is cutting 9 humanities-based majors. Other humanities majors are being "re-envisioned" or absorbed into larger programs as the university determines how to remain fiscally sound. Read the full article here.

• Yale Report Finds Colleges Derve Blame for Higer Education’s Problems. The report covers topics including the high cost of private universities and the opacity of admissions processes. Read the full article here.

About Karen Handler Ryan

At Excelsior Admissions Consulting, Karen uses her expertise to take the stress out of the college application process for students and their families.

Born and raised in New York City, Karen is an alumna of Trinity School in Manhattan and received her B.A. in Psychology with Honors from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. She received her J.D. from Columbia University Law School and went on to practice law at a major international firm. She has completed the University of California Irvine Independent Educational Consultant Certificate Program and Columbia University Teachers College Advising Program.

As a volunteer college consultant for ScholarMatch and a member of the Yonkers Partners in Education, Karen is a staunch advocate for equity in education. Believing that first-hand knowledge of colleges and universities facilitates the ability to create a successful match between a student and a school, she travels across the country visiting different colleges.