Sparks blog: It’s a numbers game

by Mr. Michael Wagner

The college admissions cycle is winding down for the incoming class of 2027. Yet from year to year, this reoccurring cycle is in a constant state of change. How so? Lately, the number of applications to colleges has grown to astronomical levels due to a few factors, including of course the ability for students to apply to multiple colleges with the single click of the enter key.

Big numbers

When you look at the application submission numbers there will always be some schools with an increase in applications from one year to the next and some schools with decreases. However, there is one trend that continues to stand out—there are A LOT of applications being submitted to colleges and universities as a whole.

Another trend is the upswing of diversity in the applicant pool. Students of color and international student applicants have increased for the class of 2027and hopefully this trend will continue. Despite the barrage of media coverage pushed out regarding the cost of college and the related debt crisis burden, information is also being provided to young adults that attending college is possible and can be affordable.

There are also schools this year that have seen sizable increases in the number of applicants due to the growth of the test optional movement, which swelled during the Covid-19 pandemic. Students that previously would not have applied to certain universities have fewer barriers, and they are taking advantage of it.

Further, there is a growing use of centralized application portals such as the Common Application and The Coalition Application which make it simple for students to apply to multiple colleges with the single click of a button.

Sometimes it's a secret

It should be mentioned that some colleges and universities do not discuss their admissions information with the public, which results in a layer of secrecy, can create transparency issues, and in general contributes to the admissions numbers madness.

Strategy

In the end, what does it all mean? The most popular colleges and universities, the elite status Ivy league schools, and other prestigious schools such as Stanford, UC Berkeley, and NYU will always get an abundance of applications. Students should understand that large amounts of applications does not mean that more students get admitted, it means that more students get denied.

Students should be prepared when they submit applications to schools that have historically large application pools and small admittance rates. It can be frustrating or downright discouraging when admissions decisions from these schools are released. That is why it is so important when assembling a college list to consider the admissions data of universities and be realistic about the chances of success. This may mean expanding one’s admission strategy to include schools that have more generous acceptance policies and those that have a historical trend of consistency among applications and acceptance data.

Find balance

If students want to enter the highly competitive application game, they need to exercise patience and know that it is very possible things may not work out. To buffer this, students’ college lists should consist of a mix of schools with schools that provide increased chances of acceptance and that are also a good fit.

Remember, despite the increase in applications, the best strategy is to research your schools to create a balanced list. Take the time, look at the numbers, and seriously understand what applying to highly selective colleges and universities really means when it comes to submitting applications.

Good luck!

Michael Wagner, MAED is a founder and the Knowledge Pilot for Launch Education. Mr. Mike has assisted hundreds of students around the world on their college pathways.