It seems that college admissions rates get lower and lower each year. And for many admissions cycles they are indeed getting lower. For the class of 2023, Harvard’s acceptance rate was just 3.4%, and NYU saw their record low at 8% acceptance. Schools that, in the past, have had admissions rates in the twenties and thirties are now dropping to single digits. When added to the weight of a student’s peers boasting their high GPAs or impressive extracurricular activities, these record-low acceptance rates create anxiety in many applicants (and their parents). But do these dwindling acceptance rates really reflect how hard it is to be accepted?
Good news: they don’t. The recent decline of admissions rates is due in part to the increase in the average number of applications students are submitting. With so many universities using the CommonApp to collect applications, it has become easier for students to apply to multiple schools. The bulk of the information a student provides is automatically “recycled” and used for each college’s application, including the activities list, main essay, and personal and demographic data. Also, many schools don’t require additional essays (beyond the one required for the CommonApp), meaning there is literally no extra work required to submit an application to that school. With the simple click of a button, a student can apply to multiple schools with a “why not?” mindset.
The recent test-optional policies adopted by many institutions has contributed to the increase in applications as well, as standardized test scores (and their associated costs) are no longer a deterrent. This means that more students are applying just to throw their name in the hat, without necessarily having the qualifications to be a competitive candidate.
From a college’s perspective, the more applications they receive the better. It not only draws in money through application fees, it also allows them to be more selective in their admissions and produce lower and lower admissions rates. This, in turn, makes the school look more attractive to highly qualified students.
Bottom line: Acceptance rates change
dramatically from year to year based on a multitude of factors, and the “selectivity” they boast from low rates are often misleading. A college’s acceptance rate should never be the reason for a student to apply; schools that are a good fit for the student and their unique qualifications should be the only ones to which they apply.