Applications up. Acceptances down. Another year of record applicant numbers. What does this mean for future students?

The Common App, the primary application process for college applicants in the US, has reported a significant surge in college applications for the fall of 2023.

This surge in applications is not simply a recovery from the pandemic when applications and enrollments dropped, but rather a significant increase of 20% over pre-pandemic levels. The increase in applications is consistent across all types of schools, including public and private, and is even more pronounced among underrepresented minorities, first-generation applicants, and foreign applicants, all of whom saw an increase of 30%, 35%, and 45%, respectively.

While these applications and applicants do not necessarily indicate a surge in enrollments this fall, they do suggest a potential Covid bounce in college enrollments, which could provide welcome budget relief to schools.

Overall, the increase in college applications challenges the narrative of an enrollment crisis in higher education and suggests that there may be cause for optimism.

However, for students, this means a significant increase in competition at their desired colleges. This past year, for example, Harvard, Stanford, and many other top colleges reported record-low acceptance rates at just 3 and 4%. If these trends continue, the top colleges are just years away from having acceptance rates of only 1% or lower.

To prepare for these changes, it is important for students to start thinking about college earlier—identifying their interests and pursuing them with genuine, unwavering commitment, along with continuously seeking new opportunities to challenge themselves academically, personally, and professionally.