The college admission “game” has changed, and many families don’t realize how different it looks until they’re already in it. Getting into college isn’t just more competitive; it now requires a far more strategic and data-driven approach.
As my Class of 2026 students wrap up their applications and admission decisions start rolling out, here are the biggest college admissions trends my colleagues and I are seeing. Understanding these trends now can help students, and especially those in grades 9–11, feel better prepared and make calm, confident decisions later.
For parents of 11th graders, this is a particularly important moment. Junior year is when course rigor, testing decisions, and college list building begin to intersect, and the choices students make now can meaningfully shape their options next year. The good news? There is still plenty of time to be thoughtful and strategic.
Trend 1: Applications are still rising, and students are applying to more schools.
With the Common App making it easy to apply, social media pressure to apply to more schools, and anxiety of low admission rates for some colleges, students are widening their college lists.
According to the Common App data, over 10 million Common Apps were submitted to schools that accept it in the 2024-2025 admissions cycle (more than double the number from 10 years ago).
Students, on average, also applied to more schools than the previous year. When students apply to more colleges, admission rates are tighter, which makes the college application process more competitive. This is why building a balanced college list is more important than ever.
When I meet with my 9th–11th grade students, we spend a good deal of time creating a balanced list of likely and match schools so they have plenty of options when admission decisions roll out.
Trend 2: Testing requirements are changing again.
In the years following the pandemic, test-optional policies led to a sharp rise in college applications. Today, we’re beginning to see schools move in different directions as they decide what testing approach works best for them.
Some schools—especially the most selective, like Harvard, Georgetown, and Dartmouth—are returning to test-required admissions. The state university systems in Florida and Georgia have also brought back test score requirements.
In 2026, a growing list of schools now fall into the test-preferred or test-expected category, meaning they are officially test-optional but tend to favor applicants who submit scores, or at schools like Purdue, strongly encourage students to submit them.
At the same time, many mid-sized universities and smaller liberal arts colleges have committed to remaining test-optional. The website FairTest maintains a list of truly test-optional schools.
There are still some colleges and universities that remain test-blind, meaning SAT and ACT scores do not play a role in admissions. The state university system in California is in this bucket.
It’s enough to make your head spin! So, what is the best approach to testing when your child isn’t exactly sure yet which schools will be on their final list?
I encourage my students to take the SAT or ACT test early to mid-junior year to get a baseline score. Once they know what to expect on the test, they should begin prepping for a second try.
It’s likely that students will submit their scores to some schools on their list, but not all. I work with my students to decide which strategy is best for each application.
If their score is low, they can still retake the test during the fall of senior year. Or they can decide not to submit at all and focus on schools that are truly test-optional or test-blind.
Trend 3: Deferrals are on the rise as applying Early Decision and Early Action gets more competitive.
More students are applying to college early through Early Decision and Early Action rounds. And so, the strategy of guiding students through this process is always evolving.
Early Decision is a legally binding contract between the student and the school, where a student must attend if offered a spot. Early Action is not binding and gives the admissions decision sooner.
In the current admissions cycle for the college Class of 2030, the University of Tennessee saw a 13% increase in Early Action applications. The University of Georgia is reporting a similar increase.
As a college counselor, I’m noticing that, with this increase, many schools are using deferrals more often. A deferral can be especially confusing and discouraging for families. Many parents interpret a deferral as a quiet “no,” when in reality it often means a student is still in the mix. Understanding how deferrals work and planning for them in advance can help families respond strategically rather than emotionally.
Applying early is still a great strategy if a student truly loves the school and is ready to make the commitment. And at some schools, it’s still a huge advantage! For example, at the University of Miami, 44% of Early Decision applicants were accepted for this fall. Last year’s overall acceptance rate was 18%, and the Early Decision acceptance rate was 48%. Still, this shows UM’s Early Decision applicants were admitted at more than twice the rate of applicants in the regular admissions pool.
Trend 4: Gaining admission at many schools is getting tougher, but great-fit schools still exist.
Rising application numbers and increased competition can understandably create a great deal of anxiety for students and parents, but I like to reassure my families that there are many incredible colleges out there that might be the “right fit” for your child. Rankings don’t tell the whole story.
There are many strong programs at schools you might not have heard of. When students look beyond household names and explore a wider range of options, they often find stronger academic matches, more scholarship money, less pressure, and stronger communities where they can truly thrive.
If your teen wants to major in music, you’ve probably heard of the prestigious programs at Juilliard or Berklee—but what about Ithaca College’s School of Music? And if they want to pursue entrepreneurship, surely you’ve heard of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania—but have you heard of Babson College‘s entrepreneurship program?
What do these college admissions trends mean if your student is currently in 11th grade?
This is the year when we often see stress spike, not because students aren’t doing enough, but because everything suddenly feels high-stakes. Juniors don’t need every answer yet, but they do benefit from clarity on testing plans, realistic college options, and how to present themselves authentically in applications. Thoughtful planning now can significantly reduce pressure in senior year.
With these trends in mind, the most helpful thing parents can do is focus on what they can control right now.
So, what should parents of 9th – 11th graders do right now?
- Focus on academic rigor and strong grades
Colleges still care deeply about how challenging a student’s coursework is. - Encourage depth over overload in activities
Sustained involvement in a few meaningful activities is far more compelling than a packed résumé. - Consider prepping and testing early
An early SAT or ACT attempt provides valuable data and keeps options open as testing policies continue to shift. - Build a balanced college list early
A thoughtful mix of likely, match, and reach schools reduces stress and increases confidence when decisions arrive.
With early planning, realistic expectations, and the right guidance, families can approach the admissions process with far less stress and far more confidence.
Our college consulting team is here to help at every step of the way—closely monitoring admissions trends and staying up to date on policy shifts and data so we can help every student put their strongest application forward. We believe there is no single “right” path, only the one that best fits your student.