In the Fall of 2022, high school seniors are expected to face the most challenging application process in American history. Why? Regardless of global factors like the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, high schools students are faced with a rapidly changing college application landscape that few understand. Here are some of the challenges:
When college applications open this summer, the sprint toward acceptance at your student’s dream school begins.
- More applicants—according to the Common App, the number of applicants increased last year by 11 percent to over 6 million users
- More applications—in addition to the greater number of applicants, each student is applying to a staggering 22 percent more schools
- International influx—more than ever before, American students are competing against a 10 percent increase in applications from international students and the top dollar they typically deliver to colleges and universities.
- Test-optional standardized tests—1785 institutions will be test-optional for 2022, representing approximately three-quarters of American schools. While this is relief for students who dislike standardized tests, it removes a significant differentiator for admissions officers and forces them to take a more holistic approach when evaluating students and their accomplishments.
- The pandemic is responsible for numerous anomalies when it comes to grades and mental health, thus creating greater ambiguity for admissions officers
WHAT DOES ‘HOLISTIC’ MEAN IN 2022 COLLEGE ADMISSIONS?
Aside from GPA, competitive test-optional and test-blind institutions are forced to consider much murkier metrics, including rigor of curriculum, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation and intellectual curiosity. Every detail is scrutinized, every accomplishment magnified.
Students who can demonstrate a consistent theme throughout their academic pursuits and extracurriculars while also showing they’re well-rounded and not just one-dimensional academic machines are going have the most memorable applications.
ESSAYS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
With fewer data points with which to quantify students, essays have become nearly as important as academic accomplishments. These essays are the students’ main opportunity to speak directly to admissions officers, demonstrating their passion, determination and vision. Most importantly, students must remember that personal statements must be personal, illuminating what makes them take while, at the same time, explaining why they deserve a spot in that college’s next incoming class.
TEST-OPTIONAL DOESN’T MEAN TEST-BLIND
For students who are able to pull exceptional scores on the SAT or ACT, these scores can be submitted to test-optional institutions. Especially for students applying as STEM majors to competitive institutions, these test scores remain important differentiators. Furthermore, many schools still use ACT and SAT scores as a factor in awarding scholarship money. Finally, both the SAT and ACT can now be super-scored, giving students who chose to take them the opportunity to generate scores that can improve their chances for admission.
HOW TO CRAFT A COMPELLING COLLEGE APPLICATION
College admissions officers read thousands of applications from students whose GPA and other “measurables” are very similar. In order to stand out—in order to be different—you need to make a difference. If you’re a high school student, now is the time to work with a college advisor to help craft that compelling story that will help your application rise to the top and gain the admission letter that you’ve worked so hard to achieve. CCC is here to help make your college dreams come true!
