College admissions in 2025 look very different than just a few years ago. The ACT is going digital, the digital SAT is getting harder, colleges are putting more students on waitlists, AI has been added to the admissions process, etc. As schools place greater value on authenticity and personal development, staying updated on these trends can help families guide their students with clarity and confidence.
Navigating the 2025 College Admissions Landscape:
Key Trends and Insights
The Common Application reports a continued rise in total applications, as students apply to more schools than ever before. In the 2024-2025 application cycle, the number of applicants grew by 4%, and total applications increased by 6% compared to the previous year. This trend isn’t surprising, with students applying to an average of 6.1 schools, up from previous years.
Colleges are shifting away from traditional checklists and placing more emphasis on who applicants are as individuals and how they’ve grown. Personal growth, authenticity, and resilience are the key qualities that will set you apart.
As Early Applications and Deferrals Rise, College Admissions Get More Competitive
Early applications have surged this year, intensifying the already fierce competition in college admissions. Take Duke University, where only 849 out of 6,627 early decision applicants were admitted, resulting in a striking 12.8% acceptance rate. While a few students secure early acceptance, many others are deferred, pushing their wait into the regular decision pool where competition only increases. The rise in deferrals is shifting the landscape, making it even harder to stand out later in the process. With early action applications up 17% and early decision rising by 4%, the stakes have never been higher.
Facing the Odds with College Waitlists
Last year, only 3.9% of the 24,000 students waitlisted by the University of Michigan were ultimately admitted—enough to fill its freshman class three times. Similarly, the University of Virginia placed 10,470 students on its waitlist, with just 2.3% being accepted. This underscores the importance of understanding the deferral and waitlist processes. When deferrals lead to the uncertainty of a waitlist, it becomes a heavy burden for students. Colleges are increasingly using waitlists as a safety net, but in many cases, it’s far from a guarantee.
SAT and ACT Scores Still Matter in 2025 Admissions
The Common App reported an 11% increase in applicants sharing their test scores for the 2024-2025 cycle, showing that strong scores still give students an edge, especially at competitive schools. In today’s admissions world, a strong SAT or ACT score continues to make a difference. Here are some of the changes to standardized testing:
ACT: Transitioning to Digital
Starting in April, the ACT will switch to a digital format, though students can still take the paper version until September. The overall test structure remains similar, but it will be shortened by 10 minutes. A significant change is that the Science section will become optional, and its score will no longer be included in the composite score sent to colleges.
SAT: Increased Math Difficulty
The SAT format stays the same, but recent tests have shown a higher level of difficulty in the Math and Language sections. As the College Board updates practice materials, it’s important to focus on recent resources to stay prepared.
Surge in Public College Applications
Ivy League schools remain desirable, but highly selective public universities, especially in the South, are seeing a surge in applications. Public college applications grew by 10% from 2023-2024 to 2024-2025, while private colleges saw only a 3% increase. This trend, especially in the South and Southwest, signals the growing popularity of public universities as affordable, competitive options.
College Admissions and AI Tools
For students, AI tools like ChatGPT can be useful for brainstorming and refining drafts. However, excessive reliance on AI may lead to content that lacks the personal touch admissions officers look for.
While many colleges discourage applicants from using AI to write essays or complete applications, institutions are embracing AI tools to improve efficiency, from screening applicants to processing transcripts and personalizing communication. According to a 2023 survey, 50% of admissions professionals currently use AI, with 82% planning to implement it by 2024.
To navigate the shifting college admissions process, staying informed is crucial. Regularly update yourself on the latest trends and changes, whether through webinars, trusted college admissions blogs, or by directly engaging with schools. Being proactive and staying connected with resources that provide updates on application deadlines, policy shifts, and testing requirements will give you a clearer understanding and help you make more informed decisions throughout your college admissions journey.
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