Five trends in college admissions you need to know

The National Association for College Admission Counseling(NACAC) has published its annual “State of College Admission.” This report provides a snapshot of the college admissions landscape – as well as trends to be on the lookout for. Here are the highlights:

• The number of high school graduates has peaked. An estimated 3.28 million students graduated in 2010 – 2011 and will decline over the next five years before rebounding in 2017-2018.
• However, application volume continues to increase. Most colleges (73%) experienced an increase in applications received in 2010; at the same time, 25% of students submitted seven or more applications, up from 23% the year prior.
• Early decision activity is down and the acceptance rate gap has narrowed. Thirty six percent of colleges reported an increase in ED applications in 2010 (vs 65% in 2009). For 2010, colleges reported a 7% bump in overall acceptance rate for early decision candidates, down from 15% in 2009.
• Use of wait list is on the rise. Forty-eight percent of colleges used wait lists in 2010, up from 39% the year prior. On average, colleges accepted 28% of student off the wait list, down from 34% the year prior.
• The essay is most important admissions criterion after academic achievements. Colleges indicated the essay as the second factor considered after a student’s academic qualifications (which include curriculum/rigor/grades and standardized test scores).

To read the full report, click here.