The State of College Admissions is always Changing

By Hildie Steiner, High Five College Prep
Navigating College Admissions Uncertainty and Shifting Institutional Priorities by Hildie Steiner Owner of High Five College Prep The college admissions landscape has been undergoing a significant transformation over the past few years, with changes in both the SAT and ACT, the shift towards test-optional policies, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and evolving institutional priorities. All these factors plus more have contributed to a new era of uncertainty for students applying to college. 

More and more students apply to 12 or more colleges, and they apply to the same colleges adding to the competitive nature of admissions. There are only 2 constants in college admissions: Change and Disruptions. There are over 1,600 colleges and universities adopting test optional or test blind policies. But depending on the college, the state the college is in, the major your child puts on their application will shift the testing landscape.

As I say to all my students “well it depends”. There is no one straight answer anymore and the nuances associated with testing are plentiful. This is where my expertise comes in- helping students decide whether to test or not and whether to send in their test scores to the colleges they are planning on applying to.

Students and their families are left to navigate a more complex and less predictable admissions process. The emphasis has shifted towards a holistic review, where colleges consider a broader range of factors, including high school GPA, rigor of coursework, high school profile, extracurricular activities, personal essays, and letters of recommendation. And each institution puts a different weight on each holistic piece of the application. But the most important are rigor of curriculum and grades.

While this holistic approach aims to provide a more comprehensive view of a student's potential, it also creates ambiguity. Students must now strategize on how to present themselves without the clear-cut guidance that standardized test scores once provided. The variability in policies across different institutions further complicates the process, as some schools remain test-optional, while others may still require or strongly recommend submitting scores.

Some colleges are what I term “numbers only “colleges. Some do not care as much. As always, “it depends”. Having a balanced college list is the most important step in applying to college. And this list must be curated to best represent the student’s chances of admissibility. This is where hiring a college advisor comes into play.

College admissions is not fair. It is never about the student, but about the college itself. This is called Institutional Priorities. Each college is building a freshman class, and they have rubrics to help them. This is the shade of grade that is kept from the public. Moreover, colleges are placing greater emphasis on admitting students who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to their campuses. This shift reflects a broader societal recognition of the value of diversity in education.  Admissions offices are seeking to create environments where students from various backgrounds can learn from one another, fostering a richer educational experience. An institutional priority is recruiting more rural students for example.

​Each year, the college admissions landscape continues to change presenting new challenges and opportunities for students. The dynamic nature of the process means that what worked for applicants in previous years may not be applicable for future cohorts. Students must remain adaptable and informed about the latest trends and policies. As a professional educational consultant, I study the trends, visit colleges across the United States, and attend professional conferences, webinars, and development on a regular basis to best assist my High Five families. As I tell all my students “Keep Calm and High Five On”.