College Admissions Trends 2025-2026: What Students Need to Know

The college admissions landscape continues to evolve rapidly. Here is what students and families need to know for the 2025-2026 cycle.

Standardized Testing Returns

Harvard will require SAT or ACT scores starting Fall 2025 for the Class of 2029. Yale has adopted a test-flexible policy accepting SAT, ACT, AP, or IB scores. Test score submission increased by 11% between 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 cycles.

Record Application Numbers

Competition remains fierce. According to the February 2025 Common App report, student applications increased by 4% from the previous year. Total application volume increased by 6%, with students averaging 6.10 schools per application.

Active Waitlists

Waitlists are more active than ever. Students have been admitted to Harvard, Cornell, Vanderbilt, and Columbia through waitlists this year. The University of Michigan waitlisted 24,804 students with only a 3.9% acceptance rate from the waitlist.

AI Impact on Admissions

AI was the centerpiece of NACAC conferences this year. Admissions officers are learning to evaluate applications in this new landscape, and more colleges are implementing AI-detection tools for essays and artwork.

Geographic Shifts

Families are looking beyond the Ivy League due to concerns about campus safety and free speech. Applications to the University of Texas at Austin increased by 24%, with out-of-state applicants up 48%.

Diversity Growth

The Common App March 2025 report shows increased applications from first-generation, Latinx, low-income, and Black students. Underrepresented minority applicants increased by 12% in 2024-25.

How DeepCampus Helps

Our AI-powered tools help you navigate these changes with personalized recommendations, essay guidance, and application tracking.