2023: The College Admissions Hunger Games and How to Stay Alive

Written By Diana Jones

Over the past few years since Covid plagued our country, college admissions has changed more dramatically than it has in a very long time. When basically all colleges and universities adopted a test-optional policy to address students’ inability to test during the pandemic, admissions was turned upside down.  Not only was one of the admissions office’s go-to metrics not available, resulting in other factors gaining more significance, but students who did well in school and took rigorous classes but did not test impressively, now had a shot at a much broader range of schools than ever before.  Colleges and universities were/are flooded with applicants and admit rates have plummeted. While the pool of potential students at a desirable institution grows exponentially, the available spots at these schools remain relatively the same. As mentioned above, back-office admissions criteria shifted when no longer anchored by test scores, making rigor, EC activities and the like weightier, and institutional diversity initiatives have become more significant. So how can high school students successfully address these trends, remain relevant in the admissions process, and have options when decisions arrive?  Here are a few suggestions:

  • Adopt an attitude of realism

    • This does not mean strip your list entirely of lottery options (schools with an under 15% admit rate) but limit them and embrace the new notion that what might not have been a lottery option 3 years ago now has become one.

  • Balance your list, think globally and keep an open mind

    • If your high school averages 25 applications to U Michigan each year; think about how you stack up to these very real competitors.  U Michigan will not be sending 25 acceptances, so what are your chances? 

    • Embrace the balance; nothing is worse than applying to 12 schools and having only 2 mildly exciting options in April.

  • Consider thinking ‘out of the box’

    • Choose schools not because everyone in your school does; choose schools which excel in the major or area of interest to you. Yes I suspect this is already a key factor in your search, but reach beyond the obvious.

    • Having a list that is not a cookie-cutter of everyone else's in your school is a distinct advantage.

  • Make yourself into a winning candidate

    • Rigor in your coursework is your friend

    • Accept that grades matter

    • Indulge in EC activities that demonstrate your interests, truly resonate with you, aren’t all ‘pay for play,’ and be certain your common app activities section will be full.

      • Commit and stick to these activities

    • Dig deeply and sincerely for the content of your common app essay

    • Demonstrate maturity and leadership wherever you can

    • Display initiative and creativity in your in-school and out of school endeavors

    • Visit schools = demonstrated interest

  • Try and think like a college admissions representative

    • What have you done and/or can you share that shows you will 

      • fit in 

      • be successful academically, socially and emotionally

      • be a contributing member of the school community

      • be a team player

Diana Jones

For over 25 years, Diana has been working with students of all abilities and backgrounds as they search for the perfect next educational experience. Her dual masters degrees, one in Counselling Psychology from NYU and one in Education from Pace, provide her with the perfect springboard for all of the custom and individualized attention a student needs. As a Hamilton College undergraduate alumnus and her Masters’ experiences, Diana is personally acquainted with the benefits of both a small liberal arts community and that of larger universities.

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