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Navigating an Increasingly Competitive Landscape
What 2024 Decisions From Highly Selective Colleges Mean for Students and Families
The Ivy League released their admissions decisions for the high school class of 2024, and the results confirm the trend from other highly selective colleges: it was the most competitive year on record, with application numbers and qualifications soaring while class sizes remained steady.
Here are the results for some of the most competitive schools, with the application numbers and acceptance rates over the last 6 years:
Download a full summary of this year's admissions stats.
KEY TAKEAWAY #1
Applications Continued to Surge at Most Ivy League Schools.
At most highly selective schools, applications hit record highs at colleges like Yale, Brown, and Penn. For example, applications to Brown have increased 58% since 2019, reflecting the surge so many selective colleges have seen over the “pandemic” era of college admissions. Acceptance rates plummeted to all-time lows, mostly in Ivy League schools' 3-6% range.
KEY TAKEAWAY #2
Rise of The “Near Ivies”
While schools like Penn, Stanford, and Yale continued to be highly selective in their admissions decisions, a new cohort of schools have emerged with acceptance rates that are often on par. This year, Vanderbilt saw applications surge, with their acceptance rate of 5% on par with MIT, Brown, and Princeton. Schools like Duke, Rice, Barnard, and Northwestern join this new cohort of near-Ivies.
KEY TAKEAWAY #3
Test Scores Are Back.
Even though many schools have continued test-optional policies, the majority of admitted students submitted test scores. For example, Emory University reported that only 29.7% of its admitted students did not submit test scores. Despite reinstating testing requirements, M.I.T.'s applications were up by almost 5%. Many selective colleges such as Dartmouth, Yale, and Brown have announced a return to requiring test scores. As competition intensifies, strong test scores can provide a significant advantage in the admissions process.
KEY TAKEAWAY #4
Successful Applicants Demonstrated The "What Else?" Factor
Highly selective colleges looked for "exceptional" qualities - independent intellectual curiosity, commitment to activities, showing initiative and impact. Perfect grades and scores alone weren't enough. Applicants that stand out to admissions readers at highly selective colleges showcased unique talents, passions, and contributions that set them apart from their peers.
What does this intense competition mean for current high school students aiming high?
Control What You Can
- Dive deeper into activities showing genuine interests and independent drive
- Engage in intellectual pursuits beyond your school curriculum
- Strive for academic rigor and strong test scores if possible
- Research colleges deeply to articulate your fit thoughtfully
Keep Perspective
- Craft a balanced list by considering a wide range of colleges beyond just the most selective schools
- Know that institutional priorities, like an increased commitment to recruiting first-gen students, impact outcomes
- Understand that being "unhooked" makes admissions more challenging
- Remember, not getting into an Ivy doesn't define your potential or worth
Next Steps
By controlling what you can, keeping perspective, and starting early, you can maximize your chances of admission to highly selective colleges. The best thing you can do right now is make this summer count:
- Dive deeper into academic and authentic extracurricular passions
- Engage in self-directed learning and high-impact projects
- Positively impact your community or addressing a national or even global issue
We have a unique approach at College MatchPoint. It all begins and ends with our ultimate goal: for our students to thrive in their selected college.
The college application process can feel overwhelming, no matter how strong the student. But at College MatchPoint, we believe it should be organized, personal, and even fun, and we provide a framework that reduces the stress throughout the journey.
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