Updated Information on All Things College Admissions

Changing direction two months before college applications open sounds like a crisis. For this student, it was the best admissions decision she made.  Not because pivoting late is a strategy anyone would recommend. But because the application she built around her new direction was more honest, more specific, and more compelling than anything she could have produced staying on the path she had been following for four years. Auburn University saw the difference. She committed in the spring and hasn't second-guessed it once.

The bigger the list, the safer the feeling. More schools, more options, more chances. That logic makes emotional sense in October. By March, it tends to fall apart. This student applied to 14 schools. She researched most of them carefully, visited eight of them, and had strong opinions about nearly all of them. Washington University in St. Louis was added late, included because a counselor mentioned it and the name carried enough weight to feel worth a shot. She had never visited. She had never read deeply into what made it different. It was, in the most honest sense, a placeholder with a good reputation. WashU admitted her. Most of her target schools did not.

A deferral is one of the harder outcomes in the college process. Not a rejection, but not a yes either. It leaves families suspended in uncertainty for months, unsure whether to keep hoping or start adjusting. Most students respond by doubling down on the school that deferred them. This student did something more useful. He looked harder at the rest of his list, found a school he had barely researched, visited it in January, and came home knowing it was his first choice. Rice deferred him in December. Tulane Freeman School of Business admitted his ED II in February. He never had to wait for March.

The testing conversation in college admissions has gotten louder and more confusing every year. Test-optional policies expanded, then contracted. Schools that went test-free reversed course. Families who spent years being told scores didn't matter are now being told they do again, without much clarity on what that actually means in practice.  This student figured it out. Not by testing endlessly, and not by going test-optional everywhere. By understanding exactly where her score was an asset and treating it like one.

Ranked in the top 2% of her class at a large, competitive Texas public high school. A 3.95 GPA. A 1510 SAT. Full IB Diploma candidate. Her course load was exactly what a pre-med applicant is supposed to build: IB Biology HL, IB Chemistry HL, IB Physics SL, IB Mathematics AA HL, and a dual-enrollment Anatomy and Physiology course she sought out independently because her school didn't offer anything comparable. Her extracurriculars matched. Over 200 clinical volunteer hours at a hospital system near her home. President of her school's HOSA chapter, where she organized career panels and led a CPR certification drive that trained more than 80 students and faculty. A summer research internship at a university lab studying protein folding, where she contributed to data collection and co-presented findings at an undergraduate symposium. She knew what she wanted to study and why. Her application showed it across every section. Michigan waitlisted her anyway. 

The University of Chicago is not looking for the most accomplished applicant in the room. It is looking for the most intellectually alive one. That distinction matters more at UChicago than almost anywhere else. The school's admissions process is explicitly designed to surface students who don't just achieve things but who think about things in ways that are genuinely their own. Its famously open-ended essay prompts aren't a quirk. They're a diagnostic. And the students who answer them well are the ones who have already been thinking that way, long before anyone told them it would help their application.  This is the story of one of those students.

Every year, students do everything "right" and still walk away from college admissions results confused. Strong GPA. Rigorous coursework. Real extracurriculars. Essays that sound like an actual person wrote them. And a stack of rejections from schools that seemed, on paper, within reach. This is the story of one of those students. And it's also the story of a warning most families never hear until it's too late to act on it. 

Every college list has a name that almost didn't make it. Added late, included mostly to fill out a spreadsheet, never seriously researched. A placeholder. For this student, that school was SMU. It turned out to be the one that fit best. And the one she'll be attending in the fall. 

AP scores play a meaningful role in college applications. High scores can underscore academic strength and offer potential college credit. This year, more than 420,000 signed up for over 840,000 tests. Here is a snapshot of the grade distribution for some of the more commonly completed tests:

This admissions cycle made one thing unmistakably clear. The bar is higher, the competition is deeper, and strong students are being evaluated in a very different landscape than even a few years ago. More than 100 of the students we worked with were accepted to selective colleges across the country, including Brown, Yale, Rice, and highly competitive majors at schools like UT Austin, UCLA, and Michigan. What set them apart was not just academic strength. It was clarity. They made intentional choices, built depth in what mattered to them, and told cohesive, compelling stories about who they are and where they are going. In a year defined by rising deferrals and shifting testing dynamics, successful students did not rely solely on credentials. They showed direction, initiative, and alignment across every part of their application. They took risks, explored their interests in meaningful ways, and presented themselves with confidence and purpose. If you are wondering what actually made the difference this year, the answer is not a single achievement or metric. It is how everything comes together. Below, we break down the key insights from this cycle and how your student can use them to stand out in an increasingly competitive process.

Choosing the right college is one of the most significant decisions you'll make. It’s a choice that affects your education, career opportunities, social experiences, and financial future. With so many factors to consider, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But take a deep breath—this is an exciting moment! The good news is that there’s no single “right” choice. The best decision is the one that aligns with your values, goals, and future aspirations.  Most colleges and universities set a final decision deadline of May 1 of a student’s senior year. It’s essential to compare options thoroughly but also to make a timely decision to secure your spot. This guide will walk you through a step-by-step approach to choosing your college with confidence and excitement!

Choosing the right college is a significant decision for all students, but it requires additional consideration when your child has learning differences. Beyond academics and campus culture, understanding how a school supports diverse learning needs can make the difference between struggling and thriving. With the May 1 decision deadline still weeks away, you have plenty of time to gather important information to make sure the college your student chooses will have the support they need.

College admissions have become one of the most emotionally charged rites of passage for today’s teens. For many families, this season brings a mix of pride, pressure, and uncertainty. While excitement is part of the process, the toll on student mental health is real—and rising. More than half (52%) of students say the college application process is the most stressful academic experience they’ve faced. Nearly 48% report that anxiety and pressure overshadow their college planning, and 28% say mental health concerns have made them consider delaying or skipping college altogether.  As a parent, you can’t eliminate the stress entirely—but you can play a powerful role in how your student experiences it. This guide offers practical ways to support your teen’s mental health while keeping the admissions journey grounded in your family’s values.

As college admissions evolve, a new class of top-tier institutions is emerging. While the Ivy League still commands prestige, this year's admissions trends, employer preferences, and student outcomes reveal a different story: the most successful students are increasingly choosing schools that combine rigorous academics, real-world outcomes, and vibrant, supportive communities. Welcome to what Forbes calls the New Ivies . These 20 schools—10 private and 10 public—are highly selective, high-performing, and deeply respected by employers across industries. They offer the academic rigor and career outcomes once associated only with the Ivy League, without the rising skepticism and political noise now surrounding it. Organized by region, here's a closer look at each school on the list—what makes them stand out, what top employers value, and what the students we work with love most.

The summer before senior year is one of the most valuable windows in the college admissions journey. With your final year of high school just ahead, now is the time to reflect on your application résumé and take action to strengthen it—before deadlines arrive.  Maybe you’re missing a connection to your intended major. Maybe your activities list is shorter than you’d like. Or maybe you’ve been busy with school and haven’t had time to lead or explore beyond the classroom. No matter where you’re starting, there’s still time to grow.

As the school year winds down, many parents are seeing it: a teen who once seemed focused and motivated is now… done. The energy’s gone. The stress is high. And whether they’re avoiding schoolwork or dodging conversations about the future, you’re left wondering how to help them re-engage—especially with college decisions, applications, or planning just around the corner. Burnout at this stage is more common than you think. It doesn’t mean your teen isn’t capable. It means they’re human. And in a year marked by record-shattering college admissions trends, even the most ambitious students are feeling the weight.

This year, we were lucky to work with some of the most driven and thoughtful high school seniors in the country. Many of them were offered admission to one or more of the nation’s most selective colleges—from Stanford to Barnard—during what was arguably the most competitive admissions cycle we’ve seen. These students faced record-low admit rates, rapidly shifting expectations, and more nuanced institutional priorities than ever before. What they accomplished, and how they approached the process, offer a roadmap for students and families navigating what comes next.  Before we dive into those takeaways, a reminder: success in the college process doesn’t mean admission to one of these 25 schools. And falling short of their nearly impossible standards is not a failure. The schools below are incredibly selective, admitting just a sliver of the country’s most accomplished applicants. The strategies that helped students get in this year can support all students in telling a more authentic, compelling story—regardless of where they apply.

For years, many families considered public flagship universities to be smart safety choices—academically rigorous, nationally respected, and relatively attainable. Schools like the University of Georgia, University of Michigan, and UNC-Chapel Hill offered big-school energy with strong outcomes and, for high-achieving students, a sense of security in the admissions process. That’s no longer the case. The Class of 2026 admissions cycle confirmed what many parents of teenagers are just beginning to realize: many flagship public universities are now among the most selective options on a student’s list—especially for out-of-state applicants. In this post, we’ll unpack why this shift is happening, what the latest admissions data reveals, and how families can build smarter, more strategic college lists that balance aspiration with access.

When families think about the college admissions process, the focus often falls on the big-ticket items—GPA, test scores, essays, and extracurriculars. But there’s one document that quietly shapes how colleges read every application: the high school profile. It’s not something students write. It’s not something parents typically see. And yet, it might be the most important context-setting piece of the entire college file. At a time when admissions have never been more competitive—and when holistic review is being more carefully scrutinized—the school profile plays a crucial role in ensuring your student is evaluated fairly. It is, in every sense, the unsung hero of the application.

If you’re parenting a high schooler through the college admissions process, you’ve probably noticed the shift. It’s no longer just about having a strong GPA or a few standout test scores. Today, especially at large public universities like UT Austin, the University of Michigan, and schools in the University of California system, colleges are asking a new question:  How well does this student’s story align with the major they’re choosing?

Applying to the University of Texas at Austin is competitive—nearly 90,000 students apply each year. One of the most critical, yet frequently overlooked, components of your application is the expanded resume. Unlike a traditional resume, UT Austin expects a detailed overview of your activities, ranging from two to five pages. Here’s your step-by-step guide to building an expanded resume that stands out.

Families often ask, “Is college worth the high cost?” With rising tuition and competitive admissions, it's easy to understand this concern. But maybe this isn't the best question to ask. Instead, families should ask: “What is the real purpose of college?” Answering this question first can help students build a college list that truly fits their goals.

For neurodiverse students, the world of standardized testing can be especially challenging. From processing differences to sensory sensitivities and executive functioning issues, the traditional SAT and ACT formats don’t always allow these students’ true abilities to shine. But with a clear plan, thoughtful accommodations, and the right kind of preparation, students can approach testing with confidence. This roadmap is designed to help parents understand how to plan effectively—so their student has the support and strategies needed to succeed.

With standardized testing making a strong return in college admissions, many juniors are asking the right question: should I take the SAT or ACT one more time? The answer, for many students, is yes—a small bump in your score could make a big difference, especially at competitive colleges where being in the top quartile matters more than ever.  Schools like Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, and UT Austin have brought back test score requirements. Even at test-optional schools, students who submit strong scores often enjoy higher admission rates and stronger scholarship consideration. A 50-point increase on the SAT or a 1-point increase on the ACT might be all it takes to push your student into a higher percentile—and open up new doors.

If you're the parent of a sophomore, you're likely starting to hear more about the SAT and ACT—and wondering when and how your student should begin preparing. The good news? Planning early can dramatically reduce stress and open up strategic advantages, especially as more colleges—including UT Austin, Yale, Dartmouth, and Penn—return to requiring test scores. Even at test-optional schools, strong scores can increase admissions odds, boost merit aid, and help your student stand out.  For many families, August and September test dates provide a key opportunity: they allow students to prepare during the quieter summer months and test before junior year picks up speed. This guide breaks down what every sophomore parent should know, with a focus on how to plan ahead for low-stress, high-impact testing.

Early admissions results this year delivered a clear message. Perfect scores did not guarantee admission. Flawless transcripts did not ensure a yes. In the most selective pools, strong was common. Direction was rare. As Early Action and Early Decision results were released, one pattern became impossible to ignore. Students with near-perfect test scores were deferred. Students with flawless transcripts were denied. Meanwhile, other applicants with slightly lower numbers were admitted.

This year’s early admissions cycle delivered a wake-up call for many families. Applications surged again. Admit rates tightened. Strong students were deferred or denied at schools that once felt within reach. At the same time, admissions offices quietly expanded their use of AI-assisted tools to triage the flood of applications. Not to make final decisions, but to sort, flag, and manage extraordinary volume before human readers ever begin their work. When tens of thousands of files arrive at once, systems step in first. That reality matters. 

If you are the parent of a sophomore with aspirations toward selective colleges, it is easy to feel reassured right now. Your child is active. They are on a team, in several clubs, volunteering, maybe even holding a leadership title. On paper, it looks strong. In many ways, it is. But this year’s admissions results at selective universities reinforced something important: activity lists are long everywhere. What is far less common, and far more compelling, is progression. Selective colleges are not counting commitments. They are evaluating development over time. 

If you are the parent of a sophomore in Austin, this year’s UT Austin admissions results should feel personal. Not dramatic. Not alarming. Personal. Because what just happened to this year’s seniors is exactly what your family will face in two short years. Strong students were admitted. Strong students were denied their first-choice major. And in competitive colleges like McCombs, Engineering, and CNS, it became clear that grades and rank alone were not the deciding factors. Preparation was. Alignment was. And for families with current 10th graders, that realization makes this spring far more important than it looks.