For example, the University of Washington Seattle may have an acceptance rate in the thirties or forties, but the acceptance rate for their Computer Science program is around 3%. Similarly, the acceptance rate for popular Business programs has decreased significantly in the past few years.

The rise of highly selective college majors is a new challenge that students need to be aware of when planning their college search.

Here are 3 important implications for students who are interested in these highly selective majors. They'll need to: 

1. Apply to a wider range of colleges, including some that they may not have considered before. Don’t assume that just because a college has a relatively high acceptance rate overall, they will automatically be admitted to their desired major.
2. Work hard to distinguish themselves from the competition. Students should aim for top grades, impressive test scores, and a well-rounded resume with relevant extracurricular activities, internships, and other experiences.
3. Be prepared to face rejection as many qualified students will be turned away. Even if your student has an impressive academic record and a strong application, the competition for spots in these programs is fierce.

In some cases, students may even find that they are admitted to a highly selective college despite being rejected from a less selective program at a different college. For example, one student who was denied admission to the Computer Science program at the University of Texas at Austin was admitted to Stanford. This is a reminder that the college admissions process is unpredictable, and sometimes, the best outcomes come from unexpected places.