Admissions Trends 2026

This admissions cycle will be known for a return to standardized testing (SAT and ACT) by many colleges. Schools like MIT, Cal Tech and the Ivies still insist that these tests demonstrate academic readiness (debatable).

Students are applying to more schools than previously, which has led to lower admission rates in the past. This is particularly true of out-of-state public universities. Smart students are applying Early Decision or Early Action to enhance admission chances.

Southern state universities have seen a huge surge in popularity. This affects the admission rates as well as the average student profiles.

Finally, schools are seeing more active waitlists, meaning that more students are being admitted off of them. Colleges and universities are challenged by this to manage their enrollments more effectively.