Fall 2024 Outcomes in College Admissions

As I reflect on the college admissions outcomes from Fall 2024, there are several significant trends to take into account if you’re ramping up your college application efforts (talking to you, Juniors). Here are the key takeaways based on the latest data:

Acceptance Rates:

This admissions cycle has seen a notable decrease in acceptance rates among many prestigious institutions. For instance, Ivy League schools like Harvard and Yale reported acceptance rates of 3.4% and 4.0%, respectively, marking a slight decline compared to the previous year. In contrast, larger public universities, such as the University of California, Berkeley, maintained a stable acceptance rate at around 11%, leveraging their ongoing commitment to expanding access. Regardless of the school, it’s important to keep that acceptance rate top of mind to help set realistic expectations and balance your list between safety, on par, and reach schools.

Diversity and Inclusion:

The Fall 2024 admissions results demonstrate a positive trend toward increasing diversity within student bodies. Notably, universities such as the University of Michigan and UC Los Angeles reported a 15% increase in admitted students from underrepresented minority groups. This change reflects institutions' growing commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives aimed at fostering an inclusive academic environment. Although the recent Supreme Court ruling has impacted how colleges can consider race in admissions decisions. Institutions often report diversity metrics based on aggregate data that reflects their student bodies rather than the individual applicants' racial or ethnic identities. Information can be gathered through self-reported data, via institutional policies, required state and federal reporting, and diversity initiatives within the institution. Although the methodology has changed, many institutions remain committed to fostering diversity and inclusion, and track their progress through alternative means post-admission.

Test-Optional Policies:

The impact of test-optional policies continues to reshape admissions outcomes. For the Fall 2024 cycle, schools that adopted test-optional admissions, such as the University of Chicago and Williams College, reported that over 60% of applicants chose not to submit standardized test scores. That said, it’s important to understand the percentage of students these ‘test optional’ schools admitted with a test score. It can be confusing to hear that a school is test optional, only to find out that in actuality, 70% or more of admits did actually submit a score. When visiting schools this spring, ask about this!

Application Volume:

The total number of college applications surged this year, with many institutions experiencing record-high volumes. The Common Application reported an increase of 9% in overall submissions compared to the previous year. This influx of applications has intensified competition, leading to a more selective process as colleges must sift through larger applicant pools without substantially increasing their class sizes. Students’ abilities to simply and easily apply to schools via the common app, even without any prior knowledge of the school, is continually driving application numbers up. Be intentional about your list: research every school you apply to thoroughly, visit campus if possible, and have several reasons why the school would be an ideal fit for you. Applying because a friend did, or because your parents are alumni, or because it’s close to home won’t serve as a powerful motivator to get you through the challenges that college will inevitably bring.

Early Decision and Early Action Trends:

Early decision and early action applications played a critical role this admissions cycle. For example, Duke University saw a 10% increase in early decision applicants, resulting in an acceptance rate of 18%, down from 20% the previous year. This trend showcases the growing preference among students to commit early to their top-choice schools, which can significantly enhance their chances of acceptance. Think through the various rounds early on, and create a timeline to ensure you hit those deadlines with time to spare.