The University of Pennsylvania, one of eight Ivy League schools, accepted 6% of applicants for its class of 2027.
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More than 1.2 million aspiring undergraduates are preparing to apply to college in what has become a national rite of passage for ambitious students.
In fact, many applicants hoping to attend their dream schools have already submitted materials for early decision, a gambit that may increase one’s chances of getting in. But such a committed approach can be limiting for some students who are still considering their future—and how to pay for it—writes Forbes contributor Kristen Moon.
“In the frenzied world of college applications, students are best served by making many flexible plans and backup plans. And then making backup plans for their backup plans,” Moon says.
The high school class of 2025 will have to plan a bit differently than last year’s graduates. Campus tumult, admissions changes and shifting guidance on student loans have remade the applications landscape. Affirmative action and legacy admissions have receded; artificial intelligence is taking root.
Forbes contributor Scott White, who writes about college admissions, outlines more than a dozen changes students face, including the new FAFSA rollout and DEI cutbacks.
Prospective college students should establish a well-organized plan for the application process—it’s a marathon, not a sprint, notes Forbes contributor Dr. Aviva Legatt. She offers a seven-step guide to getting started.
Read on for more expert advice from Forbes education contributors:
Early Action And Early Decision
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Some students will want to dive head-first into their college search, while others may feel overwhelmed, writes Forbes contributor Brennan Barnard. There are plenty of options and opinions from experts on how to begin the application process. And students have multiple options with different deadlines. Knowing which choice is right for you can be difficult.
“The difference between Early Decision I (ED I) and Early Decision II (ED II) and planning them both into your application process could mean the difference between a successful application process or not,” says Moon, a college application consultant.
Early applications are due from mid-October to November, and students will typically be notified if they’ve been accepted between December and February—depending on what sort of application they’ve made and the particular school.
Applicants should consider how sure they are of their choice, their financial aid requirements and their patience level before considering an early application.
Competition For Elite Schools
The Ivy League may have lost a bit of its luster among some employers, but these prestigious institutions remain among the country’s most highly rated schools. Competition for spots can be intense and the process is not as merit-based as many believe, writes Forbes contributor Christopher Rim, a college admissions consultant in New York.
“Stellar grades and test scores are the critical foundation for Ivy League admission—but they are hardly the only thing that top colleges look for,” Rim notes.
The Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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The Ivy League may have lost a bit of its luster among some employers, but these prestigious institutions remain among the country’s most highly rated schools. Competition for spots can be intense, and the process is not as merit-based as many believe, writes Forbes contributor Christopher Rim, a college admissions consultant in New York.
“Stellar grades and test scores are the critical foundation for Ivy League admission—but they are hardly the only thing that top colleges look for,” Rim notes.
Last year, Harvard and Yale received more than 50,000 applications each and the University of Pennsylvania saw more than 65,000 submissions for the 2023-24 school year. They accept very few applicants, and students are always looking for an edge.
Rim suggests three ways high school freshman can begin to build their résumés. But remember: “Students aren’t competing against all other applicants, but rather a specific subset of individuals with similar academic interests, extracurricular experiences, and backgrounds.”
Be Selective
Applicants should be just as selective as the admissions officers when deciding which schools to apply to.
“Students should think strategically about the types of programs, campuses, learning environments and communities they want access to,” Rim says.
For example, making a bid for all eight Ivy League schools to increase the chances of getting in to any one might backfire.
“Devoting time and energy to completing eight Ivy League applications is actually a detrimental strategy for most students,” Rim says.
Every college has its own character, offerings and campus. When compiling a list of schools, Rim suggests that students ask themselves three questions:
- “Do you want to attend a small school with a low student-to-faculty ratio or a large school with a plethora of opportunities?”
- “Are you interested in conducting lab research or are you more focused on the classroom experience?”
- “Will you thrive in a city or a rural setting?”
With the cost of tuition rising and other top schools offering comparable educational opportunities, Moon also advises students not to limit their focus.
Avoid College Misinformation
Students pursuing Early Action and Early Decision must submit their applications in mid-October and early November. Those seeking help online to prepare their pitches for admissions officers might find conflicting information about grades, test scores and extracurricular activities that can lead to confusion.
It’s important to understand fact from folklore when navigating this sometimes opaque process.
“One common misconception is that picking a bizarre or untraditional major will increase the chances of acceptance,” Moon writes. This isn’t true. “When colleges evaluate applicants, they look to see how they have demonstrated interest in that particular field through their activities or academic classes.” Picking a random major that seems out of character with the student’s profile might hurt their chances at acceptance.
Moon dispels eight common college application myths and misconceptions, including confusion around SAT scores and how much is too much for a student résumé.