<p>Maybe I'm off base here, but it seems to me that no one has stated the obvious. Sure, it is an issue that students are fearful about whether or not they will be admitted into a school they really would like to attend. College admissions have definitely become more competitive. However, for many it is equally important to have some financial aid in order to pay for college. This is especially true given the surging costs involved. Qualified applicants are applying to more schools and eagerly awaiting their admission packets to see what kind of financial aid they will be offered. For many of these applicants it becomes all about getting the most financial aid from the most prestigious college they are accepted into. The more options they have the better, and no one is assured of getting in anymore. Thus they apply to 15 schools hoping to be accepted into at least half, and then wait and see who coughs up the most money.</p>