<p>Since the economy is so bad, and many are opting for grad school, since they CAN'T enter the job market, I was curious as to whether it is getting harder to actually GET INTO grad schools. I'm not talking Ivy leagues or highly ranked, nationally known grad schools, but just regular, run of the mill, state flagship type grad schools. I'm sure it's more competitive for funding, but just in terms of filling the seats, is it harder nowadays to be admitted into grad school because of greater numbers applying?</p>
<p>I know that last year many programs saw their application numbers double. I don’t know whether that is due to the economy or to the population bubble (that made undergraduate admissions insanely competitive starting about five years ago) or to another factor. </p>
<p>Doubling, or even tripling, numbers doesn’t necessary make admission more competitive. It depends on how many qualified applicants apply.</p>
<p>with so many more applicants it can make the process more difficult because admissions committees could use GRE scores or GPA as a screening tool. so if you dont have a 1300 GRE but have an outstanding application otherwise, your app might get tossed quickly</p>
<p>in my rejection letters from Rockefeller and Stanford, they both said something like they received a record breaking number of applications this year. But of course it may be just a nicer way to say “you are just not good enough” =)</p>