Just heard that the Ivy League schools decided to extend their decision dates to April 6 due to the huge increase in applications. Didn’t see a forum in response to this event yet (apologies of there is), so I figured I would create a space to talk about it! I, for one, am a nervous wreck. 
Too many applicants due to test-optional !!!
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Yeah and universities have also become WAY more active in their outreach to international students.
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maybe less are applying this year because of covid (I mean less international students)
That seems logical, but I think schools (particularly those like the Ivy Leagues) have been extra active in getting international students to apply because of this to mitigate the potential drop in apps. It clearly worked!
I think I read somewhere more international applications as many think it will be easier to get a student visa under Biden.
Do not forget that international students are not completely test-optional. They still have to submit a valid English proficiency test. So… I think many were not able to apply because of that (cancellations due to covid). Also, if someone was able to take TOEFL it is likely that they took SAT or ACT also. So, I personally think that majority of test-optional applicants are US citizens
Very interesting. I wonder if this means that test scores will come right back as a way of cutting down applications for the next cycle?
I find it hard to believe that they were blindsided by the increase in applications. Or will this simply be the way things are from now on?
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I very much doubt that a flood of international students account for the large increase in applications.
Yes, many students apply Ivies thinking test optional increases their chance.
Test optional is NOT test blind, which means applicants will get an edge if they indeed submit their scores.
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Given the short time frame between Ivy Day and decision day, I hope they bump up their financial aid staff so they can respond to appeals on a timely basis. Many people had their financial situation change in 2020 so will need to appeal their FA awards based on 2019 data.
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The increase in applications is driven by TO policies. Applications from international students are likely down this year. A significant plurality of international applicants used to come from China and the number of applications from there is down precipitously this year due to geopolitics and COVID.
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I think kids from CCP families are not allowed to stay in the US over one month. After Biden became the President, he may remove this ban. But I think this year, Chinese international students may be dramatically reduced.
when do the rest of the schools share decisions? How does making a final decision coincide with the deadlines of all the schools?!
I feel so bad for this year’s applicants! The most competitive year ever, at least based upon the number of applications received. Insane nightmare trying to get seats to take standardized tests. No college visits, to speak of. Classes messed up by school closures and going remote, which for these kids happened halfway through second semester of junior year. And now this! The common reply date was sacrosanct. It gave kids a month to make visits, compare and appeal fin aid awards. Now it’s shortened to 3 weeks, if they’re lucky enough to get accepted.
“Now it’s shortened to 3 weeks, if they’re lucky enough to get accepted.”
It’s actually shortened to 27 days – students have until May 3 to respond – but yes, it’s a briefer window than usual, which is unfortunate.
[Edit: At this point I think only Princeton has extended the reply date, but I would be shocked if the other schools didn’t do the same.]
Yes it has been bad. I have a senior daughter and my son went through this process two years ago. Such a different experience. My daughter was lucky enough to take the ACT in Feb of last year before the world shut down. No college visits so she didn’t do ED which feels like a bad move now with all the increased applications. Everyone we know applied to a ton of schools so yield should be interesting.
not necessarily an edge. I heard they are trying to keep their class profiles equivalent based on submission of scores