<p>I sent Oberlin an email inquiring about my application status. This is part of the email I got in reply:</p>
<p>"Please bear with us as we work our way through the largest number of applications we have ever had."</p>
<p>This is the fourth college I applied to that has the largest number of applications, and I'm an international applicant seeking financial aid, and I'm getting terribly nervous.</p>
<p>I got the same letter too........ :(</p>
<p>Everywhere said they have had record amounts of apps or more competitive apps...more kids going to college I guess.</p>
<p>Well, there are more folks going to college, but I think the real driving force in recent history is that applicants are applying to more places. So, instead of just sending 5 apps, they might send 10 or more out.</p>
<p>Ironically, this will reduce the acceptance rate, which competitive applicants might counter by increasing the number of applications sent out furthering the cycle.</p>