It seems like it’s continually harder to get into the top schools as time goes on. In 2010 the acceptance rate was twice what it is now for these top schools, so how will high school students fare in the future? It takes time and dedication to do these apps, and will they actually be worth it in the future if the acceptance rate is a measly 5%?!
What about the increasing competition to get into these top schools? There can’t be 100 Intel finalists and as high schools get overcrowded the grade curve will only get worse. And this is the real problem, because learning isn’t the same as getting good grades. What might be a solution, if there is one?
Probably because there a more people who applied there that are really candidates to get a spot but IVY’s can’t take all those students.
Top students have the same chance as everyone who applied there but there will be always something on their app that makes those students to go to IVY’s.
I think making more buildings will help to get more students but not sure. ** IVY’s will never be a safety**
The acceptance rates at these schools are decreasing based on skewed numbers, partially. More students are applying to more schools for safety, so the schools are getting more applicants and only able to accept roughly the same number of students.
I would disagree. I think in the future as it becomes more competitive only the bests will apply. The figures aren’t skewed because the stats for these schools are extremely high. Of course it is sad because the students will feel so pressured
@collegeguy97 The reason acceptance rates have dropped is the result of applications being too easy not too hard.
Not long ago, you had to type applications and mail in a big envelope. All the applications were different so students only did a few. There was no common essay, no online application.
This is the problem now, its way too easy and so many of those applications have no chance.
Another problem is that certain groups of students apply to all the same schools as if space were unlimited. This actually is the reason why you posted.
The USNWR noise has also continued to juice applications to the highest ranked schools.
One reason I think is the wide availability of tutoring/prep centers.
More people are getting higher scores on standardized testing and with their high scores, they apply to the best schools in the US.
2200+ on the SAT I think is much more common nowadays and coupled with a decent GPA, that’s an academically competitive candidate for the ivies, so people start applying there for the hopes of getting in.
Also, like @BatesParents2019 said, the Common App has made applying to multiple schools much easier as so many top schools use it. A lot of people are applying to several if not all of the ivies which was rarely heard of 10 years ago.
Those colleges presumably do not think it is a problem, since the more academically-top-end applicants they get, the greater the luxury they have of fulfilling whatever “institutional needs” they have in their frosh classes.
The number of slots at ivies remains the same over time, so if you are among the very top, the admission rates are irrelevant to you. But the ever decreasing admission rate does create more pressure on all applicants.