<p>Things that contributed to this:</p>
<p>-The internet making info easily available, people more aware of schools not near home
-publicized rankings
-improved financial aid at top schools
-immigration/visas, education oriented immigrants
-globalization; people are more willing to move and see the world as one
-worldwide competition-awareness that a top education gives an edge in the marketplace
-schools beefed up efforts to seek kids from all corners, especially internationals,URMs and low income
-increasingly low acceptance driving kids to apply to more schools</p>