A lot is shifting in college admissions right now, and it can be hard to know what actually matters for your family. Here is a quick look at five things worth paying attention to this week.
SAT and ACT Scores Are Mattering More Than Ever
Despite the majority of colleges still listing themselves as test-optional, recent data shows that applicants who submit scores are being admitted at noticeably higher rates than those who do not. Counselors across the country are now advising students to take the SAT or ACT and submit strong scores, particularly at highly selective schools where every advantage counts. If your student has a solid score sitting on the shelf, this is a good moment to reconsider whether to submit it.
Source: CollegeData
Legacy Admissions Advantage Is Fading at Many Schools
With California’s ban on legacy preferences now fully in effect, schools like Stanford and USC are seeing their first admissions cycles where family connections carry little to no weight. Rather than a quiet boost, legacy status is increasingly something admissions offices look at more closely, and students with family ties are being asked to demonstrate the same originality and independence as everyone else. Families who assumed a parental alma mater would help should plan their student’s application as if that advantage no longer exists.
Source: AcceptU
AI Tools Are Now Screening Applications at Some Colleges
Caltech is using an AI-powered voice system to conduct research interviews with some applicants, while Georgia Tech has implemented AI to automatically scan transcripts during the review process. Virginia Tech is also among the schools that have adopted AI tools to help manage the growing volume of applications. Students should be aware that their materials may be evaluated by automated systems at certain schools, making clarity and authenticity in every part of the application even more important.
Source: CollegeData
Where You Live Could Work in Your Favor This Cycle
Highly selective colleges are actively working to build classes that are not concentrated primarily on the coasts, which means students applying from less-represented states and regions may have a geographic edge. However, experts note that location alone is not enough – the strongest applications connect a student’s leadership and impact back to their specific community in a meaningful way. If your student lives outside of California, New York, or Massachusetts, it is worth thinking carefully about how to frame that in the application.
Source: AcceptU
Application Numbers Keep Rising, Including Among First-Gen Students
Common App data shows that overall application volume continues to climb, with first-generation applicants up 11 percent and minority students up 9 percent compared to the same point in 2024. International applications, however, dropped by 9 percent this cycle. With more students competing for the same seats, counselors are encouraging families to consider flexible options like spring admission or satellite campuses at competitive schools, which can meaningfully improve a student’s chances of getting in.
Source: CollegeData
Have questions about how any of this affects your student’s college journey? Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with Sadia – no commitment, just a conversation.
