Industry Resources that led us to knowing why we need 'Pathways'
What is the data saying?
- Rising Application Numbers and Falling Acceptance Rates: The college admissions process has become significantly more competitive in recent years. Between 2019–2020 and 2021–2022, the number of students applying to college jumped by 21.3%[^8]. Students are also applying to more schools on average—6.22 in 2021–2022 versus 3–4 a decade ago[^8]. At top universities, acceptance rates have steadily declined. For example, Harvard’s acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was just 3.6%, down from 3.43% in 2025, while UCLA’s rate dropped to 8.8% for the Class of 2027[^1][^3][^5]. Many other elite schools now admit fewer than 10% of applicants[^1][^3].
- More Applicants, More Applications: The 2024–2025 application cycle saw a 4% increase in the number of applicants and a 6% rise in total applications submitted compared to the previous year, further intensifying competition[^4]. The trend is especially pronounced at highly selective institutions, where the volume of applications has surged while the number of available spots remains relatively constant[^1][^5][^8].
- Selective Schools Are Especially Competitive:The most selective colleges (e.g., Ivy League, Stanford, MIT) now have admit rates below 5–7%[^1][^3]. Even top public universities like UCLA and UC Berkeley have acceptance rates around 11–12% despite receiving over 100,000 applications each year[^5].
Why Peer Engagement Is Increasingly Important
- Changing Application Landscape: The admissions process has evolved rapidly, with new application platforms, test-optional policies, and shifting institutional priorities. Sara Harberson, a former admissions dean, notes that the process is now "drastically different" from what previous generations experienced[^8]. This means that traditional advice from school counselors or older advisors may not fully reflect current realities.
- Peer Networks as Real-Time Resources: Because the process changes so quickly, students benefit from engaging with peers who have just navigated the admissions cycle. These peers can provide up-to-date insights on application strategies, essay expectations, and the nuances of specific schools’ processes[^8]. The process is described as "incredibly public and incredibly isolating," making peer support both a practical and emotional resource[^8].
- Increased Stress and Complexity: The growing use of early decision, waitlists, and holistic review adds layers of complexity. Students are more likely to seek out advice from recent applicants who understand the latest trends and pitfalls, rather than relying solely on traditional advisors whose information may be outdated[^8].
Summary Table: Recent Trends in College Admissions
| Trend | Data / Observation |
| Application growth | 21.3% increase (2019–2022)[^8] |
| % applying to 10+ colleges | Nearly doubled from 8% to 17% in last decade[^8] |
| Applications per student | 6.22 (2021–2022), up from 3–4 a decade ago[^8] |
| Top school acceptance rates | Harvard 3.6%, UCLA 8.8%, MIT 4.5%[^1][^3][^5] |
| Public university application volume | UCLA: 145,904 applicants, 11.6% admit rate[^5] |
| Need for peer engagement | Process is rapidly changing, peers offer real-time insights[^8] |
Conclusion
College admissions have become markedly more competitive, with more students applying to more schools and acceptance rates at top institutions reaching historic lows[^1][^3][^4][^5][^8]. The rapid evolution of the process means that engaging with peers who have recently experienced admissions is now a critical strategy for applicants, supplementing or even surpassing the value of traditional advisor guidance[^8].
References
[^1]: https://toptieradmissions.com/resources/college-acceptance-rates/
[^2]: https://www.saraharberson.com/blog/class-of-2025-college-admissions-trends
[^3]: https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherrim/2025/03/28/the-results-are-in-here-are-ivy-league-and-top-college-admissions-rates-for-the-class-of-2029/
[^4]: https://empowerly.com/applications/college-acceptance-rates-2025/
[^5]: https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/most-applied-to-colleges/
[^6]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_admissions_in_the_United_States
[^7]: https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/college-admissions-statistics/
[^8]: https://www.vox.com/life/390714/college-applications-early-decision-date-acceptance-admission