There are many characteristics to consider when determining where to apply to a college or university. Quality of education, on-campus housing, scholarships, career services and communication are some of the more important traits I hold to a high standard.

Admit rates, which is loosely used is something that not many people really understand. Let me break down some hard truths about what some schools do to make their admit rates seem more competitive than they really are.

The Effect of Early Decision: If a school uses Early Decision (especially more than one round of it), this can inflate their admit rate. For example, a very selective liberal arts college may very well bring in over half their class through their early decision rounds but then only admit a small number through their regular decision round. When a college averages them together- the average seems very selective- when in fact, it really depends on WHICH round you apply through. (Note: Regardless, you still need to have the student profile- grades, rigor and scores- that matches what is the type of candidate they are looking for).
In other words, the admit rate may be twice as high in their ED rounds than in their Regular rounds.
TO DO: Research and ask the school what is their admit rates for each different type of admission rounds.
Reporting Admit Rates: There is no set standard in how a university reports their admit rate. Therefore, self-reporting can be skewed and the public has no idea. For example, if a university starts students at an off-campus site, like at an international location, they do not count these commits in their admit rate for that incoming class.
TO DO: Ask each school you apply to if they omit sections of their incoming class from their admit rates.
Difference between out-of-state vs in-state admit rates: With the soaring popularity in public flagships, it’s important to educate yourself about what percentage of the incoming class is out-of-state students. Keep in mind, a public flagship or any public college or university, their mission is to educate the public of that particular state. Therefore, many states cap how many out-of-state students can be admitted and enrolled.
This has resulted in soaring competition to get in as an out-of-state student to many public flagship universities.
TO DO: Research the admit rate for the public colleges and universities you want to apply to as an out-of-state applicant.
Leveraging connections: I have seen (first hand) Admissions offices that do not count in their admit rate students that were admitted in their ED rounds but who had originally applied Early Action but decided to switch to (usually) Early Decision II. Whether, through a phone call with a student to help them change their mind to apply ED, or an athlete is told that if they commit to play for that school, they must apply ED, they are not counted in their admit rate.
TO DO: If you are unsure of whether you want to ED to a school, know that most if not all schools that offer ED rounds will allow you to switch to ED, after you submit via EA, if it is not too late. Ask your admissions rep.
Tips: Googling an admit rate is not accurate. If you google or use AI and get a %, it is wrong and probably a few years outdated.
Write out the top 5 traits that are most important to you other than admit rate. Focus on those 5.

Want to learn more about college admissions and higher education trends, contact Suzanne for a free consultation.