University Applications: Annual Influx Of Aspiring Students

Millions of students apply to college each year in the United States. In the 2018-19 academic year, there were approximately 4.23 million high school students in the graduating age group, and an estimated 3.68 million high school graduates. The number of first-time freshmen in post-secondary fall enrollment was 2.9 million in 2019, divided between 4-year colleges (1.29 million attending public institutions and 0.59 million attending private) and 2-year colleges (approximately 0.95 million public; 0.05 million private).

The number of high school graduates is projected to rise to 3.89 million in 2025-26, and college enrollment statistics indicate that more Americans are foregoing higher education. In 2022, about 62% of people who completed high school or earned a GED certificate immediately enrolled in college, and about 39% of all 18-24-year-olds were enrolled in a post-secondary program.

Millions of students apply to college each year in the US

The number of applications per student has increased in recent years, with students applying to multiple schools. In 2017, there were almost 10.2 million applications, or 6.8 per enrolled student. This is a significant increase from 2002, when there were 4.9 million total applications, or four per enrolled student.

The majority of US colleges admit most students who apply. In 2017, more than half of the schools admitted two-thirds or more of their applicants. However, there are a small number of elite colleges with ultralow admission rates, such as Stanford (4.7%), Harvard (5.2%), and Yale (6.9%).

The college application process can be stressful for both students and parents, as the outcome can significantly impact a student's life and career trajectory. The process has also become increasingly competitive, with colleges competing for higher rankings and lower admission rates. This has led to a rise in the use of consultants, guidebooks, and rankings, as well as waitlists.

The cost of college is another important consideration, with private colleges typically being much more expensive than public colleges. The average sticker price for tuition, fees, and living expenses at private colleges in 2011–12 was $38,590, while the average actual cost was $23,060. At public colleges, the average sticker price was $17,130, and the average actual cost was $11,380.

In fall 2023, there were approximately 18.1 million students enrolled in degree-granting colleges and universities in the US. This number has generally declined over the past decade, with a 4% decrease in total college enrollment from fall 2019 to fall 2023. Undergraduate enrollment decreased by 5.6% during this period, while graduate enrollment increased by 4.8%.

Around 25% of applicants apply to seven or more schools

Applying to colleges can be a stressful process, and many students apply to multiple schools. In fact, around 25% of applicants apply to seven or more schools, paying an average of $40 per application. This increase in the number of applications per student can be attributed to recent developments such as electronic filing via the Common Application, now used by about 800 schools.

The Common Application, often referred to as the Common App, is an electronic filing platform that allows students to submit applications to multiple colleges. As of 2023, it is used by about 800 schools and handles 25 million applications. The Common App also reported an increase of 21% in distinct first-year applicants for the 2023-24 academic year compared to the 2019-20 cycle, the last year unaffected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

While the average US student applies to their state flagship campuses and a few more regional schools, some students apply to a much larger number of colleges. For instance, one student commented that they planned to apply to 20-40 colleges, while another student applied to 21 schools.

Applying to a large number of colleges can have its drawbacks. It can result in generic or cookie-cutter applications that fail to stand out. Additionally, submitting numerous applications can lead to fatigue and burnout, potentially affecting the overall quality of submissions. It is important for students to carefully select a group of colleges and put forth well-crafted applications that reflect their strengths and aspirations.

It costs around $40 per application

Applying to college can be a costly endeavour, with application fees averaging around $40 per application. This can be a significant expense, especially for students who apply to multiple schools. While some universities may offer free applications or waive fees for certain months, the expense can quickly add up, making the college application process financially challenging for many students.

The cost of applying to college is just one aspect of the broader financial considerations associated with higher education. In addition to application fees, there are often costs associated with standardised tests, such as the SAT or ACT, which are commonly required for college admissions. Furthermore, the process of applying may involve other expenses, such as travel costs for college visits or interviews.

It is worth noting that there are also opportunities to reduce these costs. Some universities offer application fee waivers, and there are free programs available to help underprivileged students with their applications. Additionally, the Common Application, used by about 800 schools, can streamline the process by allowing students to submit multiple applications through a single platform.

The number of applications submitted by students can vary. While some may apply to just one or a few schools, others may submit a larger number of applications, especially if they are aiming for highly selective colleges. According to sources, the average number of applications per student is around 3 to 7, with some students applying to as many as 10 to 15 schools or even more.

The cost of applying to college is a significant factor in the college admissions process, and it can influence a student's decision on how many schools to apply to. With the average cost of $40 per application, students need to carefully consider their options and budget accordingly. For many, the expense of applying to college is just the first step towards the broader financial commitment of pursuing a higher education.

International students form a large and growing percentage of applicants

International applications are typically similar to domestic ones but with additional complications. Most international applicants do not receive a GPA score or transcript from their school, and most will not take SAT or ACT exams, so these must be arranged. Most American universities are happy to accept international qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate and A Levels, although it is often up to the applicant to elaborate on the meaning of these qualifications. Non-native English speakers may be asked to provide English language qualifications such as TOEFL or IELTS scores. If a university requires or offers an interview, these can usually be conducted over the phone or with alumni residing in the applicant's country.

International applicants often must cope with higher tuition fees and less available financial aid, although this varies significantly by college. Further, international applicants must also apply for a student visa, which can be a complex and time-consuming process.

In the 2020-2021 academic year, 1,057,188 international students enrolled in U.S. postsecondary institutions. 70.77% of these students were from Asia, with 38.7% from China and 35.9% from India. The number of international students studying in the U.S. declined significantly in 2021 due to COVID-related travel restrictions.

In addition to the U.S., international students are studying in increasing numbers in other countries. In 2019-2020, 162,633 U.S. college students studied overseas, with 67.4% of them being women.

Most states have seen a meaningful growth in college applicants

While college enrollment has generally been on a downward trajectory over the past decade, most states have seen a meaningful growth in college applicants. In 2023, almost 18.1 million students were enrolled in degree-granting colleges and universities in the U.S. This number includes students enrolled in both graduate and undergraduate programs. Undergraduate programs account for about 15.2 million students, with roughly 8.5 million pursuing a bachelor's degree and 4.4 million getting associate degrees. On the other hand, there were about 3.1 million graduate students.

The number of college applicants has been steadily increasing, with a total of 4.9 million applications in 2002, which more than doubled to almost 10.2 million in 2017. This increase in applications is attributed to the rising number of students applying to multiple schools, facilitated by electronic filing systems like the Common Application, now used by about 800 colleges.

The growth in college applicants is also reflected in the number of high school graduates pursuing higher education. In 2022, about 62% of people who completed high school or earned a GED certificate immediately enrolled in college, and 39% of all 18-24-year-olds were enrolled in a postsecondary program.

However, it is worth noting that the college enrollment rate has remained relatively constant over the past few years, with a slight dip since 2010. The decline in enrollment can be partly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 4% decrease in total college enrollment from fall 2019 to fall 2023.

Despite the overall decline, certain states have experienced notable increases in college enrollment. For instance, New Hampshire, Utah, Idaho, Delaware, Texas, and the District of Columbia have seen positive growth in their student populations since 2010. New Hampshire, in particular, has witnessed the most significant growth, with an 184% increase in enrollment over the same period.

In contrast, states like Iowa and Alaska have experienced substantial declines, losing 47% and 42.1% of their student populations, respectively, since 2010.

The variations in enrollment trends across states highlight the complex dynamics of college applications and admissions in the U.S. While the number of applicants continues to rise, enrollment figures fluctuate, influenced by various factors such as the impact of the pandemic, changing demographics, and shifting preferences among students.

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