“When I was your age, college admissions weren’t nearly as competitive.”
These are the words uttered amongst an abundance of American households today. Forty years ago, a decent GPA and an extracurricular or two were enough to secure you a spot at a top university. Today, the landscape has shifted dramatically. College admissions have become a high-stakes process, as students are now expected to apply with not only exceptional grades but also an impressive range of extracurriculars, leadership roles, internships, and personal essays that must stand out in a sea of thousands of other applicants.
The competitiveness of modern admissions is due to both an increase in the number of applicants and the consistently growing perception that admission to elite schools is essential for future success.
Results from an August 2023 NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) poll show that 76% of applicants felt that completing college applications was a decisive moment in their lives. This common modern mindset of college attendance possessing immense life significance has led to a dramatic increase in applicants.
The number of high school graduates applying to four-year colleges has surged over the past few decades. Yet, schools have not expanded their freshman classes at the same rate. This imbalance between supply and demand has left students and their families in a constant state of pressure, creating an arms race of achievements and accomplishments that have taken a toll on many students’ mental health. In the same August 2023 NACAC poll, results showed that 52% of applicants thought their admissions experience was more stressful than anything else they had done academically.
So how did we get here? What factors led to such a large shift in the college admissions process?
For one, the rise of the internet has democratized information, allowing students from all backgrounds to apply to more schools. Social media has also heightened competition, as students constantly compare their achievements.
This pressure has landed heavily on students’ shoulders, as they now feel compelled to craft perfect images of themselves. Balancing academics, extracurriculars, and leadership roles has left many students feeling overwhelmed, with anxiety and burnout becoming common.
The introduction of the Common Application (Common App) has transformed the college admissions landscape, simplifying the process for students applying to multiple schools. While this tool has made it easier to apply to a larger number of colleges, it has also contributed greatly to the competitive atmosphere.
With a single application form that can be sent to over 900 colleges, with an individual max of 20 universities, students feel the pressure to apply to as many institutions as possible to increase their chances of acceptance. This ease of application has led to a surge in the number of applicants to selective schools, exacerbating the competition. As a result, students often find themselves not only competing against peers but also against a vast pool of applicants, making the quest for admission even more daunting.
But the Common App is just one piece of the puzzle. Social media has also played a significant role in ramping up competition. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are flooded with content showcasing students’ accomplishments, from perfect SAT scores to impressive summer internships.
As teens scroll through their feeds, it’s easy to feel like everyone else is doing and achieving more, and that their college application needs to be just as impressive, if not better. “It really is easy to get caught up in (admissions) being a student-wide competition. You see your peers flaunting leadership roles and grades and begin to wonder how well your own achievements stack up compared to theirs,” said Bronx Science senior Aaron Nadler ‘25. He continued, “Before you know it, you start asking yourself: What will they think if I don’t get accepted to this college? It for sure serves as motivation, but is also completely unhealthy. I try to avoid it as much as possible.” This constant comparison heightens the pressure to build a perfect résumé, even if it comes at the cost of mental health.
The pressure to stand out has also led to an increased emphasis on extracurriculars. Activities once considered “nice to have” on an application, like joining a club or playing a sport, are now seen as essential, but even that’s no longer enough. Today’s applicants feel they must not only participate in these activities but excel at them, often holding leadership positions or winning awards. This shift has transformed after-school activities into another competitive arena where students strive to differentiate themselves.
Parents, too, contribute to the high-stakes nature of modern admissions. Many families invest in test prep courses, private counselors, and expensive summer programs, all in the hopes of giving their child a leg up. For some, the process begins as early as middle school, when students are pushed into advanced classes or specialized extracurriculars with college admissions in mind. The parental pressure to succeed, combined with the intense competition, often leaves students feeling overwhelmed and burned out before they even start college.
The growing popularity of early decision and early action programs has further intensified the race to get into college. Students now feel compelled to apply earlier in the process, hoping to boost their chances by committing to one school. However, this has created its own set of challenges, as students must decide on their top choice earlier than ever, often before they have had the chance to fully explore all their options. The result is a cycle of stress that begins long before senior year.
Globalization has also played a significant role. With more students from around the world competing for spots, U.S. colleges have become international hubs. Additionally, the rise of dual enrollment programs and access to advanced coursework has amplified applicant qualifications, making the pool larger and more impressive than ever before.
All of this raises the question: is the relentless pursuit of college admissions success worth it? For many, the answer may be yes, as top-tier universities are still seen as the golden ticket to career success, high salaries, and prestige. However, this perception may be inaccurate. In The Platinum Study by Michael Lindsay, 550 American leaders, including 250 top CEO’s, were studied. Lindsay found that over two-thirds graduated from non-elite schools. Yet, the idea that an Ivy League or similarly prestigious school guarantees success remains deeply ingrained in the minds of students and their families.
At the same time, schools themselves are grappling with their own challenges. While applications have surged, the cost of expanding their student bodies or building new infrastructure to accommodate more students has made it difficult for many colleges to keep pace with demand. Some universities have sought to address this by increasing their reliance on technology, offering more online classes or creating satellite campuses. However, these solutions don’t always alleviate the pressure on traditional, in-person programs, where students still seek the “full” college experience.
The increasing competitiveness of college admissions is not just a product of individual ambition but also the societal shifts that have taken place over the past few decades. More students than ever before are pursuing higher education, and the globalized economy has made a college degree feel like a necessary credential for success. But as students push themselves harder to achieve their goals, the cost — both financial and emotional — continues to rise.
Forty years ago, a decent GPA and an extracurricular or two were enough to secure you a spot at a top university. Today, the landscape has shifted dramatically.