As the class of 2026 begins the college admission process, many things appear to have changed. Despite what parents and guardians may profess, the college admission process has changed and will continue to change in the future. Here are some major key factors to look out for as upperclassmen prepare for life beyond high school.

   The first is that good grades and good scores are important aspects of the college application process but they aren’t the only factors for admission. Involvement is crucial. According to LibertyCollegiateAcademy.org, “Research indicates that 70% of colleges consider these activities significant in differentiating applicants, as they reflect leadership, teamwork, and time management abilities.” The activities students partake in cannot just be random, resume-fillers. They have to show impactful change and skill to contribute to the overarching theme of the student’s application. In an article discussing outstanding extracurriculars, Crimson Education states that students should, “Quantify your impact as much as you can. Did you increase membership? By what percent? Use numbers so admissions officers know exactly what you did in that activity.” This ‘quantifying’ can’t be achieved if students don’t prioritize quality of extracurricular engagement over quantity of resume boosters. Crimson Education reiterates, “While top grades and test scores can help your application get past admissions officers’ first glance, your personal brand (including your extracurriculars, leadership positions, and personal experiences) is what truly sets you apart from the crowd!” 

   The next, is the role of the personal essay in conveying a student’s personality. This 650 word essay is one of the first impressions admissions counselors’ have of students, allowing counselors to better understand applicants as a whole. College Board states, “A powerful, well-written essay can make a difference and elevate an applicant in an admission committee’s eyes when colleges have to choose between applicants with similar qualifications.” This also carries over to the role of supplemental essays in showing a student’s amount of demonstrated interest. Supplemental essays encourage students to connect with counselors on a shared love for that specific university. College Board adds, “Students can also use the essay to show that they’ve thought carefully about why they’re a good match for the college they’re applying to. They can show their commitment to learning and their eagerness to contribute to the college community.” 

   Lastly, being aware of how federal funding and political agendas impact the college process gives applicants a better chance of understanding what the perspective of admissions counselors may be. As seen in years prior, changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Department of Education can substantially impact students who rely on federal loans and grants. According to the U.S Government Accountability Office, “Typically, students can apply for FAFSA on October 1 each year. But this past year, the form wasn’t available until December 30, 2023.” Delayed applications can change the grants that students may qualify for while also prolonging the applicant’s uncertainty as to what they have to pay. G.A.O continues, “And more delays followed. Colleges were late in developing students’ financial aid offers because they did not have needed information on time. And students who were waiting for delayed offers had to make rushed decisions about where to enroll.” As a result, G.A.O reports a “9% decline in submitted FAFSA applications among first-time applicants, and an overall decline of about 432,000 applications as of the end of August, 2023.” In order to anticipate and plan, students should plan to fill out FAFSA sooner than later, to fully grasp the entirety of their college application process and payment options. 

   In understanding these big elements of the admission process, applicants can ensure a less stressful time while applying. Emphasizing the importance of every aspect of the application is important, not just the GPA and SAT score. To be prepared, competitive applicants have to be able to demonstrate an overarching narrative to the application, making it a cohesive representation of a student’s character.