Competition for second-tier school admission increasing
Dear Mr. Bradshaw,
I am a high school junior, and I am putting together a list of colleges to apply to. There are a number of top-tier schools on that list and my guidance counselor said that I should consider a few backup choices in the event that I do not get admitted to one of my top choices. My concern is that all of the schools that interest me rank at or near the top in the college rankings. She said that even secondtier colleges are becoming more selective and suggested that I take that into consideration when I select my backup schools.
I would like your thoughts.
Signed,
High School Junior
Dear High School Junior,
Stanford, Harvard, Yale, and the University of Chicago are considered first-tier schools and are very difficult to gain admission to even with an outstanding academic record. Acceptance rates for 2022 range from 4.3% at Stanford, 3.43% at Harvard, 6.3% at Yale and 7.2% at the University of Chicago.
Your counselor is right in saying that second-tier colleges can be as admissions-competitive as first tier schools. Each year the admissions percentages at these schools is diminishing. Duke is at 8.3% and state schools like the University of Southern California is 12.9%.
Many students who apply to these schools as backups are rejected even though they have academic records similar to those of students admitted to the Ivy League.
With the huge increase in outstanding international applicants at top colleges, second-tier colleges are now considered “the new Ivy League.”
It is true that second-tier colleges and universities actually benefit by admitting students turned down from schools like Stanford and Harvard because the academic records of these students have actually helped them climb in the overall college rankings and are grateful that they picked backup colleges where admission is less competitive.
One of the reasons that admission to top schools is getting more difficult is simply one of supply and demand. The number of students graduating from high school has been increasing and more students are interested in applying to top universities. Many high-achieving students also are applying to more colleges than in the past — hedging their bets due to the uncertainty of the admissions process.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected college applications strongly in 2020-21 and in 2022 there are new trends affecting admissions. There are more test-optional schools, waitlists are growing, and applications are surging. Students are advised to apply early and to demonstrate an interest in your choice by letting the admissions office know how eager you are to attend their school.
The overflow of students applying to second-tier colleges also has created its own spillover. Many state colleges and universities are seeing their rankings increase because students with higher grades and test scores are now enrolling.
Listen to your high school counselor and begin to think more broadly about the college application process. You need good backup schools to depend on, but you need to make sure that all of your choices are a good “fit.” Review your options carefully, read the blogs, and make sure that you schedule a visit to the campus.