With the conclusion of ED1 rounds at major institutions, Common App, the largest US application platform, has released its 2023-24 early application data!
This year's early applications were exceptionally hot, with 836,679 freshman applicants submitting to 834 Common App member schools as of November 1.
The early application season for US colleges is only getting more and more competitive.
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CheersYou（清柚教育） will analyze and interpret Common App's recent early application data and trends to provide valuable insights for students applying to US undergraduate programs.
Early Applicants This Year Exceed 800,000
This year, over 830,000 freshman applicants participated in early applications, a 41% surge compared to the pre-pandemic 2019-20 application season.
Total applications to Common App member schools rose from 2,028,507 in 2019-20 to 3,353,516 this year, a staggering 65% increase.
The number of first-year Common App accounts created reached 1,862,719, up 36%. The average number of applications per student rose to about four, an increase of 17%.
As the first application season following the Supreme Court's overturning of affirmative action, many uncertainties remain in college admissions. Applicants have arguably taken the "apply to many schools" strategy to its limit to ensure early application success.
International Early Applicants Surge 87%
Data from the past four application cycles shows a continuous rise in international early applicants, with growth rates far outpacing those of domestic US applicants.
As of November 1, the growth rate of international applicants compared to the 2019-20 season (+87%) was more than double that of domestic applicants (+38%).
China, India, Ghana, Nigeria, and Canada were the top five source countries. While China's applicant numbers continued to decline, it remained the largest source country. India's applicant count kept growing, reaching a record 9,471 this year, a 118% increase over the 2019-20 season.
Public University Early Applications Surge 82%
As in previous years, public universities again dominated early applications, with over 1.91 million applications—an 82% surge compared to the 2019-20 season.
Private universities received over 1.42 million early applications, a 47% increase from the 964,000 in 2019-20.
Since the 2021-22 application cycle, early application interest in public universities has exceeded that of private ones. More families are now choosing public institutions for their lower tuition, excellent education quality, and higher value.
Crowded Applications Across All Selectivity Tiers
Common App also compiled early application data segmented by institutional selectivity.
Schools are grouped into four tiers based on historical admission rates:
Less Selective (admit rate ≥75%)
More Selective (admit rate 50–74%)
Highly Selective (admit rate 25–49%)
Most Selective (admit rate
Compared to the 2019-20 season, application volumes to Highly Selective and Most Selective institutions still grew by 59% and 62%, respectively, on par with the growth at less selective schools.
The applicant pool at less selective schools continues to balloon, while interest in highly selective schools shows no sign of cooling. Today, there is simply no easy US college to get into.
Nearly Half of Applicants Submit Standardized Test Scores
Finally, the matter of standardized testing.
In recent years, an increasing number of schools have adopted test-optional policies. While over half of institutions required test scores in 2019-20, only 5% did so this cycle—a historic low!
Yet even without mandates, over 420,000 applicants still submitted test scores this year.
With standardized testing likely to regain prominence next year, a strong score means greater flexibility in school choices.
Moreover, with similar high school profiles, a standout test score can give applicants a decisive edge in the fierce early application competition and help win favor from top schools.
As the US undergraduate application environment becomes ever more competitive, conquering top schools requires thorough planning and preparation.
We recommend that students not only enhance their own competitiveness but also strategically adjust their application approaches and select the best-fit colleges.
Best of luck to everyone in receiving offers from their dream schools this application season!
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