As ED1 and EA application rounds at major universities conclude, the largest application platform in the US, Common App, has released its 2024-25 application season data report!
As of November 1 this year, 904,860 first-year applicants had submitted applications to the 863 universities participating in Common App.
Although many say the number of applicants to US undergraduate programs is decreasing, the numbers are still only rising.
CheersYou（清柚教育） will analyze Common App's recent early application data and trends to provide more insights for students applying to US undergraduate programs.
Early Applications to US Universities Surpass 900,000
This year, a total of over 900,000 first-year applicants participated in early admissions, a 6% increase from the 850,165 in 2023-24.
The total number of applications to Common App member schools grew from 3,648,726 in 2023-24 to 4,017,250 this year, a 10% increase.
The number of first-year Common App accounts created this year reached 1,959,536, a 5% increase over last year. On average, applicants applied to about 4.44 institutions, up 3%.
This year, the second admissions cycle since the US Supreme Court overturned affirmative action, college admissions continue to face uncertainty. Applicants are still maximizing the 'apply to many' strategy to ensure a safe early application.
International Applicant Numbers Keep Rising
Looking at data from the past four admissions cycles, the number of international early applicants has been steadily increasing. As of November 1, compared to the 2023-24 cycle, international applicants grew by 5%.
In comparison, the number of domestic US applicants grew at a slightly faster rate of 7%.
China, India, Ghana, Nigeria, and Canada are the top five source countries. After two consecutive years of decline, Chinese applicant numbers have rebounded, growing 9% from last year, remaining the largest source. Indian and Canadian applicant numbers also rose steadily: Canadian applicants increased 16%, and Indian applicants 5%, compared to last year.
Public Universities Become a More Popular Choice
As in previous years, public universities dominate early applications this year. Early application numbers exceeded 2.44 million, a 12% increase from the 2023-24 cycle.
Early applications to private universities this year surpassed 1.56 million, also up 8% from 1.45 million in 2023-24.
Since the 2021-22 admissions cycle, public universities have been more popular in early applications than private ones, and the gap is widening.
Today, more applicant families prefer public universities that offer lower tuition with top-notch education, providing better value.
All Tiers of Colleges Are Overwhelmed
Common App also compiled early application data for universities grouped by admission rate.
Schools are divided into four segments 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 2023-24 cycle, overall growth has been stable. The Most Selective institutions saw the slowest growth at 5%, while the other admission rate categories grew around 11-12%.
The applicant pool for less selective schools keeps expanding, while interest in highly selective schools remains undiminished. Everyone wants to aim for top schools; in today's US undergraduate admissions, there is no easy school to get into.
Standardized Tests Make a Comeback
Finally, the topic on everyone's mind: standardized tests.
In recent years, the proportion of US universities requiring standardized test scores has been changing continuously. Over the past three years, more schools adopted test-optional policies. In the 2019-20 admissions cycle, more than half of institutions required test scores; last cycle, only 5% had a mandatory score submission requirement, an all-time low.
Now, with an increasing number of top US universities reinstating standardized test requirements, the number of applicants submitting scores is rising. From 436,123 in 2023-24 to 475,504 this year, the growth rate (9%) has surpassed that of those not submitting scores (4%).
This year also marks the first year of the digital SAT in the US. With a simplified testing experience globally, the number of applicants submitting test scores is expected to keep rising, and the importance of standardized scores in US undergraduate admissions will continue to grow.
We advise students applying to US universities to take the test if possible, to give themselves more college options. Especially for early applicants, a strong test score can help you stand out when high school experiences are similar, making you more attractive to top schools and increasing your chances.
The US undergraduate admissions landscape is increasingly competitive. To succeed at top schools, thorough planning and preparation are essential.
We recommend that while improving your competitiveness, you also adjust your application strategy appropriately and choose universities and majors that are the best fit.
Finally, we wish everyone good luck in receiving an offer from your dream school this admissions season!
Primary source: Common App
