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2025-26 Early Admissions Data: Record-High Applicants, Test Scores Surge

发布时间：2025-12-05

The 2025-26 U.S. undergraduate early application season is unprecedentedly competitive. Common App data shows both applicant numbers and total applications have hit record highs. As of November 1, over 962,000 first-year applicants had applied, up 5% year-over-year, and total applications surged 10%. Driven by a "safety net" strategy of applying broadly, the average number of applications per student rose to 4.9. Applications are rising across all selectivity levels, with significant growth at less selective institutions, signaling that no U.S. college is "easy to get into" and competition is intensifying further.

Notably, international applicant numbers dropped for the first time in five years, down 9% overall. However, Chinese applicants remained relatively stable, declining only 1%, maintaining their position as the largest source of international students. Facing the surge in test score submissions and expanding applicant pools, CheersYou（清柚教育） advises parents and students to view data fluctuations rationally and avoid blindly increasing application numbers. In such a high-pressure environment, precise positioning, highlighting unique strengths, and formulating a scientific school selection strategy will be key to standing out.

With the conclusion of ED1 and EA application rounds at major institutions, the largest U.S. application platform, Common App, has also released its 2025-26 application season data report!

As of November 1, 2025, 962,284 first-year applicants have submitted applications to the 916 universities participating in Common App.

CheersYou（清柚教育） will analyze and interpret Common App's recent early application data and trends to provide more reference for students applying to U.S. colleges.

Early Applicant Numbers Shatter Records Again This Year

So far this application season, over 960,000 first-year applicants have seized the opportunity through early applications, with total applicants up 5% compared to the 913,087 in the same period of 2024-25.

The total number of applications received by universities grew from 4,268,736 in 2024-25 to 4,716,352 this year, an increase of 10%.

This year, the number of first-time CA accounts created reached 2,012,521, up 3% from last year.

Amid fierce competition, students are increasingly adopting a "cast a wide net" strategy to maximize opportunities. The average number of applications per student this season has risen from 4.68 last year to 4.90, a 5% increase.

Applications Flood Institutions of All Selectivity Levels

Common App has compiled early application data for universities with different acceptance rate ranges.

Schools are categorized by last year's acceptance rates into four segments:

Less Selective (acceptance rate ≥ 75%)

More Selective (acceptance rate 50-74%)

Highly Selective (acceptance rate 25-49%)

Most Selective (acceptance rate <25%)

Compared to the 2024-25 cycle, overall growth this year has been relatively stable. Among them, Most Selective institutions saw the slowest application growth at 4%. Other selectivity categories saw growth around 10-13% in applicants.

The application pools of less selective schools are continually swelling, while highly selective schools only see increasing interest. It can be said that in today's U.S. college admissions, there are no "easy" universities to get into.

International Early Applicants Decline for First Time in Five Years

This year, international applicant numbers declined for the first time in five years, totaling 72,405, down 9% from the same period last year.

Compared to double-digit drops from other major source countries, Chinese applicants dipped only slightly by 1%, remaining the largest source country.

Over the past few years, for various reasons, the number of Chinese students studying in the U.S. experienced a notable decline, but now seems to be leveling off. Those applying early now are mostly applicants who, after careful deliberation and understanding the challenges, still have strong demand for top U.S. universities and possess high competitiveness.

Early applications to U.S. undergrad programs consistently attract students with high GPAs, high standardized test scores, and rich extracurricular profiles; admission difficulty should not be underestimated. Especially for Chinese students targeting U.S. Top 30 universities, competition will only become more intense.

Public Universities Becoming a More Popular Choice

As in previous years, public universities remain the dominant choice for early applications this year. Early application numbers exceeded 2.95 million, up 10% from the 2024-25 cycle.

This year, early applications to private universities surpassed 1.75 million, also up 10% compared to 2024-25.

Starting from the 2021-22 cycle, early application popularity for public universities began to outpace private ones, and the gap continues to widen. Today, more applicant families tend to choose public universities, which offer lower tuition, still-top-quality education, and better value.

Standardized Tests Make a Strong Comeback

Finally, the matter of standardized tests, which everyone is concerned about.

Though data shows that only 5% of Common App institutions this season require standardized test scores, we are also seeing more and more top U.S. universities reinstating test requirements, particularly those in the Top 30.

Given this trend, it was inevitable that the number of early applicants submitting standardized test scores would rise. This application season, 543,844 applicants submitted test scores, an 11% increase over the same period last year. Meanwhile, 418,440 applicants did not submit scores, marking the first decrease in five years (-1%).

For applicants targeting highly-ranked institutions, if they wish to stand out in the competitive early round and win favor with top colleges, they should treat standardized tests as a "hidden barrier" by default.

For students with broader target ranges, while "test-optional" policies offer flexibility, strong test scores can still better showcase academic ability to admissions officers.

We recommend that students applying to U.S. undergrad programs, if capable, still take the tests. It will give you more flexibility in school choice and can help improve your chances.

The U.S. college application environment is increasingly competitive. To succeed in gaining admission to top universities, thorough planning and preparation are essential.

We suggest that while enhancing your competitiveness, you also adjust your application strategy appropriately and select universities that best fit you.

Finally, we wish everyone a dream school offer this application season!

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