What Students & Families Should Know About Today’s College Application Experience

The college admissions process has always been complex, but today’s families are navigating a landscape that looks very different from just a few years ago. From shifting test policies and changes in financial aid to new rules around essays and legacy admissions, parents are often left wondering what really matters now. Understanding these updates is the first step in helping your teen apply with confidence. Here’s a look at the most important changes shaping the application process in 2025 and what they mean for families like yours.

What’s Changing

1. A Shift Back Toward Standardized Testing

• After several years of “test-optional” policies (many expanded during COVID), more colleges are now requiring SAT or ACT scores again. 

• More students are submitting test scores even to schools that haven’t reinstated hard requirements, because submitting a strong score can help them stand out. 

2. Digital, Adaptive, & Tighter Testing Formats

• The SAT and ACT are now fully digital. The format changes affect pacing, question types, and user experience — for example, adaptive sections ( questions adjusting based on performance) are in play. 

• Time constraints have become more stringent. Sections are shorter, passages smaller, etc. This puts pressure on test prep, reading speed, and test-strategy. 

3. More Competition & Application Inflation

• The number of applications per student continues to increase. Many students are applying to more schools, and often the same set of schools. That tends to push admission rates down or make outcomes less predictable. 

• This past application season, a 6% increase in new applicants has been reported.

• Popular public flagship universities, especially in the South & Southwest, are seeing surges in both in-state and out-of-state applicants. 

4. Policy & Legal Shifts (Race, Legacy, Demonstrated Interest, etc.)

• Since the Supreme Court’s decision banning race-conscious admissions, colleges are re-tooling how they seek diversity. 

• Some states are making or have made legacy admissions illegal (e.g. California has banned giving special preference to applicants connected to alumni or donors). 

• More colleges are paying attention to “demonstrated interest” (how much students engage with a school via campus visits, info sessions, interviews, etc.). 

5. Essays, Authenticity, & The Rise Of AI Concerns

• Essays are under greater scrutiny, particularly with the growing use (and misuse) of generative AI. Admissions offices want to see authentic voice and original work. 

• Some schools or counselors are warning against over-reliance on AI in creating application materials, since missteps here (plagiarism, overly generic tone, etc.) can hurt more than help. 

6. Financial Aid, FAFSA, & Timing Worries

• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has had some implementation challenges in past cycles — delays or confusion have impacted planning. 

• With some colleges reinstating test requirements and raising the stakes on early admission rounds, timing is more critical than ever. Being prepared early (test prep, essay drafts, scholarship applications) is a real advantage. 

What This Means for Applicants (Tips & Strategy)

Putting all of that together, here are what students and families might do differently now to improve chances:

1. Don’t assume “optional” means “irrelevant.”
   Even if a school doesn’t require a test score, a strong SAT/ACT can still boost your chances or help you compete in a pool that’s submitting many scores. Similarly, so-called ‘optional’ essays are rarely optional in practice, as many applicants use them to strengthen their application and demonstrate authentic interest.

2. Start early, especially essays and test prep.
   Because formats are changing and many schools are becoming more competitive, it’s important to give yourself time to adjust your strategy, refine your essays, and practice frequently under realistic testing conditions.

3. Be thoughtful about which schools you apply to.
   Given application inflation, having a more balanced list (reach / match / likely) matters more. Also, understand that for public universities, out-of-state applicants often face much lower admit rates than in-state.

4. Show genuine interest.
   If a school tracks demonstrated interest, make sure to attend info sessions, virtual tours, and communicate with admissions (within reason), as it can make more difference than before. Even at schools that don’t formally track interest, thoughtful, well-crafted essays that clearly explain why the university is a good fit can reveal genuine enthusiasm and set an applicant apart.

5. Know your state and legal environment.
   Policies like legacy preference bans, changes around affirmative action, or other state rules may shift what schools are looking for or how they evaluate. To stay informed, students can regularly check admissions websites, follow updates from reliable college counseling organizations, and ask questions during info sessions or school visits.

6. Read and follow the rules around AI.
   Use it as a tool (for grammar, brainstorming, polish), but don’t rely on it to draft or personalize essays. Authenticity matters, and even if detection tools are not used, admissions officers can easily recognize when an essay lacks the genuine voice, depth, and perspective of a student, especially when compared with recommendations, activity descriptions, and transcripts that reflect who the student really is.

College admissions may be evolving quickly, but families don’t need to feel overwhelmed by the changes. By staying informed about new policies, preparing early,, and keeping the focus on authentic student growth, parents can provide the steady support their teens need during this exciting (and sometimes stressful) journey. While the process may look different than it did a few years ago, the goal remains the same: helping your child find a college where they can thrive both academically and personally.

If you’d like guidance tailored to your family’s situation, our team at North Shore College Consulting is here to help. Reach out anytime. We’ll walk you through the details, reduce the stress, and give your teen every advantage in today’s admissions landscape.