Updated Information on All Things College Admissions

High school grades continue to rise, but college outcomes tell a more complicated story. Over the past decade, average GPAs have steadily climbed, and by the mid 2020s, the vast majority of high school students were earning mostly As and Bs in core academic subjects. On paper, students look stronger than ever. In practice, colleges are finding it harder to distinguish who is truly prepared for the academic demands ahead. This disconnect is not about effort or motivation. Today’s students work hard. But the meaning of an A has shifted, and admissions offices know it. 

Parents are hearing a lot of mixed signals about college admissions. Grades are higher than ever. Most colleges are still test-optional. Admissions offices emphasize holistic review, yet outcomes can feel harder to predict. It is natural to wonder how colleges are actually evaluating students right now. If a student is earning As in AP classes, is that still enough?

Parents often ask us whether AP test scores really matter in college admissions. The honest answer is that it depends entirely on the type of college a student is applying to. Some colleges now rely on AP scores as a key academic signal. Others barely look at them at all. Most fall somewhere in between. Understanding those differences can lower stress and help families make smarter, more targeted decisions. 

When a student applies to a reach school, everyone understands the odds are long. That is what makes it a reach. What many families miss is that these schools are not guessing. Highly selective colleges are looking for clear signals that a student can thrive in an unusually demanding academic environment. One of the strongest signals they see is a 4 or a 5 on an AP exam. This is not about perfection. It is about preparedness.

Most families do not set out to create stress around college admissions. It happens gradually. A student mentions a school they admire. A ranking reinforces it. A conversation with another family sharpens the focus. Before long, that school becomes the story.  Jeff Selingo’s book Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You offers an important reminder. The real goal of the college search is not landing one specific name. It is finding environments where a student can grow, feel supported, and build momentum over four years. Thriving is the outcome worth protecting.

Early admissions results from this year reinforced an important message: students who built a balanced, well-researched college list had the best outcomes. While many students felt pressure to focus only on highly selective schools, those who applied to a thoughtful mix of reach, possible, and match schools gave themselves the best chance of success—and the most exciting options in the spring.  A well-crafted college list isn’t just about applying to prestigious schools—it’s about finding the right environment where a student can grow, thrive, and be happy. This year, students who took the time to explore and plan ahead saw the strongest results. Those who applied only to highly competitive colleges often found themselves with more stress and fewer options than they had hoped for.

Parents of 8th graders do not need a four-year college plan yet. But the choices your student makes for ninth grade can quietly shape the options they have later. If families focus on just two foundations, math and writing, they give their student the greatest flexibility for future majors, especially in areas like business, engineering, and STEM. 

Many families believe being in the top 5% makes UT Austin a sure thing. It does not. Auto admit guarantees admission to the university, not to competitive majors like engineering, business, or computer science. Each year, top 5% students are denied their intended major because they misunderstand how UT actually works. See what this year's UT admissions decisions reveal about major-level selectivity. 

Many UT Austin denials are not about grades, effort, or intelligence. They are about direction. UT admits by major, not by student. When an application lacks a clear fit to major, even strong students can quietly fall out of contention. Learn how to build a fit-to-major case admissions officers cannot ignore in our UT Results Webinar.

Nursing is one of the most in-demand and rewarding career paths, but finding the right college program can feel overwhelming. From competitive BSN programs to flexible ADN pathways, the options vary widely. Our latest guide breaks down top nursing programs, admissions requirements, and key factors to consider when choosing a school. Whether you're aiming for a reach school or looking for the best fit, we've got you covered. Explore the full guide and take the next step toward your nursing career.

Is your bright, capable teen struggling to reach their potential in school? You may notice their backpack overflowing with crumpled papers, completed assignments that never make it to the teacher's desk, or the last-minute panic when they realize a major project is due tomorrow. These aren't likely signs of laziness or lack of intelligence—they could indicate executive function challenges.

Academic challenges are inevitable for all students, but for neurodivergent learners, these obstacles can feel particularly daunting, especially as the pace picks up in the spring semester. Educational experts recognize that these moments of struggle are actually valuable opportunities for growth. James Nottingham's concept of " The Learning Pit ” describes how students must sometimes journey through confusion before emerging with deeper understanding. When students climb out of this pit themselves, they develop the resilience essential for long-term academic - and life - success. The key is providing them with the right tools to navigate this journey independently.

Starting the path to medical school begins in high school. Students interested in becoming doctors should focus on excelling in science and math classes, while also developing strong writing and communication skills. Gaining hands-on experience by volunteering in healthcare settings, participating in research, and serving the community will help build a solid foundation for a future in medicine. Taking on leadership roles in clubs or sports helps develop the teamwork and decision-making skills that are crucial for medical school.

Early admissions results from the 2024-25 cycle reinforce a crucial reality—colleges are moving away from rewarding long lists of superficial extracurriculars. Highly selective institutions, including public universities like the University of Michigan and UCLA, as well as private colleges like Stanford and MIT, are prioritizing applicants who show depth, initiative, and impact over those who simply check boxes. As competition intensifies for admission to top programs in computer science, engineering, business, and the sciences, students who spread themselves too thin across numerous activities are being left behind. Instead, colleges seek students whose extracurriculars tell a compelling, cohesive story of intellectual engagement and long-term commitment.

Early admissions results from this year confirm what many families already suspected—highly selective majors are becoming even more competitive. Computer science, engineering, business, and nursing continue to be among the most selective fields, with acceptance rates often lower than those of the overall university. Meanwhile, sciences like biology and chemistry remain difficult to enter, particularly at research-focused institutions. Public universities such as the University of Michigan, Georgia Tech, and the University of Texas at Austin are seeing record-low acceptance rates for these high-demand programs, while elite private colleges like Stanford, MIT, and Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania are admitting only a small percentage of applicants to their top programs. Colleges are not just looking for students with strong grades and test scores; they want to see applicants who have already demonstrated a deep commitment to their intended major. Through extracurricular activities, students must show that they are not only interested in a field but have actively engaged with it in meaningful ways.

This year’s admissions results highlight an increasing challenge for students applying to public universities from out of state. With strict in-state quotas, rising application numbers, and financial incentives shaping admissions policies, acceptance rates for non-residents continue to shrink. Schools like UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Michigan are admitting fewer than 15% of out-of-state applicants, even among high-achieving students with strong academic credentials. Families must take a strategic approach—leveraging in-state advantages where possible or targeting public universities that offer stronger out-of-state opportunities.

College football powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, and Clemson aren’t just known for their athletic success—they’ve also become much harder to get into. Over the past five years, these schools have seen big changes in their admissions process, making them more competitive than ever. Let’s take a look at what’s behind the shift and what it means for students applying.

January 15, 2026 Update: UT Austin has released Early Action decisions. This cycle confirms a record 90,000+ applicants and the first year of the reinstated SAT/ACT requirement. Deferred students are still under consideration; final decisions will be released by February 15, 2026.

The first wave of early admissions results for this year's senior class are beginning to take shape, and while it is easy to focus on individual outcomes, the real value of early data is what it reveals about direction. This cycle is not easier. It is not more forgiving. But it is more predictable for families who understand what colleges are signaling. Across Early Decision, Early Action, and Restrictive Early Action rounds, clear patterns are emerging that should shape how students plan the next several years, not just how seniors respond this winter.

For families targeting The University of Texas at Austin, summer planning can quietly become one of the most stressful parts of the admissions journey. As deadlines approach and conversations circulate, it is easy to believe that the right program, often expensive and highly branded, is the missing piece. The assumption is understandable. UT Austin is competitive. Competitive schools must want elite experiences.  That assumption is also wrong.

At The University of Texas at Austin, admissions readers are not impressed by how full a student’s summer calendar looks. They are paying attention to something far more revealing. How a student grows over time. UT does not reward activity stacking, even when those activities sound impressive. It rewards direction, ownership, and evidence that a student is becoming ready for the academic environment they are asking to enter. 

At The University of Texas at Austin, admission to a competitive major is not an abstract judgment about potential. It is a decision rooted in evidence. UT is asking whether a student is ready for the academic demands of a specific program, not whether they might figure it out later. That is why summer matters far more than most families realize.

There is a powerful myth that shows up every spring for families targeting UT Austin. The belief is simple and costly. If a student lands the most impressive or expensive summer program, their application will be stronger. The logic feels sound. UT Austin is competitive. Competitive schools must want elite experiences.  But this myth quietly hurts more UT Austin applicants than it helps.

Most families still picture college admissions as a human reading experience, but that picture is already outdated. In 2026, many applications will be sorted, scored, and prioritized by software before an admissions officer ever opens the file. That means clarity is no longer just helpful, it is decisive, because messy or unfocused applications often sink before a human gets a chance to advocate. Strong students are not being rejected for lack of ability, but for lack of a clear story that rises in a high-volume, AI-assisted system 

College planning can often feel like following Google Maps: every turn planned, every step predictable, all aimed at one specific destination. But the journey to college isn’t a straight line — it’s more like a road trip filled with detours, discoveries, and unexpected opportunities for growth. Colleges aren’t looking for students who follow a rigid formula; they’re searching for individuals who explore their passions, embrace challenges, and reflect on their unique paths. It’s about finding meaningful destinations along the way, not just arriving at the endpoint.

When planning for college, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice about choosing a major, preparing for a career, or even understanding the job market. Many families base their decisions on assumptions that no longer reflect the realities of today’s economy. Let’s tackle five common myths about preparing for future careers when building a college list—and share actionable strategies to help your student thrive.

Parenting a teenager often feels like walking a tightrope—you want to support them while also encouraging independence. When it comes to school, the stakes can feel even higher, especially when only 25% of 10th graders say they enjoy school, compared to 75% in third grade. This disconnection can leave teens feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated. The good news is that small, intentional changes can make a big difference. One simple strategy is shifting from nagging to nudging—for example, asking, “What’s your plan for tackling your assignments tonight?” instead of “Why haven’t you done your homework?” This approach fosters independence and problem-solving while helping your teen feel respected and empowered. With patience and consistent support, you can help them move from feeling stuck to thriving in their learning journey.

Preparing for college admissions exams poses unique challenges for neurodiverse learners. But with accommodations, proper planning, access to coaching, and practice, these tests can set up your teen to shine. If your teen is motivated to invest time into preparing for standardized tests to broaden their potential college list or to increase their chances of receiving merit scholarships, here are key steps for managing the testing process.

When it comes to the highly competitive world of college admissions, every detail of a student’s high school experience matters—especially their academic choices. One of the biggest mistakes students make is skipping or dropping a core subject too early in high school. While it might seem harmless to forgo a fourth year of foreign language or to replace senior-year science with a free period, these decisions can send the wrong message to admissions officers and hurt your teen’s chances of getting into their dream college.  Here’s why taking all five core subjects—English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language—for all four years of high school is essential and how skipping one can cost your teen their spot at a selective institution.