we've begun to see indications that many schools have resumed an emphasis on test scores in their admissions criteria and in merit aid awards. 

To make things even more complex, some schools, like those within the University of California system, are now test-blind, meaning they won't consider test scores at all in admissions decisions. For a comprehensive list of colleges and universities that don’t mandate standardized testing, visit FairTest.org

2. DEMONSTRATED INTEREST IS KEY FOR MORE SCHOOLS THAN YOU THINK

Let's back up: what is demonstrated interest, and how does it factor into college admissions? 

In the college admissions process, demonstrating your interest to a college means showing a school and its admission reps that you are genuinely interested in attending that college. With more students applying to colleges, demonstrated interest can be a key criterion for schools anticipating which students will accept their offer of admission. 

While demonstrated interest isn't used by every school, we've seen results that indicate many schools have greatly increased it’s importance in their evaluation. According to the college admissions trends survey done by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, 68% of colleges now place some level of importance on demonstrated interest. 

3. FIT-TO-MAJOR IS STILL A GROWING TREND 

While fit-to-major certainly isn’t a new trend, interest and engagement in a student's intended area of study is still as important as ever. Fit-to-major is especially important at large public colleges and state flagship universities, though some small and mid-sized private liberal arts schools have begun to consider it more strongly as well.

Engaging in fit-to-major activities prior to applying to college demonstrates to schools that the student exhibits the knowledge, skills, and intellectual curiosity necessary to thrive within that major in college. When thinking about how to demonstrate fit-to-major, students should also be sure they have the opportunity to “try on” areas of study to be sure it's a good fit for their interests and aptitudes.

4. MORE APPLICATIONS FROM FIRST GEN STUDENTS AND THOSE FROM UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES



The Common Application has released its data from December 2021, and the early trends indicate the overall numbers of students using the application to apply to colleges has grown. Even more encouraging: the relatively large increases in underrepresented minority (Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander) and first-generation applicants. Underrepresented minority applicants increased by 17 percent over 2019–20, while first-gen applicants increased by 21 percent.