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January 14th Webinar at 6:00 pm CST
Eight Predictions That Will Shape College Admissions in 2026
College admissions are changing faster than most families realize. In this eye-opening webinar, we’ll walk through eight concrete predictions for the 2026 cycle and show how each one affects families.
Our team will connect the big trends to clear next steps. You’ll learn what test scores really mean in a world of straight As, how major-level selectivity is reshaping college lists, and why live writing and video will matter more in the AI era. We’ll also cover the rise of Southern and Southwestern campuses, political climate as a factor in list building, and the growing focus on skills and outcomes.
Families will leave with specific action plans by grade level so your student can move from reacting to headlines to following a thoughtful strategy that fits who they are and where they want to go.
DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE TO
Highly Selective Colleges
Applying to a highly selective college can be daunting, but if your student has their heart set on one, there are some guidelines they can follow to help them stand out from the crowd. This guide discusses what highly selective colleges look for in students, how to achieve "depth" in activities, and the importance of having a specific application strategy for the most selective schools.
We have a unique approach at ESM Prep College MatchPoint. It all begins and ends with our ultimate goal: for our students to thrive in their selected college.
The college application process can feel overwhelming, no matter how strong the student. But at ESM Prep College MatchPoint, we believe it should be organized, personal, and even fun, and we provide a framework that reduces the stress throughout the journey.
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The first big data drop of the year from the Common App is here, and it sends a clear message. College demand is exploding again. By November 1, a stunning 962,284 seniors had already applied to at least one college. That is a 5% jump from last year. Even more striking, students submitted 4.7 million applications, a 10% year-over-year surge.
Parents often think summer is a break from college pressure. UT Austin does not see it that way. Summer is one of the clearest windows into who a student is becoming. When school stops dictating their time, UT can see how a teenager chooses to grow, explore, stretch, and lead. In a world where tens of thousands of students apply to the same majors, summer is often the difference between an application that blends in and one that stands out. UT reads every summer choice through one central question: Does this student show genuine direction, curiosity, and readiness for their major
Today’s teenagers are not choosing college for the same reasons their parents did. In a recent survey of over 5,000 college freshmen, only about 20% say the “college experience” matters most in their decision. The rest are thinking about outcomes. They want a return on investment, a clear path to a career, and a way to use their strengths in the real world. This is a major shift. Parents once picked colleges for community and campus life. Students today are evaluating programs, job placement, and practical skills. The modern college search is about connecting a student’s natural aptitudes with programs that lead to success after graduation.
Some students transform during the school year. He transformed during the summers . Three intentional summers helped him uncover a passion for data, find direction in his academics, and ultimately earn a spot in UT Austin’s Statistics and Data Science program . Each summer built on the last—moving from curiosity to skill to mastery. By using his breaks to explore what he loved, he changed not just his college options but his confidence in who he was becoming.
When she finished 10th grade at her public high school, she felt lost. Her GPA was solid but not in the top 15 percent, and she wasn’t sure what she wanted to study. She played soccer, worked hard in her classes, and liked psychology—but none of it pointed clearly toward a college major or future path. Two years later, she had admission offers from Georgetown University, The University of Texas at Austin, and even an Ivy League school. The change didn’t come from adding more activities or raising her GPA. It came from how she used her summers—h ere’s how she found clarity, confidence, and direction .
Winter break is a rare pause in a busy year. It gives students time to rest, reflect, and reset before the spring semester. Without homework and tests, students can step back and focus on personal growth. These few weeks can help them clarify goals, explore interests, and get organized for what is next.