College Admissions Officers Brace for Competitive Cycle Amid…

Event summary

90% of admissions officers expect the 2026–2027 cycle to be at least as competitive as 2025–2026, despite demographic pressures.
81% are concerned about the impact of the enrollment cliff on higher education, with 68% worried about institutional closures or mergers.
64% of test-optional colleges say submitting strong SAT/ACT scores still helps applicants' chances.
16% of test-optional colleges are considering reinstating standardized test requirements.

The big picture

The survey highlights a paradox in higher education admissions: even as the college-age population shrinks, competition for spots at selective institutions remains intense. This dynamic is exacerbated by concerns over the 'enrollment cliff,' which threatens to force institutional closures and mergers, potentially disrupting the financial aid landscape. The findings underscore the need for applicants to remain strategic in their college selection and application processes, as the admissions environment is unlikely to become significantly easier.

What we're watching

Competitive Dynamics: How the enrollment cliff will affect admissions competition across institutions of varying selectivity.
Financial Sustainability: Whether colleges can maintain financial aid offerings amid demographic pressures and potential mergers.
Policy Shifts: The pace at which test-optional policies revert to mandatory testing requirements.