It was 5 Times Easier for your parents to get into Harvard…
How College Admissions Have Changed Since the 1990s
Getting into a top college today looks nothing like it did in the early 1990s. Back then, applying to schools like Harvard or Stanford felt competitive, but not impossible. Today, it’s more like a lottery with perfect grades — and even that might not be enough.
In the early ‘90s, top schools like Harvard and Yale had acceptance rates around 15–20%. Fast forward to 2024, and those rates have dropped to around 3–4%. Even schools once considered “less selective,” like Vanderbilt or Rice, now admit under 10% of applicants.
What changed? First, the number of applicants has exploded, thanks to the ease of online applications and the rise of the Common App. Students now apply to 15 or 20 schools — a far cry from the 3–5 applications that were typical in the past.
Standardized testing has also evolved. In the ‘90s, the SAT was required almost everywhere, and subject tests were common. Now, most top colleges are test-optional or test-blind, especially after the pandemic, shifting even more weight onto essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars.
Academically, today’s applicants often have near-perfect GPAs, AP-heavy transcripts, and 1500+ SAT scores. But numbers aren’t enough. Admissions offices now look for a “spike” — a standout talent or story — rather than a well-rounded resume.
Colleges have also made a big push for diversity, admitting more first-generation, low-income, and international students. Meanwhile, recent legal changes have impacted how race is considered in admissions, reshaping policies in real time.
And finally, the sticker price has soared. While many elite schools now offer generous financial aid, the published cost of attendance can top $80,000 a year — more than double what it was (inflation-adjusted) in the early ‘90s.
In short: today’s admissions landscape is more crowded, more complex, and more competitive than ever but we can help you navigate these waters. Contact us for a free consultation!
