There are factors that contributed to these very high application numbers that should be addressed by the schools.
- Most students are applying to the max allowed on the Common App, which is 20. If a college does not use the Common App, you can add those to the 20+ aopplications per student.
- Schools that don’t require additional essays are receiving higher numbers of applications because it is easy.
- The obvious, test optional.
The schools are making a fortune on these applications. The application process is so broken it is a sham. Under these circumstance, when a kid gets into an IVY or an Alt IVY or any school, the honor is really no longer what is was and all the world will see this in 5-10 years when the graduates (if they graduate) are not exceptional, independent critical thinkers.
The merit system has been rendered meaningless. The kids graduating from high school in the classes of 2020, 2021, 2022 and beyond are college admissions experiments.
If we want to reward merit, then the admissions process should be blind. Everyone gets a number. One’s location, name or background is not included. Grades, Scores and ECS are included. Thats it. Athletes - well hey, do you want to play a sport or do you want to get an education? Go try out for a pro or semi - pro team. Lets level the educational playing field.