I’m not so sure that including the common app as an option is going to drive a big spike in applications. The app is the vehicle for delivering the students info/data, but there is still VT specific content that will need completing for either option. I just don’t think there was a big group out there that during the last 2 prior app cycles said “I really want to apply to VT, but I just refuse to fill out that pesky coalition app since all my other schools accept the common app”.
The biggest historical jump in applications took place while VT was still under their own app system. Since then the number of applications has remained very similar, in spite of a lot of strong opinions on how adding the coalition app might result in applications going through the roof. We’re 3 years into a trend of roughly 32,000 applications. I bet it doesn’t exceed 34,000 for Fall 2021 apps. Any takers?