Due to the number of births in the United States surpassing 4.3 million in 2007, the Class of 2025 college admission pool was overwhelmed with applicants. Not only did this put immense pressure on students to stand out, but this college application season demonstrated the strains college admissions offices face as they contend with overwhelming numbers.
One of the most anxiety-inducing aspects of this year’s college admissions process was the unpredictability students faced when waiting to receive their college admissions decisions. For example, the University of Texas at Austin, one of the most prestigious and competitive colleges in Texas, unexpectedly pushed back the release date for most of their early action decisions. Not only did this weigh on students who are rushing to plan their next four years, but it also presented the question of whether or not universities have the infrastructure and resources to handle the growing number of applications they receive each year.
As the college admissions process continues to evolve, Texas colleges in particular are making significant changes to their programs. Starting with the Class of 2026, the University of Texas at Austin has announced that they will only be granting auto admission to students who are in the top 5% of their high school class, a stark decrease compared to the top 6% they accepted in years prior. The university also confirmed that they will be cutting CAP (Coordinated Admission Program), their enrollment pathway that allows students to transfer to the university’s liberal arts school after one year at another UT system university.
Similarly, Texas A&M University, another major public institution in Texas, has confirmed that they are halting the growth of their undergraduate admissions. While the university has historically prioritized growing student enrollment, the university recognized the strain this has on its resources and made the decision to freeze growth. However, the university continues to offer their co-enrollment program, Blinn TEAM, which allows qualified individuals the opportunity to attend A&M despite core classes being at maximum capacity at the university.
As the popularity of pursuing a university degree continues to increase, it is essential that high school students are receiving adequate education and preparation on how to apply for college. By making students aware of the time-consuming, and often overwhelming, aspects of the application process, students will be more aware of the skills needed to succeed. However, it is equally important that universities also continue to improve their admissions systems, as this can mitigate the stress and uncertainty associated with this complicated process.
