The college admissions process has changed a lot over the years, and today, it’s more complicated and demanding than ever.
Digital applications are taking over, colleges are shifting what they prioritize in extracurriculars, and expectations are constantly evolving, the process feels more overwhelming and challenging to navigate for students.
One major shift has been from prioritizing well-rounded students to those with a more specialized focus.
“Back at the beginning of my career, there was a lot of focus on becoming a well-rounded student, showing involvement in many things. Now colleges appreciate students who show depth in one or two activities where they’ve made a difference in their community,” Senior College Counselor Colleen Murray said.
She continued to explain that colleges today are looking for students with a clear passion or unique expertise, valuing quality over quantity regarding extracurricular involvement. A student deeply committed to soccer and excelling in art, for instance, may stand out more than someone who joins a bunch of clubs but only participates superficially.
However, deep commitment can come with added stress and pressure.
“You used to be able just kind of to be a kid. You didn’t have to be so worried about awards and certificates,” Associate College Counselor Lalitha Otterness said.
Students find it hard to balance multiple different things in depth.
“It can be so hard to balance your time between sports, SAT, and school,” junior Lila Foster said.
Parents are also taking on a much more active role in the college admissions process than ever before.
They’re not just advocates for their children but also partners in helping them navigate the complexities of it all.
“Parents want to educate themselves to better support their students, which is great,” Otterness said. “It’s important for parents to participate in this process because there is just so much to do, and it has changed so dramatically, even from when they applied to now.”
Standardized testing is another area where college applications have modernized.
While many colleges moved away from requiring SAT and ACT scores during the pandemic, this trend is reversing.
“More institutions, including Ivy Leagues and schools like Georgetown and Purdue, are starting to require these scores again,” Murray said.
For students, this means standardized testing still plays a significant role in many admissions decisions. Laguna counselors suggest taking at least one SAT or ACT by the spring of their junior year.
With the return of testing requirements, the process has become even more stressful and demanding.
An additional area where college counselors observe stress is social media. While they see it as both a blessing and a curse in the college admissions process, it has changed the college application process in many ways. It is a helpful tool and allows students to explore campuses and gather information without leaving home.
“Students can visit colleges on their lunch break without flying across the country,” Murray said.
However, abundant unfiltered opinions and anecdotes on platforms like TikTok can create unnecessary stress.
“There’s a lot of chatter, and students sometimes hear horror stories that may not even apply to them. It’s important to take that with a grain of salt,” Murray said.
As Laguna students approach the next chapter of their lives, they’re encouraged to embrace the journey with curiosity and confidence. The road to college may be complex, but with the right resources and mindset, it can also be a time of growth and self-discovery.
