The latest admission cycle has revealed significant changes in U.S. college admissions. Students preparing for the 2026–2027 application season need to pay close attention to the following trends:

1. A Surge in Applications
According to the latest data from the Common App, over 1.39 million students applied to U.S. colleges this year—a 4% increase. Among them, 18,400 were applicants from China, marking a 6% rise and making Chinese students the largest group of international applicants. This means over 18,000 students from middle-class Chinese families were competing in the “American Gaokao.”

2. Early Decision Becomes a Critical Strategy
The proportion of early applications reached 45%, as more students rushed to secure spots via early rounds. In stark contrast, Regular Decision (RD) acceptance rates plummeted—Carnegie Mellon’s RD rate dropped from 12% to 5%, while NYU’s RD was only 8% compared to 15% in Early Decision (ED). Applying early is now often the deciding factor between acceptance and rejection.

3. Standardized Tests Are Back
With the University of Pennsylvania reinstating standardized testing in February, 6 of the 8 Ivy League schools now require test scores. Half of the Top 30 U.S. colleges also mandate them. The trend is clear: for applicants aiming at top-tier schools, preparing for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT is increasingly essential.

4. A Strong Personal Essay Can Be a Game-Changer
While academic ability is the foundation, a compelling personal essay can make all the difference at elite schools. One Yingde Education student who was admitted to Stanford stood out for her powerful essay. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, she displayed extraordinary resilience and wove her story of perseverance into an emotionally moving essay—especially the opening paragraph, which left many readers in tears.

5. Summer Programs and Research Are Now Essential
Background-building programs such as summer schools and research projects are no longer optional. For instance, the University of Chicago introduced ED0, a new early decision round exclusively for students who attended its summer program—underscoring how vital such experiences have become. High-quality research or competition achievements—especially interdisciplinary work (e.g., CS + Biology, Music + AI)—can make applicants truly stand out. Schools like Stanford and UPenn explicitly seek candidates with specialized academic research experience.