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GCE Editorial Team
College admissions trends for 2025 include a focus on holistic admissions, a return to standardized test score requirements and an emphasis on a fit-to-major approach.
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Approved and verified accurate by the Registrar and Associate Vice President of the Office of Academic Records on Oct. 15, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
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Graduating from high school and moving on to college can be one of the biggest transitions in a young person’s life. Navigating the world of college admissions can be challenging, particularly because the landscape changes from year to year. While the admissions advice you may hear from your school counselor is time-tested and always valid, it’s also worth keeping an eye on the latest trends and expectations. For example, college admissions trends in 2025 include the reversal of test-optional policies at some schools and the use of AI tools in reviewing applicants.1
Preparing to enter college is always an exciting time, yet it doesn’t look the same for everyone. In fact, trends in college admissions come and go, making students’ experiences differ from one year to the next. While also considering college admission tips, you may find it helpful to examine recent trends, including the following:
Not every student knows what their intended major will be when they apply to college, and indeed, it’s possible to start as a freshman and then declare a major later (provided students do so within the school-specified deadline) at some colleges. Increasingly, however, college admissions personnel want to know that students are interested in a particular major and that their interest will be enduring. Because of this, it may be ideal to tailor your college resume and other application materials to support your intended major.2
For example, a student who intends to major in biology may be best served by highlighting their lab experience and relevant science projects. Those who are thinking of earning a communications degree should demonstrate relevant experience, such as by emphasizing their role on the school paper or internship at a marketing agency.
The SAT® and ACT® have long been considered standard tests in college admissions. In fact, some students spend hours every week preparing for the exams. Some even prepare years in advance, as test scores can play a significant role in whether a school accepts a particular applicant. However, leading up to 2020, a small number of higher education institutions decided to eliminate the test score submission requirement.3
In 2020, the onset of the pandemic and the difficulty of in-person testing made this trend more popular than ever.3 Many schools became test-optional, and some took the further step of becoming test-blind. (A test-optional school will view test scores but does not require them, whereas a test-blind school will not even accept test scores.)
Some universities have been transitioning back to requiring test scores. This college admissions trend for 2025 applies to both private and public schools. Most of the Ivy League schools, for example, are now once again requiring test scores.1
Grand Canyon University, for example, does not require undergraduate applicants to submit SAT or ACT test scores if they have an unweighted high school GPA of at least 3.0. If you have an unweighted high school GPA of at least 2.5, you might still be considered for admission if you can demonstrate a composite ACT test score of 19 or higher or a composite SAT test score of 1000 or higher.
Even if you plan on applying to colleges that do not require test scores, it may be to your advantage to prepare for the standardized tests and take them at least once or twice. Scoring well may give your application a boost when applying to test-optional schools.4
In addition, a good test score may enable you to qualify for more merit-based financial aid.4 Plus, you might change your mind about your shortlist of colleges at the last minute and decide to go ahead and apply to a school that does require test scores.
Holistic admissions is on the rise, and applicants who want to position themselves for acceptance need to understand what it means. It can be helpful to compare its meaning in the healthcare field.
If you visit an urgent care center with a sprained wrist, the provider will typically have a non-holistic focus on your current symptoms and treat your condition. In contrast, holistic healthcare examines your total health, including your socioemotional wellness, support system at home and even health literacy skills.
Holistic admissions is similar. Instead of only looking at your academic strengths and weaknesses, the holistic admissions approach considers you as a whole person. Admissions personnel may consider your extracurricular activities and other interests outside of school, such as volunteering, part-time jobs or even care of family members who may be ill or have a disability. Holistic admissions considers not only your accomplishments, but your life experiences, as well.
What this means for you is that no single item on your application will determine your acceptance. Rather, the admissions committee will consider your ability to grow and thrive in that learning community. The committee may also consider your intellectual curiosity, personal qualities and potential contributions to the campus culture.
You can tailor your application for a holistic admissions process by having it reflect who you are as a person — not just who you are as a student. One way to do this is through your personal statement or admissions essay.
The college admissions essay is a staple of the application package. College applicants are often asked to write responses to common essay prompts, such as reflecting on a time in which they questioned a belief or idea, describing lessons learned when facing failure, or exploring an event or accomplishment that led to personal growth.
At some institutions, no essay or essay alternative is required. At GCU, for example, there is no university-wide requirement for a personal statement or essay. Do note, however, that some individual programs may still require an essay.
Even if you’re applying to a school that doesn’t require an essay, you can still demonstrate your personal qualities and intellectual curiosity in other ways. For example, you can highlight your volunteer experience and any independent projects you may have completed.
Artificial intelligence (AI) programs like ChatGPT have become worrisome for college admission personnel because they can potentially be used to draft admission essays (a form of cheating).5 In response, schools are increasingly accepting alternatives, such as video-recorded introductions. Some schools are even accepting portfolios of either academic or creative work, or past writing samples that include a teacher’s written feedback.6
While AI usage is not acceptable for students applying to college, it’s worth noting that one admissions trend for 2025 is the use of AI tools by admissions committees. AI tools are used to scan transcripts, essays and letters of recommendation, extracting key information for human review.1
Now that you’re familiar with some of the top trends in college admissions, it’s time to work on your applications. Applications start with research on the school and its program you are applying for. Try the following college application tips:
It’s never a good idea to leave something important to the last minute. Once you’ve compiled a shortlist of colleges you’re going to apply to, write down all the application deadlines. Start working on your application packages well in advance of the deadline—and be sure to request letters of recommendation as early as possible.
While not every university requires essays (such as GCU), you may apply to some that still do. Make sure your admissions essay reflects your unique voice, personal characteristics and life experience. Try these college admissions essay tips:
Even if your grades are excellent, you’ll want to emphasize your experiences, interests and accomplishments outside the classroom. Keep in mind, however, that it may be best to demonstrate that you’ve stuck with two or three extracurriculars throughout much of your secondary education, rather than trying and then dropping dozens of clubs. If you’re applying to a specific program, try to list extracurricular activities that are relevant to that program.
