Hey guys, I'm just trying to gather some information here. I was curious, what's the most popular college in the US based on the number of applications each year? Is it something like Harvard or maybe a public college? Would love to hear your thoughts!
As of the most recent data, it's actually the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) that receives the highest number of applications each year. In fact, for the Fall 2021 application cycle, UCLA received over 139,500 applications from freshman and transfer applicants, which is quite staggering!
Keep in mind that this statistic is just based on the number of applications. It doesn't necessarily mean that UCLA is the most sought-after school in terms of matriculation or prestige. Certain Ivy League schools like Harvard may have fewer applications but higher yield rates (the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll).
To put it in perspective, Harvard’s yield rate is usually well above 80%, while UCLA's yield rate has typically hovered around 20%. So while UCLA might receive more applications, Harvard sees a larger percentage of admitted students accepting their offer.
Furthermore, popularity can be context-dependent. Some students may prefer a smaller liberal arts college to a large public research university or have specific interests that draw them to particular schools. However, in terms of sheer volume of applications, UCLA is currently leading the pack!
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