Applicant numbers for US colleges?

Hello there! I'm just trying to gauge how competitive my application is going to be next year. Can anyone tell me which colleges usually get the highest number of applicants? Just trying to navigate through these crazy admissions!

Sure, happy to share. As of the most recent data, some of the universities in the United States with the highest number of applicants include:

1. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): UCLA consistently stands as the university that receives the most applications each year. Over 140,000 students usually apply for admission, which definitely contributes to its high level of selectivity.

2. University of California, San Diego (UCSD): Just like UCLA, UCSD also gathers a high number of applications each year. Numbers usually exceed 130,000 applicants.

3. University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley): Similar to its UC counterparts, UC Berkeley also sees an influx of applications, with numbers usually around 125,000.

4. New York University (NYU): NYU attracts a high number of applicants, usually hovering around 100,000 or higher, showing that it's not just public universities that see high interest.

5. University of Southern California (USC): As another private institution, around 70,000 to 80,000 students typically apply to USC each year.

It's important to note that the number of applicants can significantly impact acceptance rates—larger applicant pools often equate to more competitive admissions processes. However, don’t let these numbers discourage you! While these universities are highly selective, many other excellent institutions offer fantastic programs and maintain slightly less competitive admissions landscapes. Each application is multifaceted, and a variety of components, including transcripts, test scores (where applicable), essays, and extracurriculars, play into admissions decisions.