Acceptance rate changes in recent years?

I've noticed that college acceptance rates tend to fluctuate annually. Does anyone have any info on the general trend of changes in acceptance rates over the past few years? Are they generally going up or down overall?

Acceptance rates at many selective colleges and universities have generally been decreasing over the past few years. There are a few contributing factors to this trend:

1. Increased number of applications: More students are applying to college than ever before. This rise in the number of applicants is partly due to the Common Application, which allows students to apply to multiple schools with just one application, making it easier and more convenient to apply to several schools at once. Additionally, the widespread use of marketing campaigns and social media by colleges has led to increased visibility and awareness among students, encouraging more applications.

2. International applicants: There has been a significant increase in the number of international students applying to colleges in the United States. These students are often highly competitive applicants, contributing to the decrease in acceptance rates.

3. Test-optional policies: In recent years, many colleges have adopted test-optional policies, which allow applicants to choose whether or not to submit standardized test scores as part of their applications. Test-optional policies generally lead to an increase in applications, as students who may not have otherwise applied due to lower test scores can now do so without that factor affecting their chances of admission.

4. Rankings and prestige: Selective colleges often focus on improving their rankings, and decreasing acceptance rates are one way to give the appearance of selectivity and prestige. As acceptance rates drop, it implies that the college is more competitive and exclusive.

However, it's important to remember that the changes in acceptance rates may not always indicate changes in the competitiveness of admitted students. Colleges are expanding their application pools and are still admitting talented and diverse student populations. Rates can also vary year-to-year based on different factors such as institutional priorities or unexpected application surges.

To summarize, acceptance rates have generally been decreasing at selective colleges and universities, driven by factors such as increased applications, international students, test-optional policies, and a focus on rankings and prestige. While this trend is observed at selective institutions, it may not be the case for all colleges.