Lisa Bain Carlton, founder and CEO of College MatchPoint, examines early takeaways from 2024’s unfolding admission cycle. Applications through the Common App have increased 41% over the last 5, with a 12% increase this year alone. The Common App reports that the share of students applying to more than 10 colleges increased from 8% to 17% between 2014 and 2023. This makes admissions more competitive and less predictable, with some traditional "safety" schools becoming competitive. Competitive applicants shine not just through transcripts and test scores, but with in-depth extracurricular engagement, showing initiative and impact over time. This requires planning and exploration, especially for highly selective majors like computer science, engineering, business, and nursing.