Are you familiar with the most applied to colleges in the United States? There are numerous of exceptional colleges offering opportunities to aspiring students. For certain individuals, analyzing the application statistics to identify their ideal institution might be an effective strategy. Let’s dive into the list of the most applied to colleges to guide your own personalized college list.
Most Applied to Colleges 2024: Notable Trends
- UCLA continues to top the list for the most applied to colleges
- California is the state with the most concentrated amount of applications
- The number of applicants is roughly inversely proportional to the admission rate.
Most Applied to Colleges (Public University)
University of California System
In terms of the most applied to colleges, University of California (UC) is listed on the top. They are the most popular American universities. The UC system is renowned for its strong academic programs, research opportunities, and lower in-state tuition for residents of California, which is the state with the highest population. And this also makes California the state with most concentrated amount of applications.
| Applicant Count | Admitted Count | Acceptance Rate | |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
146,250 | 13,128 | 8.98% |
| University of California, San Diego (UCSD) |
134,439 | 35,984 | 26.77% |
| University of California, Irvine (UCI) |
122,661 | 35,313 | 28.79% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) |
110,236 | 36,312 | 32.94% |
| University of California, Davis (UCD) |
98,834 | 41,618 | 42.11% |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
124,204 | 13,701 | 11.03% |
The application volume of a single UC branch alone is sufficient to surpass the reach of numerous educational institutions, frequently surpassing the 100,000 mark, underscoring its exceptional popularity. Specifically, the growth in student enrollment at UC Berkeley once significantly impacted the surrounding community’s environment, prompting the local court to order a reduction of 5,100 admissions in consideration of the supply of UC housing. Additionally, given that some UC branches have admitted a large number of out-of-state and international students, the California government has requested that these schools adjust their enrollment structure to reduce the proportion of non-resident students. (Click here for more information: UCLA housing; UCSD housing; UCI housing; UCSB housing; UCD housing; UCB housing)
Most Applied to Colleges (Private University)
| Applicant Count | Admitted Count | Acceptance Rate | |
| New York University (NYU) |
118,000 | 9,440 | 8.00% |
| Northeastern University (NEU) |
98,373 | — | — |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
82,000 | 7,550 | 9.20% |
| Boston University (BU) |
78,750 | — | — |
| Cornell University (CU) |
68,000 | 5,139 | 7.56% |
| University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) |
65,235 | 3,508 | 5.38% |
1. New York University
NYU is one of the colleges with the most applocations. It has been 4 application seasons since NYU’s application numbers first surpassed the 100,000 mark, and this year’s over 22,000 Early Decision (ED) applications submitted once again attest to the university’s remarkable allure. In terms of admissions, NYU’s New York campus offers acceptance letters to only 8% of applicants, with admitted students boasting an average SAT score of 1540 and a GPA of 3.7. For those aspiring to enroll in NYU’s prestigious schools or major, it is advisable to aim for even higher academic achievements. As the competition intensifies and admission standards continue to rise, applicants will face increasingly formidable challenges. Successfully gaining admission to NYU is merely the beginning; finding an ideal residence in NYU is equally crucial. Acquire relevant information in advance if NYU is on your list.
2. Northeastern University
Recently, Northeastern University has topped the list of the popular university in USA, accompanied by a significant drop in admission rates. Specifically, for the 2024 Fall semester, it received an unprecedented 98,373 applications, marking a notable increase from previous years’ figures. Over the past five years, Northeastern has witnessed a remarkable surge of 33,914 applicants, representing a growth rate of 53%. The university’s Co-op program enjoys a prestigious reputation worldwide, providing students with abundant internship opportunities and career development resources. To fully immerse themselves in the university’s culture and take advantage of its prime location, many students opt to rent a place near NEU.
3. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is one of the most applied to colleges 2024. It has released the admission data for its 2028 class. Compared to the previous year, the number of applicants has spiked by nearly 6,000, while the acceptance rate has plummeted to an all-time low. The SAT scores of applicants cluster within the 25th to 75th percentile range of 1500 to 1550, while ACT scores hover consistently in the high range of 34 to 35. UPenn places great emphasis on evaluating applicants’ academic proficiency and research potential, fostering an environment that encourages students to apply their knowledge in practice and striving to cultivate outstanding talents for the future scientific research. The UPenn offers on-campus dormitories, with relatively high accommodation fees. Alternatively, students can also rent off-campus Upenn apartments.
4. Cornell University
Cornell University is on the list of most applied to colleges. It is a popular Ivy League choice known for its relatively lower admission threshold, faces a surge in applicants amidst declining acceptance rates. Its decentralized admission system leads to varying degrees of competitiveness among colleges. For Fall 2023, the overall acceptance rate was 7.9%, with notable differences: ILR at 19.53%, Human Ecology at 11.09%, Agriculture & Life Sciences at 14.18%, AAP at 9.48%, Engineering at 7.38%, Arts & Sciences at 6.1%, and Dyson School at 4.79%. Applicants must strategize, tailoring their applications to the specific requirements and competitiveness of their targeted Cornell college. By the way, CU housing is a relatively flexible and diverse option, allowing students to choose suitable accommodation off-campus or on-campus according to their needs and budget.
5. Boston University
Boston University boasts a comprehensive academic system with 12 colleges open to undergraduate students. Among them, the College of Arts and Sciences is the largest, the College of Communication ranks among the top 8 in the US, and the Biomedical Engineering program in the College of Engineering ranks among the top 14 in the US. Although its overall national ranking is not among the top, hovering outside the top 40 in recent years, examining its admission data reveals a high level of selectivity. For the 2023 Fall semester, the overall acceptance rate plummeted to 10.66%, setting a new decade-low, and even lower than that of universities ranked within the top 30. As for BU housing, the student dormitories are primarily open to undergraduate students, while graduate students can apply to rent university-owned apartments or find accommodations off-campus.
6. University of Southern California
University of Southern California (USC) has always been one of the most applied to colleges, renowned for its robust alumni network. A quick search on LinkedIn reveals that a significant number of USC graduates have secured positions at prestigious companies like Disney, Warner Bros., MGM, Citigroup, Amazon, Google, Apple, and Microsoft. USC has attracted a notable number of celebrity offspring, including the eldest daughter of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, the eldest son of LeBron James, the second daughter of former US President Barack Obama, and the eldest son of renowned director Zhang Yimou. When it comes to USC housing, the university offers a diverse range of housing options to students, including on-campus dormitories, apartments, and off-campus rentals, to cater to the varying needs and preferences of its students.
Most Applied to Colleges's Application Strategy
Balance Your School List
Create a list of schools that offers a mix of reach, target, and safety. This balance ensures you have options across different levels of selectivity.
Reach Schools: Aim high with institutions that challenge your ambitions. These are schools where your application might be among the strongest but still represents a stretch goal.
Target Schools: Focus your efforts on universities where your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal narrative align perfectly with their admissions preferences and community culture.
Safety Schools: Include a few institutions as backups where your qualifications significantly exceed their admission standards, ensuring a secure path forward.
Collect Past Admissions Data
While university websites may seem welcoming, admission can be highly competitive. Top schools like Columbia, MIT, and Ivy Leagues typically enroll students from the top 10%. Look at profiles of past students to understand what they excelled in. Compare that to your own achievements and find ways to highlight your strengths while addressing any areas for improvement.
Capitalize on Early Application Opportunities
Early decision (ED) and early action (EA) programs offer a significant advantage over regular decision (RD), with acceptance rates often 2-3 times higher. Harvard’s 2024 Fall REA rate of 8.74% surpassed its RD rate of 2.7% by over 3 times, while Yale’s SCEA rate of 9.02% was 3.28 times higher than its RD rate of 2.75%. Therefore, we strongly recommend that every student consider applying early, as it not only increases your chances of admission but also demonstrates your enthusiasm and commitment to the university. Be mindful of deadlines and plan your application strategy accordingly to maximize your chances of success.
Conclusion: Most Applied to Colleges or Not
Do remember that, as you continue your own college search, it’s important to look beyond application numbers and choose schools that fit your personal needs and goals. While these schools are certainly appealing to many students, they’re also quite large, and many of them are located in major metro areas. If you’re looking for a more intimate college environment, or want to go to a more rural school with better access to outdoor activities, there are certainly plenty of colleges out there for you.
While researching popular universities in the US, don’t forget to also explore your living arrangements. At uhomes.com, we specialize in connecting global students with tailored rental solutions that cater to their unique needs. Whether you’re seeking a cozy apartment in a tight-knit community or a modern space in the heart of a bustling city, our team can help you navigate the housing market and find the perfect fit for your college experience. Let us take the hassle out of your housing search so you can focus on what truly matters—your education and personal growth. Start your search for US housing today!
FAQ
Topping the list for the most applied to colleges in 2023, UCLA has seen a large number of applicants in its last admissions cycle. However, with a competitive acceptance rate, this means about only 12,000 incoming students were admitted.
In general, most students apply to between 8 and 12 colleges. This is a good range to aim for, provided that the applications you submit represent a broad variety of colleges. Ideally, you want to apply to at least two safety, four target, and two reach schools.
No, college applications will not be down in 2024, because students continue to apply to an ever-increasing number of schools.
