An article from Forbes, “4 Trends Shaping The College Admissions Process For 2025,” has ostensibly shed some light on particularities of the elite college admissions process for students and families navigating this herculean task. But just how accurate were Forbes’ predictions for this past year, and how useful is it for you to know the trends of the 2026-2027 cycle? Let’s review what they say and let you in on Ivy Coach’s take on each trend.

Trend #1: “The Durability Of Test-Optional Admissions Policies”

According to the article, “Many colleges stopped requiring the SAT or ACT for admission during the pandemic. As a result, the move toward test-optional admissions gained significant momentum, offering students more flexibility in how they present their academic achievements. . . However, this shift doesn’t mean SAT and ACT scores are obsolete. For some students, strong test scores can still enhance applications, particularly at competitive schools. For example, while the University of California system has gone fully test-blind, meaning test scores aren’t considered at all, institutions like Georgetown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have returned to requiring standardized test scores.”

While it’s true that many colleges opted for test-optional policies to take academic pressure off stressed-out high schoolers during the pandemic, this fad has dwindled in popularity in recent years, as Forbes is correct to point out. In any event, it’s essential that students and families understand that taking colleges at their word, that not submitting test scores won’t put applicants at a disadvantage, is foolhardy. No matter the school and no matter the policy (with exceptions, like the University of California’s test-free policy), students who submit competitive scores will always be given a leg up over students who don’t.

Trend #2: “AI-Driven College Application Tools”

The article goes on to state that “The integration of artificial intelligence into the college admissions process has significantly reshaped how students and admissions officers navigate applications. Tools like Scoir and MaiaLearning are transforming how students research colleges, using AI to match applicants with institutions that align with their academic, social, and financial preferences. . . For applicants, tools like ChatGPT have become increasingly popular for brainstorming essay ideas and refining drafts. . . At the same time, colleges are increasingly adopting AI to streamline their admissions processes. Institutions like Georgia State University use AI-driven platforms to flag standout candidates, identify scholarship opportunities, and automate responses to common inquiries. Similarly, schools such as the University of Arizona employ AI tools to expedite application reviews and personalize communications with applicants.”

Before we tackle this behemoth of a topic, we at Ivy Coach would like to quickly dispel a common misconception. No, AI is not (yet) equal to human intelligence when it comes to writing standout essays for your application, and students are not getting into highly selective schools in droves by unethically using AI to pen their essays. The technology is simply not there! AI lacks a voice.

Is it recommended that students consider AI-proofreaders or word processors that correct mistakes as they happen? Sometimes, in moderation! But believe us when we say that colleges will penalize students who use AI to conduct wholesale plagiarism and ghostwriting. As this article is correct to point out, colleges are using AI-detection software. Of course they are! Thus are the dangers of trying to beat colleges at their own game.

Everything else Forbes covers, like AI college matchmaking services and chatbots on college websites to answer FAQs, is all well and good. But the fact remains that AI cannot yet grasp all of the complex factors that go into finding a highly selective school that’s the right fit for any given student. Instead, high schoolers should do their own research by contacting current students at prospective schools, scheduling campus tours, thoroughly researching the resources and opportunities their prospective schools have to offer, and enlisting the help of an admissions professional with a track record of success.

Trend #3: “Focus On Holistic Applications”

As Forbes states, “The ongoing trend toward holistic admissions is reshaping how colleges evaluate applicants, prioritizing the “whole student” over a narrow focus on academic metrics like GPA and test scores. . . Activities such as starting a nonprofit, holding a part-time job, or taking on significant family responsibilities are now viewed as meaningful indicators of resilience, creativity, and leadership.”

While this article is not incorrect for pointing out that holistic application reviews are all the rage today, this isn’t exactly a trend. It’s been many years now that highly selective schools have opted for the language of “holistic review” to describe their admissions processes. As Ivy Coach’s students will enthusiastically tell you, the most competitive college applicants nowadays (and pretty much since the 1980s!) have a singular hook that sets them apart from the competition. The activities Forbes lists, if shaped into a narrative portraying the applicant as singularly talented, driven, and eager to change the world in their specific field, are certainly indicators of resilience, creativity, and leadership, but they have been for quite some time. And, no, “holistic” is not code for well-rounded!

Trend #4: “A Push Toward Career-Oriented Programs”

The article states, “A growing number of universities are offering robust career-oriented programs that integrate real-world experience into a student’s college experience. Programs like co-op education, internships, and partnerships with leading industry players are becoming key decision-making factors for prospective students. . . Universities are also tailoring their academic offerings to align with emerging labor-market demands. Fields like data science, renewable energy, cybersecurity, and AI are seeing an increase in dedicated programs.”

The Enduring Value of a Liberal Arts Education

When we first read this sentiment, our ears perked up. Surely, Forbes isn’t suggesting that employers value pre-professional degrees over the traditional liberal arts, right? We were relieved to see our points addressed in the sentences that followed: “Despite the emphasis on specialized programs, liberal-arts colleges also are proving their relevance in this career-focused era by showcasing the versatility of a liberal-arts education. . . Employers consistently emphasize the value of hiring individuals with a broad knowledge base who can collaborate to solve problems, engage in thoughtful debate, communicate clearly, and think critically — skills that liberal-arts programs rigorously cultivate.”

We couldn’t have put it better ourselves! A liberal arts education will never go out of style, both from an educational standpoint and an employability standpoint. That’s one trend that’s here to stay!