Over the past few weeks, I’ve had a lot of conversations with parents who are operating on assumptions that were true a few years ago—but aren’t anymore.
Looking ahead to 2026, we’re entering a very different college admissions cycle. Here are the four trends to keep an eye on.
1. Legacy isn’t what it used to be
Legacy has moved from a soft advantage to something closer to neutral, and in some cases, something schools scrutinize more closely. With California’s ban on legacy preferences now fully in effect, schools like Stanford and USC are seeing their first truly legacy-neutral results.
The practical takeaway is simple: a family connection no longer carries anyone across the finish line. If anything, legacy applicants are being asked to show more independence and originality than before.
2. Geography is back in play
Another shift we’re seeing is geographic. Highly selective schools are actively trying to counterbalance classes that have become heavily concentrated on the coasts.
If you’re applying from places like New York, California or Massachusetts, the competition is just tougher.
For students outside those regions, geography can be an asset—but only if it’s framed well. The strongest applications connect leadership and impact to a specific community or region, rather than treating location as an afterthought.
3. Your intended major matters more than people think
We’re seeing growing gaps in acceptance rates by intended field of study. At many Ivy-plus schools, Computer Science and Engineering admit rates are now extremely low, while some humanities departments remain far less crowded.
Colleges are trying to balance their classes, even if they don’t say it outright.
This doesn’t mean students should pretend to be interested in something they’re not. It does mean that a vague, one-size-fits-all profile isn’t enough anymore. The strongest students show alignment between what they do outside the classroom and where they want to go academically.
4. From activities to evidence
Admissions officers are becoming far more skeptical of polished activity lists. With AI making it easier than ever to refine language, titles alone don’t carry the weight they once did.
What does carry weight is evidence: a real research outcome, a serious creative portfolio, a technical project, work that’s been reviewed or validated by someone in the field.
Being “in charge” of something matters less than showing what you actually produced. Students need one piece of tangible work that demonstrates ability, not just interest.
One last thought
While seniors are celebrating well-earned results, younger families should use winter break to step back and take stock.
Legacy is fading. Geography is shifting. Proof-of-work matters more than ever.
The students who do best in 2026 won’t be following old playbooks. They’ll be building strategy with today’s (and tomorrow’s) realities in mind.
Enjoy the holidays. Then it’s time to get to work.
Marc is the author of Untangling the Ivy League, a best-selling guidebook on the Ancient Eight. He earned a BA from Cornell University and an MBA from University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. Marc chaired the admissions ambassadors at Cornell and the admissions advisory board at UNC.
