3 Trends In Top US College Admissions — and How Empowerly Is Helping Families Get Ahead

3 Trends In Top US College Admissions — and How Empowerly Is Helping Families Get Ahead

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Getting into a top US college has always been competitive — but now, it’s tougher than ever. Rising application numbers, the return of SAT/ACT requirements, and the increasing influence of AI are making the process more complex for students and families alike.

That’s where Empowerly comes in. With expert counseling and tailored guidance, Empowerly is helping students navigate the new admissions landscape — and stand out from the crowd.

What Is Empowerly?

Empowerly is a personalized college admissions counseling platform that pairs students with expert advisors — many of them former admissions officers from top US schools.

Each student receives:

  • A dedicated counselor from a team of over 200 experts
  • A personalized roadmap focused on academics, extracurriculars, and communication skills
  • Access to resume-boosting experiences like internships, research projects, AI builds, and passion projects
  • Their own Empowerly Score, a proprietary metric that matches their profile to top colleges’ expectations

But Empowerly offers more than just expert advice. From a FREE initial consultation to final application submission, students follow a structured, step-by-step path. After matching with a dedicated counselor and gaining access to the Empowerly Portal, students build their profile, plan coursework and activities, and receive expert feedback on their applications — all with personalized support every step of the way.

With 3,000+ students served annually and a 98% success rate in 2024, Empowerly helps students build a competitive edge — starting as early as middle school.

Top 3 Trends Changing College Admissions

1. Applications Are Surging

With more students applying to more colleges, acceptance rates at top schools like Harvard and UCLA remain below 4%.

Empowerly helps students stand out by building a strong, focused application strategy — matching them with expert counselors to refine academics, extracurriculars, and overall narrative.

2. Test-Optional Policies Are Reversing

Elite schools are bringing back SAT/ACT requirements, making test prep and score strategy critical again.

Empowerly helps students understand where testing fits into their college goals, incorporating it into a personalized academic and application plan built with their counselor.

3. AI Is Reshaping Admissions

Colleges are using AI to review applications — while students are turning to AI tools to polish theirs.

Empowerly ensures your student’s materials are strategically crafted by real experts — so nothing gets lost in the algorithm.

Ready to navigate the changing admissions landscape with confidence?
Start building your student’s personalized game plan today
Book your free 30-minute consultation with Empowerly

What Real Users Are Saying

“My kid has been with Empowerly for the last two years, and recently was admitted to Stanford University! Empowerly has not only helped him with essay editing, but also helped him find a focus in 11th grade for what to apply to, and how to create a theme around his application. His counselor helped him every step of the way and was truly supportive the whole time.”
Raj, Empowerly Parent

“The resources available at Empowerly are very helpful, but my favorite part about this program is how honest everyone is. My counselor is amazing at picking apart her students and finding their strengths that colleges will fight for. She will tell you when an essay is not working well or where your application is lacking. When she compliments your work, you know that she genuinely means it… honesty like hers is what will get students into competitive universities”
Jake, Empowerly Student

“My daughter got accepted into top tech schools like Caltech, UC Berkeley, and Georgia Tech, for Engineering. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Empowerly. Kate was a remarkable counselor who clearly understood my daughter’s needs, strengths, and goals, and helped her prepare for and strategize her college application.”
Supraja, Empowerly Parent

Final Verdict

In a world where college admissions are only getting tougher, Empowerly gives families a serious advantage. With tailored mentorship, access to real opportunities, and proven success across thousands of students, it’s a smart investment in your child’s future.

Whether your student is in middle school, starting high school, or about to apply to college — Empowerly is the support system that can make the difference.

Don’t leave the future to chance. Schedule your free consultation now and unlock your student’s full potential.

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