High-school seniors face complex college admissions chess game by May 1

3 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 1

Students now submit nearly seven Common App applications on average, up 46% since 2015-16, while colleges add early rounds, expand wait lists and push commitments sooner.
Schools are chasing higher yield rates, with early-round acceptance often three to four times regular-decision levels; Michigan added binding early decision, and UChicago's yield rose to almost 90% last year.
The tactics can limit students' ability to compare financial aid, have prompted an antitrust lawsuit against about three dozen colleges, and now include transfer partnerships and likely letters to sway enrolment.

With colleges paying millions in admissions lawsuits, is the era of binding Early Decision coming to an end?

With AI now shaping financial aid, are students being priced in real-time based on their likelihood to enroll?

As a 'demographic cliff' looms, can colleges survive without the controversial tactics they are now being sued for?