US University Admissions 2026 Important Changes

Every year, the global education admissions landscape shifts slightly, adapting to new trends, technologies, and fairness goals. Some updates aim to make the process more accessible, while others respond to challenges like the rise of AI in applications or strive to give students a better chance to shine. As these changes unfold, a few stand out for their impact on your journey to university. This blog highlights the most significant US 2025 admissions cycle updates, helping you confidently navigate the evolving process.

1) Standardized Testing Returns to Several US Universities

Many US universities adopted test-optional or test-flexible policies during the pandemic to account for widespread disruptions. As conditions stabilise, many institutions are revisiting those decisions, and some are reintroducing standardised testing requirements for undergraduate applicants. Most recently, the University of Pennsylvania announced that it will require standardised test scores for students applying in the 2025-26 cycle. In a public statement, the university shared that this decision aims to promote greater clarity and fairness in its admissions process while offering flexibility for students who face genuine testing barriers.

Conversely, not all universities are returning to testing mandates. Many continue with test-optional policies, while others, like Yale University, favour a test-flexible approach, allowing students to submit AP or IB scores instead of the SAT or ACT. Given these varying approaches, prospective students must verify the most current admission requirements on each university's official website before applying.

Universities that are reinstating standardized tests for 2026 admissions

✔Stanford University

✔Cornell University

✔University of Pennsylvania

✔Johns Hopkins University

Universities that reinstated standardized testing in 2025 or prior

• California Institute of Technology

• Brown University

• Dartmouth College

• Georgia Institute of Technology

• Harvard University

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• University of Miami

  
  

Universities continuing with test-optional policies for 2026 admissions

• Princeton University

• Columbia University

• Northwestern University

• Duke University

• University of Chicago

• University of Michigan

• Rice University

• Carnegie Mellon University

• University of Maryland

• Texas A&M University

• New York University

  
  

2) Georgetown University Joins the Common Application

Georgetown University has long stood apart in the US college admissions landscape as one of the few selective institutions that require a separate application form. However, starting with the Fall 2026 admissions cycle, that will change. As Hoya, Georgetown’s student newspaper, mentions, the university has confirmed it will begin accepting applications via the Common Application.

Why does this change matter?

• Increased convenience: Students applying to multiple universities already on the Common App can now include Georgetown without starting a separate application from scratch.

• Greater reach: The move may attract a more diverse applicant pool, including international and first-generation students who are more likely to use the Common App.

• Streamlined document submission: School counsellors and teachers can now submit transcripts and recommendations for Georgetown through a platform they already use for other colleges.

• Improved application tracking: Students can manage their Georgetown application alongside others within the same dashboard, reducing the risk of missing deadlines or requirements. However, Georgetown has not yet confirmed whether it will phase out its standalone application.

  
  

3) The University of Southern California (USC) Introduces Early Decisions (ED)

Beginning with the 2025 admissions cycle, USC has introduced a two-year Early Decision pilot programme for undergraduate applicants to its Marshall School of Business and Leventhal School of Accounting. This marks a shift from USC’s traditionally non-binding admissions options and reflects the growing number of students confident that USC is their first-choice university.

What does this mean for applicants?

Unlike Early Action, Early Decision is binding — students who apply under this plan must commit to attending if admitted. This option is designed for applicants who are confident that USC Marshall or Leventhal is the right fit and are ready to finalise their college decision earlier in the admissions cycle. The pilot aims to offer a more streamlined process for highly motivated students while allowing the university to identify and support those with a strong interest in its business and accounting programmes. Students considering Early Decision should reflect carefully on their preferences and be aware of the binding nature of the commitment before applying.

4) Updates to the Common App Additional Information

As one of the most widely used undergraduate application platforms in the US, the Common App regularly reviews its structure to reflect the evolving needs of students and institutions. For the 2026 application cycle, the platform has introduced thoughtful updates to improve clarity, reduce applicant stress, and accommodate a broader range of student experiences. While the core personal essay prompts will remain the same, students should take note of two significant changes to the optional “Additional Information” section.

What’s changing?

• A broader lens on student challenges: The current “Community Disruption” question will be revised and renamed “Challenges and Circumstances.” This change will allow students to share a wider range of personal, educational, or contextual factors that may have influenced their academic journey. The word and character limits will remain at 250 words for first-year applicants and 1,250 characters for transfer applicants.

• A shorter general response section: The general “Additional Information” section will now have reduced space for responses. For first-year applicants, the word limit will drop from 650 to 300 words. For transfer applicants, the character count will be reduced from 3,500 to 1,500 characters. 

  
  

5) Changes in the Advanced Placement (AP) Exam

Advanced Placement (AP) exams are optional tests that allow high school students to demonstrate academic rigour in university-level courses across sciences and mathematics, to languages, history, and the arts. From May 2025, the AP exam will transition from traditional paper-based formats to 28 digital exams and 12 hybrid tests administered by Bluebook™ testing.

Here are some notable updates:

• Selected AP exams to be fully digital: Subjects include African American Studies (U.S. schools only), Art History, Comparative Government and Politics, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, European History, Human Geography, Latin, Psychology, Seminar, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History: Modern

• Some AP exams will follow the hybrid format: Subjects include Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Physics 1: Algebra-Based, Physics 2: Algebra-Based, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics, Precalculus, and Statistics.

• Changes in the AP Physics course: The AP Physics curriculum has been updated to better align with introductory college-level coursework and clarify core content and skills. AP Physics 1 now includes a new unit on Fluids, totalling eight units. In AP Physics 2, the Waves and Optics unit has been split into Geometric Optics and Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics. AP Physics C (Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism) features revised course structures, with changes to the number and format of questions and an extended exam duration.

• New scoring model: AP exams will be evaluated using Evidence-Based Standard Setting (EBSS) to better align scores with current college-level expectations. Instead of relying on past patterns, EBSS uses actual data and expert input to set fairer score cut-offs based on subject mastery.

  
  

6) U.S. F-1 Visa Process Adds Social Media Disclosure Requirements

Starting April 2025, U.S. visa regulations for F-1 student applicants, including Indian students, introduce stricter requirements impacting the DS-160 form and visa interviews. The form now mandates disclosure of social media handles for platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter, which have been used in the past five years, a requirement not present in earlier years. This change, coupled with deeper social media vetting, aims to enhance security but poses challenges. Posts on platforms like Instagram containing political, religious, or controversial content may raise red flags, potentially leading to visa delays or denials, with 15–20% more rejections expected. 

Additionally, the DS-160 barcode must match the appointment barcode, incase the applicant  plans to go ahead with a new I-20 ( for a different university) or applicants face rescheduling and a $185 fee. Students must upload documents 72 hours before interviews via the CEAC portal and audit their social media to avoid issues. With visa interview pauses reported in May 2025 due to expanded vetting, early preparation and caution with online presence are critical to secure timely visa approval.

Navigating university admissions can feel like chasing a moving target with new changes popping up every year, reshaping how you share your story. These updates aren’t just about strategy—they’re a chance to approach the process with focus, purpose, and a calm mindset. 

At EZScholar, we keep a close eye on the ever-changing world of global admissions to help students like you stay ahead. If you’re looking for support with your undergraduate applications, reach out to us today.

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