Growth and change: long-term trends in Common App membership

Between 2014–15 and 2020–21, the Common App's membership grew by 67%, from 547 to 914 institutions. Several key trends characterized this expansion:

• The share of public institutions increased from 56% to 63%, enhancing access to a broader range of students.
• The percentage of institutions enrolling at least 10,000 students rose from 16% to 21%, indicating a shift towards larger institutions.
• Less selective institutions (admit rates of 50% or higher) comprised 73% of the membership by 2020–21, up from 69% in 2014–15, suggesting a shift towards inclusivity.
• Minority Serving Institution (MSI) membership more than doubled from 42 to 93. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) saw the most significant growth, from 22 to 58.
• The number of international members increased from 24 to 59, reflecting a global expansion.

These changes in membership composition were associated with shifts in applicant demographics. The share of applications from underrepresented minority (URM) applicants rose from 26% to 31% between 2014–15 and 2019–20, highlighting the impact of a more diverse membership on applicant pools.

Looking ahead, the Common App aims to continue growing its membership and applicant base further to enhance equity and access in the college admissions process.