The 2024-25 college application season saw a robust increase in student applications, with nearly 1.5 million first-year applicants using the Common Application—a 5% rise from the previous year. Notably, Latino applicants grew by 15% and Black or African American applicants by 12%, signaling enhanced diversity in applicant pools. Geographic shifts also emerged, with Texas surpassing other states in applicant numbers, driven largely by the recruitment efforts of several major public institutions joining the Common App platform. Despite the Supreme Court’s 2023 affirmative action ruling, underrepresented minority applicants continue to pursue higher education, supported by accessible application platforms and inclusive admissions initiatives. Concurrently, more students are submitting standardized test scores even where optional, perhaps reflecting changing admissions strategies.