The 2025–26 Admissions Cycle in Review: Trends, Takeaways & What It Means for You

In this webinar, you’ll learn:

The 2025–26 admissions cycle brought another year of headlines, uncertainty, and rapidly shifting dynamics. From record-low admit rates and changing testing policies to evolving expectations around extracurricular depth, essays, and academic rigor, many families are left wondering: what actually mattered this year, and what will matter moving forward?

Join Top Tier Admissions for a strategic, insider-led conversation examining the biggest developments from the 2025–26 admissions cycle and what they reveal about the road ahead for students applying in 2027 and beyond. Led by former admissions officers Heidi Lovette and Dr. Michele Hernández, this webinar will move beyond myths and internet speculation to provide grounded insight into how highly selective colleges are evaluating applicants today.

Together, we’ll explore:

• The most important trends that shaped the 2025–26 admissions cycle
• What this year revealed about testing, rigor, essays, and extracurricular expectations
• How admissions offices are thinking about authenticity, intellectual vitality, and “fit”
• The evolving role of research, leadership, summer programs, and independent projects
• What families should be doing differently now
• Strategic takeaways for building a thoughtful, balanced college list in an increasingly unpredictable landscape

Designed for parents and students seeking clarity rather than alarmism, this session will help families better understand the current admissions environment, and how to navigate it with confidence and perspective.