There’s something wrong with elite college admissions. Schools that were once considered moderately selective, the sort of place you could all but be assured of a spot at with some old-fashioned hard work and dedication, have transformed, seemingly overnight, into highly competitive institutions routinely turning away overqualified applicants. While it has been true at places like Harvard and Yale that those who meet the academic requirements for admission often still don’t stand a chance, this has become increasingly true of schools with far less name recognition.

Case in point: Colby College. This private liberal arts school, nestled in the picturesque hills of Maine, boasts a rich history, a challenging curriculum, and a vibrant community of alumni. If you’re a fan of The Sopranos, you might recognize it as one of the schools Meadow visits when choosing her college. However, prospective applicants should be aware that it has seen one of the most significant declines in acceptance rates among all elite schools.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the acceptance rate at Colby College over the last 10 years:

Colby College Acceptance Rate Over Ten Years

Colby College Class Year	Overall Acceptance Rate
Class of 2028	6.83%
Class of 2027	7.61%
Class of 2026	9.00%
Class of 2025	10.27%
Class of 2024	9.67%
Class of 2023	13.06%
Class of 2022	15.79%
Class of 2021	18.71%
Class of 2020	22.52%
Class of 2019	28.05%
Class of 2018	26.04%

As the data clearly shows, gaining admission to Colby is now more challenging than ever. A decade ago, over a quarter of applicants were successful, but those days are behind us. The acceptance rate has plummeted over the past ten years, with each of the last three admission cycles setting a new record for the lowest acceptance rate. The 6.83% of students admitted to the Class of 2028 should be immensely proud — this rate is on par with the Ivy League in terms of selectivity! 

Why Are Admission Rates At Colby College Dropping?

So what accounts for this sudden decline? As loyal readers of Ivy Coach’s admissions blog will be able to tell you, this is a trend seen across the board. Very few schools are safe from dwindling acceptance rates. This is excellent news if you’re a college admissions officer, but not so great if you’re a well-meaning student who wants a fair shot at an outstanding college education.

For many schools, dwindling acceptance rates have one major culprit: test-optional policies put in place during the pandemic. Test-optional policies cause an influx of students that we at Ivy Coach term “squeakers,” A.K.A. those who try to gain admission to a school for which they are not qualified by “squeaking” in without test scores. But Colby’s test-optional policy was in place well before the pandemic struck. So, these last few years of record competitiveness can be chalked up to nothing other than the swelling reputation of Colby as a world-class school. 

Ivy Coach’s Assistance In Navigating Colby College Acceptance Despite Historically Low Acceptance Rates

Our famously accurate Ivy Coach crystal ball predicts it’s not getting any easier to get into Colby. Does that seem obvious? Touché. But it’s true! Many parents might feel blindsided by this shifting landscape, in which the well-rounded approach no longer works, and the old-school approach to admission won’t get you anywhere. So what’s the alternative?

Ivy Coach’s team of former elite college admissions officers knows the strategy to make it past the admissions sentinels at Colby and onto campus: a singular hook. This is a unique aspect of your child’s application that sets them apart and provides their application reader with a roadmap for all that they will accomplish at Colby by taking advantage of every last resource and opportunity.

Turn to Ivy Coach to help your child optimize their odds of admission to Colby College. To get started, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch with an outline of our services.