Do universities become more difficult to get into every year?

Question

In general, do universities often raise their cut-off averages every year? (do they become more competitive?)

The reason why I'm asking is because I want to take a year off after highschool (I'm in my graduating year). However, I don't know if I should apply to a university this year and try to defer my acceptance, or if I should just apply next year. I'm afraid that it may be more difficult for me to get into university if I apply a year later..

Answer 1

it's not going to change _that_ much in one year, so if you want to take a year off, don't force yourself to apply just because you fear what will happen next year. however, make sure that you don't get so caught up with life during the next year that you forget to apply to college in all. maybe, if you have time, you could just take one or two courses at a local community college, so that you wouldn't be wasting an entire year, but you'd have time to do some things that you want to do?

Answer 2

One year may not make a difference. But to get around it, you can apply to schools and -- once accepted -- ask for a deferment.

There are a couple of reasons why it is getting tougher to get into colleges. One is that the baby boomlet (children of baby boomers) are of college age now. The other is that a higher percentage of females are now going to college.

Answer 3

Depends...some schools like Purdue University seem to get less selective each year(as a whole), whereas a school like Fordham University seems to get more and more selective each school year, as its reputation grows...