Last Updated on October 1, 2026
Quick answer: The biggest college admissions trends discussed at the NACAC conference centered on artificial intelligence: how students use it and how admissions offices judge authenticity. Other trends included shifting international enrollment, closer scrutiny of admissions fraud, and growing support for neurodiverse students. Across every topic, colleges stressed that authenticity matters most.
Each fall, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Conference brings together admissions leaders, counselors, and educators from around the world to share insights about where college admissions is heading. At the conference we attended, one topic dominated the conversation. Almost every session incorporated a focus on artificial intelligence, how it’s being used by students, counselors, and admissions offices, and what it means for the future of college applications.
Still, AI wasn’t the only focus. The conference also highlighted international enrollment challenges, policy changes, the rise of admissions fraud, and the growing support for neurodiverse students. Through all of it, one message came through again and again: authenticity matters. Colleges want to admit real students with real stories, students who step away from their screens, engage with their communities, and show genuine curiosity about the world.
AI Is Everywhere, but Authenticity Still Matters Most
AI was the centerpiece of the conference. Nearly every panel touched on how technology is reshaping the application process, how students are using it to write essays or create artwork, and how admissions officers are learning to evaluate applications in this new landscape.
Many colleges are already developing guidelines to ensure that student voices stay at the center of their work. Admissions readers are learning to identify essays that sound polished but lack personal depth. Art programs are rethinking how to define originality. The conversation was less about banning AI and more about redefining authenticity in an age of digital assistance.
For students, the takeaway is to use AI responsibly. It can help with time management, organization, and school research, but it cannot replace a student’s own thinking or ideas. Use AI as an assistant, but use your own brain for your thinking. The students who get noticed are the ones who show initiative and engagement. The ones who volunteer, lead projects, and build connections in their communities that reveal who they are beyond their applications. Those are the stories that leave an impression because they cannot be manufactured by technology.
In practice, that means brainstorming, outlining, and drafting in your own words first. If you use AI at all, keep it to tasks like building a research list or organizing deadlines, and always check each college’s policy on AI use in applications. Our look at what MIT’s research means for college essays explains how to use these tools without losing your own voice. Your best material will always come from your own experiences, conversations, and reflections.
Shifts in International Enrollment and Policy
Another major theme was the uncertainty surrounding international student enrollment. Visa restrictions and processing delays have made it difficult for some students to begin their studies on time, and colleges are finding creative ways to adapt. Some are offering remote start options, while others allow students to begin at international branch campuses and transfer later. One admissions officer told us, “Everything is on the table,” reflecting how determined universities are to support students across borders.
At the same time, more American students are looking beyond the U.S. when applying to college. U.K. universities have reported record numbers of applicants from the U.S., many of whom are drawn to clearer admissions requirements and more transparent systems. [1] UCAS figures showed U.S. applications to U.K. undergraduate courses rising 12% in a single year to the highest level since comparable records began.
Our advice for families exploring these opportunities is to focus on the program, not just the school name. In Canada, students typically apply by major, and admissions offices are open to direct communication. Asking questions is encouraged, not frowned upon. For many families, these systems feel refreshingly straightforward. Shorter degree programs and a global perspective make international universities an increasingly attractive option.
For international applicants hoping to study in the U.S., the same flexibility applies in reverse. Apply to a balanced list, track visa timelines closely, and ask each admissions office how it supports admitted students facing delays. Reviewing international acceptance rates at top U.S. universities can also help you build a realistic list.
The Growing Concern Around Admissions Fraud
One of the most eye-opening sessions was led by senior representatives from NYU, who shared examples of how admissions fraud has evolved in recent years. They described cases of forged transcripts, falsified school records, and even entire “ghost schools” posing as accredited U.S. institutions. These fake schools allow students to bypass English proficiency tests or inflate their academic standing.
To combat this, NYU has formed a “fraud squad” that verifies records through technology, school visits, and even simple tools like Google Maps. In several cases, they found that supposed schools were nothing more than abandoned buildings. When fraud is uncovered, the consequences are severe, revoked credits, rescinded offers, and expulsions.
The message was clear. Honesty is still the foundation of a solid application, and colleges are becoming increasingly vigilant about ensuring fairness in the process.
For applicants, the lesson is simple: report every grade, activity, and award accurately, and make sure your school counselor can verify anything you list. Accurate records protect you as colleges look more closely at every file. If anything on your record needs context, explain it clearly in the additional information section of your application.
Neurodiversity and How Colleges Are Adapting
Another important topic was the rise in neurodiverse students applying to college. Presenters described a sharp rise in the number of college students who self-identify as neurodiverse or as having multiple disabilities. Colleges are responding with expanded disability resource centers, new staff training programs, and more accessible academic support.
While many families hesitate to disclose learning differences because they worry it could negatively affect admissions outcomes, the reality is quite the opposite. Colleges appreciate when families provide context that helps them understand a student’s path. If a learning difference has affected grades or growth, it’s helpful to explain it thoughtfully, and always coordinate that message with your school counselor.
In high school, accommodations are designed to guarantee success. In college, they guarantee access. That distinction means students must take initiative to use the support available to them. Building solid executive functioning and organization skills before arriving on campus can make all the difference. High school students need to learn how to advocate for themselves to guarantee success at college and beyond.
Families can start that preparation early. Encourage your student to practice using a planner, to meet with teachers independently, and to learn how to describe the supports that help them most. Those habits make the move to a college disability resource office far smoother. When you visit colleges, stop by the disability resource office and ask how students request accommodations, how quickly support begins, and what academic coaching is available.
Race and Identity in College Essays
Since the Supreme Court ended race-conscious admissions, families are asking how students should discuss identity in their applications. Admissions officers made it clear that they still want to understand who students are and how their experiences shape their perspective. What’s changing is how those stories are told.
Officers said they are drawn to essays and videos that reveal students’ personalities, values, and communities. They want to know what brings applicants joy, who they are in relation to others, and what they contribute to the spaces they’re part of.
Students can mention race if it feels meaningful to their story, but there are many ways to express identity. A student’s role as a teammate, mentor, or family caretaker can all reflect character and perspective. The goal is to highlight the moments that define a student’s sense of purpose and belonging.
This guidance reflects the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which ended race-conscious admissions but stated that nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected their life, as long as it is tied to a quality of character or ability the student would bring to campus. [2] If you are searching for a starting point, these college essay ideas can help you find the story only you can tell.
What These College Admissions Trends Mean for Your Family
Throughout the conference, one message was memorable above the rest. No matter how much the college admissions landscape evolves, authenticity is still at the heart of it. Colleges are searching for students who are honest about who they are. Harvard, for example, tells applicants it cares more about the quality of their activities than the quantity. [3]
For families, that means focusing less on perfection and more on what feels genuine. Encourage your student to explore their interests, get involved in meaningful ways, and take ownership of their story. These are the experiences that lead to growth, and to applications that feel authentic.
To hear more about these takeaways and how families can put them into action, listen to our latest podcast featuring Kathryn and Pia as they share their biggest insights from the NACAC conference and practical advice for navigating college admissions with confidence.
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