In the 2025 admissions cycle, applicants to the New Ivies—those elite universities often just outside the traditional Ivy League—face a new kind of essay challenge. Supplemental essays have evolved beyond simple personal statements into nuanced opportunities for schools to understand applicants’ identities, values, and how they might contribute to campus life. Writing these essays well is now critical to standing out in an increasingly competitive applicant pool.

The admissions volume surge means it is no longer enough to simply meet baseline qualifications. Admissions committees seek applicants who can demonstrate authenticity, clear intent, and a well-crafted narrative that differentiates them in a crowded field. How students present their story.

After years of widespread test-optional policies, the 2025 admissions cycle reflects a significant shift: many top Ivy League and elite universities now once again require standardized testing, including the SAT and ACT. Institutions such as Harvard and Brown had already reinstated these requirements in earlier cycles, and their continuation into 2025 signals a broader trend with major implications for students aiming at these highly competitive schools.