It is once again graduation season in the United States, marking the most solemn and celebratory moment on university campuses. Beyond the conferral of degrees, commencement ceremonies serve as a feast of spirit and intellect, providing a stage for universities to showcase the influence of their global alumni networks. Amidst the regalia, flowers, and applause, the most anticipated segment remains the Commencement Speech. This year, top-tier universities have invited a diverse array of elites to deliver final blessings and wisdom. While NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s speech at CMU went viral for its cutting-edge insights into the AI-redefined world, let’s look at the heavyweight speakers who graced the stages of other prestigious institutions. Harvard University: Conan O’Brien Harvard invited back its favorite "Class Clown," Conan O’Brien. One of America’s most beloved comedians and a Harvard alum (History & Literature), Conan was a two-time president of the Harvard Lampoon. Mixing sharp political satire with "hardcore" life philosophy, Conan delivered a speech filled with self-deprecating "hell jokes" before pivoting to a critique of the "hyper-narcissism" of the smartphone era. His most resonant takeaway: "I hope that in the future, being a 'Harvard graduate' becomes the least important thing anyone knows about you." Yale University: Min Jin Lee For Class Day, Yale welcomed the acclaimed Korean-American novelist Min Jin Lee, author of the epic saga Pachinko. Lee utilized the Greek concepts of Chronos (quantitative time) and Kairos (qualitative time) to encourage graduates to see truth through a "bifocal lens" amid chaos. She reminded students that time is a friend, not an enemy: "Your time here was not wasted if you let the brightest and darkest moments teach you to better struggle with the truth." University of Pennsylvania: Michael Beschloss Penn invited renowned presidential historian Michael Beschloss, a regular commentator for NBC and PBS who has dedicated his career to studying leadership. Beschloss invoked six American traditions and quoted Benjamin Franklin’s edict that "the first responsibility of every citizen is to question authority." He concluded with the story of FDR falling and standing back up in the same stadium in 1936, urging graduates to "pick yourselves up and get back into action." Brown University: Xochitl Gonzalez Brown welcomed back alumna and NYT bestselling author Xochitl Gonzalez, known for her acclaimed novel Olga Dies Dreaming. In her speech, "The Importance of Being Nosy: Curiosity as a Habit," she argued that in an unpredictable world dominated by AI, curiosity is the ultimate compass. She urged graduates to distinguish between the "fleeting thrill of finishing a task" and the "enduring satisfaction of digging for the truth." Princeton University: Wendy Kopp Princeton’s Class Day featured Wendy Kopp, the legendary founder of Teach For America and Teach For All, recognized by Time as one of the world's 100 most influential people. Addressing the "Anxious Generation," Kopp offered gentle reassurance: "Your first job is not your life's work." She challenged graduates to step out of internal paralysis and into the "arena" of social issues, using their Princeton-honed talents to solve systemic leadership gaps. Columbia University: Sara Just Columbia College invited alumna Sara Just, the Senior Executive Producer of PBS News Hour and a trailblazing journalist. Just emphasized the necessity of "Continuous Learning" as the bedrock for personal and societal progress. She offered a sincere warning about the temptation to drift with the tide for social or financial gain, urging graduates to "pay attention when the neon lights of your values start flashing a warning." Cornell University: Jane Lynch Cornellians finally welcomed their "Goddess," Jane Lynch (MFA '84). While famous as the sharp-tongued Sue Sylvester on Glee, Lynch is a five-time Emmy winner and a Broadway veteran. Lynch encouraged graduates to shed their fear and release their inner power, urging them to break free from rigid societal timelines. She famously warned against being a "humorless good person"—someone who gives out of a sense of joyless obligation—advocating instead for authentic joy and generosity. Dartmouth College: Rachel Dratch Dartmouth, traditionally the "caboose" of the Ivy League graduation season, will hold its ceremony on June 14th. They have invited Saturday Night Live veteran Rachel Dratch (Class of '88). Known for her iconic character "Debbie Downer," Dratch was a staple of Dartmouth’s improv comedy scene before finding success on Broadway and television. Her presence promises to bring a high-energy, comedic finale to the Ivy League commencement cycle. UC Berkeley: Robert Reich Former U.S. Labor Secretary and Professor Emeritus Robert Reich addressed the UCB graduates. Though a world-renowned policymaker, Reich identified primarily as a teacher. Eschewing sharp political rhetoric, he focused on "Embracing Hope in an Unsettled World." He emphasized that the challenges facing the nation are not about "Left vs. Right" but about "The Future." He concluded by passing the torch: "Go out there and be the change."

As we all know, selecting a high-demand and promising major is of paramount importance to one’s career trajectory. Popular majors often align with robust market demand, translating to more employment opportunities and higher placement rates for graduates. So, which career path should you choose? Let’s look at the recently released U.S. News 2026 Best Jobs Rankings for guidance! This report evaluates the top positions across 17 different industries, providing job seekers with essential benchmarks regarding career advancement, work-life balance, and salary expectations. This is currently one of the most authoritative and data-driven career outlook assessments in the United States. By analyzing over 200 occupations across multiple dimensions—including salary, employment growth, market demand, job stability, and work-life balance—the rankings outline a high-potential professional blueprint for the next decade. Ranking Methodology The data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and is based on five key metrics: Future Growth Rate (30% weight): Projected change in job openings over the next 10 years. Salary (25% weight): Median income and potential for salary growth. Employment Market (20% weight): Number of current roles, unemployment rates, and barriers to entry. Job Stability (15% weight): The profession’s resilience against economic fluctuations and risk. Work-Life Balance (10% weight): Working hours, stress levels, and remote work possibilities. This list measures which professions are most worth entering over the next 10 years. Today, we will break down the "Top 10" performers and analyze what this data means for the next generation. 1. Nurse Practitioner Industry: Healthcare Unemployment Rate: 0.6% Median Salary: $129,210 Projected Job Openings: 128,400 Nurse Practitioners are the "star" of the healthcare industry, securing the #1 spot for three consecutive years due to exceptionally low unemployment and competitive pay. They handle everything from diagnosis to managing medical equipment. As the population ages, this role is a critical solution for the healthcare system. The path typically begins with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), followed by a Master’s (MSN) or a Doctorate (DNP). 2. Financial Manager Industry: Business Median Salary: $161,700 Unemployment Rate: 1.4% Projected Job Openings: 128,800 This role requires a deep understanding of an organization’s economic health, financial decision-making, and regulatory compliance. It demands mastery of banking, securities, insurance, and increasingly complex financial tools. Most candidates hold degrees in Finance or Accounting and pursue certifications like CFA or CPA mid-career. It highlights a common trend: the "ceiling" for many careers isn't technical skill, but the ability to transition into management. 3. IT Manager Industry: Technology Median Salary: $171,200 Unemployment Rate: 1.4% Projected Job Openings: 101,600 IT Managers coordinate with executive leadership to plan software/hardware upgrades and negotiate with vendors. They must be tech-savvy but, more importantly, they must translate technical solutions into business language for non-technical executives. This role is highly resilient in the AI era because machines cannot easily replace a manager who balances engineering logic with human resource coordination. 4. Information Security Analyst Industry: Technology Median Salary: $124,910 Unemployment Rate: 0.8% Projected Job Openings: 52,100 With a job growth rate of 28.5%, this is one of the fastest-growing roles on the list. As cyberattacks become more frequent, experts in digital defense are essential. While it offers high stability in a remote-work world, the intensity is high; analysts are often "on-call" to respond to security emergencies. 5. Physician Assistant Industry: Healthcare Median Salary: $133,260 Unemployment Rate: 1.6% Projected Job Openings: 33,200 Physician Assistants (PAs) diagnose illnesses and develop treatment plans much like doctors, but with a shorter training cycle (usually a Master’s degree following a Bachelor’s). This is an excellent path for students who want to enter the medical field quickly without the lengthy residency required of MDs. 6. Medical and Health Services Manager Industry: Healthcare Median Salary: $117,960 Unemployment Rate: 1.5% Projected Job Openings: 142,900 Hospitals need administrators as much as they need doctors. These "behind-the-scenes" planners ensure that clinics and nursing homes run efficiently. Demand is surging as the Baby Boomer generation requires more managed care. 7. Software Developer Industry: Technology Median Salary: $133,080 Unemployment Rate: 3.2% Projected Job Openings: 267,700 While this role has the highest absolute number of projected new jobs, the industry is undergoing structural changes. The rise of AI tools has reduced the need for junior "generalist" coders. However, specialized fields like AI/ML Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Infrastructure remain in a talent shortage. To succeed, students must focus on deep logic and AI-integration rather than just basic coding. 8. Data Scientist Industry: Technology/Business Median Salary: $112,590 Unemployment Rate: 1.1% Projected Job Openings: 82,500 Data Science addresses the core challenge of the digital age: extracting meaningful insights from massive, complex datasets to guide business strategy. With the large-scale implementation of AI, demand for this profession will only intensify. 9. Speech-Language Pathologist Industry: Healthcare Median Salary: $95,410 Unemployment Rate: 0.7% Projected Job Openings: 28,200 These specialists assess and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. It is an incredibly stable medical-related profession in the U.S., driven by the needs of both children and the aging population in rehabilitation centers and nursing homes. 10. Pilot Industry: Transportation Median Salary: $226,600 Unemployment Rate: 1.2% Projected Job Openings: 3,900 This is the highest-paid occupation on the list. Although the growth rate is slower, the industry faces a structural deficit due to the rigorous training hours and certification requirements. It is a unique path that relies more on flight-hour accumulation than traditional academic degrees.

For decades, the persistent nightmare of the American education sector was "overcrowded classrooms." Today, the phrase causing sleepless nights has shifted to "school closures." Recently, The New York Times released a major investigative report: driven by a sustained decline in birth rates and an exodus of students following the pandemic, U.S. public schools are spiraling into an unprecedented "demographic collapse." From the affluent corridors of California to the rural stretches of Mississippi, once-bustling campuses are falling silent as children vanish. This is more than a fiscal emergency; it is a profound upheaval of American social structure. "Disappearing" Students: The Cliff-Like Drop Behind the Data In many small towns across Mississippi and California, the change is silent but brutal. Districts that once required building expansions are now facing enrollment deficits of over 30%. The Shrinking of Generation Alpha: The most direct cause is the birth rate. Since the 2008 financial crisis, U.S. fertility rates have trended downward. The scale of "Gen Alpha" (born after 2010) is significantly smaller than their predecessors, meaning the foundational supply of students for the K-12 system has been severed at the source. The "Invisible Leak" of the Post-Pandemic Era: During the pandemic, millions of students shifted to homeschooling, private schools, or charter schools. A large portion of them simply never returned to the public system. The Collapse of Fiscal Pillars: In the U.S., public school survival is heavily dependent on "per-pupil funding." For every student lost, a district loses thousands to tens of thousands of dollars in government subsidies. When funding no longer covers teacher salaries and basic operations, closing schools becomes the only viable option. The Chain Reaction: When Schools Vanish, Communities Dissolve A school closure is never just an educational issue; it acts like a domino, shattering community cohesion. The Reconfiguration of "School District Value": Property values have long been tethered to school districts. When districts merge campuses due to low enrollment, a school originally at one's doorstep might move several miles away. This directly diminishes the attractiveness of local real estate, triggering a new wave of middle-class flight and creating a cycle of "depopulation – school retrenchment – community decline." The "Ghettoization" of Educational Quality: To cut costs, struggling districts are forced to first axe arts, music, sports, and advanced AP courses. Consequently, children remaining in these schools face a severe lack of resources. As one education official lamented, "We are barely keeping the doors open." Exacerbating Racial and Economic Inequality: The New York Times points out that this crisis hits minority and low-income communities hardest. Wealthy families can "evade the pitfall" by moving or switching to private schools, while lower-class families—dependent on public resources—can only watch as their children's schools are consolidated into campuses with even worse environments. Why is this a "Structural Pain" for America? Beyond the factors mentioned by The New York Times, several deeper contexts are visible: The Reversal of Urbanization Patterns: Major cities that once attracted young families (such as San Francisco and Seattle) are gradually driving out young parents due to the exorbitant cost of living. This means urban public education systems will be the first to feel the pangs of "emptying nests." Educational "Overcapacity": The massive investment in school infrastructure in the late 20th and early 21st centuries was based on the assumption of continuous population growth. Today’s crisis is essentially a mismatch between existing infrastructure and a shrinking demographic structure. Ideological Fractures: As public schools fall into crisis, trust in "public education" is also declining. The rise of charter schools and privatized education is hollowing out the foundation of the public system from within. A principal in Mississippi, looking at a playground that was half-empty, sighed: "We used to think children would come in a never-ending stream. Now, we must learn how to survive without them." This is not just an American problem. From East Asia to Europe, major global economies are experiencing a similar demographic collapse. The "empty nest" crisis in U.S. public schools is a warning signal: as the aging of society becomes unstoppable, education—once a "sunrise industry"—must learn to face the fading light of sunset. The challenge of the future is no longer how to "grow larger," but how to maintain equity and the bottom line of education while "growing smaller."

In recent years, driven by policy shifts, economic fluctuations, and a tightening job market, more students and parents are shifting their focus when applying to U.S. universities. The priority is moving away from purely academic prestige and rankings toward a more practical question: "Can I successfully land a job after graduation?" To meet this demand, many U.S. universities are pivoting their educational models. Beyond offering top-tier teaching, they are emphasizing industry integration by launching career-centric initiatives—most notably, Co-op (Cooperative Education) programs. These resources allow students to gain paid, full-time work experience while still in school. By graduation, these students possess real-world professional experience, giving them a significant edge over their peers in the job market. What Exactly is a Co-op? Co-op, short for Cooperative Education, is a learning model that blends classroom instruction with paid, full-time professional work. After completing specific coursework, students step into roles related to their majors, applying classroom theories to real-world business challenges and building a "resume-ready" North American work history. The roots of U.S. cooperative education trace back to 1906 at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Engineering. Professor Herman Schneider noticed students needed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, so he created a model that rotated academic terms with work terms. This innovation was later adopted by universities nationwide. The core difference between a Co-op and a standard internship lies in depth and duration. A Co-op typically lasts between 3 to 12 months. Students participate as full-time employees and become integral members of their corporate teams. What are the Advantages of a Co-op? Compared to a standard summer internship, Co-ops offer distinct advantages: Formal Curricular Integration: Co-ops are not just extracurriculars; many universities integrate them into the credit system. Companies and schools often co-design training plans to ensure a seamless transition between study and practice. Long-term, Deep Engagement: While internships usually last 8–12 weeks, Co-ops span 3–12 months. Employers treat Co-op students as "pre-hires," providing systematic training and real responsibilities rather than just administrative tasks. Paid Positions: Almost all Co-ops are paid, often quite well. For example, in UI/UX or Product Design roles at major tech hubs, hourly rates range from $20 to $50+. It is entirely possible to earn enough to cover a semester's living expenses or even part of the tuition. High Employment Conversion: Statistics show that over 60% of Co-op students receive full-time offers from their Co-op employers upon graduation. In fields like Engineering or Business, this rate can exceed 80%. Beyond the paycheck, Co-ops allow students to explore career paths and refine their interests, avoiding "blind" career choices. For international students, it is a goldmine for gaining local work experience and integrating into Western corporate culture. Top U.S. Universities for Co-op Programs Not every university has a mature Co-op system. According to U.S. News and industry data, the following schools are considered the "gold standard": 1. Northeastern University (NEU) Co-op is the heart of Northeastern’s identity. The university provides over 10,395 internship positions annually. Its program is ranked #1 in the U.S., with partners ranging from government agencies and "Big Four" banks to tech giants and Fortune 500 companies. About 93% of graduates find jobs or enroll in grad school within nine months, with 58% receiving offers from their former Co-op employers. 2. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) Located in Atlanta—home to 430 of the Fortune 500 companies—Georgia Tech hosts one of the largest voluntary Co-op programs in the country. Their model typically involves rotating between full-time work and full-time study over three semesters, starting around junior year. 3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) MIT offers diverse programs like the MISTI (MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives), providing global internship and research opportunities. Their Co-op placements often focus on R&D, frequently providing stipends for travel and meals, making them highly sought after. 4. Purdue University Known for its engineering prowess, Purdue’s Co-op program often requires students to complete 3 to 5 work terms with the same employer. This long-term relationship allows students to take on increasingly complex roles. Graduates often leave Purdue with 12 to 22 months of paid experience at companies like Apple, Boeing, and Rolls-Royce. 5. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) The "Mecca of Computer Science" focuses its Co-op opportunities on STEM fields. For instance, CMU’s partnership with Meta (Facebook) allows software engineering interns to work on systems reaching billions of users. These programs are highly competitive, often requiring proficiency in Java, Python, or C++. Final Thoughts from InAmerica Universities have long been viewed as academic "ivory towers." However, in today’s challenging job market, fostering employability has become a vital part of a university’s responsibility to its students. These Co-op programs are more than just jobs; they are doors leading out of the ivory tower and into the real world. By encouraging students to apply their knowledge dynamically, these universities help students grow rapidly and stand out in the global talent pool.

Recently, a groundbreaking move has shaken the U.S. education circle: Eight premier Midwestern universities —including the University of Chicago, Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon, Washington University in St. Louis, UIUC, UW-Madison, Ohio State, and Purdue—have collectively "marched" into the San Francisco Bay Area. These institutions have joined forces to establish Third Coast Foundry , a 3,500-square-foot collaborative innovation hub located on Second Street in the South Park neighborhood—an area teeming with venture capital firms, AI startups, and tech giants. This move has dropped like a "bombshell" in the education sector, sparking widespread discussion. It is no exaggeration to say that the schools involved represent the very best of the Midwest. Not only do they boast massive annual research budgets, but they also maintain exceptionally strong STEM programs. Currently managed by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation  at the University of Chicago, the hub will involve all partner universities in programming, operations, and community building. The goal? To amplify the Midwest's innovative influence in San Francisco and connect with Bay Area investors, high-end talent, and industry partners. Why did Midwestern Universities "Team Up" for the Bay Area? Geopolitics and capital access are the key drivers. According to analysis by PitchBook , a leading research platform for private equity and venture capital, it takes startups in the Midwest about 1.5 years longer  to raise their first $500,000 compared to their coastal counterparts. In the past, individual universities tried to build their own Silicon Valley networks or open private offices, but solo efforts were costly and limited in impact. By forming this "alliance of the strong," these eight schools are using a shared model to solve a problem no single institution could tackle alone. This critical delay in early-stage funding often dictates a startup's entire trajectory. Even though Midwestern universities produce world-class innovators, the concentration of venture capital in the Bay Area has historically placed these talents at a geographical disadvantage. As renowned Silicon Valley investor and Social Capital founder Chamath Palihapitiya  famously put it: "If you want to do politics, go to D.C.; if you want to do finance, go to New York or London; if you want to do crypto, go to Abu Dhabi; but if you want to do tech, you MUST be in Silicon Valley." Midwestern universities recognized this reality. Previously, a joint "Deep Tech Demo Day" hosted by UChicago, Northwestern, and UIUC in San Francisco attracted over 200 investors. That success proved the potential of a shared space, leading to the birth of Third Coast Foundry —the first collaborative Midwestern home base in the Bay Area. Which Majors and Fields Benefit the Most? The primary drivers of this collaboration are the innovation centers and technology transfer offices of each school (e.g., UChicago’s Polsky Center, Purdue Innovates). Their mission: Transforming laboratory research into commercialized companies. This places a spotlight on Deep Tech —fields with high technical barriers and long R&D cycles, such as Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, New Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, and Semiconductors. These fields share a common trait: they are capital-intensive in the early stages—making investors hesitant—yet they are precisely where Midwestern universities excel. By establishing a foothold in Silicon Valley, these eight schools are telling Bay Area investors: "You don't need to fly across the country to scout projects; come here, and you can see the best of eight universities in one stop." For students, this sends a powerful signal:  If you are pursuing STEM or business—particularly in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Bioengineering, Material Sciences, or Mechanical Engineering—you will have unprecedented opportunities to interface with investors and participate in startups over the coming years. From "Visiting" to "Moving In" While universities opening offices in Silicon Valley isn't entirely new—Georgia Tech and Duke have long offered "Silicon Valley immersions"—those were largely short-term experiential programs. They allowed students to tour Google or Meta to "open their eyes" to the tech world. The difference here? These eight schools are moving in for good. For students currently preparing their U.S. applications, this provides a fresh perspective on school selection. Beyond rankings and climate, look at how proactive a school is in bridging the gap between students and industry resources.  While Midwestern universities may be geographically "remote" compared to the coast, their research prowess is second to none. This move into Silicon Valley offers students the best of both worlds: a solid academic foundation and direct access to the world's most vibrant hub of capital and innovation.

On March 13, 2026, Lilly Yu, Managing Partner of InAmerica Education and Head of Chair at InAmerica Education Group (IEG), was invited to deliver a keynote address at Building Equitable Futures: Women’s Justice and Leadership , an official NGO CSW70 Parallel Event held during the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York. The event brought together a distinguished group of Asian women leaders, practitioners, and advocates, creating a platform to share lived experiences, community insights, and transformative approaches to advancing gender equity and leadership. Held at the Church Center for the United Nations, the gathering focused on empowering women to shape a safer, more inclusive future. In her keynote address, Lilly shared a personal story about her journey at the age of 21, when she made the decision to pursue her education in the United States despite initial resistance from her family. Reflecting on that pivotal moment, she said, “At this age, my twenties are not meant to be safe. They are meant to explore how far I can go.” This decision ultimately shaped both her personal path and her commitment to education. Drawing from her own experience, Lilly highlighted the challenges many Asian families face when balancing stability and opportunity in educational decisions. Motivated by this understanding, she founded InAmerica Education from her college dorm room with a simple goal: to help families navigate the admissions process with greater clarity and confidence. Speaking on women’s leadership and personal growth, Lilly emphasized the importance of resilience and self-advocacy: “Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the decision to move forward anyway.” She encouraged women to trust their own voices and pursue their ambitions, even in the face of uncertainty. Addressing parents in the audience, she added, “Sometimes the greatest gift you can give your daughter is not protection—it is trust.” As part of Women’s History Month, Lilly’s participation reflects InAmerica’s ongoing commitment to empowering women through education and leadership. Her story underscores the broader mission of the organization—to support students and families in pursuing meaningful educational pathways while fostering confidence, independence, and global perspective.

As a "giant" among American public universities, the University of California (UC) remains a top-tier choice for students globally, offering world-class academic resources, strong career prospects, and an exceptional return on investment. As UC campuses continue to climb in global rankings, the difficulty of admission is rising in tandem. While students await the main wave of admission decisions in March, the University of California has officially updated its Fall 2026 application data . The report covers overall and campus-specific data for freshmen, transfer students, in-state, out-of-state, and international applicants. This cycle, the UC system received a record-breaking 251,907 total applications . While this number may seem daunting, a closer look at the data reveals that the real story isn't just about increased difficulty—it’s about a structural shift  in the applicant pool. Today, we analyze the Fall 2026 trends across the nine UC campuses to help families navigate the road ahead. Overall UC Application Trends According to the UC Office of the President (UCOP), the system received 251,907 applications  for Fall 2026, a 0.8% increase over last year. Freshman Applicants:  205,431 (+0.1%) International Applicants:  32,070 (-0.1%) Transfer Applicants:  46,476 (+3%) The transfer segment is clearly the primary driver behind this year's record-breaking numbers, rising from 44,666 in Fall 2025 to 46,476  this cycle. Freshman application data has reached a "high-level plateau"—it is no longer surging wildly but remains consistently at a historic peak. Meanwhile, the transfer track is becoming significantly more crowded. Campus-Specific Highlights: The Most Popular Choices Among the nine campuses, UCLA  remains the "most popular" with 146,000 applications, followed closely by UCSD  (141,000) and UCB  (133,000). UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles): With over 146,000 freshman applicants, UCLA saw 24,718 international students (17% of the pool). Last year's international acceptance rate was a tight 6%, and we expect similar selectivity this year. UCB (University of California, Berkeley): Berkeley received 133,128 freshman applications, including 25,220 from international students (19%). Notably, UCB’s new Electrical & Computer Engineering  program has provided a fresh option for Engineering applicants, potentially easing the bottleneck in the traditional EECS track. UCSD (University of California, San Diego): UCSD’s freshman application volume now exceeds Berkeley’s. It is also the top choice for international students , receiving 25,480 international applications—more than any other UC campus. Last year’s international admit rate was a friendly 28%. Other Campuses: UCI  (125k+), UCSB  (108k+), and UCD  (104k+) all surpassed the 100,000-application milestone. These three remain very welcoming to international students, with acceptance rates often exceeding 40%. Rising Proportion of Low-Income Applicants A significant structural shift occurred this year: the proportion of applicants from low-income families rose from 41.4% to 43.6% . This reflects the UC system's commitment to its public mission of educational equity. For applicants, this means that personal background, social contribution, and public value narratives  are becoming increasingly important in the holistic review process, rather than just academic metrics alone. Looking Ahead: Five Key Characteristics of UC Admissions As we move toward the mid-March release of decisions, several trends have become clear: Application Volume Stability:  Numbers have stabilized at a record-high plateau. High Selectivity:  Competition remains intense and stable. Equity Policy Weight:  Family background and social impact are carrying more weight. Transfer Surge:  The transfer path is heating up significantly. Diverse Environments:  A multicultural student body is the new normal. While UCB and UCLA remain the most difficult to enter, campuses like UCSD  are catching up, with its Computer Science and Engineering thresholds nearing those of the "Big Two." Strategic Advice:  * UCD  is excellent for Biology and Agriculture. UCI  holds a strong reputation for Business. UCSB  excels in Materials Science. For those seeking higher ROI or specialized niches, UCSC’s  Game Design and UCR’s  Business School remain highly competitive yet accessible options.

From February through March, the U.S. K-12 admissions cycle reaches its peak. Currently, top-tier private day schools have begun releasing their decisions. At InAmerica, we are celebrating a continuous wave of offers, with many of our students securing placements at prestigious institutions. However, because the competition for elite private schools is incredibly fierce, it is inevitable that some excellent candidates will find themselves on a Waitlist . What is a Waitlist? Don't Panic! A Waitlist status means that after reviewing your application, the school recognizes your strength and potential but cannot offer direct admission due to limited space. Essentially, the Waitlist acts as a "backup pool." If an admitted student chooses not to enroll, the school will select candidates from the Waitlist to fill those vacancies. Being waitlisted is not  a reflection of your worth. In fact, top schools often have far more qualified applicants than they have seats. Factors such as a higher-than-expected yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll), low student attrition, or an exceptionally competitive applicant pool this year can all influence the decision. If you find yourself in this position, do not be discouraged—there are still proactive steps we can take to secure an acceptance. What Should You Do After Being Waitlisted? Typically, waitlisted students may not know if a spot has opened up until after April 10th , as schools must wait for admitted students to make their final decisions. Here is your strategic action plan: 1. Formally Accept Your Spot Immediately Do not overlook the instructions in your decision email. If you remain deeply interested in the school, ensure you accept your place on the Waitlist as soon as possible. Usually, you only have 24 to 48 hours  to respond, as many other students are also waiting for an opportunity. 2. Analyze the Reason for the Waitlist On one hand, while the school appreciates your credentials, you may have lacked a specific "spark" that set you apart. In this case, you should work with your consultant to communicate with the school, adjust your materials, and highlight new achievements. On the other hand, the school may believe you are overqualified and fear they are not your First Choice . Schools care deeply about their Yield —the ratio of admitted students who actually enroll. If this is your dream school, you must reinforce your commitment and demonstrate why you are a perfect "culture fit" to boost your chances. 3. Strengthen Your Profile with New Materials During this period, continue to strive for academic excellence. If the school requests updated transcripts, ensure your grades remain stable or show an upward trend. Participate in extracurricular activities that enrich your profile and focus on developing "soft skills" such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. 4. Follow Up Consistently—But Respectfully You cannot remain passive, but you must avoid "over-communicating." Provide meaningful updates, such as recent awards, improved grades, or new projects. Constant, repetitive inquiries without new information can often be counterproductive. 5. Leverage Resources and "The Right Connections" To stand out in the waitlist pool, efficiency is key. It is important to understand the "unspoken rules" of admissions: the opinion of the Admissions Officer is paramount when choosing between students with similar scores. Building a professional bridge between a specialized agency and the admissions office can be the deciding factor in whether a student is "plucked" from the pool. 6. Maintain a Plan B Many schools do not begin pulling from the Waitlist until April or June, and the process can sometimes last through the summer into September. If you decide to wait, you must coordinate a Plan B . Families often face a dilemma: being waitlisted at a dream school while having to commit to another school before the waitlist results are out. This requires a serious strategic discussion with your consultant.

During this application cycle, thousands of students across the U.S. have received their college admission decisions faster than ever, thanks to AI technology. In recent years, as many universities transitioned to test-optional policies, the barrier to entry lowered, leading to an explosion in application volumes. This has placed unprecedented pressure on admissions departments. Today, we take a closer look at which U.S. universities are integrating AI into their admissions process, why they are doing it, and what this means for the future of applications. Which Schools are Using AI to Read Essays? 1. Virginia Tech Virginia Tech is currently the most vocal university regarding its use of AI in the application process. According to ABC News , the university officially launched a self-developed AI essay review system for the Fall 2025 cycle, a project three years in the making. "Humans get tired; sometimes they are in a good mood, sometimes they aren't. AI doesn't get tired, it doesn't get angry, and it doesn't have 'off' days. AI is consistent," said Juan Espinoza, Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at Virginia Tech. He noted that the AI reader is primarily used to confirm essay scores. Under the new system, the AI model—trained on historical data and scoring rubrics—acts as one of the readers. If there is a significant discrepancy between the AI and a human reader on a 12-point scale, a second human intervenes. Like many universities, Virginia Tech saw a surge in applications after going test-optional. For a freshman class of 7,000, the school received a record 57,622 applications for Fall 2025. Even with 200 human readers, the school struggled to keep up, leading to delayed decisions in the past. The AI tool can scan approximately 250,000 essays in under an hour, whereas a human takes an average of two minutes per essay. Espinoza stated that, based on current usage, "We’ve saved at least 8,000 hours." 2. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Caltech has introduced a sophisticated new step in its selection process specifically designed to verify the authenticity of research projects submitted by students. High schoolers submitting research projects record videos where they are interviewed by an AI-generated voice. The AI asks a series of questions regarding their papers and experiments, similar to a thesis defense. These recordings are then reviewed by faculty and admissions officers, who also evaluate the student’s test scores, transcripts, and personal statements. "This is an authenticity test—we want to know if you actually did the work," said Ashley Pallie, Director of Admissions at Caltech. "We want to bring the student's authentic voice back into the process; it’s a way to make admissions more credible." In other words, they want to determine if an applicant truly conducted the research or simply paid for a "ghostwritten" project. Pallie also noted that AI-assisted technology helped the university screen about 10% of early applicants, with plans to expand its use in 2026. 3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) UNC has actually been using AI since 2019, though it took five years for the news to become widely known. Vice Provost Stephen Farmer stated that the "PEG" automated scoring system is often more consistent than human scoring. However, he pointed out that if a human reader disagrees with the system’s score, they can override it. According to a report by GradPilot , UNC spent nearly $200,000 on the AI scoring system. After the student newspaper, The Daily Tar Heel , exposed the practice earlier this year, the backlash from parents and applicants forced the school to update its website, clarifying that "all applications undergo a comprehensive holistic review by professionally trained human evaluators." 4. Stony Brook University (SUNY) Stony Brook uses AI not only to review transcripts but also to "highlight" key information. The AI summarizes essays and recommendation letters, extracting vital details that admissions officers should notice. Richard Beaty, Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, gave an example: if a student’s grades dipped in their sophomore year, it might be due to a serious illness, a death in the family, or having to care for younger siblings. While these details are often hidden in various corners of the application, AI helps pull this context forward so admissions officers see the "why" behind the numbers rather than just cold data. 5. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) Georgia Tech is launching an AI tool to review transcripts for transfer students, replacing the manual data entry process. "AI will completely solve these issues," said Rick Clark, Executive Director of Strategic Student Access. The school hopes to expand this service to all high school transcripts soon. Georgia Tech is also testing AI for other uses, such as identifying low-income students who qualify for federal Pell Grants but may not be aware of it. What Does AI Review Mean for Applicants? The trend of U.S. universities adopting AI stems from a simple fact: they are overwhelmed. With test-optional policies driving a massive increase in applications, the workload for admissions offices has skyrocketed. The efficiency of AI is undeniable—reviewing 250,000 essays in an hour is a task 200 humans couldn't finish in months. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the most common use of AI remains preliminary screening and document organization. While the industry continues to discuss ethical and compliance boundaries, the specific limits are currently decided by individual institutions. For most schools, AI acts as a "checking and accelerating" tool—it ensures applications are complete and courses meet requirements before a human officer conducts the formal assessment. So, how does this affect you? 1. A "Perfect" Essay Might Be "Dangerous" A Kaplan survey found that 50% of admissions officers have a negative view of AI involvement in essay writing. Many noted they now look specifically for stylistic consistency. If your essay reads like a native speaker but your English proficiency elsewhere in the application clearly doesn't match, it raises red flags. 2. Authentic Voice Better Than the Fancy Vocabulary Princeton University’s Dean of Admission put it clearly: "We aren't looking for perfection; we are looking for authenticity." They want students to write confidently in their own voices. Caltech’s official guide also states: "Our supplemental prompts are meant to spark your curiosity... Do not let a reliance on AI take that opportunity away." When materials are screened by machines, clarity, logic, and authenticity become paramount. In a hybrid machine-human process, inconsistencies, gaps in coursework, or hollow content are identified more quickly than ever. AI involvement in admissions is an irreversible trend. While it currently focuses on essays, next year it may expand to activity lists, recommendation letters, and interviews. For students currently preparing their applications, the most important takeaway is this: No matter who is reading your essay, sincerity remains the best strategy.  Writing that is perhaps a bit "raw" or "unpolished," but truly records your thoughts and growth, is what is most likely to move a human—or an AI. After all, AI is trained by humans; it has learned to recognize the very things that make a human admissions officer take notice. Instead of worrying about whether an AI will misjudge you, focus your energy on writing an essay that truly belongs to you.

While many universities are still debating whether to restrict the use of AI tools, Purdue University—a long-standing powerhouse in engineering—has moved straight to the next phase: students who cannot master AI may find themselves unable to graduate. Recently, Purdue unveiled a comprehensive AI strategy covering five functional pillars: Learning about AI:  Studying the technology itself. Learning with AI:  Using AI as a tool for learning. Research AI:  Leveraging AI to drive scientific discovery. Using AI:  Implementing AI within campus operations. Partnering in AI:  Deepening collaborations with tech giants. Regarding "Learning about AI," the Board of Trustees officially passed a new regulation: Starting with the incoming freshman class of Fall 2026, all undergraduate students must demonstrate foundational AI application skills to qualify for graduation. Purdue President Mung Chiang pointed out that the impact of AI across all sectors of society is so vast and rapid that universities must take the initiative, permeating AI competency into every aspect of teaching. This AI requirement will be integrated into the existing curriculum of every undergraduate major. The university has authorized the Provost and Deans to establish discipline-specific competency standards. Students will not be required to take additional credits;  instead, they will prove their AI proficiency through projects that align with their major’s objectives. The core goal is not to increase the academic burden but to organically "weave" AI literacy into existing course structures and credit requirements. Purdue is not an isolated case. A quiet but profound educational revolution is spreading across top U.S. institutions, transforming AI education from an exclusive domain of Computer Science departments into a university-wide general literacy requirement. Dartmouth College Dartmouth recently announced that starting in Fall 2025, it will deploy Claude  (by Anthropic) to over 7,000 students, faculty, and staff to systematically enhance campus-wide AI literacy. Dartmouth aims to integrate AI into its academic foundation rather than treating it as a mere add-on to elective courses. The administration emphasizes "responsible use," focusing on privacy protection, clear usage guidelines, and academic scenarios to ensure students understand the boundaries of AI utility. The Ohio State University (OSU) Earlier this year, OSU launched the "AI Fluency Initiative,"  with the goal of enabling over 50,000 undergraduates to flexibly apply AI tools within their respective fields over the next two to three years. This plan embeds AI education deep into all undergraduate curricula, beginning with the freshman class of Fall 2025. The President stated clearly: "AI will become the 'second language' of the future workplace. Those who do not understand AI will be at a disadvantage, much like those who do not understand how to operate a computer today." According to the roadmap, starting with the Class of 2029, all OSU undergraduates must meet set "AI Fluency" standards upon graduation. This marks the transition of AI skills from a professional competitive advantage to a fundamental requirement for all graduates. Stanford University While Stanford has not issued a university-wide mandate, a course in its Computer Science department titled "The Modern Software Developer"  has garnered widespread attention. The course has a unique rule: Students are prohibited from writing code by hand. The professor requires students to use AI programming tools like Cursor and Claude  to complete all assignments. Submissions must include not only the final code but also the full chat history with the AI assistant, demonstrating how the student guided the AI to complete the task. This Stanford experiment reveals a deeper shift: the core competency of future programmers may no longer be writing code, but the ability to "train and prompt AI to do coding." When AI Moves from "Elective" to "Mandatory" Professor Michelle of Northwestern University once predicted that AI would take its next leap within the next five to ten years, and education must evolve alongside it. This profound change led by top U.S. universities goes far beyond offering a few new classes; it is redefining what universities should teach and what kind of students will dominate the future workplace. For students currently studying in the U.S. or planning to go, learning to use AI effectively is no longer an option—it is a mandatory course for the future. The shift from "discussing controversy" to "full-scale embrace" by universities like Purdue, Dartmouth, Stanford, and OSU outlines a clear consensus: AI should not be viewed as an external threat to be guarded against, but as a core competency to be internalized and deeply integrated into the pedagogical system. In an era where AI is reshaping every industry, the ability to understand, utilize, and master AI has joined the ranks of professional knowledge, critical thinking, and communication as a fundamental pillar of modern higher education. From a long-term perspective, this popularization of AI literacy is a key link in the overall intelligent transformation of society. As more graduates become proficient in human-AI collaboration, they will not just be users of technology—they will likely be the ones defining and leading the future AI era.