It’s not only the season of spring, it’s also the season of decision for high school seniors contemplating where to attend college in the fall. And for students who are exceptional academically, are participants in a wide range of activities, and had hopes of getting into a top U.S. college or university, the season has been one of disappointment. Harvard University received a record 61,220 applications for the current admissions year but accepted just 1,954, or 3.2%, according to an article by Douglas Belkin in the Wall Street Journal. Yale University received 50,015 applications and admitted 2,234, or 4.5%. The increase in applications is due to college and universities stopping mandating entrance exams. In exchange, more emphasis is being put on grades, academic rigor and socioeconomic diversity. The result, writes Belkin, is that while less-prestigious schools are struggling to attract students, the most selective U.S. schools are drawing from a broader applicant pool, driving the bar for admission higher than in past years.