The hardest application cycle to date left more students in limbo than ever before. In addition to the number of gap-year students who already accounted for as much as a quarter of next year's freshman class, schools were "test optional" for the first time ever, which meant students didn't need certain SAT or ACT scores in order to apply. That helped drive the surge in applications for fewer spots. Heightened uncertainty due to Covid also encouraged students to cast a wider net, resulting in a record number of applications at many top colleges and historically low acceptance rates as a result.