March Madness & College Admissions

March is “Mad” for plenty of reasons—final admissions decisions rolling in, wondering if Spring will ever come, brackets getting busted—but here’s a fun twist: a deep NCAA tournament run can actually make a school harder to get into!

I’ve always loved watching March Madness with my son, Andrew, even if we root for rival teams. (He’s a lifelong Duke fan; I’m all Tar Heel. He even named our dog Duke—talk about sacrifices!)

This year, my 2025 bracket is a disaster (too much faith in Bryant, Andrew’s alma mater), but here’s a reminder: be careful what you wish for in March Madness! A strong showing can lead to a flood of applications—Kansas State and Tennessee saw over 38% spikes after their 2023 Sweet 16 runs, and even UConn’s applications rose 14%. A Cinderella run may boost a school’s profile, but it can also make it even more competitive.

As noted in Forbes article Does March Madness Performance Drive College Application Rates? "A good March Madness performance can cement a school’s blue blood status and help attract stellar athletes who want to be part of a winning team. It can also raise a school’s profile, giving it a national platform and making “Cinderella” teams part of the zeitgeist when they defeat higher-seeded teams in the tournament."

Luckily, your applications are in, and the final decisions are coming soon! Just like in the tournament, there may be big surprises—some unexpected wins, some tough losses—but one decision does not define your future. You’ve put in the work, and you've made progress. Like life, it’s not without disappointment. This is likely the last stretch of waiting—but the right play always finds its moment.

This is likely the last stretch of waiting—but remember, the best plays unfold in their own time.