5 Critical Trends Defining The Class Of '25: The Post-Pandemic Generation Facing A New Admissions Reality

The Class of 2025—a cohort born primarily in 2006 and 2007—is arguably one of the most scrutinized and fascinating groups to navigate the transition from high school to college, and for those graduating college, into the workforce. As of late 2025 and early 2026, this generation is at the epicenter of major shifts in education and career landscapes, making the simple moniker "Class of '25" a shorthand for a complex set of post-pandemic challenges and opportunities. Their journey, marked by disrupted high school years and a volatile economic outlook, has forced them to adapt to new, competitive realities in a way no previous class has.

The confusion over "Class of '25 or 25'" is simple: it refers to the year of graduation, whether from high school (entering college in Fall 2025) or college (entering the workforce in Spring 2025). Regardless of the context, this group is encountering a landscape that is both highly competitive and fundamentally changed by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a return to traditional metrics, and significant technological disruption. The information below, current as of December 2025, details the most critical trends defining their path forward.

The New Reality: College Admissions Trends for the Class of 2025/2026

The high school Class of 2025, who are currently applying or preparing to apply to college for the Fall 2026 semester, is facing a dramatically different admissions environment than their predecessors. The temporary, pandemic-era policies that relaxed requirements are now being reversed, ushering in a new era of intense competition and a "signal reset" for applicants.

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The Resurgence of Standardized Testing (SAT/ACT)

One of the most significant shifts for the Class of 2025 is the end of the widespread "test-optional" era. A growing number of highly selective universities are reinstating the SAT or ACT as a mandatory requirement for admission. This move is driven by institutions seeking reliable, standardized data points to manage the surge in applications and to ensure students are prepared for rigorous college coursework.

• Increased Competition: The Class of 2025 is part of a larger trend where more students are applying to more schools, leading to a surge in overall application volume and lower acceptance rates at top-tier institutions.
• Holistic, but Data-Driven: While admissions remain holistic—considering essays, extracurriculars, and recommendations—the standardized test score is once again a critical piece of the puzzle, forcing students to re-prioritize test preparation.
• Regional Shifts: Public colleges, particularly in the South and other regions, are seeing a significant surge in popularity and applications, making state school admissions increasingly competitive.

The FAFSA and Financial Aid Turbulence

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process has been a source of significant anxiety and delay for this cohort. Ongoing issues with the new FAFSA form implementation have created uncertainty around financial aid packages, complicating the decision-making timeline for students and families. This turbulence adds another layer of stress, as financial considerations are a major factor in college choice, especially with rising tuition costs.

The Post-Pandemic Graduate: Challenges for the Class of 2025 Entering the Workforce

For the Class of 2025 graduating from college, their entry into the job market is defined by a unique set of challenges stemming from their disrupted educational experience and an evolving economic landscape. This cohort's transition has been described as a "long and bumpy road," having started college during the height of the pandemic.

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The Internship and Skills Gap Deficit

A major hurdle for the college Class of 2025 is a perceived "skills gap" and a lack of relevant work experience. While many students have actively sought out opportunities, the pandemic severely limited in-person internships and co-ops during their crucial freshman and sophomore years.

• Lack of Experience: Data indicates that a significant percentage of this class felt they entered the workforce without an internship or other relevant work experience, creating a disadvantage in a competitive job market.
• Experiential Education Focus: Recognizing this deficit, a high percentage of the Class of 2025 actively pursued experiential education—internships, co-ops, and research—later in their college careers to compensate. This proactive approach is a defining characteristic of their resilience.
• Soft Skills Deficit: Some employers and educators note that the reliance on remote learning during formative years may have impacted the development of "soft skills" like in-person communication, teamwork, and professional social cues, forcing graduates to quickly catch up.

Navigating a Tougher Job Market

The job search for the Class of 2025 is proving to be more difficult than for cohorts in the immediate post-pandemic boom. They are facing a job market characterized by economic uncertainty and a high volume of experienced candidates competing for entry-level roles.

The biggest job search challenges include:

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• Increased Competition: They are competing not just with their peers but often with experienced workers laid off from other sectors.
• Focus on Tech Literacy: The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the workplace means that digital literacy and the ability to adapt to new technologies are non-negotiable skills for this class.
• Mental Health and Resilience: Having navigated high school and college through a period of immense global stress (COVID-19), this class demonstrates a high degree of resilience but also a heightened awareness of mental health in the workplace, prioritizing work-life balance and supportive company cultures.

The Defining Characteristics of the Class of '25

Beyond the statistics of admissions and the job market, the Class of 2025 possesses unique attributes shaped by their upbringing in the digital age and their formative years during global upheaval. Born at the cusp of the mid-2000s, this Gen Z cohort is known for its pragmatism and digital native status.

Digital Native and Information Savvy: Having grown up entirely with social media and high-speed internet, they are adept at finding and processing information quickly. This skill is a major asset in research and problem-solving, though it also contributes to the pressure of an "always-on" comparison culture.

Pragmatic and Value-Driven: Due to the economic uncertainty they have witnessed, both personally and globally, the Class of 2025 tends to be more pragmatic about their career choices and education investment. They are highly focused on the return on investment (ROI) of their college degree, leading to the increased popularity of public, in-state institutions that offer a better value proposition.

Advocates for Change: The social and political climate during their high school years has instilled a strong sense of social justice and a willingness to advocate for change. They are not passive participants in their education or careers; they expect institutions and employers to align with their values.

In summary, the Class of '25 is a transitional generation. They are the first to fully experience the "signal reset" in college admissions, where standardized testing is regaining its footing, and the first to enter a post-COVID job market with a significant skills gap to overcome. Their success will be defined by their ability to leverage their digital native skills, their hard-won resilience, and their pragmatic approach to a world that continues to demand rapid adaptation.