This has been quite a PhD admissions season...

...or at least that has been my impression from students I was writing for or have met/corresponded with during the process.  According to one report from an admitted student at a top 5 program, that program had nearly double the number of applications from the prior year!   How widespread is this phenomenon?  And what would explain an increase in applications?    Curious to hear from those doing admissions as well as those who applied.  And congratulations to those who were admitted in this cycle!