Why “Scientific Admissions” Matter: Lessons from the KPMG Futures Report 2025

Too often, decisions about university applications are made on vague assumptions — a rumor, a friend's advice, a hunch. But what if we stopped guessing? What if we treated admissions as a field that deserves the same level of critical thinking and systemic understanding as our future careers?

That’s what I call a scientific approach to admissions: reading data, following trends, comparing cases, and adjusting strategies based on what actually works.

One of the reports that strongly supports this logic is the KPMG Futures Report 2025. While not focused on admissions specifically, the report is highly relevant to prospective students.

Here are a few things I’d like to highlight.

We’re moving beyond narrow specializations

The boundaries between disciplines are dissolving. AI, quantum computing, climate engineering, and digital identity — these are no longer separate tracks. They’re interwoven frontiers, crossing sectors, domains, and methodologies.

This means: stop asking “what’s the one best field to choose?” and start building broad foundations — technical skills, soft skills, ethics, systems thinking, and a grasp of global policy.

7 key frontier areas for the next decade

According to KPMG, these are the spaces where the most radical innovation (and disruption) is expected to happen:

Artificial Superintelligence (ASI)

This isn’t just about coding. It demands knowledge of ethics, cognitive science, law, and political theory.

What to study: AI policy, machine learning, philosophy of tech.

Quantum Computing

Applied math meets cryptography, physics, and national security.

What to study: Quantum engineering, algorithms, mathematical modeling.

Computing Infrastructure

Think beyond code — to green energy for data centers, edge computing, and systems architecture.

What to study: Green IT, electrical engineering, cloud architecture.

Space Economy

A new economic frontier combining materials science, robotics, and international law.

What to study: Space law, aerospace engineering, astroinformatics.

Digital Assets & Identity

Decentralized finance, blockchain regulation, and new forms of ownership.

What to study: FinTech, legal tech, digital economics.

Environmental Resilience

The intersection of urban design, climate finance, and sustainable systems.

What to study: Climate risk, urban planning, ESG analytics.

Advanced Manufacturing

Smart factories, robotics, AI-driven supply chains.

What to study: Cyber-physical systems, industrial AI, design engineering.

So what does this mean for students applying now?

Don’t overcommit to one narrow major. The future is hybrid.

Read not just promotional brochures, but serious foresight reports like this one.

Build your profile like a product: prototype, test, iterate.

Prioritize universities that integrate real-world projects, AI applications, and cross-cutting global themes.

And above all, treat your academic journey as something worth designing intentionally. Don't default into a degree. Don’t copy what others do. Learn how the system works and build your own path with clarity.

Why I’m writing this

As a French language tutor and admissions consultant working with students across Europe, I spend a lot of time helping people make sense of higher education systems. But behind every application is a deeper question: what kind of future are we preparing for?

This post is my invitation to think broader and apply smarter.

You can follow more of my work here: WindowToFrance and STUDYON .