Next cycle?

[wtrc]

So this cycle (for admittance fall 2013) is predicted, by all accounts and lately even raw numbers, to be extremely forgiving in terms of admissions and financial aid (even though most top schools will probably make classes a bit smaller).

How about next? I know it's impossible to predict- the economy and job market are still up in the air, but historically, after a record down year are there big jumps in applicants because so many people are waiting a year to apply? Or is it usually more gradual?

[Brysia]

Confidence in the economic recovery will play a very important role.