Expert Admissions

JULY 29, 2025

The Slow but Steady Return to Testing Requirements While approximately 75% of U.S. colleges remain test-optional, the landscape is beginning to shift. In recent months, a growing number of selective colleges and universities have announced a return to requiring standardized test scores. Today, they’re below 10%.

Admissions

AdmissionSight

JUNE 7, 2025

Harvard University has announced that it will not release admissions statistics for the Class of 2029 until Fall 2025. However, for the Class of 2028, the acceptance rate was an exceptionally low 3.6%. What Is Harvard’s Acceptance Rate? Meaning, the acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was a mere 3.6%. 2025 57,435 3.4%

Acceptance

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

For fall 2025 admissions, over 2,000 four-year colleges in the U.S. won’t require standardized test scores. The rise of the best test optional colleges is changing the game, giving students new ways to stand out in the admissions process. What Are the Best Test Optional Colleges in 2025?

Testing

Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

The Class of 2028 had a 5.16% overall acceptance rate. The regular decision acceptance rate was 3.8%, slightly higher than recent years due to a smaller applicant pool. Top Tier Admissions is tracking the 2024-2025 supplemental essay prompts for all top schools here — we look forward to supporting you !

Ivy League

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Standardized test scores Harvard has reinstated its requirement for standardized test scores beginning with the class of 2029, meaning applicants must now submit SAT or ACT results as part of their application. Academic Excellence: GPA, Standardized Tests, and Course Rigor Getting into Harvard University is simply tough.

University

North Star Admissions Consulting

JUNE 24, 2025

Tests are back. Although the majority of schools are still (technically) test optional , there is definitely a notable shift towards the submission of standardized tests. The post 2025/2026 College Admissions Trends appeared first on North Star Admissions Consulting. Waitlists are very active.

Admissions

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

Cornell University is test-optional, but not for long. For Fall 2025 applicants, Cornell remains test-optional, giving students the choice to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, this policy will change for Fall 2026 admissions, when standardized test scores will once again be required.

Testing

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

With its latest acceptance rate at a record low of 7.6%, Northwestern ranks among the most selective schools in the nation. In this blog, were diving into everything you need to know about Northwesterns acceptance rate. What Is Northwesterns Acceptance Rate? 2025 47,636 7% 2024 39,263 9.3% Early Decision 5,207 1,174 22.6%

Acceptance

Top Tier Admissions

JULY 8, 2025

Between AP Classroom crashing in the weeks leading up to the 2025 exams to an exam platform malfunction that affected students sitting for the AP Psychology exam, this year’s exam takers faced a series of challenges that added unnecessary stress to an already high-pressure testing season. Some colleges may also accept scores of 3.

Standardized Testing

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 29, 2024

For the Class of 2028, Caltechs acceptance rate was a mere 2.3%! In this guide, well unpack everything you need to know about Caltechs acceptance rate, how its changed over the years, and how it stacks up against other top-tier schools. What Is Caltechs Acceptance Rate? acceptance rate. 2025 13,026 510 3.9%

Acceptance

CTK College Coach

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

Now in 2025 the ACT is joining in the fun with a rolling set of updates to the test beginning in April and continuing through September 2025. I just had the opportunity to interview a representative from the ACT to clarify my own questions about the rollout now that the April test is approaching. Too bad, so sad.

ACT

AdmissionSight

APRIL 14, 2025

The University of Florida acceptance rate definitely proves its not easy to get a spot. From acceptance rates and GPA expectations to test scores, deadlines, and insider tips on what admissions teams really look forweve got you covered. What Is the University of Floridas Acceptance Rate? 2026 15,054 6,612 43.9%

Acceptance

Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Stanford has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,049 students and an acceptance rate of less than 4%. While Stanford remains test-optional for those applying this cycle, applicants to the Class of 2030 will once again be required to submit a standardized test score. Interested in reading more about Stanford?

University

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

For the Class of 2028, Rice Universitys acceptance rate clocked in at 7.5%. That means for every 100 students who applied, only around seven received that exciting acceptance letter. Keep in mind, though, that Rice Universitys acceptance rate changes each year depending on the applicant pool and other factors.

Acceptance

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 23, 2025

This year, Ivy Day will likely be Thursday, March 27, 2025. When Is Ivy Day in 2025? On this day, youll be notified whether youve been accepted, denied, or waitlisted into your chosen school or schools. When Is Ivy Day in 2025? If youve applied to any of the Ivy League schools , youve probably heard of the phrase Ivy Day.

Ivy League

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 3, 2024

Oxford vs Harvard: Acceptance Rates For the 2024 admissions cycle, Harvard University had an acceptance rate of 3.6% , making it one of the most selective universities in the world. At Harvard, acceptance rates have dropped as low as 3.2% in recent years thanks to a huge surge in applications.

Financial Aid

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 24, 2024

If you’re considering applying, understanding the Johns Hopkins early decision acceptance rate can give you a better idea of your chances and help you prepare your application in the best possible way. What Is the Johns Hopkins Early Decision Acceptance Rate? Popular Johns Hopkins Majors Is Johns Hopkins Test-Optional?

Early Decision

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

In this blog, well break down the University of Virginias 2025 rankings and what they mean for you. In 2025, the University of Virginia ranked 163rd in the world with an overall score of 60.9. Rankings can be a useful guide, but they dont tell the whole story. How a school fits your goals, interests, and plans matters. Unlike U.S.

Ivy League

The Koppelman Group

JANUARY 9, 2025

First-year admission to UT is competitive, especially for out-of-state students, but their overall acceptance rate is 29%. Their transfer acceptance rate is similar 30%, but a lot of those students come from automatic acceptance via community colleges. This translates to two full-time semesters of work.

Transfer

The Koppelman Group

DECEMBER 19, 2024

While transfer acceptance rates vary from college to college (youll probably see lower rates at colleges like Tisch or Gallatin), NYUs overall transfer acceptance rate is 37%, compared to their first-year acceptance rate of 9%. Now wait The NYU transfer deadline for 2025 is March 15th. We know, annoying.

Transfer

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

Carnegie Mellon Universitys latest acceptance rate is 11.5%, solidifying its reputation as one of the most selective schools in the country. In this blog, well break down what Carnegie Mellons acceptance rate really means, how it has evolved over time, and what you can do to boost your chances of admission. 2025 32,896 13.5%

Acceptance

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

The University of Notre Dames latest acceptance rate stands at 11.1%, making it one of the most selective in the country. In this blog, well break down what Notre Dames acceptance rate really means, how it has changed over time, and what you can do to improve your chances of getting in. What Is Notre Dames Acceptance Rate?

Acceptance

The Koppelman Group

JANUARY 10, 2025

Vassar is a competitive school, with an 18% first-year acceptance rate, but their transfer numbers are even more competitive, with a 12% acceptance rate. Located in Poughkeepsie, NY, Vassar College is a small, liberal arts college known for their programs in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.

Transfer

The Koppelman Group

JANUARY 2, 2025

Last cycle, Tulane had a 15% first-year acceptance rate. They had a 51% transfer acceptance rate last cycle, offer priority deadlines for transfer apps, and even encourage you to submit your course descriptions to help you allocate credit easier. Tulane is very transfer-friendly. Writing Tulanes essay is optional, but not for you!

Transfer

The Koppelman Group

MAY 14, 2025

They received nearly 34,000 applications annually, and most recently accepted less than 12%. For the Fall of 2023, CMU received 4,515 Early Decision applications and accepted 13.6%. Over 90% of accepted first-years applicants have a GPA of 3.75 Getting into CMU is a challenge. They like exceptional students, with a twist.

Early Decision

AdmissionSight

MARCH 3, 2025

For the Class of 2028 , NYU set a record-low acceptance rate of just 8%, out of a massive pool of over 118,000 applicants in a single admission round. In this blog, we break down NYUs acceptance rates, including yield rate, Early and Regular Decision admit rates, transfer, and waitlist acceptance rates. 2025 12,380 6,097 49.2%

Acceptance

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Standardized test scores. Applications for RSI 2025 close on December 11, 2024, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. To get into RSI, you need strong academic performance in STEM subjects, competitive standardized test scores, and standout STEM experiences like research projects or competitions. Official transcripts.

PSAT

The Koppelman Group

MAY 22, 2025

Ultimately, they admitted 3,374 for an acceptance rate of just under 13%. They have their own in-house application, and Georgetown does not accept the Common Application, nor do they accept the Coalition Application. The acceptance rate for early applicants is also comparable to the regular decision acceptance rate.

Standardized Testing

The Koppelman Group

AUGUST 5, 2025

The acceptance rate is 5.65% , and the regular decision acceptance rate is only 4%. This was decided after an extensive data-based review in which they found that standardized test scores are useful in indicating college readiness. Let’s break down the supplement to increase your chances of acceptance.

Ivy League

The Koppelman Group

AUGUST 8, 2025

The acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 was 7.8 %. This was a higher acceptance rate than in recent years, but only by a few fractions of a percentage point. Rice believes in standardized tests, but they don’t require them. The campus is 300 acres, yet urban, also known as the best of both worlds.

Standardized Testing

AdmissionSight

APRIL 13, 2025

From program options and acceptance rates to requirements and what sets it apart , heres what you need to know. Princeton Graduate School Acceptance Rate What Graduate Programs Are Offered at Princeton? were accepted. Standardized test scores (if required). Its acceptance rate dropped to just 7.4%

Bachelor's Degree

AdmissionSight

MARCH 20, 2025

This year, Ivy Day will be on Thursday, March 27, 2025. When Is Ivy Day in 2025? On this day, youll be notified whether youve been accepted, denied, or waitlisted into your chosen school or schools. When Is Ivy Day in 2025? By that calculation, Ivy Day 2025 will likely be Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 7 pm Eastern time.

Ivy League

AdmissionSight

JUNE 20, 2025

<p class="ai-optimize-223 ai-optimize-introduction"><strong>Pomona College hasn’t released the official acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 yet, but they did announce that <a href="[link] students were admitted</a> from the largest applicant pool in the school’s history. Based on last year’s 7.1%

Acceptance

Princeton College Consulting

JUNE 23, 2025

Princeton College Consulting 5/21/2025 04:11 PM Standing Out College Admissions Acceptance Decision 4 Min Read Im Waitlisted. Return to all blogs Recommended For You Standing Out College Admissions College Prep 4 Min Read Is a Liberal Arts College the Right Fit For Me?

Transition

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 20, 2025

With an acceptance rate of only 3.9% Stanford has a history of competitive acceptance rate over the past few years : Stanford Class Total Applications Overall Acceptance Rate 2027 53,733 3.9% 2025 55,471 3.9% Standardized test scores (optional). 2026 56,378 3.7% 2024 45,227 5.2% 2023 47,498 4.3%

Admissions

Admissions Mom

JUNE 27, 2025

Also, be aware that some colleges are moving back to requiring test scores, so be sure you’re keeping up with the news. But, still, in general, there’s less focus recently on standardized test scores for many colleges, so for those colleges, there’ll be more focus on your grades and course rigor in your core academic classes.

Financial Aid

The Koppelman Group

DECEMBER 31, 2024

Northwestern is also a very competitive school, with the first year acceptance rate dropping to 7% over the last few years. Their transfer acceptance rate last cycle was 13%. A 13% transfer acceptance rate is low, so you need to take every opportunity to help yourself stand out. And it is safe to assume!

Transfer