JON BOECKENSTEDT'S ADMISSIONS WEBLOG

APRIL 1, 2025

April 1, 2025 In the years post-pandemic, several of the Ivy League institutions (along with their shadowed, loosely defined cousins, the “Ivy Plus” universities) have re-instituted their policy of requiring the SAT for admission.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 1, 2025

of the Class of 2025 reported being descendants of Cornell alumni. The university delays the release of admitted student data, but historical record shows that over 80% of accepted and enrolled students for the Class of 2025 were in the top tenth of their graduating class. This holds true at Cornell, where 14.7%

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 18, 2025

However, legacy policies at Princeton persist and we believe strongly in helping students to get every boost they have access to as they strive to get into their dream school. The middle 50% note middle on the math section of the SAT for the Class of 2028 was 770-800.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 5, 2025

It was later announced that standardized testing was once again going to be required beginning with the Fall 2025 admissions cycle. So, all applicants, including legacies, are required to submit standardized test scores, like the SAT or ACT.

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AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

As a high school student, you’re probably no stranger to big tests like AP exams, the PSAT, or the SAT and ACT. Here’s some good news: more colleges than ever are making the SAT and ACT optional. For fall 2025 admissions, over 2,000 four-year colleges in the U.S. What Are the Best Test Optional Colleges in 2025?

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

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. Understanding Cornells shifting test policies is crucial for applicants.

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Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

In March 2023, Columbia University announced that it would permanently drop the SAT/ACT requirement for undergraduate admissions. The decision by Columbia to abandon the SAT/ACT requirement represents a significant milestone in the ongoing debate around standardized testing in higher education and in the overall future of college admissions.

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Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

In March 2023, Columbia University announced that it would permanently drop the SAT/ACT requirement for undergraduate admissions. The decision by Columbia to abandon the SAT/ACT requirement represents a significant milestone in the ongoing debate around standardized testing in higher education and in the overall future of college admissions.

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The Koppelman Group

MAY 14, 2025

Scores Some students operate with the misconception that a super strong SAT or ACT score can make up for weak grades. Carnegie Mellon is test-optional for Fall 2025 undergraduate applicants, so submitting SAT or ACT results is not required. Unfortunately, CMU is looking for a both kind of application not either or.

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

Their 2025 rankings place UC San Diego high on the list: Category Score Research Quality 97.4 UC San Diegos 2025 rankings are as follows: Category Ranking QS World University Ranking #72 QS WUR Ranking By Subject #10 QS Sustainability Ranking #288 Academic Reputation Score 89.3 Industry Influence 100 Overall Score 79.9

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 15, 2025

Starting in the fall of 2025, using legacy as a factor in admissions is banned at USC. For serious candidates to USC, we recommend at least a 1500 on the SAT or a 34 on the ACT, but higher is better. We imagine USC is very upset by this, as they were always historically a very legacy-friendly school, even calling them SCions.

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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. UVA is test-optional, but if you choose to submit scores, they will superscore your SAT/ACT (considering only the highest section scores).

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College Transitions

MARCH 18, 2025

In the past, prospective college applicants had just two choices regarding standardized testingtaking the SAT or sitting for the ACT. However, since COVID-19, test-optional has become a stronger-than-ever third consideration as such policies have spread rapidly.) Rather, highly selective colleges are […]

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AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 4, 2024

2026 55,000 6% 2025 56,333 5.7% A big reason for this surge is the rise of test-optional policies and increased global access to higher education. 2025 48,371 4.2% 2025 7,962 15% 2024 6,453 19.7% Think 1550+ on the SAT or 35 on the ACT. paired with an SAT score of 1570+ or an ACT score of 35+. 2027 59,465 5.9%

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Top Tier Admissions

APRIL 9, 2025

The ACTlike its counterpart, the SAThas long served as a key indicator of academic readiness for college-bound students, despite the growing number of test-optional policies. As we move into the 2025 testing season, a year already marked by significant shifts in higher education , the ACT itself is also undergoing notable changes.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 25, 2025

Acceptance Rates for the Class of 2028 Scores UNC is remaining somewhat test optional for the future: For students applying for the 2025-2026 academic year, students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 scale) are required to submit either an ACT or SAT score. or above (on a 4.0 scale) are not required to submit a test score.

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Top Tier Admissions

MAY 20, 2024

While many universities have announced post-pandemic admissions policies that re-instate mandatory standardized test scores, there is still no consensus. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score. Test-optional? Test-flexible? Test-blind? Test-neutral? Test-recommended? Test-aware?

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Standardized Testing Policies Testing Test Prep 80

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 23, 2025

This year, Ivy Day will likely be Thursday, March 27, 2025. When Is Ivy Day in 2025? When Is Ivy Day in 2025? By that calculation, Ivy Day 2025 will likely be Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 7 pm Eastern time. How does Ivy Day 2025 compare to previous dates? What Is Ivy Day?

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AdmissionSight

APRIL 15, 2025

Brown University holds the #58 spot globally for 2025 among top universities that shine in research and student education. QS World University Rankings For the 2025 QS World University Rankings , Brown stands at #79. Understand the testing policy. Research Environment 91.1 Research Quality 96.8 Industry 69.5 Sustainability 46.6

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Emerging College Consulting

JUNE 6, 2025

Step 2: Find a College’s Common Data Set To find the CDS for a specific school: Go to Google Search: “University of [School Name] Common Data Set 2024-2025” (Use the most recent year available.) Share Share Share Pin © 2005-2025 Emerging Educational Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

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BestColleges

JANUARY 30, 2024

New evidence, however, suggests they might want to rethink their policies. Using admissions records and first-year grades from several "Ivy-Plus" colleges between 2017 and 2022, the group determined that keeping all other variables equal, students who scored highest on the SAT and ACT earned college GPAs 0.43 Exclamation mark.

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Admissions.Blog

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

Dartmouth College Dartmouth College has announced that it will yet again require high school students to share either an SAT or ACT score as part of their application for admission. The change takes effect for students applying for Fall 2025 admission (those students who will begin their applications in Summer or Fall 2024).

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AdmissionSight

MARCH 12, 2025

For 2025, Boston College lands in the 251300 range in THEs World University Rankings. Boston College is ranked in the 631640 range in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Through the Center for International Higher Education , youll have the chance to engage in global research that shapes higher education policies worldwide.

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Top Tier Admissions

MAY 7, 2025

Many schools haven’t yet updated their policies, so be vigilant in your research ahead of registering. Superscoring Policy Is Changing Starting September 2025, ACT Superscores will include only English, Math, and Reading. Even national weekend tests wont be fully transitioned until fall 2025.

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The Koppelman Group

MAY 6, 2025

UChicago is one of the most popular colleges amongst our clients, and its one of the best places to study things like econ, public policy, business, and math. Scores UChicago is test-optional for the 2025-2026 season, but lets be honest nothing in college admissions is ever truly optional.

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Top Tier Admissions

JUNE 7, 2024

Stanford will reintroduce standardized testing requirements for undergraduate admissions starting in fall 2025 for admission to the Class of 2030. Most recently, Harvard & Cornell announced changes to their testing policy, requiring students to submit either an SAT or ACT score in future application cycles.

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AdmissionSight

MARCH 20, 2025

This year, Ivy Day will be on Thursday, March 27, 2025. When Is Ivy Day in 2025? When Is Ivy Day in 2025? By that calculation, Ivy Day 2025 will likely be Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 7 pm Eastern time. How does Ivy Day 2025 compare to previous dates? What Is Ivy Day?

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Ivy League Waitlist Transfer Campus Tours 52

The Koppelman Group

MAY 5, 2025

Scores For the 2025-2026 application cycle, Penn applicants have to submit test scores. This is a new policy. For the past few years, UPenn was test-optional; however, that policy has ended. However, the 50th percentile scores for the SAT were 1540, and for the ACT were 35.

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The Koppelman Group

MAY 15, 2025

Scores In 2024, Mich formally adopted a test-optional policy when it comes to submitting standardized test scores. This was a bold move, but it doesnt exempt you from studying for the ACT or SAT. Essays While the Mich essays for the 2025-2026 application cycle will not come out until late summer, we know what they typically require.

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BestColleges

MARCH 20, 2024

Data Summary Check The median total SAT score is 1030. Note Reference [1] Check Among popular colleges, New York University had the highest SAT scores in the 25th percentile, with enrollees in the bottom quartile scoring 1470. Table of Contents What Is a Bad SAT Score Overall? What's a Bad SAT Score for Local State Schools?

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The Koppelman Group

MAY 22, 2025

Georgetown is an internationally-leading research and academic university aimed at preparing the next generation of global citizens, with a particular focus on service, policy, and politics. Scores All first-year applicants to Georgetown are required to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application.

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Spark Admissions

JANUARY 28, 2022

Then, as the pandemic continued, many colleges extended their policies for another year or longer. Meanwhile, a few other Ivy League schools (including Cornell University and Stanford University) had already extended their test-optional policies through 2023. What Prompted this Change? Final Thoughts.

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Tex Admissions

MARCH 12, 2024

Scooter adventure in Tabanan, Bali On March 11, 2024, UT-Austin announced significant changes for the upcoming Freshman Fall 2025 admissions cycle. All Fall 2025 freshman applicants must submit an official SAT or ACT directly from the testing agency to be eligible for admission. My primary concern is the timing.

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Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

In a major policy change, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has announced that it will reinstate its standardized testing requirement for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. Meanwhile, Carleton College has chosen to permanently adopt a test-optional policy following a five-year pilot program.

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The Koppelman Group

MAY 3, 2025

Duke is especially well-regarded for its programs in public policy, biomedical engineering, and pre-law, and with acceptance rates dropping each year, its only getting more competitive. In 2025, their regular decision acceptance rate was under 5%, while ED acceptance sat at 12.8%.

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AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 3, 2024

At the same time, over 23,000 students take advantage of its 11 academic divisions and popular graduate programs in law, business, and policy. Policies like test-optional admissions during the pandemic made it easier for more students to apply, but the competition is fierce with so few spots available. Submit either SAT or ACT scores.

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HelloCollege

APRIL 22, 2025

A lot has changed with the ACT and SAT over the last 20 years. The SAT changed the format of the test in 2005, and again in 2016, and again in 2024. The Digital SAT The SAT went digital at the beginning of last year on January 1st, 2024 in the middle of a school year. The SAT transition was a mess.

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