College Essay Guy

DECEMBER 20, 2024

GPA and test scores Most merit-based scholarships require top-notch academic records, so if youre applying for one, aim for a high GPA and strong test scores on the ACT or SAT. If youre worried about meeting the GPA or test score requirements, start by identifying areas where you struggle most and focus your efforts there.

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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. Princeton doesnt actually have a minimum GPA to be considered for acceptance, but statistics tell us that there is, functionally, a minimum. If not a 4.0,

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 7, 2025

Of accepted first-year students for the Fall of 2023 who attended high schools with reported GPAs (over 99% of applicants), over 93% had a GPA at or above a 3.75. The average GPA overall was 4.2average. Ultimately, your grades also need to build to a crescendo. 74% had a perfect 4.0.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 14, 2025

Many of these changes started before the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights launched an investigation into the legacy admissions policy at Penn, related to the striking down of affirmative action by the Supreme Court, in January of 2024. But rank and GPA arent the only things that matter.

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Admissions Village

JUNE 19, 2024

Historically Black College or University (HBCU): In Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965, Congress officially defined HBCUs as institutions of higher learning that were accredited and established before 1964, and whose principal mission is the education of Black Americans. To understand more about this please read our blog.

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Grown & Flown

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

Academic Profile : What are the average GPA and ACT/SAT scores for admitted students? Housing Policies : Is freshman housing required? Honors Student Perks : Do honors students get priority registration, smaller classes, research opportunities, capstone projects, etc.? Are there any trends in enrollment to be aware of?

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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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AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 4, 2024

A big reason for this surge is the rise of test-optional policies and increased global access to higher education. However, what makes you stand out is how you measure up across the academic and holistic factors UPenn values in its admissions process: Target GPA Real talk—your GPA carries a lot of weight. to just 5.4%.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 25, 2025

Thats why nearly every legacy applicant we work with has close to a perfect GPA. 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 Students with a weighted GPA below 2.8 (on

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Top Tier Admissions

MAY 16, 2025

After four years of test-optional policies, Yales Class of 2029 was the first to apply under the new test-flexible policy , which requires either SAT, ACT, IB or AP scores. enroll now TTA TOP TIP: Yales new test-flexible policy allows applicants to submit AP or IB scores instead of the SAT or ACT.

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Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

These were the first applicants to apply under Yales new test-flexible policy which requires at least one ACT, SAT, AP, or IB set of test scores. The Class of 2029 saw a 14% decrease in early applications, likely due to the implementation of the new testing policy. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score.

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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. If you have test anxiety, decided to skip the SAT or ACT, or didn’t quite hit the scores you hoped for, you’re not out of luck.

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Shemmassian Academic Consulting

JANUARY 5, 2023

Do colleges look at weighted or unweighted GPA? Your child’s high school transcript may include a weighted gpa, which factors course difficulty into its calculation. Introduction What’s the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA? Do colleges look at weighted or unweighted GPA? Let’s take a step back.

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 1, 2025

Well also go over the GPA , test score requirements, and income limits you need to know about to qualify for financial aid. Target GPA/Test Scores: 4.2+ GPA, 1500-1580 SAT, or 34-36 ACT Harvards financial aid program is one of the most generous out there. Target GPA/Test Scores: 3.9+ Target GPA/Test Scores: 4.1+

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 1, 2025

UChicago Early Decision policy Both ED I and ED II are binding. Heres how to stand out in a sea of applicants: Target GPA Lets talk numbers. The average GPA for admitted students is a weighted 4.32, according to UChicagos 2023-2024 Common Data Set. GPA , and 97% ranked in the top 10% of their high school class.

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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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College Kickstart

APRIL 19, 2020

We've long tracked standardized testing policies for the 600+ schools we cover in College Kickstart. Given the number of prominent institutions announcing shifts to test-optional admissions in recent weeks, we've accelerated our process and are now actively tracking standardized testing policy changes. GPA or class rank).

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 3, 2025

Rice University Admission Requirements Rice University GPA Requirements Rice University SAT Requirements Rice University ACT Scores How to Increase Your Chances of Getting into Rice University Rice University Application Deadlines Frequently Asked Questions Takeaways How Hard Is It to Get into Rice University? Lets dive right in.

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AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

If you’re wondering about Vanderbilt’s GPA requirements, the acceptance rate, or how their admissions process compares to the Ivy League, this blog will break it all down. What Are Vanderbilt’s GPA Requirements? They take a holistic approach, which means your essays, extracurriculars, and personality matter just as much as your GPA.

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The Koppelman Group

MAY 14, 2025

CMU doesnt have a minimum GPA for admission, and you wont be rejected based on one activity, score, or grade. Over 90% of accepted first-years applicants have a GPA of 3.75 or higher, and the average GPA is 3.91. Scores Some students operate with the misconception that a super strong SAT or ACT score can make up for weak grades.

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College Kickstart

APRIL 19, 2020

When you add a test-blind school to your list and run College Kickstart, we exclude test scores when assessing academic performance and rely solely on GPA and class rank. For example, let’s say you’ve got a 33 ACT, 4.18 weighted GPA and top 5% class rank. Now let’s look at another school in your list, Caltech.

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AdmissionSight

MARCH 16, 2025

Your GPA plays a major role in your application to Cornell University. As one of the most competitive Ivy League schools, with an acceptance rate of around 8.4% , Cornell evaluates applicants based on both unweighted and weighted GPAs while also factoring in the rigor of their coursework. But how does Cornell calculate GPA?

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HelloCollege

APRIL 22, 2025

A lot has changed with the ACT and SAT over the last 20 years. The ACT introduced an optional Writing section in 2005 and had minimal changes up until this year. The Digital ACT Now the ACT is set to changeshorter test, more time per question, optional Science sectionmaking the test more approachable to students.

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

The work of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography is used by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to inform global environmental policies. minimum GPA (no grades below a C) Out-of-state/international students: 3.4 Take note: UC San Diego doesnt consider SAT or ACT scores for admission.

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College Essay Guy

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

HOPE GPA (we’ll explain what that means!) HOPE GPA (we’ll explain what that means!) postsecondary calculated HOPE GPA There are also all sorts of student situations that don’t fall into the ones we’ve included here, and you can find eligibility information about those here. HOPE Scholarship applicants must: Be U.S.

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 16, 2025

Still, the university evaluates applicants holistically, meaning they look at everything from your GPA and essays to your extracurriculars and how youll contribute to the campus community. UChicago GPA Requirements UChicago wants students whove not only aced their classes but also challenged themselves with tough coursework.

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

On top of that, well cover key details like deadlines, GPA expectations, and tips to help your application stand out. Test-optional policies introduced during the pandemic broadened the applicant pool, encouraging students who might not have applied otherwise. The average GPA for admitted students is 4.1. Start early.

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Admissions Village

DECEMBER 1, 2022

GPA is not the same as a Pre-Covid 4.0. Stuart Schmill, the Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Services at MIT, did a Q&A on MIT’s decision to reinstate their SAT/ACT requirement. A: I appreciate this question, which we have kept foremost in our minds as we reviewed our research and policies.

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AdmissionSight

MAY 8, 2025

While more colleges have adopted flexible testing policies, the digital SAT remains a powerful tool for showcasing academic strengths and opening doors to scholarships and admissions opportunities. Some schools are bringing back SAT/ACT requirements, while others are sticking with test-optional or test-flexible approaches. Bottom line?

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AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 17, 2024

Thats according to a recent analysis of ACT scores. Heres whats even more concerning: more than 40% of new graduates didnt meet the ACTs college-readiness benchmarks in any subject, and only 21% hit the mark in all four. When spring or summer rolls around, its also a great time to start taking practice tests for the PSAT, ACT, or SAT.

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Admissions Village

FEBRUARY 25, 2024

This week, Yale announced that they will require testing but that they are flexible on which type of testing, SAT, ACT, AP, or IB exam score. Yale has said if you want to submit AP scores in lieu of SAT or ACT scores they would like to see all of them. Perhaps not surprisingly, demand for SAT and ACT testing has been rising.

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

Georgetown Admission Requirements Georgetown GPA Requirements Georgetown SAT Scores Georgetown ACT Scores How to Increase Your Chances of Getting into Georgetown Georgetown Application Deadlines Frequently Asked Questions Takeaways How Hard Is It to Get into Georgetown? A target GPA of 3.9 How Hard Is It to Get into Georgetown?

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ACM College Consulting

MAY 3, 2024

In 2024, we have already seen several selective universities, including MIT, Cornell, Yale and Brown announce that they will once again require test scores of some sort (each policy is frustratingly different or vague) for the next application year. Students should research the admissions policies and data of the schools on their list.

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 23, 2025

Dukes Test-Optional Policy Duke SAT Scores Duke ACT Scores Duke University Admission Requirements Frequently Asked Questions Takeaways Dukes Test-Optional Policy For the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, Duke University is test-optional. And if youve taken both the SAT and ACT, they will consider your best score from either exam.

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Top Tier Admissions

JUNE 4, 2024

Unlike GPA, which can vary significantly due to differences in school grading policies, standardized tests offer a uniform benchmark. Top Tier Resources: Standardized Testing FAQ Average SAT Scores at Top Colleges SAT vs ACT: Which Test Is Right for You? ACT Tutoring Hit your target score with our renowned ACT tutors.

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AdmissionSight

MARCH 22, 2025

According to their admissions policy , Duke will consider the highest scores on each section, regardless of the test date, and will create a new composite score by averaging those scores. This policy can be a game-changer, but only if you can use it to your advantage. The good news is, yes, they do! What Is an SAT Superscore?

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

Vanderbilt Admission Requirements Vanderbilt GPA Requirements Vanderbilt SAT Scores Vanderbilt ACT Scores How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Into Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Application Deadlines Frequently Asked Questions Takeaways How Hard Is It to Get into Vanderbilt? Not feeling the love for the SAT or ACT? GPA, and 52.4%

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