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

Excelsior Admissions Consulting

JANUARY 8, 2025

Some majors, including business, engineering, and computer science are becoming even more competitive during the admissions process. Standardized testing is becoming more important for students applying to selective colleges. Even some colleges that are test optional are admitting more students who submit tests scores.

Admissions

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

You know the drill—college admissions aren’t just about the grades and the test scores anymore. In fact, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), 44% of colleges consider extracurricular activities as a significant factor in their admissions decisions.

Extracurricular

College Essay Guy

JULY 25, 2025

Understandably, a lot of students and families have no idea who or what an Admissions Counselor is, let alone why it would be valuable to talk with them. Because connecting with your Admissions Counselor can be really valuable in the college application process. Why communicate with your admission counselor? Which is… not great.

Admissions

North Star Admissions Consulting

JULY 25, 2025

If you hire me to give you college admissions advice (or if you’re reading this blog!), Including college admissions advice that you don’t want to hear. Grade inflation is part of why test scores are increasingly relevant – a fact that is often more college admissions advice that you don’t want to hear.

Admissions

Peterson's Blog

AUGUST 5, 2025

History of Standardized Tests in the United States Since 1926, the SAT has been the go-to test for assessing college readiness. In 1959, the ACT was introduced to the standardized testing sphere for college admissions. Since then, this test has expanded and has been adopted by many schools.

ACT

Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 23, 2024

Applications for freshman admission increased 24.3% ENROLL NOW UT AUSTIN SHAKE-UP Despite the return of a standardized testing requirement for applicants that began this cycle, UT Austin saw a third consecutive year of record-breaking application numbers. The post UT Austin: Early Trends appeared first on Top Tier Admissions.

Waitlist

Expert Admissions

JULY 29, 2025

Expert Admissions hosted a webinar with Bari Norman and Trish Fairweather Cody, who discussed trends in college admissions over the last year and answered questions about the return of testing requirements, generational differences in admissions, international applications, changes at public universities, and more.

Admissions

Discovery College Consulting

MARCH 4, 2025

Test-optional policies took off during the Covid 19 pandemic, though some institutions, mostly small liberal arts colleges, had adopted these policies in the early 2000s. Recently, some of the most selective colleges in the nation have been reverting to test-required policies. It would not be surprising if others follow suit.

Policies

AdmissionSight

MARCH 20, 2025

But AP Exams takes a solid study plan, smart test-taking strategies, and the right resources to succeed. Here’s a rundown of what to expectfrom test structures to proven study habits and techniquesso you can perform at your best and walk into your exam with confidence! What Does a Typical AP Exam Look Like? The only difference?

Testing

AdmissionSight

JUNE 7, 2025

Well, there are a few reasons for this trend: Princeton went test-optional during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, Princeton fills a good chunk of its class through early admissions, which means fewer spots left for RD applicants. Admissions officers love seeing that you’ve challenged yourself. above this range.

Acceptance

College Essay Guy

JUNE 23, 2025

This probably won’t come as a surprise to you, but standardized testing (as in, the SAT and ACT) can have disparate negative impacts on first generation and/or low income (FGLI) students compared with wealthier students. TABLE OF CONTENTS (click to skip ahead) What even are these tests? so definitely don't stress about perfection.

Standardized Testing

North Star Admissions Consulting

AUGUST 8, 2025

Are you currently reviewing college admissions statistics, and trying to understand how to use the information to shape your college application strategy? Analyzed correctly, a review of college admissions statistics can help you get into your dream school. Yale is no longer test optional.)

Admissions

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 Other Admission Requirements Do You Need? With that many high-achieving students fighting for admission, the competition is fierce. The answer: a lot.

Ivy League

AdmissionSight

MARCH 9, 2025

of test-takers earning a 3 or higher, which colleges usually see as a passing score. AP Biology Course and Exam Description AP Biology Exam Format AP Biology Exam Questions How to Study for the AP Biology Exam AP Biology Exam Test-Taking Tips AP Biology Exam Date Is the AP Biology Exam Hard? Then comes the FRQ section.

Testing

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 1, 2024

That tiny number highlights how selective the admissions process is and how wildly popular Yale is among top-tier students aiming for the Ivy League. Here, we’ll break down Yale’s acceptance rate, explore how it’s changed over time, and share some practical tips to help boost your chances of standing out to admissions. 2027 52,303 4.5%

Acceptance

AdmissionSight

JUNE 7, 2025

Harvard University has announced that it will not release admissions statistics for the Class of 2029 until Fall 2025. Whether you’re going for Early Action, Regular Decision, or even trying to transfer in, understanding Harvard’s admission stats can help you craft a more strategic plan. But don’t panic! Overall 54,008 1,937 3.6%

Acceptance

AdmissionSight

MARCH 26, 2025

Yale Medical School Acceptance Rate Trends Yale School of Medicine Class of 2027 Academic Profile Yale Medical School Admission Requirements How to Get into the Yale School of Medicine Yale Medical School Application Deadlines Frequently Asked Questions Takeaways What Is the Yale Medical School Acceptance Rate?

Acceptance

AdmissionSight

JUNE 22, 2025

<p class="ai-optimize-6 ai-optimize-introduction"><strong>In 2024, <a href="[link] students</a> took the <a href="[link] Comparative Government and Politics Exam</a> The average score was 3.18, and 73% of test-takers earned a 3 or higher.</strong>

Government

North Star Admissions Consulting

JUNE 24, 2025

Welcome to week 2 of my college admissions advice column ! Today, I will answer one of the most common questions that I get this time of year: “ What college admissions trends are you seeing?” Tests are back. Doing so can dramatically increase your odds of admission, especially at certain schools.)

Admissions

Great College Advice

JANUARY 14, 2025

We are often asked whether it is too early to start the college admissions process in the 10 th grade. If you are keenly interested in the college process and motivated to get started, the spring semester of 10 th grade is a perfect time to begin exploring the world of college admissions.

Admissions

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 17, 2024

An admission committee is a group of professionals tasked with evaluating student applications. Admission committees consist of admissions officers and sometimes faculty members, particularly at Ivy League schools, who collectively decide which students are accepted. ” How Long Do Admissions Officers Read Applications?

Ivy League

AdmissionSight

AUGUST 13, 2025

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Standing out to colleges means showing who you are, beyond grades and test scores.</strong> </p> <p dir="ltr">Remember, admissions officers can tell the difference between genuine passion and resume padding. </p> <h3 dir="ltr">3. .</p>

Admissions

UGA Undergraduate Admissions Q & A

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Offers of Admission: 5,350+ In-State offers -This is somewhat more than last year’s admitted numbers, as our In-State EA applicant pool has grown and was very strong. I have a previous blog post on how admissions calculates the UGA GPA for your reference. EA application numbers are 14.6% Mid 50% Admitted Average GPA: 4.18-4.43

In-State

AdmissionSight

JUNE 11, 2025

Is Princeton test-optional? Yes, for the 2025 admissions cycle , you can apply without SAT or ACT scores and still be fully considered. Test scores won’t hurt your chances if you don’t submit them. Is Princeton Test-Optional in 2025? What does this testing policy mean for you? This is good news.

Testing

College Essay Guy

APRIL 18, 2025

Here are five practical ways to take care of yourself while navigating college admissions. Build Your College Admissions Dream Support Team Applying to college doesn't have to be a solo journey. Building a support networkor what some call a "College Admissions Dream Team"can make all the difference in managing the process effectively.

Admissions

College Essay Guy

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

So below, you can start by learning what each academy is looking for and how to prepare for the admissions process. According to the most recent US News & World Report data, all five academies have acceptance rates between 11-29% (though obviously the exact numbers vary year to year). What is attending a Service Academies like?

Letters of Recommendation

Emerging College Consulting

JUNE 6, 2025

If you’re helping a high school student research colleges, you’ve probably run into a lot of promotional language: small class sizes, holistic admissions, vibrant campus life. The CDS gives you hard numbers: how many students were accepted, how many submitted test scores, and what those scores looked like.

GPA

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Applying to Harvard might feel like a lot, but knowing what admissions officers actually want can make things much simpler. Harvard takes a holistic approach to admissions, meaning they dont just focus on grades and test scores. What does Harvard look for in an applicant? Instead, they look at everything that makes you unique.

University

ACM College Consulting

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

Course Selection : Ensure your coursework aligns with your future academic interests, goals, AND potential admissions requirements. Prepare for Standardized Tests If you plan to take the SAT or ACT, start preparing now. Plan to take the test at least twice this spring and summer to meet fall deadlines.

Applications

Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 2, 2024

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), MBA applications rose 12% overall, with full-time, in-person programs seeing a 32% surge. Graduate School Essay Guidance Secure admission to top Masters, PhD, MBA, law and medical school programs.

Applications

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 17, 2024

Your grades will be one of the first things college admissions review. This could be because they didn’t turn in enough work, performed poorly on tests, or just didn’t show enough effort to grasp the material. You might’ve seen it pop up on a test or assignment and thought, “Is this good? What Is a 73 Percent Grade?

GPA

AdmissionSight

AUGUST 8, 2025

<p><strong>When <a href="[link] to college</a>, a simple email can influence how an admissions office sees you.</strong> </p> <p>In this blog, you’ll learn how to email admissions offices the right way.

Admissions

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

Here are four real-world examples that prove UC San Diego’s Industry Influence score of 100: COVID-19 testing & wastewater surveillance. UCSD played a major role in developing early COVID-19 detection methods through wastewater testing, which helped identify outbreaks before individuals showed symptoms.

Admissions

AdmissionSight

JULY 8, 2025

of test-takers earned a 3 or higher. </p> <p class="ai-optimize-290">The AP Chemistry Exam tests your understanding of chemistry concepts and your ability to design and describe experiments, so you’ll need a strong study plan. .</p> A solid majority pass, and about 45% earned a 4 or 5.</p>

Testing

AdmissionSight

JULY 12, 2025

of test-takers earned a 3 or higher. </span></p> <p class="ai-optimize-7"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The AP Environmental Science Exam tests your ability to apply scientific concepts to real-world scenarios. .</span></p> scored a 5, and about 36.7%

Testing

College Essay Guy

DECEMBER 6, 2024

What are the eligibility requirements for your GPA, test scores, and community service hours? The program offers scholarships based on your high school grades and test scores. Tests are accepted through August 31 of the high school graduation year. How do you qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship?

Scholarships