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Admissions officers mark each individual factor (grades, test scores, essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, etc.) And they are recorded and presented to college admissions officers on your transcript. The transcript is the record of your academic performance.
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.
The answer includes strong academics, compelling extracurriculars, and an authentic story that showcases your unique strengths. Harvard takes a holistic approach to admissions, meaning they dont just focus on grades and test scores. Academic records Your transcript is one of the most critical pieces of your application.
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. While most colleges are test-free or test-optional, remember that more and more schools are shifting back to requiring testing.
A big reason for this surge is the rise of test-optional policies and increased global access to higher education. This means more competition for every spot and higher expectations for grades, test scores, essays, and extracurriculars. Meanwhile, the acceptance rate has decreased from 9.9% to just 5.4%. That’s a massive drop.
Is Princeton test-optional? Test scores won’t hurt your chances if you don’t submit them. This guide explains Princeton’s testing policy, what you need to know about submitting scores, and tips to help you decide if sending your results will strengthen your application. Is Princeton Test-Optional in 2025?
Earn strong standardized test scores ( minimum SAT scores of 500 verbal and 500 math, or ACT scores of 21 English, 19 Social Studies, 24 Mathematics, and 24 Science). Demonstrate leadership through work experience or extracurricular activities. You should also aim for high standardized test scores ( SAT or ACT ).
One of the big questions that might be swirling around in your head is: Is Duke test-optional? 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.
What summer programs or extracurriculars should I take? The PSAT, or Preliminary SAT, is a standardized test that gives you a sneak peek at what the SAT will be like. A great way to begin is by taking a full-length practice test for both. Starting early gives you time to study and feel confident when test day rolls around!
Unlike universities, community colleges often have looser admission requirements, making it easier for students who might not meet strict GPA or testing criteria to still pursue their educational goals. Instead, you’ll take a simple assessment test after admission to determine which courses are the best fit for your skill level.
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? F (Below 60%) = Failing An F grade means the student has failed to meet the minimum requirements for the course.
Keep Your Extracurriculars on Track In the same vein as above, you also need to develop a strong resume for when you ultimately apply. If youve done a lot of extracurricular work in this space, this is also a place to mention how youve built upon this work over time. Feel free to also mention extracurriculars, labs, study abroads, etc.,
Harvard looks at other factors like your course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. To truly stand out, youll need to focus on other elements of your application, like leadership, extracurriculars, and your essay. Strong extracurricular activities. Consider your test scores.
The to-do list for college applications is long: filling in the Common App , gathering references, making lists of extracurriculars and volunteer activities and writing essays, potentially lots of them. Much of your application is facts and figures: high school classes and activities, grades and test scores.
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. The rise in international interest and the university’s tough academic requirements, including subject-specific tests and interviews, keep it selective. Extracurriculars.
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. Will that translate to higher scores? Although U.S.
Competitive test scores include: PSAT Math : 740+ PSAT Reading and Writing : 700+ ACT Math : 33+ ACT Verbal : 34+ While theres no minimum grade requirement for RSI, we recommend near-perfect grades in STEM subjects to strengthen your application. Official transcripts. Standardized test scores. Gather your application materials.
The pool of applicants has exploded, especially during the pandemic when Harvard went test-optional. They’re still focused on finding those well-rounded applicants—not just the ones with perfect grades and test scores, but those with standout extracurriculars, leadership, and unique stories. 2027 56,937 3.4% 2026 61,220 3.2%
Grades are often the first big hurdle in the admissions process, and even the best extracurriculars or essays wont overshadow mediocre academic performance. Keep Your Extracurriculars on Track Building a strong resume is just as important as excelling academically when preparing to apply as a transfer student.
AP Exams are standardized tests administered by the College Board that measure your mastery of the college-level coursework youve been learning in your AP course. AP exams are nationally standardized tests that consistently score a students performance. What are AP exams, and why are AP courses valuable? How do colleges read AP scores?
These stats paint a clear picture—getting into Yale means going head-to-head with some of the brightest students around, armed with stellar grades and resumes full of standout extracurriculars. If you’ve got strong grades and standout extracurriculars, Early Action could be your best shot. 2027 52,303 4.5% 2026 50,060 4.6%
2 Your Application: The Known-Known Your application itself– your grades, courses, extracurriculars, and essays—is the Known-Known. On the qualitative side, we assess your voice, tone, and values, often drawn from your essays and extracurriculars. On the quantitative side, we consider the “hard” data, primarily your transcript.
Your extracurricular activities , leadership roles , and community contributions all play a big part in shaping your application. Applying to colleges in the USA includes several unique components specifically for international applicants, from visa requirements to standardized tests. Take the standardized tests.
Even with high GPA and test scores, your chances may be slim if you dont excel in other areas they value. Here are the documents you need to prepare: Transcript of records. Extracurriculars. Standardized test scores (optional). Transcript of records. Holistic admissions process. Limited seats.
Get Started HOLISTIC REVIEW VS TRANSCRIPT REVIEW What makes U.S. Conversely, Canadian universities like McGill focus on applicants’ academic preparation, requiring only transcripts and test scores for admission consideration. College Private Counseling Unlock your full potential. Admission to selective U.S.
Heres what youll need to know about the application process : High school transcript. Make sure your transcript includes all your grades and courses, including any advanced ones like AP or IB. Standardized test scores (optional). The University of Michigan is test-optional. School report. GPA 24% had a GPA between 3.75
Test score ranges (SAT scores of 790-800 in Math and 730-780 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing). Insights into how factors like GPA , essays, and extracurriculars are weighted. With no legacy, MITs admissions process takes a holistic approach and evaluates applicants beyond just their test scores and academic achievements.
Check your transcript and test scores. Especially if there was a transcript error, new academic updates, or missing context in your original application. This could be updated grades, test scores, major personal circumstances, or transcript errorsjust make sure its relevant. Lack of extracurricular depth.
This prompt also allows for you to get into the extracurriculars and community of Tulane. Tulane also wants you to submit course descriptions along with your application, which generally means theyre eager to help you figure out your transfer credits. If we were to know only one thing about Tulane, its that they love students who love them.
With an acceptance rate of around 28%, the competition is stiff, and UT Austin isnt just looking for students who can ace their AP Calculus tests. Heres what youll need to submit : High school transcript. Your transcript will also include your class rank if your school provides it. Extracurricular activities.
Next, were talking about extracurriculars. Find someone doing research in the area youre interested in and talk about why theyd be a good mentor, what youd like to work on with them, or how you want to join their lab/research institution. NYU is very proud of their Global Campuses, and wed strongly recommend talking about those here.
Popular Johns Hopkins Majors Is Johns Hopkins Test-Optional? Is Johns Hopkins Test-Optional? Johns Hopkins University is test-optional for the 2024–2025 application cycle , so you’re not required to submit SAT or ACT scores if you’re applying for fall 2025. What Is the Johns Hopkins Early Decision Acceptance Rate? It’s tough.
Youll need to prepare: High school transcriptsTranscripts from all colleges youve attended SAT or ACT scores A mid-year report Letters of recommendation Major-specific items like a resume, portfolio, or statement Missing even one of these documents could delay your application, especially if youre aiming for the Ivies or other top universities.
Success isnt just about grades or test scores; your personal story and determination play a huge role, too. Official transcripts. Standardized test scores (optional). Dont forget your extracurriculars. What about standardized tests? Columbia is currently test-optional , so you dont have to submit SAT or ACT scores.
These other documents may include your high school transcript, standardized test scores (if required or you choose to submit), optional essays, your mid-year report, and other items. If you anticipate applying for financial aid, take note of the specific school deadlines. supplemental essays as part of the admissions process.
As one of the top colleges without supplemental essays, they dont want you to spill your soul onto a piece of paper: they just want to see if youve got the grades or the test scores to back it up. No minimum test scores? Thats right: the entire CSU system has dropped standardized tests from their admissions process.
At the end of the day, colleges do not grant admission to test scores and grades. The School or College Counselor Letter: This is a holistic recommendation that covers the students academic, personal, social, and extracurricular life in the context of the school.
UC Berkeley examines your academic record, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. They also consider your extracurricular activities, essays, recommendations, and how youve challenged yourself academically. Theyll also examine your extracurriculars, leadership skills, and unique achievements.
Extracurricular activities. Considered These factors dont hold the same weight as the more important ones, but they still play a role in rounding out your application: Standardized test scores. Stand out with extracurriculars. When it comes to extracurriculars, focus on depth over quantity.
We want to be sure were considering your application in the context of your personal experiences: What aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) fewer than 300 words) This is a classic community essay (and kind of a diversity one too) and they ask it of their first-year applicants too.
Spoiler alert: its about more than just test scores and grades. Heres what youll need to submit : High school transcript. Extracurricular activities. Standardized test scores (optional). Rice University has a test-optional policy, but if you do submit, aim for competitive scores. Lets dive right in.
Here’s what you need to know about the UC Berkeley application process : High school transcript. Standardized test scores. UC Berkeley is test-free, meaning SAT and ACT scores are not considered in the application review process. Extracurricular activities. Mid-year and final transcripts. They are test-free.
They use the Common Application, and heres what youll need to provide: High school transcript. Extracurricular activities. Standardized test scores (optional). Harvey Mudd is test-optional for students applying through Fall 2026. With Harvey Mudds test-optional policy, sending in scores is completely up to you.
Heres what youll need to submit with your Common App: High school transcript. Standardized test scores (optional). UVA is test-optional, but if you choose to submit scores, they will superscore your SAT/ACT (considering only the highest section scores). What do you need to apply? Your grades matter! Application fee.
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