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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.
The University of Miami has announced a significant policy update for prospective students. Starting with the Fall 2026 application cycle, undergraduate applicants will once again be required to submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) as part of their application. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score.
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. What does Harvard look for in an applicant? Instead, they look at everything that makes you unique.
Brown University , an Ivy League institution located in Providence, Rhode Island, is known for its commitment to a flexible and open curriculum. Transfer students may still take advantage of a test-optional policy. 3 words) What is your most meaningful extracurricular commitment, and what would you like us to know about it?
Admissions officers mark each individual factor (grades, test scores, essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, etc.) They will pay much less attention to your grades in your “extracurricular pursuits done while in school,” including music, theater, business, art, debate, and athletics.
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.
When it comes to your college applications, one big question is: how many extracurriculars should I have to stand out without overloading my plate? Think of extracurriculars like toppings on a pizza. Let’s break down how many extracurriculars you should really have, what counts, and how to make yours stand out. Don’t sweat it.
Not everyone feels confident when it comes to taking tests. You’re not alone— around 40 to 60% of high school students experience test anxiety, a type of stress that makes it tough to focus and perform well during exams. As a high school student, you’re probably no stranger to big tests like AP exams, the PSAT, or the SAT and ACT.
Stanford University , located in Palo Alto, California, is one of the most prestigious universities in the nation. 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. LEARN MORE APPLYING TO STANFORD UNIVERSITY?
Harvard University vs Harvard College: many people mistake these two as separate institutions. So is Harvard College the same as Harvard University ? In this article, well have an in-depth discussion of Harvard University and Harvard College, including their similarities and differences. What is Harvard University?
Stanford University has a worldwide reputation that every year attracts thousands of applications from all parts of the planet. Overview Stanford University is a private research university located in Stanford, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. for the class of 2025.
So, youve been dreaming of attending Duke University , and now youre diving deep into what it takes to get in. One of the big questions that might be swirling around in your head is: Is Duke test-optional? Duke has made it clear that not submitting test scores will not put you at a disadvantage when they review your application.
This kind of score places you among the top fraction of test-takers nationwide and is sure to stand out to even the most selective colleges. Scoring a 1590 on the SAT or a perfect 36 on the ACT places you in an elite academic tier the top 1% of all test-takers nationwide. How Good Is Your 1590 SAT/36 ACT Score? In short, absolutely.
In this blog, well talk about what a 910 SAT score really means, whether or not you should retake the test, and how you can move forward to reach your college goals. Scoring 910 on the SAT places you around the 33rd percentile , meaning you performed better than about a third of test-takers nationwide. How Good Is a 910 SAT Score?
Are you planning to attend a public university with a strong program in your desired field, or are you aiming for merit-based scholarships to help with tuition? According to the College Board’s data , a 1300 SAT score is a solid achievement, placing you in the top 9% of test-takers nationally and 14% among active college applicants.
According to the Higher Education Research Institute’s Freshman Survey in 2020, 68.10% of first-year students at 4-year universities had an A or A- average in high school. So how are colleges supposed to make admissions decisions in the world of A averages, test-optional, or test-free admissions? Grade inflation is real.
Alongside the ACT , this test aims to give colleges a peek at how well you might handle their courses. Even though youve outscored 12% of test takers, it likely wont be enough to open doors to numerous schools. While this score is on the lower end, there are still schools that consider a range of applicants beyond just test scores.
The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has built a reputation as one of the toughest schools to get into. For the Class of 2028 , the university received a record-breaking 65,235 applications and accepted only 3,508 students. Here’s how it compares to other Ivies: Ivy League School Acceptance Rate (Class of 2028) Harvard University 3.6%
In this blog, well talk about what a 960 SAT score really means, whether or not you should retake the test, and how you can move forward to reach your college goals. Scoring 960 on the SAT places you around the 41st percentile , meaning you performed better than about a third of test-takers nationwide. How Good Is a 960 SAT Score?
Alongside the ACT , this test aims to give colleges a peek at how well you might handle their courses. Achieving a score of 780 on the SAT places you approximately in the 13th percentile , indicating that you were outperformed by a vast majority of test-takers nationwide. Heres a closer look at five colleges where you can thrive: 1.
If youre weighing which test score to submit, comparing your results, or simply curious about how the two exams stack up, this 1180 SAT to ACT guide has you covered. 24 ACT percentile A 24 on the ACT places you around the 79th percentile, meaning you scored better than nearly three out of every four test-takers.
Do you have to be a star athlete, or a straight-A student, or maybe the president of every extracurricular club? These scholarships typically require excellent grades, high test scores, and sometimes additional criteria like leadership, community service, or extracurricular involvement. Government (ROTC) The U.S.
Getting into Northwestern University is no easy feat. Test-optional policies introduced during the pandemic broadened the applicant pool, encouraging students who might not have applied otherwise. Yale University 3.7% Columbia University 3.9% Princeton University 4.6% Brown University 5.2% Extracurriculars.
So, youve got your eyes on Rice University, and youre wondering how to get into Rice. News & World Report, Rice University is a prestigious institution thats a dream school for many. Spoiler alert: its about more than just test scores and grades. How Hard Is It to Get into Rice University? Extracurricular activities.
The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university located in Los Angeles, CA. That means excellent grades, scores, extracurriculars, and essays. Scores USC remains test optional , but we almost never recommend opting for this route. USC is no exception, especially with the new ban.
Rice University is tough to get into. For the Class of 2028, Rice Universitys acceptance rate clocked in at 7.5%. Keep in mind, though, that Rice Universitys acceptance rate changes each year depending on the applicant pool and other factors. What Is Rice Universitys Acceptance Rate? Yale University 3.7%
For others, the next big application deadline comes on December 2nd , when all applications to the University of California are due. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA: ACCEPTANCE RATES The University of California—with nine undergraduate campuses—is among the most popular options for college applicants.
The University of Chicago (UChicago) is one of the most prestigious and competitive schools in the U.S. , How does it stack up against other top universities? is exceptional, showing how strongly it appeals to students who likely had offers from other elite universities. Yale University 3.7% Brown University 5.2%
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) is known for its academic excellence and vibrant campus life. The university recognizes the importance of cultivating well-rounded individuals. The institution offers a vibrant array of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations that cater to diverse interests.
How are students getting into the top universities in the world? And what is their recommendation for students who also want to be top-performing, and ultimately earn acceptances to their dream university? What characteristics and attributes are propelling them to success at the highest level? We are glad you asked!because
In the beginning, we trained ChatGPT by testing it on just a few schoolsthen, when she was closer to making a decision, we used it to compare her final options. Choose the University of Georgia if you want a large, spirited campus with strong in-state connections, a big football culture, and a prestigious honors college.
Out of those, the university admitted 41,618 students, which gives an overall acceptance rate of 42.1%. To boost your chances, focus on maintaining a strong GPA , engaging in extracurriculars, and showcasing what makes you unique. No need to worry about test scores and recommendation letters! Lets dive right into the numbers.
The University of Texas Austin (UT) is a large, public research university in Austin, Texas. Its an extremely highly ranked public university with top-notch programs in everything from business to STEM to the humanities. Feel free to also mention extracurriculars, labs, study abroads, etc., What was the inception point?
The University of Chicago, located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, is one of the most intellectually rigorous and academically respected universities in the country. In Illinois, legacy admissions were banned for public colleges and universities in 2024, so not UChicago. Well get into that in a moment.
It is becoming even more important for students to show a commitment to their academic interests as part of their extracurricular activities. Now is the time for students to consider both their extracurricular activities and their summer plans to use their time to pursue their interests. Read the release here. Read the article here.
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, VA, known for their programs in business, political science, public policy, and law. Early Decision isnt a shortcut it wont make up for a low GPA, mediocre test scores, or little-to-no extracurriculars. Think high 1500s and 35s.
With its overall admission rate still hovering near 3%, Harvard University is one of the most selective universities in the United State and in the world. A strong test score can fortify an applicant’s other academic and intellectual strengths in the admissions process.
Insights from the Common App report , along with trends highlighted in recent articles from elite universities, provide a comprehensive picture of what students and families can expect this year. This trend signals a growing perception of the value of standardized testing, as students aim to bolster their applications.
Brown University, located in Providence, Rhode Island, is one of the eight Ivy League schools and the 7th oldest institution of higher education in the US. Brown is interesting because in 2023, they decided to form a committee to determine if they should make changes to Early Decision, testing policies, and legacy admissions.
It’s easy to fall in love with Yale University. Raise your test scores? Do more extracurriculars? Below, we’ve condensed everything we know about the Yale University admissions process. Once you know what Yale University is looking for, you can better tailor your application to meet their expectations.
Princeton is an exceptional Ivy League university located in Princeton, New Jersey. The university is especially known for economics, computer science, and psychology, and is one of the worlds leading research universities. Legacy has become increasingly contentious, especially for elite universities like Princeton.
As application and enrollment numbers continue to rise for the nine schools within the University of Texas system, big changes are coming this way for students preparing to apply to UT Austin during the next admissions cycle (2025-2026). We also offer tutoring services, as well as test preparation.
With its reputation as one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Stanfords admissions process is notoriously competitive. The short answer is: its one of the hardest universities to get into. Even with high GPA and test scores, your chances may be slim if you dont excel in other areas they value. Extracurriculars.
The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university in the heart of Los Angeles, just a short drive from the beach and even closer to the entertainment industry. This is a school where your GPA, course rigor, and test scores need to be top-tier, whether youre applying EA or Regular. What Can You Do?
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