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Congratulations on completing the first semester of your junior year of highschool! Although there is no cookie-cutter approach, here are some suggestions to accelerate the college admissions process in the second semester of your junior year of highschool. Many test prep companies will provide free resources as well.
Starting with the Fall 2026 application cycle, undergraduate applicants will once again be required to submit standardizedtest scores (SAT or ACT) as part of their application. This marks a shift from the test-optional policy adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. ENROLL NOW What Does This Mean for College Admissions?
This probably won’t come as a surprise to you, but standardizedtesting (as in, the SAT and ACT) can have disparate negative impacts on first generation and/or low income (FGLI) students compared with wealthier students. How to spot a school's REAL test policy Final Thoughts What even are these tests?
Moreover, some students forego the process altogether and opt for work or the military instead. Don’t ruin your highschool experience over college. In the same bucket, we did no formal prep for standardizedtesting. Our youngest son at his highschool graduation. averages going into senior year.
This means it’s an important time for members of the highschool Class of 2026 – especially those who want to run the gauntlet this admissions cycle – to be aware of the the five colleges with the most grueling standardizedtest requirements for first-year admission. Why Grueling: MIT’s 4.1%
Highschool is the perfect time to start thinking about your future. For most students, taking highschool seriously is driven by the goal of getting into Ivy League schools or other top universities in the country. Freshman year When you start your freshman year, youre stepping into highschool with a clean slate.
Schools like to admit people who are good at school. Certainly, it’s nice to be a great center fielder, to have led your Model UN team to a regional title, or to be the lead in your highschool musical. The point is this: grades are the measure of your work in school. What About StandardizedTest Scores?
Every year, highschool students prepare for a rite of passage: their college entrance exams. The SAT changed the format of the test in 2005, and again in 2016, and again in 2024. Why Take Digital StandardizedTests? Grades (GPAs) have steadily increased while standardizedtesting scores have steadily decreased.
For those living in Georgia, online highschools give you flexibility, allow you to learn at your own pace, and offer a variety of courses that might not be available at regular schools. But what exactly is online highschool, and how is it better than a traditional, brick-and-mortar public or private school?
At HelloCollege , we encourage starting early on many parts of the college research and application processes ( testing , essays , etc.) Scholarships for highschool sophomores can play a crucial role in this early preparation. Scholarships for highschool sophomores can be a great way to get started.
ENROLL NOW UT AUSTIN SHAKE-UP Despite the return of a standardizedtesting requirement for applicants that began this cycle, UT Austin saw a third consecutive year of record-breaking application numbers. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score. Consequently, the major youre applying to at UT Austin matters a lot.
Teenagers with dyslexia face unique challenges during the college application process on top of the usual stress of essays, deadlines, and standardizedtests, theyre also navigating reading and writing difficulties that can make the process feel overwhelming. Its the result of strategic, well-planned decisions made over time.
Letters of recommendation Harvard requires three letters: two from teachers and one from your school counselor. Standardizedtest scores Harvard has reinstated its requirement for standardizedtest scores beginning with the class of 2029, meaning applicants must now submit SAT or ACT results as part of their application.
The Significance of StandardizedTest Scores Beyond simple metrics and opportunity, standardizedtest scores are used for so much more—accountability, resource allocation, and identifying areas for improvement within a district. Are students experiencing significant test anxiety? What resources are available?
Highschool juniors are at a pivotal stage in the college application process. Prepare for StandardizedTests 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.
Earn strong standardizedtest scores ( minimum SAT scores of 500 verbal and 500 math, or ACT scores of 21 English, 19 Social Studies, 24 Mathematics, and 24 Science). You should also aim for highstandardizedtest scores ( SAT or ACT ). Be unmarried, with no dependents, and not pregnant. He has a B.A.
You’re not alone— around 40 to 60% of highschool students experience test anxiety, a type of stress that makes it tough to focus and perform well during exams. As a highschool student, you’re probably no stranger to big tests like AP exams, the PSAT, or the SAT and ACT.
Preparing for Major Exams or Transitions —Standardizedtests, college admissions, or transitioning to a new grade level can be stressful. Tutors can help students across multiple grade levels, whether you need middle school tutoring, highschool tutoring, or beyond. Ask questions.
Participating in dual enrollment in highschool can be a great way to make the most of your college experience. What Is Dual Enrollment in HighSchool? Dual enrollment, also know as concurrent enrollment, allows students to earn college credit while still in highschool.
Standardizedtesting is becoming more important for students applying to selective colleges. Several colleges, including Brown, MIT, Stanford, Cornell (for students applying next year), and UT Austin are requiring standardizedtest scores from applicants. Read the release here. Read the article here. 45% of the U.S.
boost your scores AP SCORES AS EVIDENCE OF RIGOR Most students take AP exams as the culmination of a year-long highschool course. Many UK universities accept a combination of SAT, ACT and AP exam scores in order to fulfill admissions testing requirements. WHICH EXAM(S) SHOULD I TAKE?
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition for highschool juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) and achieve qualifying scores. What benefits do National Merit Scholars earn?
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 standardizedtest scores will once again be required. Understanding Cornells shifting test policies is crucial for applicants.
Highschool counselors, no matter how dedicated, or how prestigious the school, often juggle large caseloads and dont have the time to offer individualized, long-term planning. From selecting the right courses to planning for standardizedtests and maximizing school breaks, we help students navigate these decisions.
We help students make intentional choices about their coursework, standardizedtesting, and how they spend their school breaks. Thats a golden opportunity to dive into big projects without the pressure of school. Longterm strategy College admissions isnt something you can throw together last minute.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of key milestones and focus areas for each year of highschool, including senior year. 9th Grade: Building the Foundation Freshman year focuses on making a successful transition to highschool while laying groundwork for college preparation.
we can help Spring (March–May) – Early Planning Stage Plan and register for SSAT or ISEE: Many schools require one of these standardizedtests. Some schools may accept PSAT, SAT or ACT for older students also. SSAT Tutoring Stressed about the SSAT? Spring is a good time to begin preparation.
RSI is one of the most sought-after summer programs for highschool students. Every summer, 100 of the brightest highschool students worldwide come together at MIT for an unforgettable experience. RSI is open to highschool juniors or international students in equivalent academic years.
That’s why we suggest starting with a simple to-do list during your junior year of highschool. The PSAT, or Preliminary SAT, is a standardizedtest that gives you a sneak peek at what the SAT will be like. There are plenty of other ways to learn about schools! Begin searching for scholarships. Take the AP exams.
Unlock Students Potential: Introducing Our New Classic Learning Test Prep (CLT Prep)getting them closer to a score highlighting their college admissions strengths. What is the CLT Test? Were confident in their ability to shine brightly through this standardizedtest with adequate preparation.
To give you an idea, though, nearly 75% of admitted students graduated highschool with a 4.0 Harvard considers other parts of your application if your GPA is lower: The school values students who challenge themselves academically. Admissions officers also consider how your GPA fits within the context of your school.
Highschool counselors even at elite private schools often manage large caseloads, meaning their real involvement doesnt start until senior year, when the focus is primarily on reviewing your essays and the logistics of sending transcripts and rec letters. Why Hire an Independent Counselor? Theyre not doing it alone.
Now, unlike highschool, the transfer Common App activities section (which they annoyingly call Experiences) is more about quality than quantity. The statement of purpose is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments in highschool or a record of your participation in school-related activities.
Test scores Unlike the many colleges that have reinstated standardizedtesting requirements , the UC schools remain test-blind and will not consider SAT or ACT scores. Have you overcome significant challenges during highschool? Are you an artist or a creative thinker?
Plan to take as many rigorous classes as possible, including AP and honors courses, while striving to maintain that balance of a high GPA. Work with your highschool counselor to make sure youre not taking on too much but that youre also challenging yourself.
Highschool requirements If you completed a year-long U.S. History or American Government course in highschool and earned an average grade of B or better, you may already meet this requirement. Test scores Alternatively, you can satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning requirement through standardizedtest scores.
GPA , and 97% ranked in the top 10% of their highschool class. You can balance the scales with other strengths, like killer essays, strong test scores, or standout extracurriculars. Target test scores UChicago is test-optional , so you dont have to submit SAT or ACT scores. But what if your GPA isnt quite there?
weighted) highschool GPA and a minimum test score of 880 SAT or 17 ACT is eligible for consideration. scale, which makes it a school that values both academic rigor and potential. UVA is test-optional, and only 42% of applicants submitted test scores, so if standardizedtests arent your strength, dont sweat it.
Standardizedtest scores, like the SAT and ACT, determine academic readiness and skills for entering university. Scores grant entry to schools with specific requirements, award scholarships, and determine areas of strengths and weaknesses within a students academic career. What Are the ACT and SAT?
Many of the schools that have reinstated testing requirements cite research from the Opportunity Insights group, which indicates SAT and ACT scores are the single best predictor of college success. Others say grade inflation has made highschool grades less effective at predicting college performance.
THE RISE OF THE HIGHSCHOOL GPA Colleges can easily notice school-specific grade inflation by looking at the schools yearly college profile. Many schools provide the colleges with a breakdown of GPAs or a grade distribution chart, like the ones below. Colleges now expect high classroom performance.
Today, well identify some of the most relevant trends for rising seniors and other highschool students. UT Austin continues to smash admissions records It was a huge year for UT Austin and other Texas schools. In the 2024-25 application cycle, 1.3 million students submitted more than 8.2
A highschool diploma or equivalent Youll need to have a highschool diploma or a GED (General Educational Development Test) before you can apply. But some schools might have specific highschool course requirements. These can vary from school to school, so always double-check.
As one of the first highschoolstandardizedtests a student takes, the PSAT can set the stage for teenagers’ expectations of themselves and future exams. How have you helped prepare and bolster their abilities, contributing to PSAT test day success? Request a demo today for PSAT prep!
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