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Grades and Course Rigor Matter the Most in College Admissions

Great College Advice

Admissions officers mark each individual factor (grades, test scores, essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, etc.) What About Standardized Test Scores? The other academic factor is your test score on the ACT or SAT.

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College Admission Planning for High School Juniors – Second Semester

Great College Advice

Your high school counselor will hopefully be a great resource for questions along the way, whether it be pointing you to potential college majors, standardized test advice, local college fair details, local scholarship information, and help with high school course selection. Many test prep companies will provide free resources as well.

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Is Cornell Test Optional? Requirements + Tips

AdmissionSight

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.

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What Does Harvard University Look For? Requirements + Tips

AdmissionSight

Harvard takes a holistic approach to admissions, meaning they dont just focus on grades and test scores. Letters of recommendation Harvard requires three letters: two from teachers and one from your school counselor. Excel in standardized tests. Instead, they look at everything that makes you unique.

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How Hard Is It to Get into Stanford? Admission Requirements + Tips

AdmissionSight

Even with high GPA and test scores, your chances may be slim if you dont excel in other areas they value. Letters of recommendation. Youll need two letters from teachers and one from your counselor, who will also send a school report. These letters should highlight your academic potential and personal qualities.

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Stanford University: Supplemental Essays 2024-2025

Top Tier Admissions

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. Stanford has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,049 students and an acceptance rate of less than 4%. Interested in reading more about Stanford?

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Grade Inflation and the Changing Landscape of College Admissions

Top Tier Admissions

This occurred even though ACT subject tests remained relatively stagnant. Yes, they use testing, but not every student takes the SAT or ACT in the recent test optional landscape, so graduation rates and sometimes GPA is also included. students had risen in every subject, and most notably, in math.