Excelsior Admissions Consulting

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

The PSAT is scored out of 1520 (while a perfect score on the SAT is 1600). The National Merit Scholarship Corporation compares a student’s score to the eligibility score for that student’s home state. Some states require higher scores than others for National Merit Scholarships. Who Does Not Need to Take the PSAT?

PSAT

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. Today, they’re below 10%.

Admissions

Top Tier Admissions

JULY 8, 2025

Each May, over three million students in the United States and across the globe take AP exams. Regardless, I’m proud of my students for pushing through some of the toughest test prep materials out there in preparations for the exam.” On July 7 th , this year’s test takers received their scores. Only time will tell.

Standardized Testing

Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

For students out of state, these numbers are even lower. Below, we’ve listed some key points to keep in mind: Choosing campuses The same UC application can be sent to all nine campuses, and when you fill out your application, you’ll have the opportunity to select which campuses you’d like to receive it.

Applications

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 10, 2025

Virginia State University (VSU) Norfolk State University (NSU) Radford University George Mason University (GMU) University of Virginia (UVA) The Average Cost of College in Virginia 10 Smart Strategies to Score Scholarships and Save Big in College Frequently Asked Questions Takeaways 5 Cheapest Colleges in Virginia 1. and 1600 required.

Financial Aid

The Koppelman Group

NOVEMBER 2, 2024

Just over 2,000 students call Hamilton home, and they come from 48 states and 56 countries for the opportunity to learn in the Hamilton way. Just over 2,000 students call Hamilton home, and they come from 48 states and 56 countries for the opportunity to learn in the Hamilton way. What’s the Hamilton way?

Internship

Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Taking the PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a great way to familiarize yourself with standardized testing, determine your strengths and weaknesses, and qualify for scholarships. The PSAT is also considered a predictive test in that it can inform how well you’ll perform on the SAT without any additional prep. WHAT IS THE PSAT?

PSAT

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Vanderbilt University is one of the most prestigious schools in the United States, but how hard is it to get into Vanderbilt, really? With its rigorous academic standards, competitive acceptance rates, and emphasis on a well-rounded application, it’s no surprise that getting into Vanderbilt is hard. Thinking of applying to Vanderbilt

Ivy League

North Star Admissions Consulting

JUNE 24, 2025

Tests are back. Although the majority of schools are still (technically) test optional , there is definitely a notable shift towards the submission of standardized tests. State schools are increasingly popular. Welcome to week 2 of my college admissions advice column ! People are applying to more schools.

Admissions

Peterson's Blog

JANUARY 14, 2025

The CLT, or Classic Learning Test , is a standardized test to gauge academic readiness and abilities for college by examining critical thinking and aptitude. With its popularity, were excited to offer this CLT test prep to Petersons subscribers. Why Petersons for CLT Prep? Reserve their spot in our CLT prep today!

Test Prep

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

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 18, 2025

For those living in Georgia, online high schools 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 high school, and how is it better than a traditional, brick-and-mortar public or private school? What Is Online High School?

High School

The Koppelman Group

JANUARY 9, 2025

First-year admission to UT is competitive, especially for out-of-state students, but their overall acceptance rate is 29%. First-year admission to UT is competitive, especially for out-of-state students, but their overall acceptance rate is 29%. This translates to two full-time semesters of work.

Transfer

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 6, 2024

If youre eyeing a state school, a private university, or something in between, understanding exactly what colleges are looking for is important. And hey, its not just about filling out forms and meeting deadlines. And hey, its not just about filling out forms and meeting deadlines. It feels like theres so much to keep track of.

Letters of Recommendation

Expert Admissions

JULY 23, 2025

If you’re a student outside the United States hoping to apply to colleges in the US, you might be confused where to start. Course Selection & Standardized Tests Colleges in the United States consider students’ academic and extracurricular performances starting in the 9th grade.

International Students

Peterson's Blog

JULY 23, 2025

When it comes to standardized testing, you’re likely also doing your best to implement practices that align with the current landscape of testing, while trying to not overwhelm students, parents, and teachers. However, there’s a common misconception that test prep is a separate entity from classroom learning.

Test Prep

Berkeley² Academy

MARCH 8, 2025

million applications to over 800 Common App member colleges, and according to the organizations newest application trends report , Texas remains the fastest growing state in terms of application numbers, increasing by 36% and contributing to the Southwest being the fastest growing region overall. In the 2024-25 application cycle, 1.3

Admissions

AdmissionSight

APRIL 5, 2025

Whether you’re gearing up for your senior year or still figuring out the steps ahead, understanding the UCLA graduation requirements is important to make sure you cross that stage with your diploma in hand. Alternatively, ACT English Plus Reading with a score of 63 or better or SAT Subject Tests in English Composition.

Placement

Discovery College Consulting

MARCH 4, 2025

Now, according to FairTest.org, there are more than 2,100 colleges and universities that either dont require test scores or wont even consider them for purposes of admission. Recently, some of the most selective colleges in the nation have been reverting to test-required policies. Whats causing the change? on February 14.

Policies

Expert Admissions

JULY 2, 2025

SMU offers a smaller, tight-knit campus culture with flexibility on test scores and strong traditions in both research and liberal arts. UF is a large public university with a predominantly in-state student body, firm testing requirements, academic flexibility, and a focus on community and student support.

Admissions

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 23, 2024

The United States is home to over 250 universities and colleges featured in the latest higher education global rankings by the Times Higher Education (THE) , U.S. Applying to colleges in the USA includes several unique components specifically for international applicants, from visa requirements to standardized tests.

International Students

AdmissionSight

APRIL 13, 2025

tracks, knowing whats required can help you prepare early and stand out in a competitive field. Princeton Graduate School is one of the most competitive and respected institutions in the U.S., ranked highly in four programs and more than 10 specialties. Princeton Graduate School Acceptance Rate What Graduate Programs Are Offered at Princeton?

Bachelor's Degree

Excelsior Admissions Consulting

JULY 14, 2025

A number of colleges have begun requiring standardized test scores. Private universities like Brown, Cornell, Harvard, Stanford, and Yale and state schools including UT Austin, University of Florida, and University of Georgia are among the schools requiring applicants to submit test score this cycle.

Admissions

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 29, 2024

Out of 13,863 applicants for the Class of 2028, only 315 were admitted , resulting in an extremely low 2.3% The numbers tell a clear story: more students are applying, but fewer are getting in, as Caltech sticks to its rigorous academic standards. For the Class of 2028, Caltechs acceptance rate was a mere 2.3%! acceptance rate.

Acceptance

AdmissionSight

AUGUST 13, 2025

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Standing out to colleges means showing who you are, beyond grades and test scores.</strong> So, what does it actually take to stand out in a college application? </p> <h3 dir="ltr">1. .</h3>

Admissions

AdmissionSight

MAY 8, 2025

If youve taken the PSAT recently, youve already experienced the new format, which is administered on a laptop or tablet at testing centers or schools, instead of the traditional paper and pencil. Thanks to this design, the adaptive format allows for a more accurate measure of your abilities while reducing overall test time.

SAT

Marks Education

APRIL 9, 2025

If you apply and are accepted through a direct admit system, you are accepted to the universitys nursing program right out of high school. That process often includes a review of your college transcript, more essays, and sometimes a standardized test related to your prerequisite coursework.

Standardized Testing

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 15, 2025

It can make it harder for you to stand out among a pool of highly qualified applicants with higher GPAs. The school has the Noonan Tutoring Center, where you can get tips on studying, time management, and test-taking. One of your options would be to search for colleges that accept low GPAs. to receive financial aid.

GPA

AdmissionSight

AUGUST 8, 2025

We’ll break down when to reach out, what to include in your message, what mistakes to avoid, and how to write a clear and compelling email that gets noticed.</p> </strong> This helps you stand out and shows the school you&#8217;re genuinely interested.</p> </p> <h3>3.

Admissions

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

Youll learn why UVA consistently ranks among the top public universities, what makes it stand out, and how its strong academic reputation can benefit you in college and beyond. You’ll get to decide if UVA is the right fit for you, plus some tips to make your application stand out. News & World Report U.S.

Ivy League

AdmissionSight

MARCH 14, 2025

In this guide, well break down everything you need to know about applying to the University of Michigan, from GPA requirements and SAT/ACT scores to tips on making your application stand out. So, youre thinking about applying to the University of Michigan? Fantastic choice! But heres the thing: getting in isnt easy. Lets get started!

Admissions

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 21, 2025

If the thought of writing multiple essays makes you break out in a sweat, this might be your lucky day. Kansas State University Location : Manhattan, Kansas Acceptance rate: 80% Kansas State University is a big fan of keeping things simple. Beyond admissions, K-State is a bit of a hidden gem. No minimum test scores?

Standardized Testing

The Koppelman Group

MAY 22, 2025

The school is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the United States. Even though the Georgetown app isnt all that complicated, simply the idea that it is its own thing makes some students anxious about how to tackle it and even more nervous about how to stand out. The university is highly selective.

Standardized Testing

Admissions Mom

JUNE 27, 2025

And you’ll keep me hearing me say it if you follow me on Reddit , Instagram, or Substack , or hang out around A2C, r/ApplyingToCollege. Figure out what is about that certain school that might make you consider it your dream school, and let’s use that to create your list.

Financial Aid

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

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. So, how do you make sure you stand out? For out-of-state and international students, the competition gets tougher. Standardized test scores (optional).

Admissions

AdmissionSight

MARCH 30, 2025

If youre considering applying to Brown University , you’re probably wondering how to make your application stand out. Brown Universitys Common Data Set clearly states that level of applicants interest is not considered during the application review process. But you might be wondering: does Brown track demonstrated interest?

GPA

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 5, 2025

At around $12,150 per year for in-state students, SVSU already keeps things budget-friendly. On top of that, the scholarships at SVSU are generous, which means you might just have enough cash left over for a fun weekend out or that new textbook youve been procrastinating on buying. Prefer to skip the tests altogether?

Financial Aid