The Koppelman Group

APRIL 12, 2025

And while they do superscore both the ACT and SAT, we also dont think thats your best strategic move. And for those in the bottom half and quarter, were willing to bet those were absolutely not legacy students they were probably student athletes. So, if you want to stand out? Submit scores.

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Policies Standardized Testing Extracurricular Letters of Recommendation 52

The Koppelman Group

APRIL 1, 2025

Scores Like most universities, the Cornell testing policy has been shifting over the past few years and through the Covid pandemic. Based on the data , strong applicants need to submit an ACT score at or above 35 or an SAT score at or above 1520.

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Policies Ivy League University University 52

The Koppelman Group

APRIL 14, 2025

Many of these changes started before the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights launched an investigation into the legacy admissions policy at Penn, related to the striking down of affirmative action by the Supreme Court, in January of 2024. If they choose the ACT , strong applicants submit a score between 34 and 36.

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Policies Ivy League Early Decision University 52

The Koppelman Group

APRIL 7, 2025

Scores Harvard requires applicants to submit an ACT or SAT score to meet their testing requirements, but they dont have minimum scores to apply. For a few years over the COVID pandemic, this requirement was waived, which has resulted in some recent statistics that are not necessarily fully representative.

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Policies SAT GPA Acceptance 52

The Koppelman Group

APRIL 5, 2025

So, all applicants, including legacies, are required to submit standardized test scores, like the SAT or ACT. Looking back at the last time the SAT or ACT was required, for the Class of 2024, strong applicants need to submit an SAT Critical Reading EBRW of 750 or above and a SAT Math of 750 or higher, as well.

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Policies Standardized Testing Ivy League SAT 52

Peterson's Blog

OCTOBER 23, 2024

ACT and SAT scores decline across the U.S. Standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT, are used to determine academic readiness and skills for entering university. This month, Peterson’s will be offering an ACT and SAT special , six months of test prep for $135—99 dollars off, so that students can walk into their test confidently.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 15, 2025

For serious candidates to USC, we recommend at least a 1500 on the SAT or a 34 on the ACT, but higher is better. Scores USC remains test optional , but we almost never recommend opting for this route. We want your application to be bulletproof dont give them a reason to reject you!

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Policies University University Extracurricular 52

Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

In March 2023, Columbia University announced that it would permanently drop the SAT/ACT requirement for undergraduate admissions. The decision by Columbia to abandon the SAT/ACT requirement represents a significant milestone in the ongoing debate around standardized testing in higher education and in the overall future of college admissions.

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Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

In March 2023, Columbia University announced that it would permanently drop the SAT/ACT requirement for undergraduate admissions. The decision by Columbia to abandon the SAT/ACT requirement represents a significant milestone in the ongoing debate around standardized testing in higher education and in the overall future of college admissions.

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Ivy Central

MARCH 13, 2023

Recently, Columbia University was the first Ivy League to no longer require SAT/ACT testing as of 2023-24 and will be test-optional permanently. Many Universities & Colleges across the US are continuing with their test-optional policy in 2023-24, with only a handful confirming that they will resume testing policies for 2023-24.

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Testing Ivy League Placement SAT 243

Top Tier Admissions

MAY 20, 2024

While many universities have announced post-pandemic admissions policies that re-instate mandatory standardized test scores, there is still no consensus. ACT Tutoring Hit your target score with our renowned ACT tutors. Test-optional? Test-flexible? Test-blind? Test-neutral? Test-recommended? Test-aware?

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Standardized Testing Policies Testing Test Prep 80

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 3, 2024

To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, it’s important to understand what a revoked admission means and familiarize yourself with your college’s policies. A college can revoke your acceptance, and each school has its own policies outlining when and why this might happen. The good news is these policies aren’t a secret.

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Top Tier Admissions

JULY 22, 2024

As the school year approaches, it’s time to finalize your standardized test prep plan and mark your calendar with upcoming SAT and ACT test dates. Here’s a tip: Take both SAT and ACT practice tests under simulated conditions, score them, and then use our SAT to ACT converter to determine your stronger test! We can still help.

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ACT SAT Test Prep Standardized Testing 101

Discovery College Consulting

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

Not only are today’s high school students being affected by frequent changes in colleges’ testing policies (as described in a recent blog post ), they also have another upcoming change to contend with: next year, the ACT will switch to a digital format, in addition to undergoing other alterations.

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BestColleges

JULY 18, 2024

Students will have the option to take the science portion of the ACT, similar to the optional writing portion. The new ACT will roll out online in spring 2025 and in school in spring 2026. The science section requirement is being removed from the ACT, and the test will be shorter to be more flexible and manageable for students.

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BestColleges

MARCH 8, 2024

Starting in fall 2024, Brown University will require students to submit SAT or ACT scores. The university's announcement also includes news on its Early Decision and legacy admissions policies, both of which they'll maintain, at least for now. Brown admits that legacy admissions hampers efforts to promote student diversity.

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Spark Admissions

JUNE 30, 2023

On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina in twin cases brought by Students for Fair Admissions, ruling that the decades-long policy of race-conscious admissions in American higher education was unconstitutional. What Does the Fair Admissions Decision Say?

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Policies Out-of-State Higher Education Minor 264

Top Tier Admissions

JANUARY 21, 2025

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. ENROLL NOW What Does This Mean for College Admissions?

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BestColleges

OCTOBER 12, 2023

The average composite ACT score dropped from 19.8 More students in the class of 2023 took the ACT test from the previous year. More students met none of the ACT benchmarks, compared to the previous year. The average composite score on the ACT dropped for the sixth-straight year from 19.8 for the class of 2022 to 19.5

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BestColleges

JANUARY 30, 2024

New evidence, however, suggests they might want to rethink their policies. Using admissions records and first-year grades from several "Ivy-Plus" colleges between 2017 and 2022, the group determined that keeping all other variables equal, students who scored highest on the SAT and ACT earned college GPAs 0.43 Exclamation mark.

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College Transitions

MARCH 18, 2025

In the past, prospective college applicants had just two choices regarding standardized testingtaking the SAT or sitting for the ACT. However, since COVID-19, test-optional has become a stronger-than-ever third consideration as such policies have spread rapidly.) Rather, highly selective colleges are […]

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AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

As a high school student, you’re probably no stranger to big tests like AP exams, the PSAT, or the SAT and ACT. Here’s some good news: more colleges than ever are making the SAT and ACT optional. If you have test anxiety, decided to skip the SAT or ACT, or didn’t quite hit the scores you hoped for, you’re not out of luck.

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Testing Standardized Testing SAT Policies 52

Admissions Village

JUNE 19, 2024

Historically Black College or University (HBCU): In Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965, Congress officially defined HBCUs as institutions of higher learning that were accredited and established before 1964, and whose principal mission is the education of Black Americans. To understand more about this please read our blog.

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BestColleges

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Dartmouth researchers found SAT and ACT scores can help identify high-achieving, under-resourced students since the college looks at scores in context to where a student is from. Researchers considered applicants' SAT/ACT scores, high school GPAs, other admissions indicators, and demographics data from 2017-2022. Students from a U.S.

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SAT ACT Ivy League Standardized Testing 98

Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

These were the first applicants to apply under Yales new test-flexible policy which requires at least one ACT, SAT, AP, or IB set of test scores. The Class of 2029 saw a 14% decrease in early applications, likely due to the implementation of the new testing policy. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score.

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Acceptance Ivy League Standardized Testing SAT 81

Admissions.Blog

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

Dartmouth College Dartmouth College has announced that it will yet again require high school students to share either an SAT or ACT score as part of their application for admission. The change takes effect for students applying for Fall 2025 admission (those students who will begin their applications in Summer or Fall 2024).

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Grown & Flown

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

Academic Profile : What are the average GPA and ACT/SAT scores for admitted students? Housing Policies : Is freshman housing required? Honors Student Perks : Do honors students get priority registration, smaller classes, research opportunities, capstone projects, etc.? Are there any trends in enrollment to be aware of?

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Financial Aid Out-of-State Campus Tours Study Abroad 148

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

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. Understanding Cornells shifting test policies is crucial for applicants.

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Testing Standardized Testing GPA SAT 52

Ruffaloni

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Institutions today must navigate shifting policies, demographic changes, public sentiment, natural disasters, economic pressures, compliance mandates, safety concerns, talent turnover, operational efficiency demands, and increasing pressure for measurable results. its time to act. If your answer isnt a confident YES!,

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Solomon Admissions

MAY 4, 2023

Understanding the Pros and Cons For decades, the SAT and ACT have been a staple in the college admissions process. Here's what you need to know: Pros of the SAT and ACT: Standardized Comparison: The SAT and ACT provide a standardized comparison of students across the country. It depends on who you ask.

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Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

Applicants to the Class of 2029 will need to submit an SAT or ACT score although there are some exceptions for those unable to take these exams. Transfer students may still take advantage of a test-optional policy. The regular decision acceptance rate was 3.8%, slightly higher than recent years due to a smaller applicant pool.

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Ivy League University University Transfer 96

ACM College Consulting

MAY 3, 2024

In 2024, we have already seen several selective universities, including MIT, Cornell, Yale and Brown announce that they will once again require test scores of some sort (each policy is frustratingly different or vague) for the next application year. Students should research the admissions policies and data of the schools on their list.

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College Essay Guy

DECEMBER 20, 2024

GPA and test scores Most merit-based scholarships require top-notch academic records, so if youre applying for one, aim for a high GPA and strong test scores on the ACT or SAT. It is awarded to high school juniors who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to public policy or civic engagement.

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Scholarships Letters of Recommendation Tuition GPA 98

Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

In a major policy change, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has announced that it will reinstate its standardized testing requirement for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. Meanwhile, Carleton College has chosen to permanently adopt a test-optional policy following a five-year pilot program.

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Berkeley² Academy

MARCH 8, 2025

As a result of this increasing demand, UT Austin announced it would be lowering its auto admission threshold to the top 5% and other admissions data supports this increase in competitivenessthe middle 50% of SAT and ACT scores for admitted UT Austin students drastically increased, jumping from 1230-1500 to 1310-1520.

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Admissions Standardized Testing Policies SAT 52

Spark Admissions

JANUARY 28, 2022

Then, as the pandemic continued, many colleges extended their policies for another year or longer. Meanwhile, a few other Ivy League schools (including Cornell University and Stanford University) had already extended their test-optional policies through 2023. What Prompted this Change? Will More Schools Follow Harvard’s Lead?

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Georgia Tech Admissions Blog

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

The Reality Im going to level with you: SAT or ACT scores are a required element of our application process here at Georgia Tech. Test Policies Still Vary Widely After reading this, are you still full of test anxiety and convinced your future hinges on a single score? Fully opposed to testing of any kind?

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