Georgia Tech Admissions Blog

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

This week we welcome Senior Assistant Director for International Admission, Sara Riggs, to the blog. Many (okay… most) students feel similar about testing: it can be an emotionally exhausting necessary nuisance that requires preparation and wastes precious weekend hours but creates validity about your preparation for college.

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Testing Admissions Standardized Testing Test Prep 78

Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

The landscape of college admissions continues to shift as universities re-evaluate the role of standardized testing in the application process. 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.

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Top Tier Admissions

JULY 5, 2023

We recently posted our Top Tips for Acing any School Exam and now we bring you our top tips for acing any standardized test! STUDY EFFICIENTLY FOR STANDARDIZED EXAMS When preparing for the ACT, SAT, AP exams, SSAT/ISEE, or any other standardized test, the best approach is… you guessed it: to start early and with a strategy !

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Admissions Village

JUNE 19, 2024

Admissions/Application Language*: Acceptance/Admission: An offer of admission to a college for its incoming class. Admissions Decision: The outcome determined by a college's admissions committee regarding a student's application. For more about activities read our past blog.

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Excelsior Admissions Consulting

JANUARY 8, 2025

Some majors, including business, engineering, and computer science are becoming even more competitive during the admissions process. Standardized testing is becoming more important for students applying to selective colleges. Even some colleges that are test optional are admitting more students who submit tests scores.

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Great College Advice

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

Grades and Course Rigor Matter the Most in College Admissions The most recent National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) State of College Admission Report updated its four-year college members’ survey of the Factors in the Admission Decision. College admissions officers read and re-read your transcript.

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Solomon Admissions

JULY 9, 2024

Faculty Frustration with High School Curricula Having spent the majority of my career in enrollment management positions, the question of standardized testing’s impact on college admissions arises more frequently than you might expect.

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Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 23, 2024

Applications for freshman admission increased 24.3% ENROLL NOW UT AUSTIN SHAKE-UP Despite the return of a standardized testing requirement for applicants that began this cycle, UT Austin saw a third consecutive year of record-breaking application numbers. The post UT Austin: Early Trends appeared first on Top Tier Admissions.

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Discovery College Consulting

MARCH 4, 2025

Test-optional policies took off during the Covid 19 pandemic, though some institutions, mostly small liberal arts colleges, had adopted these policies in the early 2000s. Recently, some of the most selective colleges in the nation have been reverting to test-required policies. It would not be surprising if others follow suit.

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 20, 2025

With its reputation as one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Stanfords admissions process is notoriously competitive. Stanford is renowned not just for its academic excellence but for its highly selective admissions process, making it a dream school for many and a reality for only a lucky few. 2026 56,378 3.7%

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

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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AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

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.

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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?

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Berkeley² Academy

MARCH 8, 2025

The 2024-2025 college admissions season is coming to a close. UT Austin continues to smash admissions records It was a huge year for UT Austin and other Texas schools. Over 90,000 students applied for Fall 2025 admission, compared to 72,885 students the previous year.

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 1, 2025

Below is the admissions data over the past decade: UChicago Class Total Applications Overall Acceptance Rate 2028 43,612 4.5% This widening gap makes UChicagos admissions process fiercely competitive. At the same time, the admissions office has worked hard to keep standards sky-high. 2027 38,631 4.8% 2026 37,522 5.4%

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Great College Advice

JANUARY 7, 2025

As we laid out back in August , your junior year is the most important year in preparing for college admissions from an academic standpoint as it is the last full year of grades that colleges will see as they review your college application and it will likely be your most rigorous year of classes with AP, Honors and/or IB courses.

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 11, 2025

That shows the admissions team that you’re ready for college-level work. The personal insight questions are a big part of your application, and this is your chance to show UC Davis who you are beyond just your GPA and test scores. No need to worry about test scores and recommendation letters! Nail the essays.

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AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Applying to Harvard might feel like a lot, but knowing what admissions officers actually want can make things much simpler. 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.

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Top Tier Admissions

MARCH 13, 2025

Gender disparities in college admissions have made headlines in recent years, with women now outnumbering men on many campuses. Understanding these trends can help students better navigate the admissions landscape. She notes that, at some institutions, theres no admissions advantage based on gender.

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Koodoos Learning

OCTOBER 9, 2022

The test-optional movement started almost 50 years ago at Bowdoin College, but in the past few years, more and more colleges have joined along. Recently, diversity concerns may have led to more colleges deciding to go test optional. that are now test-optional, according to the National Center for Fair and Open Testing.”

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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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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

JANUARY 28, 2022

When the pandemic began, nearly all colleges and universities in the United States dropped their testing requirements when it became impossible for students in some areas of the country to find a test center and date reliably. Initially, however, it seemed like the Ivy League was eager to return to requiring test scores.

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Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Last year, UC schools received over 250,000 applications for Fall 2024 admission and accepted 167,000 of those students. See our UC Admissions Trends post for 2024 here. Test scores Unlike the many colleges that have reinstated standardized testing requirements , the UC schools remain test-blind and will not consider SAT or ACT scores.

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

With such a competitive admissions process, only the most exceptional applicants secure a spot. In this blog, well break down what Carnegie Mellons acceptance rate really means, how it has evolved over time, and what you can do to boost your chances of admission. But dont worry! 2027 33,707 11.4% 2026 34,261 11.3% 2025 32,896 13.5%

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 14, 2025

In this article, well unpack why MIT doesnt consider legacy admissions, explore some stats (like the MIT Common Data Set and MIT deferral rates), and share tips on how to crush your MIT application. MIT is one of the few elite institutions that doesnt have legacy admissions because it holds steadfast to a meritocratic admissions process.

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AdmissionSight

MARCH 3, 2025

Its not part of the Ivy League, but its admissions process is just as intense. For the Class of 2028 , NYU set a record-low acceptance rate of just 8%, out of a massive pool of over 118,000 applicants in a single admission round. With thousands dreaming of becoming a Violet, the admissions process is bound to be intense.

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Top Tier Admissions

MARCH 15, 2024

UT AUSTIN: STANDARDIZED TESTING REQUIRED After four years of test-optional admissions for undergraduate admissions, the University of Texas at Austin will once again require standardized testing scores , beginning with applications for the Fall 2025 semester. News & World Report in 2024.

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Excelsior Admissions Consulting

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Reasons for Sophomores and Juniors to Take the PSAT Sophomores Can use the PSAT score to help them determine whether they want to focus on preparing and taking the SAT or ACT test for college admissions. The section scores on the PSAT can also identify areas in which the student is stronger and which areas they may need support.

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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. Looking to raise your standardized testing scores?

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Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 20, 2024

The early admissions landscape for the 20242025 application cycle has been marked by notable shifts in applicant behavior, evolving institutional priorities, and regional dynamics. However, according to Yale Daily News , early applications to some selective schools, like Yale, saw a slight dip in the first test-flexible admissions cycle.

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College Wise

JANUARY 29, 2025

As of January 2025, the landscape of standardized testing requirements in college admissions has changed. Since then, colleges have undergone another shift, with many reverting to their old testing requirements.

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BestColleges

JULY 18, 2024

The math, reading, and English core test will be reduced from three hours to two hours to curb test-taking fatigue. Many colleges and universities went test-optional during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some have recently reinstated standardized testing requirements. The ACT Education Corp.,

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Shemmassian Academic Consulting

JULY 9, 2023

This became especially true in 2020, given changes in test administration and colleges’ testing policies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two years later, colleges continue to update their testing requirements, with some extending their test-optional periods and others opting for permanent changes.

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Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

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. As you are writing it, remember that your audience isn’t actually your future roommate — it’s a Stanford admissions officer.

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Peterson's Blog

JANUARY 14, 2025

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? With its popularity, were excited to offer this CLT test prep to Petersons subscribers. Why Petersons for CLT Prep?

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Great College Advice

JANUARY 14, 2025

We are often asked whether it is too early to start the college admissions process in the 10 th grade. If you are keenly interested in the college process and motivated to get started, the spring semester of 10 th grade is a perfect time to begin exploring the world of college admissions.

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