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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Admissions Standardized Testing Letters of Recommendation Transcripts 87

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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Admissions Standardized Testing Ivy League Early Decision 85

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 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. Its getting tougher to get in every year.

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AHM Advising

DECEMBER 3, 2024

The holiday season has arrived, midterms are around the corner, and admissions decisions for ED I will soon be released. If you applied Early Decision and are deferred, you are a competitive candidate for admission or you would have been denied. Some students choose an ED I plan as a strategy to increase their chances of admission.

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AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

You know the drill—college admissions aren’t just about the grades and the test scores anymore. In fact, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), 44% of colleges consider extracurricular activities as a significant factor in their admissions decisions.

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Ivy Central

APRIL 6, 2023

The future of standardised tests. We have also seen an increase in colleges going Test Blind, most noticeably the University of California colleges, meaning that even if students do send a test score colleges won’t use it when making decisions on acceptance.

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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

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

MARCH 9, 2025

of test-takers earning a 3 or higher, which colleges usually see as a passing score. AP Biology Course and Exam Description AP Biology Exam Format AP Biology Exam Questions How to Study for the AP Biology Exam AP Biology Exam Test-Taking Tips AP Biology Exam Date Is the AP Biology Exam Hard? Then comes the FRQ section.

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Spark Admissions

JUNE 22, 2023

Debates around standardized testing have been around for as long as standardized test scores have been part of education in the United States. Some argue that students undergo too much testing: by their high schools, by the state, for college admissions, etc. Yet, these tests have changed.

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Top Tier Admissions

JUNE 4, 2024

In this ever-changing college admissions landscape, the role of standardized testing remains a hot topic (and source of confusion). Understanding how these tests fit into the broader admissions process can help demystify their purpose and highlight strategies you can use to enhance your applications.

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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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Top Tier Admissions

JUNE 7, 2024

Stanford will reintroduce standardized testing requirements for undergraduate admissions starting in fall 2025 for admission to the Class of 2030. For rising seniors (students applying in fall 2024), Stanford will remain test-optional.

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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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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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CTK College Coach

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

Where are CTK Class of 2025 students gaining admission in the early rounds this year? Regular Decision, Early Action, Rolling Admissions, Early Decision. Send any updated SAT or ACT test scores, if applicable. Getting Deferred from Early Decision CTK College Coach How does the test optional movement affect student outcomes?

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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

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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UGA Undergraduate Admissions Q & A

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Offers of Admission: 5,350+ In-State offers -This is somewhat more than last year’s admitted numbers, as our In-State EA applicant pool has grown and was very strong. I have a previous blog post on how admissions calculates the UGA GPA for your reference. EA application numbers are 14.6% Mid 50% Admitted Average GPA: 4.18-4.43

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Admitted

JULY 22, 2024

Baker Colleges and universities nationwide turned to test-optional admission policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, a movement had begun among selective institutions to reconsider the role of college entrance exam scores in the admission process.

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Top Tier Admissions

AUGUST 26, 2024

Johns Hopkins University will reintroduce standardized testing requirements beginning with those seeking admission for the fall 2026 semester to the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences or the Whiting School of Engineering. Most recently, Stanford University announced it would once again require students to submit test scores.

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AdmissionSight

MARCH 4, 2025

The test is designed to challenge you, but reaching a top score is possible with the right approach. Youll learn exactly how SAT scoring works, what it takes to rank in the top percentile, and whether your score gives you an edge for Ivy League admissions. But it still tests the same skills. In this guide, weve got you covered.

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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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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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Princeton College Consulting

JANUARY 12, 2025

While these are all important components of an applicants profile, you might still wonder: What do admissions committees really look for when evaluating a candidate? While each university has its own assessment process, there are core criteria that every reader focuses on.

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AdmissionSight

MARCH 12, 2025

That depends on which admission plan you choose. These are binding admissions, meaning if you get in, youre committing to BC. If youre planning a gap semester or a late start, BC offers spring admission but not for students applying to Nursing or Human-Centered Engineering programs. Standardized testing. Regular Decision.

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

Whether youre applying through Early Action, Regular Decision, or considering a transfer, understanding Notre Dames admission stats can help you create a more strategic approach. The number of applicants has skyrocketed, especially since Notre Dame went test-optional during the pandemic. What Is Notre Dames Acceptance Rate?

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Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 2, 2024

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), MBA applications rose 12% overall, with full-time, in-person programs seeing a 32% surge. Graduate School Essay Guidance Secure admission to top Masters, PhD, MBA, law and medical school programs.

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

Here are four real-world examples that prove UC San Diego’s Industry Influence score of 100: COVID-19 testing & wastewater surveillance. UCSD played a major role in developing early COVID-19 detection methods through wastewater testing, which helped identify outbreaks before individuals showed symptoms.

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

Out of this competitive pool, only 3,801 students secured admission, resulting in an acceptance rate of just 7.6%. Test-optional policies introduced during the pandemic broadened the applicant pool, encouraging students who might not have applied otherwise. But with RD admissions being this competitive, procrastination isnt an option.

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Admissions Village

JANUARY 19, 2025

Every year at Admissions Village, we notice a new crop of summer programs aimed at high school students. The answer, like everything in college admissions, is: It depends, but they are NEVER a golden ticket in the world of highly selective college admissions. Many of them are very good, but are they necessary?

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Ruffaloni

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024

The Admissions Counselor and Leadership Certificate Program has been created and is taught by leading consulting experts with enrollment management experience at many diverse higher education institutions. Choose from tailored training tracks for admissions counselors and admissions leaders that will unlock the potential of your team.

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Georgia Tech Admissions Blog

MARCH 9, 2024

How does this translate to college and college admission? Naturally) Admissions SOS Over the years, I have asked audiences from Atlanta to Argentina (actually now in all hemispheres) to give me the first word they think of when they hear: “College Admission.” What is the path forward? For the Executive Summary—read on.

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

Standardized test scores (optional). UVA is test-optional, but if you choose to submit scores, they will superscore your SAT/ACT (considering only the highest section scores). To maximize your chances of admission to UVA, aim for a 1510 on the SAT or a 34 on the ACT , as these are the 75th percentile scores. Application fee.

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Georgia Tech Admissions Blog

APRIL 15, 2024

Instead, after watching this cycle repeat itself, here are the three direct messages/ primary hopes I have for juniors entering the college admission experience. The college admission search is internal. Nothing happens to you in college admission. Nothing happens to you in college admission. Seniors did this.

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