Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 23, 2024

The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) received a record-breaking surge in applications for the Fall 2025 term. Applications for freshman admission increased 24.3% this year, for a staggering total of 90,562 applications. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score.

Waitlist 97

Waitlist Standardized Testing Out-of-State Higher Education 97

AdmissionSight

APRIL 3, 2025

If you got a 960 SAT score, youre probably wondering if thats a good score and what it means for your next steps. Optimizing your SAT score is worth it since it plays a big role in your college application. Of course, SAT scores arent the only factor colleges consider, but theyre an important one.

SAT 52

SAT Testing Ivy League Tuition 52

Admissions Village

JUNE 19, 2024

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

Admissions 246

Admissions Financial Aid Waitlist Standardized Testing 246

Admissions Village

JANUARY 19, 2025

I want to thank my colleague Meg Joyce for writing this super informative blog, Should I Do A Summer Program? To understand what we mean by this, it helps to remember colleges are thinking about many things when they evaluate the activities in your application. Probably not.

Programs 177

Programs Financial Aid Early Decision High School 177

HelloCollege

MARCH 13, 2025

Navigating the world of college admissions tests can feel like deciphering an enigmatic code, especially when trying to decide between the SAT and the ACT. ” Is the ACT Easier Than the SAT? So, is the ACT easier than the SAT? Whether you take the ACT or SAT, you ought to master these aspects of grammar.

ACT 52

ACT SAT Standardized Testing Test Prep 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.

ACT 108

ACT SAT Test Prep Standardized Testing 108

Georgia Tech Admissions Blog

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

This week we welcome Senior Assistant Director for International Admission, Sara Riggs, to the blog. However, just as your license isnt the most important part of driving, testing is not the most important part of your college application process, regardless of where youre applying. Welcome, Sara!

Testing 84

Testing Admissions Standardized Testing Test Prep 84

UGA Undergraduate Admissions Q & A

MARCH 14, 2025

Please remember that this is not a blog where you should post statistics or throw fellow students under the bus. Core Academic Information : In looking at the academic data for our accepted applicants, over 91% of their core grades are A’s. These types of comments will be deleted.

Scholarships 78

Scholarships SAT ACT GPA 78

Ivy Central

MARCH 22, 2023

In this blog post, we will dive into some key data about Columbia University to help you get a better sense of what makes it such a special place. If applying Early Decision, your application needs to be received by November 1st, while for Regular Decision it is January 1st.

Ivy League 246

Ivy League University University Early Decision 246

Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

The regular decision acceptance rate was 3.8%, slightly higher than recent years due to a smaller applicant pool. 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. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score.

Ivy League 96

Ivy League University University Transfer 96

Top Tier Admissions

JANUARY 21, 2025

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. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score. ENROLL NOW What Does This Mean for College Admissions?

Standardized Testing 85

Standardized Testing Testing University University 85

Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

Yale University , an Ivy League institution in New Haven, Connecticut, accepted 728 Early Action applicants to the Class of 2029. 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.

Acceptance 81

Acceptance Ivy League Standardized Testing SAT 81

SSA Online College Prep

MAY 25, 2023

The SAT tests critical thinking -- which isn’t always taught in schools. The pressure surrounding the SAT can cause massive amounts of test anxiety and lower your scores A “good SAT score” is always relative to your situation, although there are certain significant cutoffs. Read more on Socratic Summer Academy’s blog.

SAT 98

SAT Test Prep Financial Aid Scholarships 98

College Essay Guy

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Applying for a full-ride scholarship is generally going to be highly competitive, and most successful applicants go through a careful, multi-step process to make their application stand out. Check out these resources: What Are the Easiest Ways to Raise My SAT Score? Heres what you need to know to give yourself the best shot.

Scholarships 98

Scholarships Letters of Recommendation Tuition GPA 98

Top Tier Admissions

JANUARY 7, 2025

Have you made enough of an impact in your first year of college to submit a competitive application for transfer? Transfer Analysis & Guidance Get your Personalized Transfer Report, one-on-one guidance and more, to set your application apart. You should not look like or read like the same applicant.

Transfer 95

Transfer Semester Internship High School 95

Admissions Village

FEBRUARY 25, 2024

I want to thank my colleague Meg Joyce for co-writing this blog post with me. This week, Yale announced that they will require testing but that they are flexible on which type of testing, SAT, ACT, AP, or IB exam score. Yale has said if you want to submit AP scores in lieu of SAT or ACT scores they would like to see all of them.

Testing 180

Testing Standardized Testing SAT PSAT 180

HelloCollege

JANUARY 28, 2025

What is the most effective way to prepare for the SAT and ACT ? Since standardized tests play a crucial role in the college applications process and is one of the most important factors in college admissions , figuring out how to study for the SAT and ACT can feel overwhelming. How Long Should You Study for the SAT and ACT?

ACT 40

ACT SAT Test Prep Standardized Testing 40

SSA Online College Prep

MAY 22, 2023

When it comes to thinking about prioritizing college applications, your first step should be to make a college application plan. Get more college application tips on our blog ! What should I focus on in my college applications? Learn more about college, financial aid, and SAT® news and tips and tricks!

Applications 98

Applications Financial Aid SAT GPA 98

SSA Online College Prep

JUNE 12, 2023

Alyssa the SAT Expert has heard tons of parents’ questions about applying to college. Can your student use one essay for all of their applications ? While your essay is important, it’s far from the most important aspect of your application! Read more college admissions tips on our blog ! Short answer: YES.

Applications 98

Applications Financial Aid GPA SAT 98

Admissions Village

APRIL 25, 2023

Part 3: This Process Is Opaque In the first part of this series, we discussed the role that the rise of test-optional (it is now optional to submit standardized test scores, SAT or ACT, at most colleges) has played in opening up the applicant pool to highly selective colleges. So, should you even be trying to test?

Waitlist 220

Waitlist Transfer Out-of-State SAT 220

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.

Testing 52

Testing Standardized Testing SAT Policies 52

SSA Online College Prep

MARCH 30, 2023

Read more college admissions tips on our blog ! You have every right to have your questions answered, and Alyssa the SAT Expert is here to help you with just that! Learn more about college, financial aid, and SAT® news and tips and tricks! Jumpstart your SAT® prep with us Parent FAQs: Letters of Recommendation Edition!

Letters of Recommendation 98

Letters of Recommendation Applications Financial Aid SAT 98

Top Tier Admissions

APRIL 9, 2025

Its important for prospective students to understand how these updates may impact both their testing strategies and college applications. TOP TIERS STANDARDIZED TESTING RESOURCE TIMELINE STEP 1: If youre unsure whether the ACT or the SAT is your stronger test, jump into our free SAT vs. ACT Diagnostic tool to see your results!

ACT 64

ACT Standardized Testing SAT Testing 64

UGA Undergraduate Admissions Q & A

FEBRUARY 6, 2023

The applications are all in for the UGA Regular Decision group of students, so here is some information on the total UGA freshman applicant pool for Fall 2023. The total application numbers (EA and RD) are roughly 43,600, which is up substantially from last year. using the UGA GPA calculation method.

Applications 101

Applications GPA Out-of-State Transcripts 101

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 1, 2024

In this blog, we’ll explore why it might be the right choice for you! They offer financial aid programs like FAFSA, scholarships, grants, and even waive application fees to help ease the financial burden on you and your family. Most community colleges don’t require SAT or ACT scores for admission. Another huge perk?

Community College 86

Community College Community College Associate's Degree Transfer 86

College Essay Guy

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

Service Academy eligibility requirements Service Academies application process Service Academy essays Final thoughts What are the US Service Academies? Merchant Marine Academy Admissions Stats Acceptance Rate: around 29% Median SAT Score Range: N/A Median ACT Score Range: 25-28 What is attending a Service Academies like?

Letters of Recommendation 52

Letters of Recommendation Standardized Testing SAT ACT 52

Peterson's Blog

APRIL 8, 2025

This blog will discuss how test prep can boost students’ college and career readiness and how it is, in essence, a relief valve. Strong scores on exams like the SAT and ACT can impact college applications and scholarship opportunities, making them more competitive candidates.

Test Prep 52

Test Prep Testing Standardized Testing Transfer 52

Admissions Village

APRIL 19, 2023

This will be the first blog in a series. Since the pandemic hit over three years ago, the number of applications to most highly selective colleges has risen, and admissions rates have dropped dramatically. This is the first in a series of blogs to try and answer these questions. Part 1 - Let’s Celebrate Progress!

Out-of-State 203

Out-of-State Orientation In-State International Students 203

Top Tier Admissions

APRIL 16, 2025

Unlike the ACT or SAT which can be easily retaken, AP exams are offered just once a year, making the annual test dates especially important. For a breakdown of this years schedule (which runs May 5 th through May 16 th ) and changes, see our recent blog 2025 AP Exam Schedule: Digital Expansion and Content Changes.

Transition 52

Transition SAT Government Internship 52

Top Tier Admissions

JANUARY 17, 2025

of Early Decision applicants to the Class of 2029 after receiving a record-high number of applications, according to the Duke Chronicle. Southern schools have been rising in popularity, and Duke is no different, with applications for ED up 6% this year. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score.

Acceptance 69

Acceptance Standardized Testing Grants Early Decision 69

College Essay Guy

FEBRUARY 6, 2023

It can also help you quickly answer common questions like: What's the average ACT and SAT score of admitted students? What's the acceptance rate for first-time, degree-seeking applicants? That's exactly what we're going to show you how to do in this blog post! You just have to learn how to use it to your full advantage.

Financial Aid 98

Financial Aid Applications GPA Higher Education Associations 98

Top Tier Admissions

MARCH 18, 2025

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. If you enjoyed this post, follow us on Instagram @toptieradmissions for more tips and subscribe to our blog for expert insights & college admissions news !

Admissions 59

Admissions Standardized Testing Letters of Recommendation GPA 59

Solomon Admissions

DECEMBER 27, 2022

In that exact moment, you begin to wonder, what things actually look good on a college application? You know the stereotypical importance of getting good grades and scoring well on your ACT or SAT but you really haven’t thought much about your college application holistically. Does HOSA look good? Does JROTC look good?

National Honor Society 91

National Honor Society Applications Honor Society Internship 91

Top Tier Admissions

JUNE 7, 2024

Most recently, Harvard & Cornell announced changes to their testing policy, requiring students to submit either an SAT or ACT score in future application cycles. This development is likely to drive even higher application numbers to test-blind California schools in the 2025-26 cycle, especially UCLA and UC Berkeley.

Standardized Testing 126

Standardized Testing Testing Ivy League Financial Aid 126

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 23, 2025

Well, lucky for you, this blog is here to break it down in a way thats easy to understand and helpful as you navigate the admissions process. This means that if youre applying for admission as a first-year or transfer student, you dont have to submit your SAT or ACT scores. Lets dive right in! The short answer is: its up to you.

Testing 52

Testing Early Decision SAT Letters of Recommendation 52

UGA Undergraduate Admissions Q & A

NOVEMBER 17, 2023

In-State Early Action decisions will be released at 4 pm EST today, so here are some details about the In-State EA applicant and admitted groups. Again, today’s decisions are only for In-State applicants (either a GA resident of a student studying in a GA High School). in comparison with the overall applicant pool.

In-State 135

In-State Financial Aid Out-of-State GPA 135

Expert Admissions

MARCH 20, 2023

And even where there isn’t such a preference, a strong test score can only help you by adding yet another compelling piece of data to your application. So, knowing that test scores can be important, how do you decide whether to take the SAT or the ACT? The digital SAT has only two sections: Reading and Writing (together) and Math.

ACT 76

ACT SAT Standardized Testing Test Prep 76