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. EARLY COLLEGE APPLICATION TRENDS: CLASS OF 2029 Record-High Applicant Numbers Signal Increased Competition (Yet again!)

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Georgia Tech Admissions Blog

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

I gathered documents, tried, and failed to book an appointment, travelled to the DMV, drew a number, sat for three hours, turned in all my paperwork, took a mini drivers test and vision check, and finally posed for a new requisitely terrible picture. Admission professionals give countless presentations about the application process.

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Testing Admissions Standardized Testing Test Prep 84

Admissions Village

FEBRUARY 25, 2024

Test scores and test-optional admissions, which have been in the spotlight for several years now, are getting renewed attention as of late. Many colleges have still not decided if they will become permanently test-optional for admissions. I want to thank my colleague Meg Joyce for co-writing this blog post with me.

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ACM College Consulting

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

High school juniors are at a pivotal stage in the college application process. Prepare for Standardized Tests If you plan to take the SAT or ACT, start preparing now. Plan to take the test at least twice this spring and summer to meet fall deadlines. From test prep to application submission deadlines, include everything.

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Applications Financial Aid Letters of Recommendation Test Prep 72

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. This decision will be communicated to applicants by January 15.

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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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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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HelloCollege

APRIL 22, 2025

The SAT changed the format of the test in 2005, and again in 2016, and again in 2024. As COVID wreaked havoc on the world in 2021, the College Board moved its annual AP testing to the computer, and we quickly learned what it was to take tests online. Students reported that the following test was wildly easy.

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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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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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Great College Advice

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

Admissions officers mark each individual factor (grades, test scores, essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, etc.) The Importance of Your High School Transcript in College Admissions The number one most important element of your college application is your transcript. What About Standardized Test Scores?

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AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 19, 2024

What does Harvard look for in an applicant? Lets dive into the key aspects of building a successful Harvard application. Once you hit submit, youll gain access to Harvards application portal, where you can monitor your materials and even update your application if necessary. Essays This is your chance to stand out.

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Peterson's Blog

APRIL 1, 2025

When it comes to standardized test prep, where do you even start? Fret not; youve been testing your whole education. While a standardized test like the ACT is significant, the tools you need to demolish test-day stress are within reach with an ACT practice test online.

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Peterson's Blog

APRIL 8, 2025

Effective test prep is not merely about achieving a score; it’s crucial to developing the skills and confidence necessary for long-term college and career success. This blog will discuss how test prep can boost students’ college and career readiness and how it is, in essence, a relief valve.

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Excelsior Admissions Consulting

JANUARY 8, 2025

Standardized testing is becoming more important for students applying to selective colleges. Several colleges, including Brown, MIT, Stanford, Cornell (for students applying next year), and UT Austin are requiring standardized test scores from applicants. Read the release here. Read the article here.

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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. Admission Rate: The proportion of the pool of applicants that is admitted to the college.

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Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

According to Columbia, this move was prompted by a growing recognition of the flaws in standardized testing and the school’s desire to make the admissions process more equitable and accessible to a broader range of students. For decades, standardized tests have been central to the college admissions process.

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Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

According to Columbia, this move was prompted by a growing recognition of the flaws in standardized testing and the school’s desire to make the admissions process more equitable and accessible to a broader range of students. For decades, standardized tests have been central to the college admissions process.

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AdmissionSight

APRIL 3, 2025

Optimizing your SAT score is worth it since it plays a big role in your college application. In this blog, well talk about what a 960 SAT score really means, whether or not you should retake the test, and how you can move forward to reach your college goals. Test-blind schools dont consider SAT scores at alleven if you submit them.

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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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AdmissionSight

APRIL 1, 2025

But what does Cornell look for in an applicant, exactly? So, lets break down what Cornell looks for in an applicant. What Does Cornell Look for in an Applicant? How to Boost Your Chances of Getting into Cornell Cornell Application Deadlines Frequently Asked Questions Takeaways What Does Cornell Look for in an Applicant?

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AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Applying to college and going through the college application timeline is excruciatingly overwhelming, especially if you don’t have someone like a parent or older sibling who’s been through it to guide you. Curious if you’re keeping up with everything you need to do for college applications during senior year?

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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. STANFORD UNIVERSITY: SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY PROMPTS Required for all applicants: 50 words What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?

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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? What Will Students Learn?

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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. all else equal.”

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Peterson's Blog

JANUARY 7, 2025

Standardized test scores, like the SAT and ACT, determine academic readiness and skills for entering university. While it may be beneficial to take both tests, this blog will answer the question, “Do you need both ACT and SAT for college? While both are standardized tests, there are a few key differences between them.

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AdmissionSight

MARCH 19, 2025

Alongside the ACT , this test aims to give colleges a peek at how well you might handle their courses. ” Your SAT score matters because it plays a huge role in your college application. Even though youve outscored 12% of test takers, it likely wont be enough to open doors to numerous schools.

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 20, 2025

Out of tens of thousands of applicants each year, only about 3%4% make the cut. for the Class of 2027 , youll be competing against thousands of applicants with exceptional grades and impressive accomplishments. Many applicants wonder why the process is so tough, and the answer lies in how hard it is to get into Stanford.

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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. Work with one of our expert tutors this spring!

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Top Tier Admissions

MARCH 18, 2025

This occurred even though ACT subject tests remained relatively stagnant. 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. students had risen in every subject, and most notably, in math.

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College Transitions

JULY 10, 2024

Prior to the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, rarely did a single month pass without another well-known college or university making headlines by announcing that it would no longer require applicants to submit standardized test scores.

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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. Transfer students may still take advantage of a test-optional policy.

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 15, 2025

Holistic admissions policies are very common nowadays, with colleges considering different factors, such as essays, extracurriculars, and test scores. A lower GPA can negatively affect your college applications by signaling to admissions officers potential challenges with meeting the academic rigor of their institution.

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Ruffaloni

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

What interferes with students completing a college application? The college application process is a pivotal and often overwhelming experience for high school students. Recognizing the challenges that prospective students face, colleges have a unique opportunity to support and guide applicants through the application experience.

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AdmissionSight

MARCH 22, 2025

Getting into an Ivy League school is about setting yourself apart in a pool of equally accomplished applicants. What Application Essays Do Ivy League Schools Look For? Strong test scores, leadership, or unique achievements can still keep you competitive. So, what do Ivy Leagues look for? Harvard University 3 4.2 Context matters.

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Top Tier Admissions

APRIL 9, 2025

The ACTlike its counterpart, the SAThas long served as a key indicator of academic readiness for college-bound students, despite the growing number of test-optional policies. As we move into the 2025 testing season, a year already marked by significant shifts in higher education , the ACT itself is also undergoing notable changes.

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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. DUKE ACCEPTANCE RATE This year marked the universitys fifth test-optional admissions cycle. This program is almost certainly part of Dukes soaring ED application numbers.

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