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Starting with the Fall 2026 application cycle, undergraduate applicants will once again be required to submit standardizedtest scores (SAT or ACT) as part of their application. This marks a shift from the test-optional policy adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. ENROLL NOW What Does This Mean for College Admissions?
It seems simple on its face: to get into a good college, get good grades in highschool. If you know what kinds of schools you’re aiming for, you probably have an idea of what your GPA should be. Nine Tips for Getting Better Grades in HighSchool 1. But how exactly do you get where you need to be?
Admissions officers mark each individual factor (grades, test scores, essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, etc.) Certainly, it’s nice to be a great center fielder, to have led your Model UN team to a regional title, or to be the lead in your highschool musical.
Harvard has reinstituted its standardizedtest requirement beginning next fall. Studies suggest standardizedtests can help increase socioeconomic diversity. Add Harvard to the list of universities reinstating standardizedtest requirements.
Teenagers with dyslexia face unique challenges during the college application process on top of the usual stress of essays, deadlines, and standardizedtests, theyre also navigating reading and writing difficulties that can make the process feel overwhelming. Its the result of strategic, well-planned decisions made over time.
Highschool is the perfect time to start thinking about your future. For most students, taking highschool seriously is driven by the goal of getting into Ivy League schools or other top universities in the country. Freshman year When you start your freshman year, youre stepping into highschool with a clean slate.
The answer includes strong academics, compelling extracurriculars, and an authentic story that showcases your unique strengths. Letters of recommendation Harvard requires three letters: two from teachers and one from your school counselor. What does Harvard look for in an applicant?
Highschool counselors, no matter how dedicated, or how prestigious the school, often juggle large caseloads and dont have the time to offer individualized, long-term planning. This is done through more curriculum, extracurricular development, and creating summers where students can get more in-depth.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of key milestones and focus areas for each year of highschool, including senior year. 9th Grade: Building the Foundation Freshman year focuses on making a successful transition to highschool while laying groundwork for college preparation.
Highschool counselors even at elite private schools often manage large caseloads, meaning their real involvement doesnt start until senior year, when the focus is primarily on reviewing your essays and the logistics of sending transcripts and rec letters. Why Hire an Independent Counselor? Theyre not doing it alone.
No matter how dedicated highschool counselors are, they often manage large caseloads and typically dont get deeply involved until second semester junior year. With private guidance, students can start shaping their academic and extracurricular profile as early as sophomore year, setting the stage for a stronger application.
Even at top private schools, college counselors often manage large caseloads and cant provide individualized, long-term support. Their real involvement usually starts in senior year, focusing on essays and logistics rather than shaping a students academic and extracurricular profile early on. It takes smart planning.
It is becoming even more important for students to show a commitment to their academic interests as part of their extracurricular activities. Now is the time for students to consider both their extracurricular activities and their summer plans to use their time to pursue their interests. Read the release here. Read the article here.
Participating in dual enrollment in highschool can be a great way to make the most of your college experience. What Is Dual Enrollment in HighSchool? Dual enrollment, also know as concurrent enrollment, allows students to earn college credit while still in highschool.
Even at elite private schools, highschool counselors are often overloaded, working with dozens of students. Build Extracurriculars After a student has begun to define their academic interests, we help them build extracurriculars that showcase initiative and depth. Why Hire an Independent Counselor?
Admission Requirements : Colleges specify the minimum number of highschool courses in each academic discipline they want to see their applicants have taken. Advanced Placement (AP) : College level courses for highschools students offered by the College Board that have specific curricula in a large number of subjects.
THE RISE OF THE HIGHSCHOOL GPA Colleges can easily notice school-specific grade inflation by looking at the schools yearly college profile. Many schools provide the colleges with a breakdown of GPAs or a grade distribution chart, like the ones below. Colleges now expect high classroom performance.
Fun HighSchool Event Ideas for Lasting Memories What Is the Importance of Creating Memorable HighSchool Events in HighSchool? Highschool is a critical stage where students develop their identities, discover their passions, and build lifelong friendships.
Test scores Unlike the many colleges that have reinstated standardizedtesting requirements , the UC schools remain test-blind and will not consider SAT or ACT scores. Have you overcome significant challenges during highschool? Essay Guidance Get our expert guidance on your college essays.
Highschool juniors are at a pivotal stage in the college application process. Prepare for StandardizedTests 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. Focus on quality over quantity.
Every year, I receive tons of questions about how many extracurricular activities are necessary and whether a kids chances will be hurt because they havent performed at Carnegie Hall, been speaking Mandarin since they were five, or cured cancer. Its an important part of your application. They want to know that, too. The bad news?
I often hear stories about students who get A’s in highschool and are not admitted to the most selective colleges. highschools in the last few decades. of college freshman reported having a highschool GPA of A or A+. Also, students should consider their intended major when choosing highschool courses.
You’re not alone— around 40 to 60% of highschool students experience test anxiety, a type of stress that makes it tough to focus and perform well during exams. As a highschool student, you’re probably no stranger to big tests like AP exams, the PSAT, or the SAT and ACT.
Your academic history should reflect strong, consistent performance throughout highschool. Youll need two letters from teachers and one from your counselor, who will also send a school report. Extracurriculars. Standardizedtest scores (optional). They accept both, but standardizedtest scores are optional.
Today, well identify some of the most relevant trends for rising seniors and other highschool students. UT Austin continues to smash admissions records It was a huge year for UT Austin and other Texas schools. In the 2024-25 application cycle, 1.3 million students submitted more than 8.2
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 standardizedtest scores will once again be required. Understanding Cornells shifting test policies is crucial for applicants.
While UC Davis isnt the most competitive UC school UCLA (9%) and UC Berkeley (11%) hold that distinctionit still requires strong academic performance and a well-rounded application. To boost your chances, focus on maintaining a strong GPA , engaging in extracurriculars, and showcasing what makes you unique.
The junior year of highschool is the most important year in preparing for college admissions. Although there is no cookie-cutter approach, here are some suggestions to kickstart the college admissions process entering your junior year of highschool. Rather than quantity, focus on the quality of your extracurriculars.
Standardizedtest scores, like the SAT and ACT, determine academic readiness and skills for entering university. Scores grant entry to schools with specific requirements, award scholarships, and determine areas of strengths and weaknesses within a students academic career. What Are the ACT and SAT?
10 th grade is an exciting time as you have hopefully found a nice rhythm between your academics, extracurriculars, and social life. Plan to take as many rigorous classes as possible, including AP and honors courses, while striving to maintain that balance of a high GPA. Its not what you do: its how well you do it.
How many AP Courses should I take in highschool? While it varies by highschool, many highschools start their curriculum planning process for the following year as early as January or February. Your interests: If you are interested in a subject, you are more likely to enjoy the class and do well in it.
Harvard looks at other factors like your course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. To give you an idea, though, nearly 75% of admitted students graduated highschool with a 4.0 Admissions officers also consider how your GPA fits within the context of your school. On one hand, theres no cutoff.
Poor Time Management and Organization Skills —Balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and personal life can be overwhelming. Preparing for Major Exams or Transitions —Standardizedtests, college admissions, or transitioning to a new grade level can be stressful. Ask questions.
RSI is one of the most sought-after summer programs for highschool students. Every summer, 100 of the brightest highschool students worldwide come together at MIT for an unforgettable experience. Standout extracurricular achievements What you do outside the classroom matters just as much as your grades.
Earn strong standardizedtest scores ( minimum SAT scores of 500 verbal and 500 math, or ACT scores of 21 English, 19 Social Studies, 24 Mathematics, and 24 Science). Demonstrate leadership through work experience or extracurricular activities. You should also aim for highstandardizedtest scores ( SAT or ACT ).
A highschool diploma or equivalent Youll need to have a highschool diploma or a GED (General Educational Development Test) before you can apply. But some schools might have specific highschool course requirements. These can vary from school to school, so always double-check.
Very important They place the most importance on things like your talent/ability, character/personal qualities, standardizedtest scores, recommendations, and your application essay. Important Next up, extracurricular activities fall under the important category. Also, dont stress if you need to retake the test.
There are many moving parts to the college admissions process, yet most students and families don’t understand the integral role their highschool counselor plays. Highschool counselors can help students with the college admissions process in a number of ways.
Keep Your Extracurriculars on Track In the same vein as above, you also need to develop a strong resume for when you ultimately apply. Now, unlike highschool, the transfer Common App activities section (which they annoyingly call Experiences) is more about quality than quantity. You need to show them a clear narrative.
Across the country, a higher percentage of women who finish highschool are entering college than their male counterparts (65.3% C ollege Private Counseling Develop an organized and effective application strategy that leverages your academic and extracurricular experience to stand out. compared with 61.3,
Instead of requiring students to submit a full application with essays, activities list , recommendation letters , and other traditional elements, some colleges proactively offer admission to students based on information already available, like GPA, standardizedtest scores, or self-reported academic achievements.
According to Columbia, this move was prompted by a growing recognition of the flaws in standardizedtesting and the school’s desire to make the admissions process more equitable and accessible to a broader range of students. For decades, standardizedtests have been central to the college admissions process.
According to Columbia, this move was prompted by a growing recognition of the flaws in standardizedtesting and the school’s desire to make the admissions process more equitable and accessible to a broader range of students. For decades, standardizedtests have been central to the college admissions process.
At the same time, the admissions office has worked hard to keep standards sky-high. To have a real shot, your application needs to stand out in every waygrades, essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars. While schools like Harvard (3.6%), Yale (3.7%), and Columbia (3.85%) have slightly lower acceptance rates, UChicagos 4.5%
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