Admissions Mom

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

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?

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

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. Understanding Cornells shifting test policies is crucial for applicants.

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ACM College Consulting

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

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. While most colleges are test-free or test-optional, remember that more and more schools are shifting back to requiring testing.

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 20, 2025

Extracurriculars. Standardized test scores (optional). Show how youve made a difference at your current institution, whether through academic achievements, extracurricular leadership, or community involvement. They accept both, but standardized test scores are optional. Demonstrate leadership and impact.

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Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

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. They do, however, allow students to report AP and IB exams, and non-native English speakers are required to submit an English language proficiency test.

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Admissions Village

JUNE 19, 2024

Extracurricular Activities (EC’s): How a student spends their time outside of the classroom. High School Profile: A document supplied by high schools to colleges that summarizes the school’s grading system, course offerings, standardized test score ranges, and other important data. Only junior year scores are NMSQTs.

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Berkeley² Academy

MARCH 8, 2025

Changes to standardized testing requirements Some colleges that have maintained test-optional policies include Princeton, the University of Maryland, and Texas A&M. However, many of the most competitive schoolsincluding Caltech, Stanford, and Cornellhave reinstated testing requirements.

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AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

won’t require standardized test scores. The rise of the best test optional colleges is changing the game, giving students new ways to stand out in the admissions process. 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.

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 11, 2025

To boost your chances, focus on maintaining a strong GPA , engaging in extracurriculars, and showcasing what makes you unique. Keep up those grades, get involved in extracurriculars, and make your passion for what UC Davis offers stand out in your application. No need to worry about test scores and recommendation letters!

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Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Renewed Interest in Test Scores For the first time since 2021, more applicants submitted test scores than did not, despite widespread test-optional policies. This trend signals a growing perception of the value of standardized testing, as students aim to bolster their applications.

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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

DECEMBER 17, 2024

Part of this gap comes from the changing role of standardized tests, but it highlights a bigger issuethe growing divide between students who are actively preparing for college and those who are not. Outside of academics, your freshman year is the perfect time to explore extracurricular activities that match your interests.

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AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 17, 2024

Harvard looks at other factors like your course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. To truly stand out, youll need to focus on other elements of your application, like leadership, extracurriculars, and your essay. Strong extracurricular activities. Still, GPA isnt the only thing that matters.

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Great College Advice

JANUARY 28, 2025

Extracurricular Exploration : Try various activities to discover genuine interests. 10th Grade: Gaining Momentum Sophomore year is about refining academic and extracurricular focus while beginning standardized test preparation. Standardized Testing : Take the PSAT for practice.

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Peterson's Blog

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Poor Time Management and Organization Skills —Balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and personal life can be overwhelming. Preparing for Major Exams or Transitions —Standardized tests, college admissions, or transitioning to a new grade level can be stressful. Ask questions.

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Spark Admissions

MAY 2, 2023

Create a Study Schedule Staying on top of your schoolwork isn’t always easy; you have extracurricular activities, service commitments, family responsibilities, and more. Try not to let your schoolwork or extracurricular activities interrupt your sleep schedule. Rest will help you focus and keep you healthy for the long term.

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College Essay Guy

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

Earn strong standardized test 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 high standardized test scores ( SAT or ACT ).

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Princeton College Consulting

JANUARY 12, 2025

Many of us are familiar with the standard elements of a college applicationsuch as your academic background, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. While each university has its own assessment process, there are core criteria that every reader focuses on.

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The Koppelman Group

MARCH 17, 2025

This is done through more curriculum, extracurricular development, and creating summers where students can get more in-depth. Build Extracurriculars Identifying an academic passion is just the beginning what sets students apart is how they act on it. Theres no one formula for extracurricular development.

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Top Tier Admissions

MARCH 13, 2025

Small adjustments, like upping sports recruitment for football teams and prioritizing standardized test results (which tend to be slightly higher for men) can tip the scales towards increasing male enrollment. At Brown University, about 12,000 more women than men applied for admission in 2023, but 14 more men than women were admitted.

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 1, 2025

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. That means your essays need to be sharp, your recommendations glowing, and your extracurriculars meaningful. Dont panic.

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AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 6, 2024

Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) Standardized tests like the SAT and ACT have been a big part of college applications for decades. However, many schools have shifted to being test-optionalmeaning you dont have to submit your scores. Extracurricular activities Colleges love well-rounded applicants.

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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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HelloCollege

JANUARY 16, 2025

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, standardized test scores, or self-reported academic achievements.

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

The university isnt just looking for students with perfect grades and test scores, and it prioritizes well-rounded applicants with standout extracurriculars, leadership experience, and compelling personal stories. Strong extracurriculars, compelling essays, and a well-rounded application are a must.

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Great College Advice

JANUARY 14, 2025

10 th grade is an exciting time as you have hopefully found a nice rhythm between your academics, extracurriculars, and social life. Continue to refine your extracurriculars (ECs) and explore leadership roles Pursue those extracurricular interests that engage you and that give you a sense of accomplishment.

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HelloCollege

FEBRUARY 11, 2025

By breaking it down further, we can provide a more tailored approach to when test prep tutoring makes the most sense. Section 1: When to Start Thinking About the SAT and ACT It bares repeating: It’s never too early to start thinking about standardized testing, even if the test dates seem far off.

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AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Standout extracurricular achievements What you do outside the classroom matters just as much as your grades. Participation in extracurricular activities like science fairs, research internships, or STEM competitions. Standardized test scores. RSI looks for applicants who have actively pursued their passion for STEM.

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AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Out of those applicants, only around 1,512 students were admitted, which means the standards are seriously high.The sheer volume of applications contributes to how hard it is to get into Vanderbilt. They take a holistic approach, which means your essays, extracurriculars, and personality matter just as much as your GPA.

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The Koppelman Group

JANUARY 9, 2025

Keep Your Extracurriculars on Track In the same vein as above, you also need to develop a strong resume for when you ultimately apply. So, best to treat this like the standard transfer/Why essay. If youve done a lot of extracurricular work in this space, this is also a place to mention how youve built upon this work over time.

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Peterson's Blog

OCTOBER 23, 2024

Standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT, are used to determine academic readiness and skills for entering university. In this blog, we will cover the current data on scores year after year, factors associated with the changes, and how to best approach these standardized tests in light of recent data.

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The Koppelman Group

MARCH 15, 2025

The earlier students start exploring their passions; the more compelling their academic and extracurricular profiles will become down the line. Build Extracurriculars Once a student starts refining their academic interests, the next step is turning those passions into action.

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The Koppelman Group

MARCH 12, 2025

With private guidance, students can start shaping their academic and extracurricular profile as early as sophomore year, setting the stage for a stronger application. Build Extracurriculars Once students define their academic interests, the next step is turning that passion into action.

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The Koppelman Group

JANUARY 10, 2025

Grades are often the first big hurdle in the admissions process, and even the best extracurriculars or essays wont overshadow mediocre academic performance. Keep Your Extracurriculars on Track Building a strong resume is just as important as excelling academically when preparing to apply as a transfer student.

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AdmissionSight

MARCH 3, 2025

Youll need stellar grades, strong extracurriculars, and a standout personal statement to make an impression. You can make up for it with solid test scores, strong essays, or standout extracurriculars. Target test scores Even though NYU is test-optional, strong SAT or ACT scores can still give your application an extra edge.

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 14, 2025

Test score ranges (SAT scores of 790-800 in Math and 730-780 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing). Insights into how factors like GPA , essays, and extracurriculars are weighted. With no legacy, MITs admissions process takes a holistic approach and evaluates applicants beyond just their test scores and academic achievements.

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