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.

ACT 130

ACT SAT Testing Standardized Testing 130

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.

ACT 130

ACT SAT Testing Standardized Testing 130

Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

Transfer students may still take advantage of a test-optional policy. 3 words) What is your most meaningful extracurricular commitment, and what would you like us to know about it? 50 words) Required for transfer students: What is your most meaningful extracurricular commitment, and what would you like us to know about it?

Ivy League 96

Ivy League University University Transfer 96

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.

Applications 72

Applications Financial Aid Test Prep Letters of Recommendation 72

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.

Applications 104

Applications Early Decision Scholarships Financial Aid 104

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. Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.

University 91

University University Standardized Testing Letters of Recommendation 91

HelloCollege

FEBRUARY 11, 2025

Navigating the vast ocean of academic preparation, one question looms large on the horizon: “When is the best time to start test prep tutoring ?” From the strategic advantage of starting early to navigating the pressures of junior year and beyond, we’ll explore how timing influences test preparation efficacy.

Test Prep 40

Test Prep Testing Standardized Testing SAT 40

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. SRAR: Self reported academic record.

Admissions 246

Admissions Financial Aid Waitlist Standardized Testing 246

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 20, 2025

Even with high GPA and test scores, your chances may be slim if you dont excel in other areas they value. Extracurriculars. Standardized test scores (optional). Stanford SAT requirements Although Stanford is test-optional for the 20242025 cycle, submitting strong SAT scores can boost your application.

Admissions 98

Admissions Transfer Letters of Recommendation SAT 98

Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 20, 2024

However, according to Yale Daily News , early applications to some selective schools, like Yale, saw a slight dip in the first test-flexible admissions cycle. Renewed Interest in Test Scores For the first time since 2021, more applicants submitted test scores than did not, despite widespread test-optional policies.

Applications 91

Applications Ivy League Test Prep Early Admission 91

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.

ACT 59

ACT SAT Test Prep Standardized Testing 59

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.

Admissions 52

Admissions Standardized Testing Policies SAT 52

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?

Extracurricular 52

Extracurricular Test Prep Applications High School 52

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!

Acceptance 98

Acceptance Waitlist Admissions Transfer 98

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.

High School 52

High School PSAT Financial Aid Standardized Testing 52

Spark Admissions

MAY 2, 2023

These are lifelong skills that will serve you even when you’re no longer taking math tests and writing book reports. Yet, you would be surprised by how many high school students don’t do their homework, leaving assignments unfinished or waiting until right before the test to do them. To get better grades, do the homework assignments.

High School 246

High School Standardized Testing Extracurricular Testing 246

Peterson's Blog

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Whether you need SAT ACT tutoring, ISEE test tutoring, or an online math tutor, Peterson’s test prep connects you with an award-winning online tutor anytime, 24/7, for instant live tutoring. Test Anxiety and Poor Exam Performance —You may understand the material but struggle to perform under pressure during exams.

Test Prep 59

Test Prep Transition Standardized Testing Testing 59

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.

Acceptance 75

Acceptance Ivy League Admissions Waitlist 75

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. Consider your test scores.

GPA 52

GPA Letters of Recommendation Extracurricular Standardized Testing 52

Shemmassian Academic Consulting

JULY 9, 2023

This became especially true in 2020, given changes in test administration and colleges’ testing policies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two years later, colleges continue to update their testing requirements, with some extending their test-optional periods and others opting for permanent changes.

Testing 98

Testing Applications Admissions Standardized Testing 98

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.

High School 52

High School Admissions Financial Aid PSAT 52

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 ).

Letters of Recommendation 52

Letters of Recommendation Standardized Testing SAT ACT 52

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 6, 2024

The deadlines, the essays, the test scores, the recommendations. Before you start stressing over essays or test scores, lets get the basics straight. A high school diploma or equivalent Youll need to have a high school diploma or a GED (General Educational Development Test) before you can apply. But at the core of it all?

Letters of Recommendation 52

Letters of Recommendation Early Decision GPA Ivy League 52

ACM College Consulting

MAY 3, 2024

Last summer, more than 1900 colleges were test optional, test-free or test-blind. Many others have stated they will not go back to requiring test scores yet, if ever, but there is still the potential for more colleges to return to requiring test scores. So, should students still take a test?

SAT 76

SAT ACT Testing Standardized Testing 76

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

Applications have surged, especially since the university went test-optional during the pandemic. 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. 2027 33,707 11.4%

Acceptance 63

Acceptance Waitlist Admissions Ivy League 63

Solomon Admissions

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Did you know that there are over 1,830 colleges and universities that have switched to test-optional over the last few years? These universities recognize that standardized tests alone do not fully represent a student’s abilities, talents, and/or potential. So, what does the term ‘test-optional’ really mean for you as a student?

Testing 83

Testing Standardized Testing Test Prep Letters of Recommendation 83

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.

Admissions 52

Admissions PSAT College Fairs GPA 52

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.

Admissions 52

Admissions Standardized Testing Ivy League GPA 52

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.

Admissions 64

Admissions Ivy League Bachelor's Degree Financial Aid 64

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.

Ivy League 52

Ivy League Admissions GPA Early Decision 52

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. compared to 19.5

ACT 108

ACT SAT Test Prep Standardized Testing 108

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Competitive test scores include: PSAT Math : 740+ PSAT Reading and Writing : 700+ ACT Math : 33+ ACT Verbal : 34+ While theres no minimum grade requirement for RSI, we recommend near-perfect grades in STEM subjects to strengthen your application. Standardized test scores. Seniors or graduates are not eligible.

PSAT 52

PSAT Internship Extracurricular Ivy League 52

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.

Admissions 78

Admissions Letters of Recommendation Extracurricular Applications 78

AdmissionSight

MARCH 3, 2025

NYUs popularity has skyrocketed thanks to its strong reputation, better financial aid options , and test-optional policies. 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.

Acceptance 59

Acceptance Ivy League Waitlist Admissions 59

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

Standardized test scores. Unlike test-optional schools , Georgetown requires either the SAT or ACT. Extracurriculars. They care about the rigor of your school record, your GPA, and your test scores. Outside of academics, Georgetown values extracurricular activities , special talents, and personal qualities.

Admissions 52

Admissions GPA SAT ACT 52

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.

Admissions 52

Admissions Ivy League Waitlist GPA 52

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 21, 2025

As one of the top colleges without supplemental essays, they dont want you to spill your soul onto a piece of paper: they just want to see if youve got the grades or the test scores to back it up. No minimum test scores? Thats right: the entire CSU system has dropped standardized tests from their admissions process.

Standardized Testing 52

Standardized Testing Out-of-State GPA Transfer 52