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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CTK College Coach

OCTOBER 8, 2023

The first step is to take a diagnostic, working with a tutor or test prep company to take sections of both tests. You can also simply take a practice test of each and compare results. This can be especially advantageous for students who will have very heavy course loads or extracurricular commitments in junior year.

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Peterson's Blog

OCTOBER 23, 2024

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. Showcase other strengths in AP tests, through extracurriculars, college essays, and GPA. compared to 19.5

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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. Test Preparation : Take SAT/ACT in your fall or spring semester.

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University Gurus

MARCH 23, 2024

For some, college prep is a single class. For others, it might fall somewhere in between, including some test prep services and making sure you pick the right high school classes. At Kate Stone College Consulting, we take a holistic approach to college prep. ” Everyone can and will improve with help and practice!

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Marks Education

APRIL 16, 2025

A typical international college counseling session begins with a conversation about your academic history, extracurricular activities, interests, and any specific questions you may have about the application process. colleges and universities sometimes have standardized testing requirements or optional test policies.

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AdmissionSight

MARCH 30, 2025

Important Next up, extracurricular activities fall under the important category. If youre struggling, consider enrolling in a test prep course or hiring a private tutor. Also, dont stress if you need to retake the test. Brown superscores , so theyll use your best section scores across multiple test sittings.

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AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

But don’t worry—your application is about so much more than test scores. Like the best test optional colleges, UPenn values a dynamic process that considers your full potential, including academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities as shown in your personal statements.

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The Koppelman Group

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

And look, you’re also probably interested in the top programs out there, like Stanford, Berkeley, Michigan, Duke, and Georgia Tech, which means you’ll need not just amazing grades and scores, but a slate of impressive extracurriculars that show your dedication to engineering.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 14, 2025

We support our students in pursuing intensive preparation so that they feel empowered entering a testing site and ready to succeed. Being a legacy is not an excuse for a lack of test prep leading to a weaker score than one could have achieved otherwise. All legacy applicants should follow this same model.

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ACM College Consulting

APRIL 23, 2024

Here's a comprehensive guide to navigating summer college planning for rising seniors: Reflect and Set Goals : Take the time to reflect on your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal interests. Utilize the summer months to review test materials, enroll in test prep courses, or schedule exam dates.

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Spark Admissions

JUNE 20, 2023

Even college counselors at private schools really only help rising seniors, and they don’t make recommendations about extracurriculars, summer activities, or strategy. Are they spending their extracurricular time wisely? How is test prep going (or has it even started)? Are they taking the right classes?

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Top Tier Admissions

OCTOBER 22, 2024

C ollege Private Counseling Develop an organized and effective application strategy that leverages your academic and extracurricular experience to stand out. Contact us today and learn how we can help you put your best foot forward to optimize success through private counseling , test prep , or essay guidance.

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Top Tier Admissions

OCTOBER 4, 2024

Many students who’ve just barely survived the wringer of junior year— with AP courses, standardized test prep, and campus visits ramping up college admissions pressure—are already feeling weary. Admissions readers will put more emphasis on your academic record, Common App personal statement, and extracurricular profile.

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Strategic College Consulting

APRIL 16, 2020

Traditionally, admission criteria have centered on elements such as grades, strength of curriculum, standardized test scores, essays, and extracurricular activities, among others. For example, the University of California has announced that it will not require ACT or SAT test scores for students applying for fall 2021 admission.

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 3, 2025

Extracurricular activities. Standardized test scores (optional). Rice University has a test-optional policy, but if you do submit, aim for competitive scores. GPA, class rank, and rigorous coursework are top priorities, along with standout essays, recommendations, and test scores (if submitted). More on those later.

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Admissions Mom

JANUARY 30, 2024

❓I receive tons of questions about how many extracurriculars are necessary and whether a kid’s chances will be hurt because they haven’t performed at Carnegie Hall, been speaking Mandarin since they were five, or cured cancer. But, then, that also adds to the pressure to have the most impressive, superhuman extracurriculars possible.

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Marks Education

DECEMBER 13, 2022

Once juniors have decided on the ACT or the SAT, Marks Education can help develop a testing schedule to plan their prep accordingly. When choosing a test date, we consider factors including sports, drama, or other major extracurricular and academic commitments, such as AP exams in May or final exams.

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ACM College Consulting

JULY 3, 2024

I recently had a great discussion about the current state of college admission with test prep expert Laura Heslin Whitmore of Strategic Test Prep. Check out the video for top college application tips for 2024 related to: Score choice vs sending all scores Should you go test-optional?

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Top Tier Admissions

AUGUST 9, 2023

We love working with our students to design systems that fit the way they think and work best, and having this in place as early as possible allows our students to thrive as they take on more responsibilities, complex coursework, and extracurricular activities. We consider and prioritize the many responsibilities of the student (e.g.,

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Solomon Admissions

DECEMBER 8, 2023

These universities recognize that standardized tests alone do not fully represent a student’s abilities, talents, and/or potential. Also, test-optional policies are a way to help students who lack access or affordability to test prep courses and tutors. Check the institution’s middle 50% standardized test scores.

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Solomon Admissions

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

Obtaining a high score on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT also contributes to positive admissions decisions. Taking , test prep courses will help enhance your test scores. Maintaining a high grade point average (GPA), while taking Honors and AP classes will help increase your chances for admission to college.

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Admissions Mom

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

❓“How good are my extracurriculars?” Then I receive tons more about how many extracurriculars are necessary and whether a kid’s chances will be hurt because they haven’t performed at Carnegie Hall, been speaking Mandarin since they were five years old, or cured cancer. It’s one of the most common questions we get here on A2C.

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Marks Education

APRIL 2, 2025

You might be tackling APs, challenging math classes, or reading-heavy courses – all while trying to balance extracurriculars, apply to college, and manage familial or social obligations. Next, you should list any extracurricular activities, sports, clubs, volunteer opportunities, music practice, regularly scheduled events, etc.

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SSA Online College Prep

APRIL 13, 2023

What can I do to improve my standardized test scores in the summer? Standardized test prep classes take dedication, which many students can’t spare during the school year, with the multiple distractions of schoolwork and extracurriculars. The summer is the best time to study, because you have uninterrupted time.

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Shemmassian Academic Consulting

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024

Part 3: What test scores are required for the Ivy League? Part 4: What extracurricular activities are needed for Ivy Leagues? Will I have to sacrifice a meaningful extracurricular activity to take this class? Students must distinguish themselves by the depth of their extracurricular activities.

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BestColleges

MARCH 20, 2024

Plus, find advice from a test prep expert on strategies to improve your score. According to Ben Paris , former Kaplan curriculum director and test prep expert with over 25 years of experience, there are two important ways that an SAT or ACT score can be bad. Table of Contents What Is a Bad SAT Score Overall?

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BestColleges

APRIL 15, 2024

Critics correctly note that standardized tests are not an unbiased measure of students' qualifications, as students from higher-income families often have greater access to test prep and other resources, Raj Chetty, a Harvard professor and director of Opportunity Insights, told the Gazette.

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 26, 2025

To maximize your chances, focus on showcasing your achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal experiences that make you a great fit for the university. The university takes a holistic approach, considering extracurricular activities, essays, and personal qualities. NYU does not favor one test over the other.

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Shemmassian Academic Consulting

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023

To find their ideal students, the BU admissions committee closely evaluates applicants’ academics, test scores, and extracurriculars. Surely, you don’t want them to be overwhelmed and earn poor grades or be forced to drop their meaningful extracurricular activities. Suggested reading: What is a Good SAT Score?

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Great College Advice

JANUARY 8, 2024

Extracurricular activities Colleges will be looking at the extracurricular activities you participated in throughout high school, not just junior or senior year. Rather than a variety of extracurriculars that you attended for an hour a month, colleges are looking for longstanding commitment to a more narrow band of activities.

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Bright Futures Blog

NOVEMBER 30, 2021

Sign Up For Test Prep. While it is true that not all colleges require ACT or SAT test scores anymore, do yourself a favor and take them anyways. Furthermore, if you decide not to submit these test scores, you’ll need to put extra effort into other areas of your applications. . Sign Up For An Extracurricular Activity.

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Strategic College Consulting

OCTOBER 7, 2024

Prepare for Standardized Tests : Start early with test prep for the SAT or ACT, and AP exams. Look for extracurricular activities both at your school and in the community. Your goal is to go through a discovery process and learn those things that you find exciting and meaningful.

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Educated Quest

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

It is also a good idea to take advantage of opportunities to write and deliver presentations in extracurricular activities. Listen to my latest interview on ‘Tests and the Rest’ with Amy Seeley and Mike Bergin now! hosted by test-prep experts Amy Seeley and Mike Bergin on Tests And The Rest!

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Shemmassian Academic Consulting

DECEMBER 10, 2024

To that end, youll want to be sure youre prioritizing your academics and test prep strategies if youre hoping to get in. Your extracurriculars, clinical experiences, essays, and interviews will also factor heavily into the adcoms decision about whether you deserve a spot at DMU COM.

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Great College Advice

AUGUST 20, 2024

Continue your extracurricular interests Colleges are interested in students who are engaged and active in extracurricular activities. Rather than quantity, focus on the quality of your extracurriculars. In terms of which test to take, you may want to take a practice exam for each.

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Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 15, 2022

Many private high schools now offer a test-optional application process, but we still suggest taking the recommended standardized tests if you have access to a testing site and test prep resources. A list of extracurricular activities. THE INTERVIEW. Graded writing samples.

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