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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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 23, 2025

One of the big questions that might be swirling around in your head is: Is Duke test-optional? Dukes Test-Optional Policy Duke SAT Scores Duke ACT Scores Duke University Admission Requirements Frequently Asked Questions Takeaways Dukes Test-Optional Policy For the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, Duke University is test-optional.

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AdmissionSight

APRIL 3, 2025

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. Scoring 960 on the SAT places you around the 41st percentile , meaning you performed better than about a third of test-takers nationwide. How Good Is a 960 SAT Score?

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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 10, 2025

No extracurricular activity is “bad,” but some definitely catch the eye of college admissions teams more than others. Selective colleges take a holistic approach to admissions, meaning they look at the whole picture instead of just focusing on your grades and test scores. Here are other Tier 1 extracurriculars examples: 1.

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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. Even though youve outscored 12% of test takers, it likely wont be enough to open doors to numerous schools. While this score is on the lower end, there are still schools that consider a range of applicants beyond just test scores.

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AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 19, 2024

The answer includes strong academics, compelling extracurriculars, and an authentic story that showcases your unique strengths. Harvard takes a holistic approach to admissions, meaning they dont just focus on grades and test scores. What does Harvard look for in an applicant? Instead, they look at everything that makes you unique.

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AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

According to the College Board’s data , a 1300 SAT score is a solid achievement, placing you in the top 9% of test-takers nationally and 14% among active college applicants. Colleges also examine your GPA , extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. Should You Retake the SAT?

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Admissions Village

DECEMBER 1, 2022

The University of San Diego (who is test blind) has expanded tutoring services and invited all first-year students to campus a week early, at the college’s expense, for Science Lab boot camps because the students probably missed that in high school. Many other colleges might be thinking of returning to requiring test scores.

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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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Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Research Undergraduate Business Programs Researching strong undergraduate business programs and their admissions requirements can help you set academic and extracurricular goals for high school. Graduate School Testing Conquer the GRE, GMAT, and LSAT with our expert tutors and be prepared to excel.

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AdmissionSight

MARCH 4, 2025

The test is designed to challenge you, but reaching a top score is possible with the right approach. Well also break down key strategies for each test section so you can maximize your score. Lets say you got a 1400 on the SAT , congratsyoure in the 97th percentile, meaning you did better than 97% of test-takers.

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College Essay Guy

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

You already know that summer and extracurricular activities are a great way to explore your interests, challenge yourself, and maybe even strengthen your college application along the way. Download a Printable Version of the Values List CEGS Epic List of Summer and extracurricular Ideas Organized by Values Thats right.

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AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 4, 2024

A big reason for this surge is the rise of test-optional policies and increased global access to higher education. This means more competition for every spot and higher expectations for grades, test scores, essays, and extracurriculars. Meanwhile, the acceptance rate has decreased from 9.9% to just 5.4%. That’s a massive drop.

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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.

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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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Excelsior Admissions Consulting

JANUARY 8, 2025

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.

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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?

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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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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 1, 2025

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. Target test scores UChicago is test-optional , so you dont have to submit SAT or ACT scores.

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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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College Essay Guy

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Do you have to be a star athlete, or a straight-A student, or maybe the president of every extracurricular club? These scholarships typically require excellent grades, high test scores, and sometimes additional criteria like leadership, community service, or extracurricular involvement. How do you write a scholarship essay?

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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. Limited seats.

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Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

College admissions officers rely on student essays to understand applicants beyond their grades and test scores. C ollege Private Counseling Develop an organized and effective application strategy that leverages your academic and extracurricular experience to stand out. Try Application Boot Camp.

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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.

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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.

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Ivy Central

APRIL 6, 2023

The future of standardised tests. We have also seen an increase in colleges going Test Blind, most noticeably the University of California colleges, meaning that even if students do send a test score colleges won’t use it when making decisions on acceptance.

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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 these are all important components of an applicants profile, you might still wonder: What do admissions committees really look for when evaluating a candidate?

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Top Tier Admissions

JANUARY 7, 2025

TIMING IS EVERYTHING Just like theres a right and a wrong time to study for a big test (hint: NOT the night before!), Transferring to a different college might be the right decision, but we want to make sure you approach it with your eyes wide open. theres an optimum time to transfer.

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Grown & Flown

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

In the beginning, we trained ChatGPT by testing it on just a few schoolsthen, when she was closer to making a decision, we used it to compare her final options. Clubs & Activities : What extracurriculars are available? Honors College Housing : Is there dedicated honors housing? Is it required for first-year students?

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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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AdmissionSight

MARCH 22, 2025

According to their admissions policy , Duke will consider the highest scores on each section, regardless of the test date, and will create a new composite score by averaging those scores. Instead of stressing over one test, you can focus on improving individual sections over multiple attempts. The good news is, yes, they do!

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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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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. How did you spend your last two summers?

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AdmissionSight

MARCH 30, 2025

Very important They place the most importance on things like your talent/ability, character/personal qualities, standardized test scores, recommendations, and your application essay. Important Next up, extracurricular activities fall under the important category. To get there, take practice tests and focus on improving your weak areas.

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AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

million test-takers for the same cohort (ACT). Converting these scores allows colleges to compare students fairly, regardless of which test they take. accept both ACT and SAT scores, and some students even take both tests to maximize their options. Decide whether you should retake a test or switch to the other one.

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Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 18, 2025

Each year,colleges receive tens of thousands of applications, many from students with excellent grades and test scores. You can also use summer opportunities to prepare for extracurricular success. They can highlight your expertise.

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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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