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

AdmissionSight

JUNE 11, 2025

Is Princeton test-optional? Test scores won’t hurt your chances if you don’t submit them. This guide explains Princeton’s testing policy, what you need to know about submitting scores, and tips to help you decide if sending your results will strengthen your application. Is Princeton Test-Optional in 2025?

Testing

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.

Acceptance

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

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.

Applications

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.

Acceptance

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

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.

ACT

Emerging College Consulting

JUNE 6, 2025

Transparency About What Colleges Really Value The CDS tells you exactly what each school considers important in admissions —from GPA and test scores to extracurriculars and interviews. The CDS gives you hard numbers: how many students were accepted, how many submitted test scores, and what those scores looked like.

GPA

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 17, 2024

This could be because they didn’t turn in enough work, performed poorly on tests, or just didn’t show enough effort to grasp the material. You might’ve seen it pop up on a test or assignment and thought, “Is this good? F (Below 60%) = Failing An F grade means the student has failed to meet the minimum requirements for the course.

GPA

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.

Testing

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

They take a holistic approach, which means your essays, extracurriculars, and personality matter just as much as your GPA. For students, this means that just having great grades and test scores isn’t always enough. Keep your grades up while being involved in meaningful extracurriculars. What Are Vanderbilt’s GPA Requirements?

Ivy League

Admissions.Blog

JUNE 17, 2025

This means it’s an important time for members of the high school Class of 2026 – especially those who want to run the gauntlet this admissions cycle – to be aware of the the five colleges with the most grueling standardized test requirements for first-year admission. Why Grueling: MIT’s 4.1%

Standardized Testing

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

Shemmassian Academic Consulting

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Then, we’ll present options for extracurriculars that you can pursue as a means of rounding out your resume and medical school applications. Click below for instant access to our proprietary MCAT Question Bank including 3000+ sample questions and eight practice tests covering every MCAT category. Looking for MCAT practice questions?

Semester

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

The College Pod

MARCH 21, 2025

It has tons of facts about who gets in, how many students apply, what test scores they had , and how much financial aid was given. It lists things like: GPA Class rank Test scores Extracurricular activities Essays Recommendations Next to each one, the college says whether it’s Very Important , Important , Considered , or Not Considered.

Financial Aid

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 1, 2024

Unlike universities, community colleges often have looser admission requirements, making it easier for students who might not meet strict GPA or testing criteria to still pursue their educational goals. Instead, you’ll take a simple assessment test after admission to determine which courses are the best fit for your skill level.

Community College

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

Simply Admissions

JULY 23, 2025

In holistic admissions, colleges aren’t simply crunching numbers on your transcript or scanning your extracurriculars for that silver bullet. Your job is not just to shine in a few key areas (like your GPA or test scores), but to instill a sense of alignment across your application that brings your full self into focus.

GPA

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

What summer programs or extracurriculars should I take? The PSAT, or Preliminary SAT, is a standardized test that gives you a sneak peek at what the SAT will be like. A great way to begin is by taking a full-length practice test for both. Starting early gives you time to study and feel confident when test day rolls around!

Financial Aid

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. Most successful applicants rank in the top 1% of their class.

PSAT

AdmissionSight

APRIL 26, 2025

In this blog, well talk about what a 910 SAT score really means, whether or not you should retake the test, and how you can move forward to reach your college goals. Scoring 910 on the SAT places you around the 33rd percentile , meaning you performed better than about a third of test-takers nationwide. How Good Is a 910 SAT Score?

SAT

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 17, 2024

The admissions committee’s job goes beyond just evaluating GPAs and test scores. They want to understand you beyond your academic record, examining everything from your extracurricular activities to your personal essay to assess how you could contribute to the university’s community.

Ivy League

AdmissionSight

JUNE 7, 2025

The pool of applicants has exploded, especially during the pandemic when Harvard went test-optional. They’re still focused on finding those well-rounded applicants—not just the ones with perfect grades and test scores, but those with standout extracurriculars, leadership, and unique stories. 2027 56,937 3.4% 2026 61,220 3.2%

Acceptance

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.

Admissions

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.

SAT

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 3, 2024

Policies like test-optional admissions during the pandemic made it easier for more students to apply, but the competition is fierce with so few spots available. The rise in international interest and the university’s tough academic requirements, including subject-specific tests and interviews, keep it selective. Extracurriculars.

Financial Aid

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 28, 2024

College life extends far beyond lectures, tests, and study groups. According to a National Association of Colleges and Employers survey, 81% of employers look for leadership skills and extracurricular involvement on student resumes. This highlights just how valuable it is to engage in activities that go beyond academic achievement.

Ivy League

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.

SAT

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 1, 2024

These stats paint a clear picture—getting into Yale means going head-to-head with some of the brightest students around, armed with stellar grades and resumes full of standout extracurriculars. If you’ve got strong grades and standout extracurriculars, Early Action could be your best shot. 2027 52,303 4.5% 2026 50,060 4.6%

Acceptance

AdmissionSight

JANUARY 10, 2025

weighted) high school GPA and a minimum test score of 880 SAT or 17 ACT is eligible for consideration. And for those who break into a cold sweat at the mention of standardized tests, good news: GMU is test-optional , so your SAT or ACT scores arent a dealbreaker. Theyre looking for students with drive, not perfection.

Financial Aid

AdmissionSight

JUNE 7, 2025

Well, there are a few reasons for this trend: Princeton went test-optional during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whichever route you choose, you’ll need to submit your academic records, essays, recommendation letters, and your extracurriculars. To get there, take plenty of practice tests and zero in on your weak spots. above this range.

Acceptance

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

Shemmassian Academic Consulting

DECEMBER 11, 2024

For regular decision, the last test date for acceptance falls mid-September. However, youll need to practice persistance and cultivate discipline to achieve the scores necessary for a medical school in Kansas and create a solid plan of action to balance these efforts with your extracurriculars.

GPA

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. 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. Feel free to also mention extracurriculars, labs, study abroads, etc.,

Transfer

HelloCollege

OCTOBER 31, 2024

From academic performance to extracurricular involvement, each factors plays a vital role in shaping the perception of who you are as a prospective student. Standardized Test Scores While some colleges have adopted test-optional policies, standardized test scores, like the SAT and ACT , can still be a significant part of your application.

Admissions