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You know the drill—college admissions aren’t just about the grades and the test scores anymore. In fact, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), 44% of colleges consider extracurricular activities as a significant factor in their admissions decisions.
The University of Miami has announced a significant policy update for prospective students. Starting with the Fall 2026 application cycle, undergraduate applicants will once again be required to submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) as part of their application. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score.
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.
They stand at the epicenter of their very own universe. If I had a dollar for every time “It’s not all about YOU” was uttered in this house (by us parents), I’d have enough to visit the epicenter of the universe and fly first class. Do not test me. Narcissism works against them. They play their music.
Brown University , an Ivy League institution located in Providence, Rhode Island, is known for its commitment to a flexible and open curriculum. 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?
Cornell University is test-optional, but not for long. 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.
When it comes to your college applications, one big question is: how many extracurriculars should I have to stand out without overloading my plate? Think of extracurriculars like toppings on a pizza. Let’s break down how many extracurriculars you should really have, what counts, and how to make yours stand out. Don’t sweat it.
Not everyone feels confident when it comes to taking tests. You’re not alone— around 40 to 60% of high school students experience test anxiety, a type of stress that makes it tough to focus and perform well during exams. As a high school student, you’re probably no stranger to big tests like AP exams, the PSAT, or the SAT and ACT.
Stanford University , located in Palo Alto, California, is one of the most prestigious universities in the nation. 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. LEARN MORE APPLYING TO STANFORD UNIVERSITY?
Harvard University vs Harvard College: many people mistake these two as separate institutions. So is Harvard College the same as Harvard University ? In this article, well have an in-depth discussion of Harvard University and Harvard College, including their similarities and differences. What is Harvard University?
Admissions officers mark each individual factor (grades, test scores, essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, etc.) They will pay much less attention to your grades in your “extracurricular pursuits done while in school,” including music, theater, business, art, debate, and athletics.
So, youve been dreaming of attending Duke University , and now youre diving deep into what it takes to get in. One of the big questions that might be swirling around in your head is: Is Duke test-optional? Duke has made it clear that not submitting test scores will not put you at a disadvantage when they review your application.
In March 2023, Columbia University announced that it would permanently drop the SAT/ACT requirement for undergraduate admissions. The decision by Columbia to abandon the SAT/ACT requirement represents a significant milestone in the ongoing debate around standardized testing in higher education and in the overall future of college admissions.
In March 2023, Columbia University announced that it would permanently drop the SAT/ACT requirement for undergraduate admissions. The decision by Columbia to abandon the SAT/ACT requirement represents a significant milestone in the ongoing debate around standardized testing in higher education and in the overall future of college admissions.
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.
Are you planning to attend a public university with a strong program in your desired field, or are you aiming for merit-based scholarships to help with tuition? 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.
According to the Higher Education Research Institute’s Freshman Survey in 2020, 68.10% of first-year students at 4-year universities had an A or A- average in high school. So how are colleges supposed to make admissions decisions in the world of A averages, test-optional, or test-free admissions? Grade inflation is real.
The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has built a reputation as one of the toughest schools to get into. For the Class of 2028 , the university received a record-breaking 65,235 applications and accepted only 3,508 students. Here’s how it compares to other Ivies: Ivy League School Acceptance Rate (Class of 2028) Harvard University 3.6%
Here at Ivy Central, we get lots of questions about AP Tests, are they needed or useful in the US college application process, how many should you do, and are some subjects more valuable than others? This article will help you answer these and other questions about AP Tests. What are AP Tests?
Brown University, located in Providence, Rhode Island, is one of the eight Ivy League schools and the 7th oldest institution of higher education in the US. Brown is interesting because in 2023, they decided to form a committee to determine if they should make changes to Early Decision, testing policies, and legacy admissions.
Harvard has reinstituted its standardized test requirement beginning next fall. Studies suggest standardized tests can help increase socioeconomic diversity. Add Harvard to the list of universities reinstating standardized test requirements. Brown soon hopped aboard the testing bandwagon, offering the same rationale. [S]trong
Cornell is a famed Ivy League research university in Ithaca, New York. The university is large, with over 16,000 undergraduates, and it is divided up into 8 smaller colleges that each provide their own unique experience and community. This holds true at Cornell, where 14.7%
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. Government (ROTC) The U.S.
Getting into Northwestern University is no easy feat. Test-optional policies introduced during the pandemic broadened the applicant pool, encouraging students who might not have applied otherwise. Yale University 3.7% Columbia University 3.9% Princeton University 4.6% Brown University 5.2% Extracurriculars.
So, youve got your eyes on Rice University, and youre wondering how to get into Rice. News & World Report, Rice University is a prestigious institution thats a dream school for many. Spoiler alert: its about more than just test scores and grades. How Hard Is It to Get into Rice University? Extracurricular activities.
Rice University is tough to get into. For the Class of 2028, Rice Universitys acceptance rate clocked in at 7.5%. Keep in mind, though, that Rice Universitys acceptance rate changes each year depending on the applicant pool and other factors. What Is Rice Universitys Acceptance Rate? Yale University 3.7%
For others, the next big application deadline comes on December 2nd , when all applications to the University of California are due. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA: ACCEPTANCE RATES The University of California—with nine undergraduate campuses—is among the most popular options for college applicants.
The University of Chicago (UChicago) is one of the most prestigious and competitive schools in the U.S. , How does it stack up against other top universities? is exceptional, showing how strongly it appeals to students who likely had offers from other elite universities. Yale University 3.7% Brown University 5.2%
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) is known for its academic excellence and vibrant campus life. The university recognizes the importance of cultivating well-rounded individuals. The institution offers a vibrant array of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations that cater to diverse interests.
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. Choose the University of Georgia if you want a large, spirited campus with strong in-state connections, a big football culture, and a prestigious honors college.
Out of those, the university admitted 41,618 students, which gives an overall acceptance rate of 42.1%. To boost your chances, focus on maintaining a strong GPA , engaging in extracurriculars, and showcasing what makes you unique. No need to worry about test scores and recommendation letters! Lets dive right into the numbers.
So, youre thinking about applying to the University of Michigan? The University of Michigan offers a wide range of academic programs, a dynamic campus, and countless opportunities for hands-on experiences. For the Class of 2028, the University of Michigan had an acceptance rate of just 15.6%. Fantastic choice! Lets get started!
The University of Texas Austin (UT) is a large, public research university in Austin, Texas. Its an extremely highly ranked public university with top-notch programs in everything from business to STEM to the humanities. Feel free to also mention extracurriculars, labs, study abroads, etc., What was the inception point?
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.
Insights from the Common App report , along with trends highlighted in recent articles from elite universities, provide a comprehensive picture of what students and families can expect this year. This trend signals a growing perception of the value of standardized testing, as students aim to bolster their applications.
With its overall admission rate still hovering near 3%, Harvard University is one of the most selective universities in the United State and in the world. A strong test score can fortify an applicant’s other academic and intellectual strengths in the admissions process.
It’s easy to fall in love with Yale University. Raise your test scores? Do more extracurriculars? Below, we’ve condensed everything we know about the Yale University admissions process. Once you know what Yale University is looking for, you can better tailor your application to meet their expectations.
With its reputation as one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Stanfords admissions process is notoriously competitive. The short answer is: its one of the hardest universities to get into. Even with high GPA and test scores, your chances may be slim if you dont excel in other areas they value. Extracurriculars.
As application and enrollment numbers continue to rise for the nine schools within the University of Texas system, big changes are coming this way for students preparing to apply to UT Austin during the next admissions cycle (2025-2026). We also offer tutoring services, as well as test preparation.
The University of Chicago is a top-tier American university on par with the vaunted Ivy League and other exceptional schools, like Stanford. We routinely help international students pull off an acceptance by the University of Chicago. Applying to a top-tier American university as an international student requires strategy.
Dreaming of becoming a Boston University Terrier ? The university is known for its strong programs in business, communication, and STEM. With its prime location in the heart of Boston , Boston University offers a variety of opportunities that make it an exciting place to study. How Hard Is It to Get into Boston University?
As the last few college offers trickle in it’s time to take a step back and consider what we can glean from the wins and rejections our students have received in the 2022/23 application cycle and the messages being received from different quarters of the college application universe. The future of standardised tests.
If you’re considering applying to Tulane University , one of the first things you might wonder is how it ranks compared to other schools. Rankings can give you an idea of a universitys academic reputation, research strength, and overall value, but they dont tell the whole story. Tulane ranks in the 401-500 range worldwide.
Founded back in 1839, Boston University (BU) has evolved into a dynamic hub of learning, research, and cultural diversity. Overview : Boston University, or BU as it is more commonly referred to, is one of the larger private research universities in the United States.
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