JON BOECKENSTEDT'S ADMISSIONS WEBLOG

APRIL 1, 2025

April 1, 2025 In the years post-pandemic, several of the Ivy League institutions (along with their shadowed, loosely defined cousins, the “Ivy Plus” universities) have re-instituted their policy of requiring the SAT for admission.

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Ivy League SAT Policies Admissions 54

Peterson's Blog

OCTOBER 23, 2024

ACT and SAT scores decline across the U.S. Standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT, are used to determine academic readiness and skills for entering university. This month, Peterson’s will be offering an ACT and SAT special , six months of test prep for $135—99 dollars off, so that students can walk into their test confidently.

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ACT SAT Test Prep Standardized Testing 108

Ivy Central

MARCH 13, 2023

Recently, Columbia University was the first Ivy League to no longer require SAT/ACT testing as of 2023-24 and will be test-optional permanently. Many Universities & Colleges across the US are continuing with their test-optional policy in 2023-24, with only a handful confirming that they will resume testing policies for 2023-24.

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Testing Ivy League Placement SAT 243

Spark Admissions

JUNE 9, 2023

Is the new digital SAT good? Is the new digital SAT bad? As you may know, the SAT is in the process of transitioning to a new version of the test. The process has already begun internationally, and in Spring 2024, high school students in the United States will only have the option to take the new digital SAT.

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SAT Standardized Testing Accommodations ACT 130

Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

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.

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ACT SAT Testing Standardized Testing 130

Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

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.

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ACT SAT Testing Standardized Testing 130

Top Tier Admissions

MAY 20, 2024

While many universities have announced post-pandemic admissions policies that re-instate mandatory standardized test scores, there is still no consensus. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score. Test-optional? Test-flexible? Test-blind? Test-neutral? Test-recommended? Test-aware?

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Standardized Testing Policies Testing Test Prep 80

Grown & Flown

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

Before we even opened the computer, my daughter and I sat down and discussed her top priorities. Academic Profile : What are the average GPA and ACT/SAT scores for admitted students? Housing Policies : Is freshman housing required? Are there any trends in enrollment to be aware of?

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Financial Aid Out-of-State Campus Tours Study Abroad 149

Top Tier Admissions

JANUARY 21, 2025

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.

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Standardized Testing Testing University University 85

Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 23, 2024

The Chronicle of Higher Education recently highlighted the universitys automatic-admit policy, viewed as an affirmative action alternative but also a major factor in UT Austins increasing selectivity. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score.

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Waitlist Standardized Testing Out-of-State Higher Education 97

Top Tier Admissions

JULY 22, 2024

As the school year approaches, it’s time to finalize your standardized test prep plan and mark your calendar with upcoming SAT and ACT test dates. Here’s a tip: Take both SAT and ACT practice tests under simulated conditions, score them, and then use our SAT to ACT converter to determine your stronger test! We can still help.

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ACT SAT Test Prep Standardized Testing 101

College Transitions

MARCH 18, 2025

In the past, prospective college applicants had just two choices regarding standardized testingtaking the SAT or sitting for the ACT. However, since COVID-19, test-optional has become a stronger-than-ever third consideration as such policies have spread rapidly.) Rather, highly selective colleges are […]

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ACT SAT Policies Testing 86

Admissions Village

JUNE 19, 2024

Test Blind : A college admissions policy where standardized test scores (like the SAT or ACT) are not considered at all, even if a student submits them. Test Flexible: Some colleges allow students to submit scores from tests like the AP or IB program scores, instead of ACT or SAT scores, to satisfy their testing requirement.

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Admissions Financial Aid Waitlist Standardized Testing 246

Spark Admissions

JANUARY 28, 2022

The past few years have seen an unprecedented number of American colleges and universities suspend or even completely drop their requirement that applicants submit standardized test scores from the SAT or ACT. Recently, in response, the College Board has announced major changes to the SAT. Now, they’ve planned a new change.

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SAT Admissions Standardized Testing Accommodations 130

AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

As a high school student, you’re probably no stranger to big tests like AP exams, the PSAT, or the SAT and ACT. Here’s some good news: more colleges than ever are making the SAT and ACT optional. If you have test anxiety, decided to skip the SAT or ACT, or didn’t quite hit the scores you hoped for, you’re not out of luck.

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Testing Standardized Testing SAT Policies 52

Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

Applicants to the Class of 2029 will need to submit an SAT or ACT score although there are some exceptions for those unable to take these exams. Transfer students may still take advantage of a test-optional policy. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score.

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Ivy League University University Transfer 96

BestColleges

MARCH 8, 2024

Starting in fall 2024, Brown University will require students to submit SAT or ACT scores. The university's announcement also includes news on its Early Decision and legacy admissions policies, both of which they'll maintain, at least for now. Brown admits that legacy admissions hampers efforts to promote student diversity.

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ACT SAT Ivy League Early Decision 98

Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

These were the first applicants to apply under Yales new test-flexible policy which requires at least one ACT, SAT, AP, or IB set of test scores. The Class of 2029 saw a 14% decrease in early applications, likely due to the implementation of the new testing policy. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score.

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Acceptance Ivy League Standardized Testing SAT 81

BestColleges

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Dartmouth researchers found SAT and ACT scores can help identify high-achieving, under-resourced students since the college looks at scores in context to where a student is from. Researchers considered applicants' SAT/ACT scores, high school GPAs, other admissions indicators, and demographics data from 2017-2022. Students from a U.S.

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SAT ACT Ivy League Standardized Testing 98

AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

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. Understanding Cornells shifting test policies is crucial for applicants.

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Testing Standardized Testing GPA SAT 52

BestColleges

MARCH 20, 2024

Data Summary Check The median total SAT score is 1030. Note Reference [1] Check Among popular colleges, New York University had the highest SAT scores in the 25th percentile, with enrollees in the bottom quartile scoring 1470. Table of Contents What Is a Bad SAT Score Overall? What's a Bad SAT Score for Local State Schools?

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SAT Standardized Testing Ivy League Test Prep 94

Admissions.Blog

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

Dartmouth College Dartmouth College has announced that it will yet again require high school students to share either an SAT or ACT score as part of their application for admission. The change takes effect for students applying for Fall 2025 admission (those students who will begin their applications in Summer or Fall 2024).

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ACT SAT Applications Financial Aid 105

Admissions Village

APRIL 25, 2023

Part 3: This Process Is Opaque In the first part of this series, we discussed the role that the rise of test-optional (it is now optional to submit standardized test scores, SAT or ACT, at most colleges) has played in opening up the applicant pool to highly selective colleges. What can we say about test-optional admissions policies today?

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Waitlist Transfer Out-of-State SAT 220

ACM College Consulting

MAY 3, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of college admissions, one question continues to perplex students, parents AND counselors: Should students take the SAT? Students should research the admissions policies and data of the schools on their list. Last summer, more than 1900 colleges were test optional, test-free or test-blind.

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SAT ACT Testing Standardized Testing 76

Solomon Admissions

MAY 4, 2023

Understanding the Pros and Cons For decades, the SAT and ACT have been a staple in the college admissions process. Here's what you need to know: Pros of the SAT and ACT: Standardized Comparison: The SAT and ACT provide a standardized comparison of students across the country. It depends on who you ask.

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ACT SAT Admissions Financial Aid 84

Georgia Tech Admissions Blog

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

I gathered documents, tried, and failed to book an appointment, travelled to the DMV, drew a number, sat for three hours, turned in all my paperwork, took a mini drivers test and vision check, and finally posed for a new requisitely terrible picture. It was a ton of prep work and a huge investment of time and emotional energy.

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Testing Admissions Standardized Testing Test Prep 84

Berkeley² Academy

MARCH 8, 2025

As a result of this increasing demand, UT Austin announced it would be lowering its auto admission threshold to the top 5% and other admissions data supports this increase in competitivenessthe middle 50% of SAT and ACT scores for admitted UT Austin students drastically increased, jumping from 1230-1500 to 1310-1520.

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Admissions Standardized Testing Policies SAT 52

Spark Admissions

JANUARY 28, 2022

Then, as the pandemic continued, many colleges extended their policies for another year or longer. Meanwhile, a few other Ivy League schools (including Cornell University and Stanford University) had already extended their test-optional policies through 2023. What Prompted this Change? Final Thoughts.

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Ivy League Testing Admissions SAT 130

Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

In a major policy change, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has announced that it will reinstate its standardized testing requirement for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. Meanwhile, Carleton College has chosen to permanently adopt a test-optional policy following a five-year pilot program.

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Testing Standardized Testing Admissions Policies 59

Top Tier Admissions

JUNE 7, 2024

Most recently, Harvard & Cornell announced changes to their testing policy, requiring students to submit either an SAT or ACT score in future application cycles. Looking ahead, we suspect more colleges will revert to requiring SAT scores for all students.

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Standardized Testing Testing Ivy League Financial Aid 126

Expert Admissions

MARCH 20, 2023

With so many colleges extending test-optional policies put in place during the pandemic, you may be wondering how much effort you should put into standardized testing. So, knowing that test scores can be important, how do you decide whether to take the SAT or the ACT? Content The SAT has changed its content over the years.

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ACT SAT Standardized Testing Test Prep 76

College Essay Guy

DECEMBER 20, 2024

GPA and test scores Most merit-based scholarships require top-notch academic records, so if youre applying for one, aim for a high GPA and strong test scores on the ACT or SAT. Check out these resources: What Are the Easiest Ways to Raise My SAT Score? Heres what you need to know to give yourself the best shot. Eligibility: Be a U.S.

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Scholarships Letters of Recommendation Tuition GPA 98

Admissions Village

FEBRUARY 25, 2024

This week, Yale announced that they will require testing but that they are flexible on which type of testing, SAT, ACT, AP, or IB exam score. Yale has said if you want to submit AP scores in lieu of SAT or ACT scores they would like to see all of them. Perhaps not surprisingly, demand for SAT and ACT testing has been rising.

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Testing SAT Standardized Testing PSAT 180

College Kickstart

APRIL 19, 2020

We've long tracked standardized testing policies for the 600+ schools we cover in College Kickstart. Given the number of prominent institutions announcing shifts to test-optional admissions in recent weeks, we've accelerated our process and are now actively tracking standardized testing policy changes. Personalized analysis.

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Testing Admissions PSAT Standardized Testing 130

The Koppelman Group

APRIL 7, 2025

Scores Harvard requires applicants to submit an ACT or SAT score to meet their testing requirements, but they dont have minimum scores to apply. For a few years over the COVID pandemic, this requirement was waived, which has resulted in some recent statistics that are not necessarily fully representative.

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Policies SAT GPA Acceptance 52

AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 4, 2024

A big reason for this surge is the rise of test-optional policies and increased global access to higher education. According to UPenn’s 2023-2024 Common Data Set, the mid-50% SAT range for admitted students is 1500–1570, with the ACT range sitting at 34–35. Think 1550+ on the SAT or 35 on the ACT. to just 5.4%. The takeaway?

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Acceptance Admissions Waitlist Ivy League 97

Ivy Coach

MARCH 23, 2023

The Ultimate List of Test-Optional Colleges The Covid-19 pandemic ushered in a new era in elite college admissions: test-optional admissions policies. With test cancelations and administrative closures due to … Read More Ivy Coach

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Testing Policies SAT ACT 130