The short answer is No. In most cases, colleges do not prefer the SAT over the ACT or vice versa. Virtually all U.S. colleges accept both exams, and admissions committees evaluate them equally. Students should choose the test that best reflects their academic strengths. However, standardized testing policies have evolved significantly in recent years.During the…
In the world of college admissions, there are nearly infinite methods and rubrics that universities use to evaluate applications. While the review process is holistic, considering academics, extracurricular activities, and more, many schools feel the need for a universal measure or evaluation tool. Is an ‘A’ at your high school equivalent to an ‘A’ at…
Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room: College Admissions are unfair. Yep, we said it. In this article, we will outline some of the historical reasons for that, and also describe ways in which you (and all students) can submit your strongest applications within this context. This Article Will Discuss The Following: Imagine…
The Common Application and Coalition Application have helped mainstream and simplify the application process for students allowing them to apply to multiple schools using the same form versus decades past when students filled out single paper applications for each college. Despite using one (or only a few) platforms to submit your college applications, you still…
The College Board transitioned to the fully digital SAT format in 2024, making it the standard for students worldwide. You’ll find that the structure and content of the new test is different than the paper-based version that most people are familiar with. No longer will the test be the same for all students on a…
Faculty Frustration with High School Curricula Having spent the majority of my career in enrollment management positions, the question of standardized testing’s impact on college admissions arises more frequently than you might expect. Collegiate faculty often express frustration with high school curricula, particularly the lack of courses that encourage students to think critically or synthesize…
Because of the Ivy League’s level of prestige and high-esteemed academics, competition for its coveted few freshman class spots is fierce. Hundreds of thousands of students apply each year to the Ivy League from around the world – for the Class of 2027, over 400,000 students applied across all eight Ivy League schools. This Article…
Debunking the myths To submit testing, or not to submit testing, that is the question on every student’s mind, but how much do colleges even care about standardized scores? Even though most colleges today use a holistic review that considers various factors to determine admission, standardized testing is often still considered to be the greatest…
In addition to the usual application materials, like transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essays, students are often asked to submit standardized test scores from either the SAT or ACT exam when applying to college. Top schools do not recommend one test over the other; students are allowed to submit whichever one they prefer. SAT/ACT scores…
Understanding the Pros and Cons For decades, the SAT and ACT have been a staple in the college admissions process. However, in recent years, there has been debate about whether these standardized tests are still relevant in today’s college admissions landscape. Here’s what you need to know: Pros of the SAT and ACT: Cons of…