The class of 2022 is resilient. They’ve weathered a pandemic, the confusion of test-optional, okay at best online schooling—the list goes on.
Great read in Charter by S. Mitra Kalita. “Bottom line: You’re going to be fine. Let’s focus on the next fours years, not the last!”
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Linking to a post by Lynn O’Shaughnessy on The College Solution blog that introduced us to the spectacular term highly rejective college.
The term highly rejective college was coined by Akil Bello, who is an expert on standardized testing and senior director at FairTest, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing standardized testing.
Highly rejective schools focus on turning away nearly all applicants. Rather than use their considerable financial might and prestige to expand the number of students they educate on their own campuses or through satellite campuses, they cling to the status quo.
More higher-ed observers, including Jeff Selingo, the former top editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are using the term highly rejective colleges because that accurately defines what these institutions are all about.
Lynn’s article also features some insights from Tuition Fit’s Mark Salisbury. Here is what Salisbury said about this 2021 phenomenon is impacting popular universities and colleges:
Read the whole article here—it’s a must-read!!!
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Decisions are out, and many colleges and universities have released admit rates and final numbers for the class of 2023. Head to College Kickstart for a breakdown and comparison to last year’s numbers at some of the top tier schools in the US. As in years past, schools have seen record application numbers and admit rates are going down.
In our work with applicants, we focus on creating a list that makes sense and doesn’t leave students with an insane amount of apps to complete, or an insane amount of rejections. However, some students do not take our advice. During the last four admissions seasons, we have had multiple students apply to 15+ colleges, most in RD. We did not advise this, but my guess is against the advice of many counselors, students and parents are pressing submit on as many schools as they can. Why? Partly because of how competitive the RD round can be, and they took some risks early, and it did not work out; partly because they can afford it; partly because for some strange reason they think Hail Mary’ing it might just work out. There are probably other reasons, but these are the three we most frequently encounter.
We say this every year, but we hope families begin to realize that this approach does not work. It is a waste of time and money. What’s worse, it creates an insane amount of stress on the student and most often results in more rejections than acceptances, which make students feel terrible because it is very hard, at age 17, to comprehend that a college rejection is really not personal.
In addition to surging application numbers (thank you, Common Application!), the competition is fierce. There’s a chance the profile that might’ve gotten you into your dream school a few years ago won’t hold up in the current admissions landscape…but have hope. There are more colleges and universities in the US and abroad than the top 20-30 schools! And guess what? These schools accept a lot of students, and you might even get money from them, and you will likely be just as happy there as a top ~20 school.
It is time to think outside of the box. The landscape now requires it—even for students with perfect grades and test scores. Those things are commonplace; you need far more than numbers to get into a top tier school. And what you need is what our work with students focuses on. Students have control over a lot in this process but only if they start early to develop what will help them stand out while at the same time broadening their college-knowledge and looking carefully at schools that might not have been on their radar initially.
Another reason to have hope is there are ways to differentiate your profile that actually work. Our students engage in extended research and outreach. Beyond getting close with reps, current students, faculty, and young alumni, our students connect with schools where they are already spending time: online. Connecting with schools via social media, as well as having a strong online presence via LinkedIn, can be beneficial. We believe your digital footprint and the presence of a digital portfolio can help not hurt you in the college application process. The students who take our advice become savvy networkers with the colleges on their list, and it pays off big time.
Anyway, back to the news. Thanks always to College Kickstart for providing all of our admissions-related data needs.
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Cornell Dyson is one of five schools with single-digit acceptance rates among the 88 in P&Q’s third annual ranking. The others, in order, are: UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business (4.30%), the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (6.49%), NYU Stern School of Business (8.00%), and Washington University in St. Louis Olin Business School (9.70%). These are the same five schools that were the most selective in last year’s ranking of 82 schools, though all five reduced their acceptance rates this year. In fact, all of the top 17 schools this year saw their rates go down!
Berkeley Haas — a two-year program — sliced its rate in half, from 8.62%; NYU Stern dropped three percentage points, from 11%; and Washington Olin shaved off nearly two points, down from 11.48%. Wharton, the top school in our ranking last year and this year, had an acceptance rate of 7.1% in 2017.
Acceptance rates, average SATs, and percentage of students in the top 10% of their high school classes. The admissions score was one of three categorical scores for the entire P&Q ranking.
Read more on Poets & Quants.
| Rank | School | Admissions Score | Acceptance Rate | Average SAT | Percentage of Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | 100.00 | 6.49% | 1486 | 97.00% |
| 2 | Washington University in St. Louis (Olin) | 98.37 | 9.70% | 1510 | 91.00% |
| 3 | University of California-Berkeley (Haas) | 94.09 | 4.30% | 1490 | 80.85% |
| 4 | Cornell University (Dyson) | 92.14 | 2.90% | 1453 | 83.33% |
| 5 | University of Michigan (Ross) | 89.58 | 12.00% | 1470 | 82.22% |
| 6 | New York University (Stern) | 88.73 | 8.00% | 1468 | 77.08% |
| 7 | Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) | 88.00 | 12.00% | 1473 | 78.00% |
| 8 | Georgetown University (McDonough) | 87.64 | 15.84% | 1431 | 90.00% |
| 9 | University of Virginia (McIntire) | 86.79 | 12.15% | 1407 | 90.00% |
| 10 | University of Notre Dame (Mendoza) | 83.74 | 19.00% | 1429 | 84.60% |
| 11 | University of California-Irvine (Merage) | 81.60 | 22.00% | 1359 | 98.00% |
| 12 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler) | 79.60 | 12.17% | 1367 | 82.70% |
| 13 | Southern Methodist University (Cox) | 77.50 | 11.12% | 1494 | 49.00% |
| 14 | Emory University (Goizueta) | 76.65 | 17.21% | 1470 | 58.00% |
| 15 | Boston College (Carroll) | 75.98 | 25.00% | 1402 | 78.65% |
| 16 | University of Texas-Austin (McCombs) | 75.71 | 22.80% | 1384 | 80.00% |
| 17 | Villanova University | 75.40 | 22.07% | 1408 | 73.33% |
| 18 | Wake Forest University | 72.52 | 24.80% | 1378 | 76.00% |
| 19 | Georgia Institute of Technology (Scheller) | 70.99 | 23.70% | 1376 | 72.00% |
| 20 | Boston University (Questrom) | 69.55 | 17.76% | 1422 | 53.16% |
| 21 | Northeastern University (D’amore-McKim) | 68.68 | 18.68% | 1463 | 43.00% |
| 22 | Indiana University (Kelley) | 68.35 | 40.38% | 1437 | 67.97% |
| 23 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | 65.64 | 35.00% | 1405 | 64.00% |
| 24 | Tulane University (Freeman) | 65.46 | 22.00% | 1420 | 48.33% |
| 25 | The College of William & Mary (Mason) | 63.67 | 22.40% | 1346 | 61.00% |
| 26 | University of Richmond (Robins) | 62.99 | 30.31% | 1363 | 63.00% |
| 27 | Lehigh University | 62.71 | 22.39% | 1376.39 | 52.13% |
| 28 | University of Washington (Foster) | 62.48 | 20.95% | 1310 | 64.94% |
| 29 | University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana (Geis) | 60.15 | 48.98% | 1365 | 73.37% |
| 30 | University of Minnesota (Carlson) | 60.00 | 28.44% | 1371 | 52.80% |
| 31 | Babson College | 59.21 | 24.00% | 1353 | 50.91% |
| 32 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Foisie) | 58.01 | 36.00% | 1395 | 50.00% |
| 33 | Fordham University (Gabelli) | 55.16 | 44.90% | 1361 | 59.30% |
| 34 | University of Pittsburgh | 55.05 | 44.00% | 1345 | 61.76% |
| 35 | University of Miami | 52.71 | 30.44% | 1327 | 48.00% |
| 36 | University of Georgia (Terry) | 50.90 | 47.44% | 1300 | 65.52% |
| 37 | University of Houston (Bauer) | 49.92 | 25.18% | 1309 | 40.87% |
| 38 | Rutgers Business School (New Brunswick) | 47.47 | 46.00% | 1349 | 45.70% |
| 39 | Texas A&M University (Mays) | 47.13 | 34.07% | 1281.72 | 48.80% |
| 40 | Syracuse University (Whitman) | 46.42 | 38.10% | 1304 | 46.00% |
| 41 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst (Isenberg) | 45.56 | 30.60% | 1336 | 30.10% |
| 42 | University of Utah (Eccles) | 44.75 | 40.80% | 1270 | 52.24% |
| 43 | American University (Kogod) | 44.43 | 31.60% | 1256 | 46.15% |
| 44 | Ohio State University (Fisher) | 44.41 | 38.60% | 1340 | 34.00% |
| 45 | Brigham Young University (Marriott) | 43.12 | 63.16% | 1325 | 57.01% |
| 46 | Pennsylvania State University (Freeman) | 42.55 | 37.00% | 1319 | 33.00% |
| 47 | University of Denver (Daniels) | 42.15 | 46.30% | 1299.3 | 45.00% |
| 48 | Texas Christian University (Neeley) | 40.43 | 46.56% | 1265 | 48.94% |
| 49 | University of Kentucky (Gatton) | 39.70 | 69.79% | 1395 | 40.00% |
| 50 | Hult International Business School | 39.39 | 50.00% | 1264 | 50.00% |
| 51 | Purdue University (Krannert) | 39.32 | 62.00% | 1268 | 60.00% |
| 52 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Lally) | 38.20 | 42.00% | 1291 | 34.00% |
| 53 | Michigan State University (Broad) | 34.82 | 32.19% | 1241.77 | 28.27% |
| 54 | The College of New Jersey | 34.52 | 41.00% | 1254 | 33.00% |
| 55 | University of San Diego | 33.89 | 53.00% | 1275 | 38.00% |
| 56 | Santa Clara University (Leavey) | 32.48 | 43.50% | 1366 | 6.00% |
| 57 | Miami University (Farmer) | 31.38 | 62.60% | 1323 | 30.60% |
| 58 | St. John’s University (Tobin) | 31.09 | 59.00% | 1208 | 52.00% |
| 59 | Christopher Newport University | 28.58 | 74.60% | 1270 | 47.06% |
| 60 | University of South Carolina (Darla Moore) | 27.02 | 65.10% | 1299 | 28.41% |
| 61 | University of Delaware (Lerner) | 26.53 | 46.40% | 1285 | 13.20% |
| 62 | Seton Hall University (Stillman) | 26.45 | 57.60% | 1257 | 29.50% |
| 63 | University of Texas-Dallas (Jindal) | 24.66 | 60.00% | 1242 | 31.00% |
| 64 | Providence College | 24.65 | 51.00% | 1247 | 21.60% |
| 65 | Rutgers Business School (Newark) | 22.92 | 55.00% | 1157 | 41.25% |
| 66 | University of Tennessee-Knoxville (Haslam) | 22.86 | 85.00% | 1212.6 | 56.44% |
| 67 | St. Thomas University (Opus) | 21.04 | 83.00% | 1215 | 50.00% |
| 68 | James Madison University | 20.13 | 68.31% | 1217 | 34.00% |
| 69 | Drexel University (LeBow) | 19.55 | 74.00% | 1262 | 28.00% |
| 70 | University of Akron | 19.19 | 73.99% | 1154 | 51.02% |
| 71 | Elon University (Love) | 17.71 | 72.10% | 1249 | 25.00% |
| 72 | University of Missouri-Columbia (Trulaske) | 15.62 | 69.17% | 1220 | 24.00% |
| 73 | Florida Southern College | 15.57 | 50.00% | 1203 | 10.00% |
| 74 | Lipscomb University | 15.35 | 61.00% | 1156 | 30.00% |
| 75 | University of Oklahoma (Price) | 14.39 | 61.77% | 1212 | 16.20% |
| 76 | Rochester Institute of Technology (Saunders) | 13.29 | 72.10% | 1204 | 25.00% |
| 77 | University of Arizona (Eller) | 13.13 | 79.00% | 1110 | 51.72% |
| 78 | University of North Carolina-Wilmington | 9.39 | 61.00% | 1177 | 12.00% |
| 79 | University of New Hampshire (Paul) | 8.02 | 64.10% | 1171 | 13.10% |
| 80 | Ithaca College | 7.82 | 80.18% | 1221 | 16.40% |
| 81 | St. Louis University (Chaifetz) | 7.28 | 83.03% | 1241 | 13.40% |
| 82 | Sacred Heart University (Jack Welch) | 6.39 | 60.80% | 1156 | 9.70% |
| 83 | Northern Illinois University | 6.01 | 53.84% | 1110 | 12.60% |
| 84 | University of Michigan-Dearborn | 5.13 | 62.00% | 1147.8 | 9.80% |
| 85 | Duquesne University (Palumbo Donahue) | 5.12 | 76.00% | 1197 | 11.80% |
| 86 | Texas Tech University (Rawls) | 4.53 | 76.40% | 1093 | 33.78% |
| 87 | Bowling Green State University | 1.09 | 70.00% | 1128 | 12.46% |
| 88 | Evansville University (Schroeder) | 0.00 | 88.60% | 1171 | 17.64% |
A few days ago, this post went out from a beta site by mistake! We apologize, and you can find the “real” post below.
My favorite data site (heck, one of my favorite college admissions sites generally!), College Kickstart, has compiled a list of colleges with the most notable admit rate changes. There are lots of falling admits to report, and many are at some of the most popular schools (at least among the students I work with). Many of the UC’s are represented, as well as some smaller schools like Scripps, Colgate, and Hamilton.
Review the list here!
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From Compass, updated SAT Subject test (SAT II) requirements and recommendations for the Class of 2018. Not many changes here, but worth reviewing now as it is time to sign up for May and June exams, and think ahead as you create your testing plan. Thanks, Compass!
| College | Summary | Subject Test Policy |
|---|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology | Required | Caltech requires the SAT or ACT with Writing AND the following Subject Tests: Math Level 2, and one SAT Subject Test in Biology (Ecological), Biology (Molecular), Chemistry, or Physics. |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Required | Carnegie Mellon requires the SAT or ACT with Writing AND 2 SAT Subject Tests (for most applicants). Subject requirements vary by program, but include Math (Level 1 or Level 2). College of Fine Arts programs, with the exception of Architecture, do not require Subject Tests. |
| Cornell University | Required | Cornell requires the SAT or ACT. Some Cornell colleges require 2 Subject Test(s). |
| Harvard University | Required | Harvard requires the SAT or ACT with Writing. Two SAT Subject Tests are “normally” required. “While we normally require two SAT Subject Tests, you may apply without them if the cost of taking the tests represents a financial hardship or if you prefer to have your application considered without them…If your first language is not English, a Subject Test in your first language may be less helpful.” |
| Harvey Mudd College | Required | Harvey Mudd requires the SAT or ACT AND 2 SAT Subject Tests (Math Level 2 and one other). |
| King’s College of London | Required | King’s College requires U.S. applicants to submit scores from 3 SAT Subject Tests or 3 AP exams. |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Required | MIT requires the SAT or ACT AND one SAT Subject Test in math and one in science. “We do not have a preference as to which science you take or which level math you take.” |
| McGill University | Required (or ACT) |
McGill requires the SAT and 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT. Subject recommendations vary by department. |
| Rice University | Required (or ACT) |
Rice requires the SAT and 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT with Writing. It is recommended that Subject Tests be taken in subjects related to proposed area of study. |
| Tufts University | Required (or ACT) |
Tufts requires the SAT and 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT. Engineering applicants submitting Subject Tests are advised to take math and either physics or chemistry. Students considering a major in mathematics or the sciences are advised to take math and a science test. |
| University of Toronto | Required | Toronto requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing from U.S. applicants. Most programs also require U.S. students to submit Subject Test, AP, or IB scores in specific areas. |
| Webb Institute | Required | Webb requires the SAT or ACT with Writing AND SAT Subject Tests in Math (Level 1 or Level 2) and either Chemistry or Physics. |
| Wellesley College | Required (or ACT) |
Wellesley requires the SAT and 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT with Writing. At least one quantitative Subject Test strongly recommended to students pursuing math or sciences. |
| Brown University | Recommended | Brown requires the SAT with writing or the ACT with writing. They recommend, but do not require, the submission of two SAT Subject Tests of the student’s choice. |
| Carleton College | Recommended | Carleton requires the SAT or ACT with Writing and recommends SAT Subject Tests, because the scores “usually enhance a candidate’s credentials.” |
| Dartmouth College | Recommended | Dartmouth requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and recommends 2 SAT Subject Tests. |
| Davidson College | Recommended | Davidson requires the SAT or ACT. Two Subject Tests (Math and one other) are recommended for students submitting SAT scores. |
| Duke University | Recommended Strongly (or ACT) |
Duke requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and recommends 2 SAT Subject Tests if applicants submit SAT. Subject Tests are considered if applicants submit ACT. “Applicants to the Pratt School of Engineering who take the SAT must take one SAT Subject Test in Mathematics (level 1 or level 2).” |
| Emory University | Recommended | Emory requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. “[SAT Subject Tests] are encouraged, but not required. Students are encouraged to submit SAT subject exam scores for academic areas of strength and/or interest.” |
| Georgetown University | Recommended Strongly | Georgetown requires the SAT or ACT and does not consider the essay from either test. Georgetown strongly recommends 3 Subject Tests. Applicants are required to submit all College Board and ACT scores. |
| Lafayette College | Recommended | Lafayette requires the SAT or ACT and recommends applicants submit SAT Subject Tests. |
| Northwestern University | Recommended | Northwestern requires the SAT or ACT. Northwestern recommends applicants take 2 SAT Subject Tests. The Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME) and the Integrated Science Program (ISP) require specific Subject Tests. |
| Pratt Institute | Recommended | Pratt requires the SAT or ACT. Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. Bachelor of Architecture applicants are encouraged to take Math Level 1 or Level 2. |
| Princeton University | Recommended | Princeton requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. Princeton recommends that applicants submit 2 Subject Tests. Engineering candidates are advised to take a math Subject Test and either chemistry or physics. |
| Stanford University | Recommended | Stanford requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. ALL test scores from ALL dates must be submitted for the SAT and ACT. “SAT Subject Tests are recommended but not required. Applicants who do not take SAT Subject Tests will not be at a disadvantage. Because SAT Subject Tests are optional, applicants may use Score Choice to selectively send their SAT Subject Test scores.” |
| University of California, Berkeley | Recommended | UC Berkeley requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. College of Chemistry and College of Engineering recommend Math Level 2 and a science related to the applicant’s intended major. |
| University of California, Irvine | Recommended | UC Irvine requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. School of Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Physical Sciences, and Program in Public Health all have specific Subject Test recommendations. |
| University of California, Los Angeles | Recommended | UCLA requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. School of Engineering and Applied Sciences recommends Math Level 2 and a science test related to the applicant’s intended major. |
| University of California, Riverside | Recommended | UC Riverside requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and College of Engineering recommend Math Level 2 and either Chemistry or Physics. |
| University of California, San Diego | Recommended | UC San Diego requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. Biological or physical science applicants and applicants to the School of Engineering should take Math Level 2 and a science Subject Test related to the applicant’s intended major. |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | Recommended | UC Santa Barbara requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. Math Level 2 is recommended for College of Engineering applicants and College of Creative Studies applicants in math, physics, or computer science. In addition, physics, biology, chemistry, and biochemistry majors are encouraged to take the appropriate science Subject Test. |
| University of Delaware | Recommended | Delaware requires the SAT or ACT and recommends (STRONGLY, for the Honors Program) that applicants take SAT Subject Tests. |
| University of Georgia | Recommended | Georgia requires the SAT or ACT and recommends that applicants submit SAT Subject Test scores. |
| University of Pennsylvania | Recommended | Penn requires the SAT or ACT. Any 2 Subject Tests are recommended for arts, humanities, and social sciences applicants. STEM applicants are strongly encouraged to take Math Level 2 and a science Subject Test (Physics recommended for engineering applicants). Math Level 2 is recommended for business applicants. Nursing applicants are encouraged to submit a science Subject Test (preferably, Chemistry). |
| Yale University | Recommended | Yale requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and recommends that applicants take SAT Subject Tests. |
| Amherst College | Considered | Amherst requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted. Optional essays are recommended. |
| Babson College | Considered | Babson requires the SAT or ACT with Writing. Babson considers SAT Subject Tests if submitted. |
| Barnard College | Considered | Barnard requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted. (This is a new policy for the class of 2017). |
| Bates College | Considered | Bates is test optional. Subject Tests are considered if submitted. |
| Boston College | Considered | Boston College requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests may “highlight a talent in a specific area.” |
| Boston University | Considered | Boston University requires the SAT or ACT with Writing. Accelerated medical and dental programs require Subject Tests in Chemistry and Math 2. A Subject Test in a foreign language is also recommended for these programs. |
| Bowdoin College | Considered | Bowdoin is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. |
| Bucknell University | Considered | Bucknell requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests will be considered as “supplemental information.” |
| Case Western Reserve University | Considered | Case Western requires the SAT or ACT and considers optional essays and Subject Tests if submitted. |
| Claremont McKenna | Considered | Claremont requires the SAT or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. |
| College of William & Mary | Considered | William & Mary requires the SAT or ACT. Subject Tests are optional. |
| Columbia University | Considered | Columbia requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted. (This is a new policy for the class of 2017). |
| Connecticut College | Considered | Connecticut College is test optional. Students may choose to submit the SAT Reasoning Test, 2 Subject Tests, or the ACT if they wish. “If you submit multiple SAT Subject Tests, we will consider your two highest scores from two different tests.” |
| The Cooper Union | Considered | Cooper Union requires the SAT or ACT with Writing. School of Engineering requires SAT Subject tests in Math and either Physics or Chemistry. |
| Franklin Olin College of Engineering | Considered | Olin requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. |
| George Washington University | Considered | George Washington is test optional. SAT or ACT scores and two SAT Subject Tests are required in science and mathematics for the Seven Year BA/MD program. |
| Ithaca College | Considered | Ithaca is test optional. Students may submit SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests as “supplemental information.” |
| Johns Hopkins University | Considered | Johns Hopkins requires the SAT or ACT. Students may submit Subject Tests as a “way to demonstrate an academic strength . . . Engineering applicants are encouraged to submit Math Level 2 and one science.” |
| Kenyon College | Considered | Kenyon requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests and SAT or ACT essays will be considered as additional information. |
| Macalester College | Considered | Macalester requires the SAT or ACT and will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted. |
| Oberlin College | Considered | Oberlin requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. |
| Occidental College | Considered | Occidental requires the SAT or ACT. The optional essays are recommended. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. |
| Pomona College | Considered | Pomona requires the SAT or ACT. The optional essays are recommended. SAT Subject Tests are considered as part of a complete testing profile. |
| Reed College | Considered | Reed requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Considered | RPI requires the SAT (Essay optional) or ACT with Writing. Applicants to the accelerated program must take the ACT with Writing or the SAT with Essay and 2 SAT Subject Tests (1 math and 1 science). |
| Scripps College | Considered | Scripps requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. |
| Smith College | Considered | Smith is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Considered | Stevens requires the SAT or ACT. Subject Tests in Math (Level 1 or 2) and either Chemistry or Biology are required for the Accelerated Medical Program. |
| Swarthmore College | Considered | Swarthmore requires the SAT or ACT. The optional essays will not be considered. Subject Tests scores will be considered if submitted. Prospective engineers are encouraged to take Math Level 2. |
| Union College | Considered | Union is test optional except for the Law and Public Policy Program and the Leadership in Medicine Program. The 6-year law program requires the SAT or ACT. The 8-year medical program requires either the ACT with Writing or the SAT and 2 Subject Tests. |
| University of California, Davis | Considered | UC Davis requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests are considered if submitted. |
| University of California, Merced | Considered | UC Merced requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests are considered if submitted. |
| University of California, Santa Cruz | Considered | UC Santa Cruz requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests are considered if submitted. |
| University of Chicago | Considered | University of Chicago requires the SAT or ACT and will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted. “If you have done exceptionally well on a particular subject test and would like to show us, feel free to send us that score.” |
| University of Miami | Considered | Miami requires the SAT or ACT. Optional essays are required but used for placement only. Honors Program in Medicine and Honors Program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology require minimum scores of 600 on a math Subject Test and on a science Subject Test. |
| University of Michigan | Considered | Michigan requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and will consider SAT Subject Tests “only in light of how they might benefit your review.” |
| University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | Considered | UNC-Chapel Hill requires the SAT or ACT. “You may submit supplemental scores from AP, IB, or SAT Subject tests if you think they are a good reflection of your mastery of the material.” |
| University of Notre Dame | Considered | Notre Dame requires the SAT or ACT. “SAT Subject Tests, AP, and IB tests are only used in the application process if scores enhance an application.” |
| University of Southern California | Considered | USC requires the SAT or ACT and considers SAT Subject Tests “optional.” |
| University of Virginia | Considered | Virginia requires the SAT or ACT and will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted. |
| Vanderbilt University | Considered | Vanderbilt requires the SAT or ACT and will consider Subject Tests if submitted. School of Engineering applicants choosing to submit scores should strongly consider taking either Math Level 1 or Level 2. |
| Vassar College | Considered | Vassar requires SAT or ACT. For the class of 2017 and beyond, Vassar no longer requires SAT Subject Tests but will consider them if submitted. |
| Wake Forest University | Considered | Wake Forest is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. |
| Washington University in St. Louis | Considered | Washington University in St. Louis requires the SAT or ACT and will only “consider [SAT Subject Tests] if they strengthen your application.” |
| Wesleyan University | Considered | Wesleyan is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. All entering first-year students must submit ACT or SAT and two SAT Subject Test scores after the conclusion of the admission process for academic counseling and placement. |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Considered | WPI is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. |
| Colby College | Alternative | Colby’s testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) Three Subject Tests. |
| Colorado College | Alternative | Colorado College’s requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) Three exams of the student’s choice, including one verbal/writing and one quantitative, selected from the lists provided by Colorado College’s website. |
| Hamilton College | Alternative | Hamilton’s testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (Essay optional) (2) ACT (Writing optional) (3) Quantitative, verbal, and writing tests from among SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, and APs. |
| Middlebury College | Alternative | Middlebury’s testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) Three Subject Tests. |
| New York University | Alternative | NYU’s testing requirements are satisfied by fulfilling one of the following: (A) SAT (B) ACT with Writing (C) 3 Subject Tests (D) 3 AP exams (E) The International Baccalaureate Diploma (F) 3 IB higher-level exams (if a student is not an IB Diploma candidate). Students who choose to submit three SAT Subject Test, AP, or IB scores must submit one in literature or the humanities, one in math or science, and one of the student’s choice. Some programs have additional requirements. |
| University of Rochester | Alternative | Rochester’s testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) 2 or more results from SAT Subject Tests, AP exams, or IB exams. |
….getting asked about it!
Later this month and throughout April, colleges and universities will notify students about their regular decision applications. Students will either be admitted, denied, or placed on the dreaded waitlist (although we have helped quite a few student get off the WL and into their dream school, ask us how!). Needless to say, it is a stressful time for all seniors who did not commit to a school after the release of early round results.
As we approach decision dates, consider giving this post (with video) from the Wall Street Journal a read!
From Inside Higher Ed: The University of California System on Monday announced a proposal to limit undergraduate enrollment from out of state, systemwide, to 20 percent, The Los Angeles Times reported. The proposal would allow the three campuses already over 20 percent—Berkeley, Los Angeles, and San Diego—to keep their out-of-state levels. The remaining campuses would be allowed to grow to 20 percent but not exceed it, but only if the proposed systemwide cap is not hit. The university system has significantly increased out-of-state enrollment in the last decade, to 16.5 percent across the system, citing state appropriations cuts that have increased the need for other sources of revenue, such as the higher tuition rates paid by non-Californians.
The Times reported that faculty leaders oppose the university plan and fear that such limits could result in the system losing both top students and revenue that it needs.
The UC Board of Regents will take up the proposal next week.
Ben Orlin is right, college admissions is crazypants. The Business Insider article that stemmed from his Twitter post is worth a read.
Rejection by a university ought to feel like getting swiped left on Tinder,” he wrote. “There’s nothing terribly personal about it. The admissions office doesn’t really know you. The university is just looking out for its own interests, and you don’t happen to fit into the picture.
Orlin’s hesitation to be a part of a process that results in near total disappointment for applicants is even more understandable when looking at Ivy League acceptance rates.
For the class of 2020 the admission rate is below 10% for almost all Ivy League schools.
He flips that number around to talk about how many rejection letters Yale doles out.
No matter how sincere their intentions, the Yale admissions team is beholden to grim statistical reality: 94% of students are getting rejection letters,” he wrote.
Orlin suggests that Ivy League admission decisions should be chosen by lottery, and have base requirements that students must meet before applying in the first place. Will it happen? No. But something needs to be done.
Looking for a way to enhance admission odds? College Kickstart compiled a list of schools with early decision admission rates that are at least twice as high as their regular decision admission rates.
Read more here!