COLLEGE APPLICATION TIMELINES

11th Grade Fall (Aug – Dec): PSAT/PreACT; Research / create a list of Schools…

11th Grade Spring (Jan – June): SAT/ACT; AP Exams; Touring (virtual) Schools…

11th Grade Summer (June – Aug): SAT/ACT; Choose Admission plan (deadlines); Create portals accounts, fill out detail; Request Letter of Recommendations; Tour schools (in person/virtual); Thinking about writing admission essays…

12th Grade (Sept): Send test scores, transcripts, recommendation letters for ED/EA deadlines; Writing admission essays; Continue Scholarship applications;

12th Grade (Oct): File FAFSA, continue to send scores, transcripts for ED/EA…

12th Grade (Nov): Early Decision I (Nov 1 or 15); Early Action (Nov 1 or 15); Regular decision: Send scores, transcripts, recomm. letters for RD deadlines;

12th Grade (Dec): RD rolling admissions, repeat Nov steps for RD admission

12th Grade (Jan): Early Decision II (deadline Jan 1 or 15)

What are the hardest schools to get into in the United States?

These schools are famous for their low acceptance rates.

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#SchoolUS News RankingAcceptance RateApplicants CountAdmitted Count
1Minerva University
(Ranked #1 Most Innovative University in the World 2022 & 2023)
1.0%25026256
2California Institute of Technology#93.9%13026510
3Stanford University#34.0%554712190
4Harvard University#34.0%577862318

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5Massachusetts Institute of Technology#24.1%332401365
6Columbia University (in the City of New York)#184.1%611102524
7Princeton University#14.4%376011647
8Yale University#35.3%472402509

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9Brown University#135.5%465682568
10University of Pennsylvania#75.9%563323304

Data from Univstats.com

What are the University Statistics by State?

ExpertRating Certifications
StateSchools (Public/Private)Admission RateSATTuition $StudentsFaculty to Student Rate
AK9 = 5 + 472%123515,81820,9291:9
AL84 = 43 + 4177%109714,807292,1131:15
AK86 = 35 + 5168%108511,961147,0731:14
AZ106 = 32 + 7478%113318,686635,5171:16
CA658 = 171 + 48766%127422,3592,544,1941:18
CO90 = 33 + 5783%110419,120348,6921:16
CT72 = 25 + 4770%123359,040187,4581:14
DC23 = 1 + 2263%127726,57199,4621:14
DE17 = 6 + 1173%124816,61356,3151:14
FL385 = 94 + 29172%113118,8871,029,9071:16
GA162 = 65 + 9770%111415,947543,7661:16
HI23 = 10 + 1387%114115,50060,2731:16
IA76 = 19 + 5779%111722,435204,5701:13
ID35 = 9 + 2684%110216,659127,7471:14
IL239 = 63 + 17675%113022,208679,4821:14
IN132 = 39 + 9380%115122,246438,9201:14
KS78 = 36+4277%96315,721193,6651:14
KY84 = 24 + 6074%108820,858262,3381:14
LA106 = 28 + 7875%109817,012238,0351:18
MA146 = 42 + 10464%126335,657477,4821:12
MD78 = 29 + 4975%115122,714335,7991:14
ME36 = 15 + 2171%121827,02469,5661:12
MI170 = 48 + 12276%113320,081483,0021:14
MN105 = 48 + 5774%123417,767377,9541:15
MO147 = 43 + 10472%114018,571335,9021:13
MS53 = 26 + 2774%107711,254159,0071:17
MT30 = 19 + 1178%117114,65647,0851:12
NC171 = 75 + 9668%111717,701557,9981:13
ND26 = 14 + 1285%101711,05551,2631:13
NE38 = 15 + 2377%110517,581133,8701:12
NH34 = 13 + 2182%123927,376198,5011:12
NJ151 = 38 + 11375%117120,022386,4401:16
NM42 = 27 +1570%115014,497106,1051:15
NV38 = 7 + 3186%116519,060115,5661:16
NY418=107 + 31169%123124,0431,130,9891:14
OH285 = 108 + 17773%113520,784652,7921:15
OK99 = 62 + 3771%105914,805195,2091:16
OR72 = 26 + 4677%119621,797196,3971:13
PA307 = 70 + 23774%117827,156550,0821:12
RI22 = 3 + 1962%126535,14774,6941:12
SC92 = 33 + 5975%111120,355231,4521:12
SD28 = 12 + 1680%108612,54951,6061:12
TN149 = 48 + 10172%113217,370322,5421:16
TX410 = 106 + 30476%110618,6001,567,8781:17
UT63 = 17 + 4686%123918,971395,7771:19
VA151 = 44 + 10775%116821,281543,3741:15
VT18 = 6 + 1271%127938,90439,9421:11
WA103 = 46 + 5782%121319,004321,6881:14
WI92 = 32 + 6081%115822,042316,5351:13
WV68 = 38 + 3083%104215,120132,1281:15
WY10 = 8 + 297%13,63930,4471:15
Data from Univstats.com

Differences between SAT and ACT

Both tests have an optional essay. SAT has a Math section where you can’t use a calculator. ACT has a Science section that SAT doesn’t have. ACT requires students to read more quickly because it requires answering each of the reading questions in less than 1 minute, but SAT allows students to answer each reading question in more than 1 minute. You have more time in SAT than the ACT. Same as the Writing sections. For Math, 1 min per question in ACT, but students have more than 1 minute for SAT.

If you need more time, SAT is better.

ReadingACT TimeACT QuestionsACT Min/QuestionSAT TimeSAT QuestionsSAT Min/Question
35min40< 1min / Question65min52>1min / Question
Writing45min75< 1min / Question35min44<1min / Question
Math60min60=1min/Question80min58>1min / Question

What is ACT?

The ACT is the exam that is used by many universities to make admissions and scholarship decisions. Just like the SAT, the purpose of the ACT is to measure a student’s readiness for college. College admissions officers will review ACT and/or SAT scores, your GPA, letters of recommendation from teachers, EC (extracurricular activities) and personal essays. The higher you scores on the ACT and/or SAT, the higher chance of attending college in your dream. Most Junior students take the ACT, SAT, during the spring or Seniors take them in Fall. Here are the dates for ACT. There are four sections: English, Reading, Math and Science.

The ACT also includes an optional 40-minute Writing Test. ACT is 2 hours and 55minutes long. If you choose to take the ACT with Essay, the test will be 3 hours and 35 minutes long. Each section of the ACT is scored on a 1 to 36 point scale. Your composite ACT score is the average of your four section scores, also on a scale from 1 to 36. If you take the ACT with Writing Test, you will receive a separate score on the Writing Test. Universities will accept scores from either the SAT or ACT, and do not favor one test over the other.

Here is the ACT Website. You can register today to receive reminders.

What is SAT?

SAT stands for Scholastic Assessment Test. It’s an entrance test used by many colleges and universities. It lasts 3 hours. There are 2 sections: 1) Math and 2) Reading & writing tests. It costs $55 and the highest score is 1600 (800+800). The average score is 1060. The exam is multiple choice format. It’s used to measure the readiness of students for college.

Most students take SAT and/or ACT in the Spring of their Junior Year. You can re-take the exam, so it’s important to take them earlier so you can choose a higher score to submit to college. SAT is offered nationally every Summer = June, August, Winter = October, November, December, Spring = March, May.

SAT registration is via College Board. The register deadline is here and it is approximately 5 weeks before each test.

Besides the SAT, you should take the PSATs when they are offered at your high school. The status as a “National Merit semifinalist” or “National Merit Finalist” will be determined by your PSAT score, not your SAT score!

There are a few items schools look at:

  • SAT Scores
  • High School’s GPA
  • Classes you took in High School
  • EC (Extracurricular) activities
  • Letters of Recommendations
  • Admission Interviews
  • Personal Essays

What are Ivy League’s Acceptance Rates?

For the most highly selective colleges in the United States, the Ivy League schools, the acceptance rates remain to be very competitive.

Admitted Students haven’t changed much for the past 13 years. Blue represents 2011 Admitted, orange represents 2024 Admitted.

Applied Students have increased significantly. Blue represents 2011 Applied, grey represents 2024 Applied.

class 2011 vs. 2024:

SchoolAdmitted
2011
Admitted
2024
Admitted
Changes
Applied
2011
Applied
2024
Applied
Changes
Acceptance
Rate 2011
Acceptance Rate 2024
Brown University2,6832,533-15019,09736,794+17,69714.05%6.9%
Columbia University (2023)2,2552,247821,34342,569+21,22610.57%5.3%
Cornell University (2023)6,5035,330-1,17330,38349,114+18,73121.4%10.9%
Dartmouth College2,1661,881-28514,17621,375+7,19915.28%8.8%
Harvard University2,0581,980-7822,95540,248+17,2938.97%4.90%
Princeton University1,7911,823+3218,94232,836+13,8949.46%5.6%
University of Pennsylvania3,6373,404-23322,64642,205+19,55916.06%8.1%
Yale University1,8602,304+44419,32335,220+15,8979.63%6.6%

Sources: 2011 – A is for admission (Michele A. Hernandez, EdD); 2024 – Brown Daily Herald; Columbia Admissions; Cornell Admissions; The Dartmouth; The Crimson; Daily Princetonian; The Daily Pennsylvanian; Yale Daily News

What are different schools’ ranking?

There are over 3,900 colleges and universities in the U.S. More than 2,000 offer graduate degrees.

U.S. News offer rankings and lists to help students narrow down their research.

Here are the National University Rankings.

Here are the National Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings.

Here are the Regional Universities (North) Rankings.

Here are the Regional Universities (South) Rankings.

Here are the Regional Universities (Midwest) Rankings.

Here are the Regional Universities (West) Rankings.

Here are the best undergraduate business programs.

Here are the best undergraduate Computer Science programs.

Here are the best undergraduate Engineering programs.

Here are the best undergraduate Nursing programs.

What are different types of admissions?

Admissions office and financial aids office work hand in hand, usually they are run by one umbrella, the department called “Enrollment Management”. There are many types of Admissions: ED (Early Decision), EA (Early Action), EV (Early Evaluation), RA (Regular Admission), Rolling, Open, Deferred Admission.

ED (Early Decision):
ED is when students apply to Early Deadline and if accepted, they are obligated to or committed to attend. Students are typically notified either acceptance or rejection by early December, sometime right before Christmas. This can be one of the best Christmas gifts!

EA (Early Action):
EA is when students apply to Early Deadline and if accepted, they are NOT obligated to or NOT committed to attend. EA application are usually due in Fall, and students receive decisions before the year end.

EV (Early Evaluation):
EV is when student apply in Early (by November) and were sent a decision (not an acceptance letter) by January about their chance of getting in.

RA (Regular Admission):
RA is the common type. Students usually send applications between November and January. Schools have minimum requirements, such as GPA, SAT or ACT, high school diploma, personal statement, essays, letters of recommendations. Schools usually compare students’: academic performance, extracurricular activities (EA), letters of recommendations.

Rolling (Rolling Admission):
Rolling allows students to apply ANYTIME during admission period (between September thru July).

Open (Open Admission):
Open are normally for community college students and online students. They allow students who meet minimum requirements to be admitted.

Deferred (Deferred Admission):
Deferred allows students who have personal, financial and other concerns to postpone their enrollment for up to one year.