What is a “good” SAT Score?

Many students taking the SAT have one goal: score as close to perfect as they can. While students should always challenge themselves to do their best, it’s worth asking: short of a perfect 1600, what is a “good” SAT score? What is an average SAT score? What is a “bad” SAT score? Should my child retake the SAT? 

A good SAT score can mean a few different things. One definition is how high your child scores relative to other test-takers across the nation who have graduated high school within the past three years—in other words, their percentile. Thinking in those terms means shooting for an SAT score that is as high as possible. 

Another definition of a good SAT score is whether it’s within the range of the average score of students admitted to your child’s dream school in the previous year. Thinking in these terms means gauging what scores align with the kinds of colleges your child is interested in.

The definition of a good score must also take into account your child’s year in school. If they’re taking the test as a junior, a good score means something different than if they’re taking it as a senior, because there’s more time for them to retake the test.

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty about good and bad SAT scores, I’ll remind you that the SAT is just one component of your child’s college application. It’s certainly important, but remember that grades, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and the Common App essay all matter as well, and can help compensate for a less-than-ideal SAT score. 

How is the SAT scored?

The SAT total score ranges from 400 to 1600. This total score comprises your child’s Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score and Math score. In each section, a student can score between 200 and 800. 

Section scores can be broken down even further into individual test scores (your child’s score on the Writing or Reading tests individually, for example) cross-test scores, and subscores. For a full breakdown of which scores comprise the SAT total score, you can visit the CollegeBoard’s handy chart here. 

And while national percentiles are helpful, a “good SAT score” depends on your child’s college goals.

At its simplest, the SAT is designed to test college readiness. In order to know what score is desirable for your child, it’s important to think about the which colleges they hope to attend.

In short: your child should aim for a score that falls within the range of the schools they want to get into. Colleges usually publish the SAT score ranges of their incoming class on their website.

Unsurprisingly, score ranges for incoming college classes vary widely. If your child’s dream is to get into Yale, for example, the score ranges of the incoming freshman class were as follows. The lower number is the 25th percentile, and the higher number is the 75th percentile: 

• Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 720–770

• Math: 740–800

• Overall: 1460–1570

Compare this to a national pool. Students scoring a 720 in Evidence-Based Reading & Writing in the national pool in 2021 were in the 96th percentile nationally, and students scoring a 770 were in the 99th percentile. For Math, a score of 740 is in the 95th percentile nationally and 800 is 99th percentile.

Essentially, this means your child can score higher than 95 percent of test takers in the national pool—and they’ll still be on the lower end of the score range for Yale’s incoming class. What would be considered an outstanding score in the national pool is average for Ivy League and other highly selective colleges. 

If your child is interested in attending a top non-Ivy League university, the SAT score ranges can be similarly competitive. The middle 50 percent of freshman at the University of Michigan, for example, earned overall scores ranging from 1400–1540. Nationally, a 1400 is the 93rd percentile, and a 1540 is the 99th percentile. At UC Berkeley, the middle 50 percent of scores were 1330–1530, or the 88th–99th percentiles.

Prestigious small liberal arts colleges boast similarly high scores among their admits. Haverford College, for example, has a score range of 1380–1540 and Williams College has a score range of 1410–1550.

These numbers may seem like there’s little room for error. But it all depends on your child’s goals. The University of Washington’s score range is 1220–1470—a 1220 is the 77th percentile nationally. The range of the incoming class at American University was 1220–1390. At UC Santa Cruz, it was 1200–1380.

Let’s say your child does score below the 25th percentile for their dream school. While that’s not ideal, and might suggest that their dream school is a “far reach,” it may not entirely disqualify them if they have something else going for them—if they’re a standout athlete or musician, for instance.

That wiggle room comes from the fact that the score range doesn’t include the lowest and the highest scores of admitted students. There will always be gifted students whose talents don’t show up on a test. For example, at Yale, 13 percent of freshmen in 2024 scored between 600–690 on EBRW, and 1 percent—around 13 students—scored below 600.

What is a good SAT score for a top-10 school?

Again, there are no hard-and-fast score cutoffs.

The takeaway: If your child wants to attend a highly selective school, they should be aiming for a minimum total score around 1450 or higher. If your child is interested in a highly selective school, we recommend taking the SAT early—during junior year—so they have plenty of time to study and retake the test so they have a satisfactory score when they apply. 

So, what’s a good SAT score for college, in general?

If your child is shooting to attend college, period, note that a number of respected schools are far more forgiving in their score ranges—like Elon University, where the average total SAT score is 1200, Howard University, where the average is 1184, the University of Colorado–Boulder, where the average is 1275, or Baylor University, where the average is 1278. The takeaway: a score of 1200 is a good enough score for many mid-tier colleges and universities. 

Finally, remember that score isn’t everything, and that all standardized tests are part of a larger, holistic story your child tells admissions committees. Colleges and universities consider not only the other elements of your child’s application but also your child’s and family’s educational background and the resources available to you when they assess your child’s SAT scores.

Q&A with Planting the Ivy

How far ahead of time should a student begin working on their college application?

The earlier the better! The Common Application, the online application that is currently used by colleges and universities in the United States (and France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and the UK), goes “live” on August 1st of a student’s senior year.  Colleges that do not use the Common Application also go live during August, so it’s important to monitor their websites. Starting earlier allows students to take their time and not rush through the application, essays and individual college supplements. Most early and rolling deadlines are on or around November 1, so that gives students approximately three months to complete the entire application. 

In addition, it’s really imperative to plan ahead in case of an emergency. At Planting the Ivy, we believe in eliminating as much unneeded stress as possible. It is best to plan ahead and adhere to all deadlines….one never knows what could happen.

What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? 

Colleges will present students with a few choices for the essay topic, but I believe that does not matter. Rather, it is vital for students to pick a topic that they feel comfortable with and that demonstrates vulnerability, which typically results in a more genuine piece of writing. Do not write an essay stating what you believe a college or university wants to hear. Show them who you are in a way that is not demonstrated on the rest of your application. The essay is the one place on the application where a student can really let the colleges know who they are as a person. It’s an excellent opportunity for students to share information about themselves that otherwise the Admissions office may not learn through other parts of the application. Take your time – brainstorm, outline, write several drafts. Remember to use detail – it will make the essay stand out and get noticed. 

Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from?

Yes and No. Students need to remember that they do not know the values or viewpoints of the person(s) reading their applications and it’s best to not offend the people they are hoping will accept them for admission. Avoid controversial topics of a religious or a political nature. The essay is an important part of an application, and students should focus on topics that best demonstrate who they are as a person that otherwise wouldn’t be evident from other parts of the application. The most important thing is to be honest and authentic.  

What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? 

I am here to help avoid these, but if you do this on your own please be careful and read through your application and essays many times. Several examples include misspellings and grammatical errors, exceeding the recommended word-limit for essays, not answering the essay topic(s) at hand, using acronyms when describing extracurricular activities, submitting extra documentation that doesn’t add to the overall application, forgetting to proof essays, fast-forwarding through directions and missing small details (such as listing credits for senior year courses), applying online and not hitting the SUBMIT button (there are three areas on the Common Application that have to be submitted and students commonly forget to submit at least one, resulting in an incomplete application) and being careless with social media. Colleges are looking for reasons not to accept you – don’t give them any!

What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications?

College admissions offices are looking to find students who will comprise a well-rounded class. How the process works depends on the individual college. Most selective colleges will take a holistic approach and consider all parts of the application, while at some colleges only the hard numbers (GPA and test scores) are considered. Many schools report having only 15 minutes to read an entire application, while at some colleges an application may get as many as three reads.  Each process is different and several variables are considered depending on the nature of the school. 

Is demonstrated interest still important?

Colleges want to know why a student wants to attend their university. At some schools, admissions counselors encourage students to reach out and start a correspondence with them. Other admissions officers do not like this as they are busy and this can feel distracting to them. In order to demonstrate interest in a productive way, you can meet with counselors when they conduct high school visits, attend college fairs, schedule an interview and definitely visit college campuses when possible. When admissions officers are reading applications there are certain things that are harder to lift off a piece of paper, like fit and enthusiasm about a school. If you’re interested, let the college know! It’s also important when answering a supplemental question “Why X College,” that students be very specific and not generic in their answer. List detailed things about the college that attracted you to apply in the first place.

With regard to visiting in order to show demonstrated interest, only a handful of universities still require showing up (Tulane, Syracuse and Michigan to name a few).

How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit?

VISIT! Whenever possible, it is highly recommended that students visit prospective colleges to see what they’re all about and how they feel on campus. When students visit a college they should take a guided campus tour, attend an information session, have an interview if that option is offered, sit in on a class and stay overnight in a residence hall with a current student. While on campus, eat a meal in the cafeteria, pick up and read a copy of the campus newspaper, meet with a professor in the department of your potential major(s), talk to students about their experiences and visit the Career Center. Whether or not students are able to visit a college campus they should also research college websites to see what is offered at each school - majors, extracurricular activities, internship and research opportunities, residence life and food options, and cultural and athletic events to see if the colleges on their list are really the right “fit” for them. Students can also attend college fairs, high school visits made by admissions officers and regional receptions offered by colleges to show demonstrated interest and learn more about the college. 

Early-Action, Early-Decision, Binding/Non-Binding, Regular Decision. With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? 

It really depends on the individual student and his/her/their situation. If a student has a clear first choice college, then applying Early Decision is advised. Students must be sure that this is the school they really want to attend as they are making a binding commitment to that school, and if accepted they are expected to attend. Several colleges are starting to take a higher percentage of their students through ED, so applying ED could, but not always, give students a better chance of being admitted. It really depends on the college. 

There are a few downsides to applying ED. If a college is a huge reach for a student, then applying ED usually won’t make a difference in admission. Students can only apply to one college through ED, thus limiting their chances to receive various financial aid packages by not applying to other colleges. There is also the option of applying Early Action, which is a non-binding agreement between a student and a college. This is a great option for students when available, because if they are accepted EA, they will know early on in the process that they have a college to attend. Students can apply to more than one college EA, unless they are applying to a college that has Restrictive Early Action (Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Notre Dame to name a few), in which you can only apply to one college early although the agreement is non-binding.

If a student wants to apply to additional colleges aside from those through ED and/or EA, then they apply Regular Decision. These applications are usually due on or around January 1 or 15. If a student is not entirely sure on a first-choice option, or wants to have more financial aid options available, then it is recommended they wait and apply RD.

Finally, there is Rolling Admission, which is when colleges start accepting applications early in the senior year and “roll over” applications as they are received. In Rolling Admission it is imperative that students apply earlier in the process (and meet any Priority deadlines) because colleges with Rolling Admission will fill their class as applications are received. Students increase their chances of gaining admission by applying sooner than later.

How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made?

Most colleges will tell students that the most important thing considered in the admissions process is the transcript. This is not necessarily just the grade point average but the strength of the curriculum the student has taken. Colleges want students to challenge themselves and take as demanding a curriculum as they can handle. Admissions counselors will look at the courses offered at the high school the student attends and see if the student is taking advantage of the curriculum that is available.

The importance of test scores really depends on which college to which students are applying. Many colleges, especially those with extremely competitive admissions, still care a lot about test scores. Although there are many colleges that are now “test-optional," many are starting to bring mandatory testing back. One thing to consider is that many colleges, whether test-optional or not, will use or require test scores to be submitted in order to be considered for merit aid, which is financial aid based on merit and not need. 

What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation?

Students are encouraged to ask teachers for letters of recommendation in the spring of their junior year. When choosing which teachers to ask, it is preferable that they ask one from Humanities subjects (English, Social Science or Foreign Language) and one from Math/Science. Students don’t necessarily need to ask teachers whose classes they aced, but more teachers who they are confident will write them a POSITIVE letter of recommendation. Remember that writing recommendations is not required of teachers nor is it their obligation, so please be respectful during the entire process. Ask your teacher in private and without friends around. Be sure to ask, “Would you be willing to write me a positive recommendation for my college admissions?” If the teacher says yes, then provide them a resume or “brag sheet” with your accomplishments and contact information. Don’t forget to send a thank you note that says you appreciate their willingness to write the recommendation letter. Thank you notes go such a long way!

Once students return to school for their senior year, they should follow up with their teachers to make sure they have all the information they need. Make sure teachers know how to submit their letters, whether it is through the Common Application, snail mail or using non-Common Application forms. Make the process as easy as possible  - your teachers are doing you a HUGE favor!

Why Hire a College Counselor

The journey to college can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, filled with many choices and decisions. It is easy to feel lost in the complexities of the college admissions process. I can help you unlock the doors to your dream college. Why should prospective college students (& their parents) seriously consider working with a college consultant?

Expert Guidance

College counselors have a wealth of expertise. I possess an intricate understanding of the admissions process. I am well-versed in creating a comprehensive college list, helping students craft exceptional essays, prepare for interviews, and stay updated on the latest trends and requirements in college admissions. 

Personalized Advice & Comprehensive Support

Every student is unique. I take the time to get to know you to understand your aspirations, strengths, and areas that might need improvement. This personalized approach enables me to offer tailored guidance, ensuring your college journey is unique to your needs. From helping select the right colleges to navigating the intricate landscape of financial aid and scholarships, a college consultant is your all-inclusive resource.  

Maximized Opportunities

College consultants can identify opportunities you might have yet to discover on your own. They can unearth hidden gems - colleges that perfectly fit your aspirations, but may not be on your radar. Their expert recommendations broaden your horizons and enhance your chances of finding the ideal college match.

Reduced Stress and Anxiety

The college application process can be an anxiety-inducing experience. A college consultant helps to mitigate the stress and overwhelm you may be navigating. They ensure you stay organized, meet deadlines, and reduce the stress that often accompanies this pivotal life transition.

Financial Aid Expertise

Navigating the complexities of financial aid, scholarships, and grants can be daunting. College consultants are well-versed in these areas, helping you understand your options and maximize your financial aid opportunities. They can also assist in negotiating financial aid packages, potentially saving you thousands of dollars.

Increased Confidence

A college consultant can boost your confidence and self-assuredness throughout the application process. With their guidance, you'll approach each step of the journey with greater self-belief, ultimately enhancing your chances of success.

Ready to Begin Your College Journey?

Working with a college counselor is an investment in your future. It's a strategic decision that can ease your path to college, provide you with a competitive edge, and ensure your journey is as smooth and rewarding as possible. The road to college is one of life's most significant adventures, and with a college consultant, you'll have a dedicated partner to make the most of it. Don't hesitate to reach out and schedule a free consultation today. Let's embark on this incredible journey together.

The High School Internship

The bar for getting into elite universities keeps getting higher. It used to be that high ACT or SAT scores, a high GPA, and a well-rounded assortment of extracurricular activities were enough to ensure admission into your child’s dream school.

These days, however, universities are inundated with record numbers of applications from high-achieving, well-rounded students. Therefore, your child needs to do more in order to stand out. They need to specialize and demonstrate a deep commitment to one or two extracurricular activities instead of trying to do every activity possible.

There are plenty of ways for your child to stand out on the Common App Activities section, but one of the best strategies is one that many parents and students overlook: internships.

With an internship, your child can get a glimpse at the professional world, one that many students don’t receive until college. This provides helpful material for a Common App essay that will stand out.

Pursuing an internship in high school is an excellent way for your child to find a professional mentor and begin growing their professional network. The mentor can write a letter of recommendation and they may even be able to leverage their network. Building a professional connection while still in high school will become immensely useful when your child is applying for college internships or even jobs post-college.

Finding a high school internship can feel like an impossible task. This is understandable, given that most organizations who hire interns don’t even have high school students on their radar.

Here are some of the best places your child can get started: Family members & friends. High school teachers & guidance counselors. Local universities, businesses & religious organizations

FAQ:

Should my child take an unpaid internship?

Absolutely. In fact, your child should never expect compensation for an internship they do during high school. Money is not the point; experience and professional connections are. If an internship does pay, that’s a nice bonus, but it’s uncommon. Don’t worry: universities don’t care if the internship was paid or not. They’ll be far more impressed that your child has done an internship at all, especially if it helps support the broader narrative in your child’s college application.

Should my child spend their summer pursuing an internship or working a part-time job?

This is a difficult decision, particularly if your child is working out of necessity to help pay for college or even to help you pay the bills. It also depends on the nature of the job. Working at a fast food restaurant won’t provide the same kind of relevant career experience as helping file papers at a law firm, for instance. That said, part-time jobs (even if they are unglamorous) can provide interesting talking points in your child’s admissions interview and could even be the subject of their personal statement. It all depends on how your child is able to frame it.

What if my child doesn’t know what field or career interests them?

One of the main benefits of doing an internship is that your child can learn more about what does (and doesn’t) interest them as a future career. If your child is truly unsure, however, then they should first do some brainstorming and research to figure out what interests them and how that might apply to a future profession.

Does my child need to intern somewhere prestigious?

Many parents think that prestigious experiences will help their children stand out to admissions committees. The reality, however, is that admissions officers care far less about prestige and name dropping and far more about what your child got out of the internship experience.

When should my child start applying for internships?

It’s never too early. We recommend doing an internship during their sophomore year or the summer after it, as that will give them time to think about how to incorporate the experience into their college application.

The College Essay: A misconception

I want to discuss one common misconception that students and parents make when approaching college essays. "It's important to select a unique topic." I want to reemphasize that what your child writes about is far less important than how they write.

While we can all agree that a strong approach is critical, we should discuss what topic your child should pursue.

It would be a mistake for them to stare at a blank piece of paper (or screen) and wonder, "What are some possible essay topics?" This typically leads to a trap of trying to guess what admissions committee wants to hear, or attempting to mimic another student's essay.

The better approach would be for your child to first consider, "What do I want admissions committees to know about me?" In other words, if your child could choose the impression that admissions committees are left with, what would they select?

Achieving this level of clarity will allow your child to filter topic ideas. If a topic idea highlights "Takeaway X", then it could work well. If it doesn't, the topic might be a weak idea.

College admissions is all about communicating qualities, through stories, that will make admissions committees want to admit your child. Grades, test scores, letters of recommendation, and essays all work together to showcase these qualities.

Playing up great qualities through compelling stories will lead to maximum admissions odds. Failing to do so can hurt your child's chances.

As always, we're here to help!                  

Do colleges look at freshman year?

A sinking feeling sets in among many high school students as they embark on the college application process. Some might think, “I messed up freshman year of high school” and, with it, any chance of acceptance at their dream college. But how much do colleges look at freshman year?

Colleges closely evaluate freshman year grades and activities, but not in the ways you might think. Here’s how ninth grade does matter: freshman year is the foundation for the rest of your child’s high school career.

The courses your child takes early in their career, as well as their performance in them, determine the rest of your child’s high school course load. If they join extracurriculars freshman year, they may become a leader in those extracurriculars as an upperclassman. If they take honors physics at the start of high school, they may enroll in AP Physics senior year. Most colleges consider your child’s overall high school GPA, meaning the grades they receive freshman year do have weight.

Here’s the nuance. Many universities follow a “holistic admissions” process, which means they’re not simply looking at grades or your child’s SAT/ACT scores. They want a sense of your child’s narrative. Has your child made the most of the academic and extracurricular opportunities available at their school? Did they improve or grow during high school?

In that vein, admissions officers consider both your child’s GPA and their freshman course load in the context of their overall high school transcript. That means that excelling later in high school can balance weak academic performance freshman year. If your child recovers from a weak freshman year, admissions officers will see this as positive evidence of their ability to adjust to new academic demands and expectations, an ability that will come in handy during college and beyond.

This applies to extracurriculars as well. Admissions officers look for depth rather than breadth in your child’s involvement. If they don’t participate in many activities freshman year, your child can still go on to lead or excel in a couple of extracurriculars.  

Admissions committees will be more excited about a student who had mediocre grades freshman year and went on to receive stellar grades. Admissions officers want to know who your child is as both a student and member of their community. They recognize that your child is not defined by their freshman year. The best way to recover from a “weak” freshman year is to give admissions officers a full picture of who they are now.                                   

How can your child stand out?

Colleges receive an increasing number of applications each year from accomplished students for roughly the same number of spots.  How can your child stand out? 

Most college applicants participate in a variety of extracurricular activities.  They’ve earned leadership positions, volunteered, taken summer courses at universities and participated in theater and athletics.  With so many candidates having similar applications, it can be difficult for admissions officers to differentiate students. This does not remove the heartbreak when many qualified applicants get rejected.

When I was in high school, we were told to participate in as many extracurricular activities as possible to appear well rounded. The game has changed!  So what are colleges looking for?

When admissions readers come across students with a list of “well-rounded” extracurricular activities, it’s difficult to pinpoint what makes them different from their peers. What makes Charlie memorable? He did well in his classes and on his SATs, joined multiple clubs, and played saxophone in the school band. Does he stand out?  On the other hand, Michele also played saxophone in the school band, raised money to purchase band equipment for children in local, underfunded elementary schools, and organized a band competition in her community for charity that was covered by multiple media outlets, including the local newspaper. Michele has an “it factor” that she could leverage for successful admissions.  If we knew nothing else about Charlie or Michele, we would likely find Michele to be the more interesting student, as well as the student who has demonstrated greater initiative, impact, and leadership.

College admissions reps often discuss how they’re looking to admit diverse applicants. Most people misunderstand this to mean that colleges simply want to accept individuals from diverse backgrounds. While these factors are important, colleges are also looking for diversity when it comes to students’ abilities, interests, and achievements. 

There is no single path to achieving extracurricular success. It is important to identify the right opportunities for your child rather than jump into clubs out of anxiety or because you heard an activity “looks good” on college applications. One of the biggest mistakes is becoming a “chronic joiner.”  By participating in too many extracurricular activities, students can spend so much time doing busy work for various committees, sitting in meetings, and attending mandatory rehearsals that having fun and being a kid, along with completing homework, feels impossible. Often, this kind of resume demonstrate little initiative and creativity to admissions committees. I want to help your child develop discernibly unique skills.

GPA & Test Scores Your Child Needs to Be Competitive

There’s no way around it: your child’s grades and standardized test scores represent the most important factor in college admissions. The higher their stats, the higher their admissions odds. 

How many AP courses and tests should my child take per year? Your child should consider the following factors when deciding: How many they could take without hurting their grades: While it’s better to receive a B in an AP or Honors class vs. an A in a regular class, your child should be thoughtful about how many AP courses they could take before significantly compromising their GPA.  They must give themselves enough time to study hard for each class so that they can do well on the AP Exam.

How many AP courses could they take without compromising the depth of their extracurricular activities? Most applicants to highly selective colleges have strong grades and standardized test scores. Therefore, the true differentiator between standout applicants and those who are simply academically high-achieving is the strength of their extracurricular profile. AP Courses are challenging and should not compromise their extracurricular activities.

What does their school allow? Some schools put a cap on the number of AP classes students can take each year. Depending on how many that is, they may choose to take all or some of the offered AP courses and tests.

Which colleges they are targeting: The more selective the school, the more they’ll expect that your child take the toughest courses available.

How many their peers take each year: Context matters so much in college admissions. Your child will be judged against their peers with regard not only to AP test scores, but also number of AP courses and tests taken.

What SAT or ACT score does my child need to get into their dream school? Your child should aim for a score that is at minimum at the 75th percentile of admitted applicants at a given school. Most colleges publish these statistics online. Students whose scores fall below the 25th percentile should concentrate their efforts on improving their scores to make their applications more competitive. Even students with perfect standardized test scores get rejected because they’ve neglected other important parts of their college applications. For this reason, I advise students to spend significant time developing a unique extracurricular profile.

The Common App

The Common Application, which is accepted by more than 1,000 schools, including some colleges located outside the U.S., helps streamline an essential part of the admissions process for students. First-time and transfer applicants can apply to multiple colleges at once. This way, students only have to fill out details that most schools require – such as name, address and extracurricular activities – one time. Basically, it simplifies everything!

The Common App opens Aug. 1 every year. Students should pay very close attention to deadlines, as they differ among universities. Most of the time, early decision and early action deadlines are in November 1 or November 15. Regular decision deadlines are generally around January 1. Rolling decision deadlines can extend into the summer after high school graduation!

How to Complete the Common Application

Here are steps for how students can work on an application through the platform:

• Go to commonapp.org and click on the "Start your application" button to get details about how to create an account and log in. Additionally, students can download the Common App's mobile app to keep track of deadlines, invite recommenders and set reminders.

• Choose the first-year student or transfer student option.

• Add user information such as name, email, phone number, address, date of birth and prospective enrollment year.

• Fill out the user profile with requested details on education, extracurriculars, demographic data, household information and more.

• Add collaborators such as teachers, counselors and others providing letters of recommendation or other supporting documents.

• Search for and add schools to "My Colleges."

• Get familiar with each college's application requirements and follow those accordingly when applying.

Extracurricular Activities

As every college applicant knows, admissions offices look at extracurricular activities as one of the many factors that go into admissions decisions.

But just how those extracurriculars are considered is much less understood. Is it better to be involved in as many activities as possible to show that you’re a well-rounded applicant, or do schools want to see commitment, focus and leadership? Which activities are more prestigious?

Let’s break down how colleges look at extracurricular activities on applications.

Extracurriculars can play a decisive role. For instance, admissions counselors may have reservations about a star student who has not contributed to his or her community in a meaningful way. On the other hand, extensive community involvement can work in the favor of an applicant who does not stand out academically.

Degree of Commitment

Colleges want to see that applicants are committed to the extracurriculars they choose. One way to showcase commitment is through the length of your participation in an activity. The longer you have been involved in a pursuit, the better it will look on your resume.

Leadership Positions

The degree of your participation in extracurriculars is equally important as the duration. It adds a competitive edge to your application to indicate that you went from being a general member in a club to holding a special position. This demonstrates both commitment and leadership skills.

You can stand out further if you’ve founded a club or organization, showing initiative. If you have a passion that isn’t satisfied by a club at your school, consider finding out how to start one. Not only will you be able to show deep commitment and leadership, but you’ll also demonstrate to schools that you’re an innovator.

Community involvement

While it’s easy to focus on school-based activities as you apply to college, keep in mind that your extracurricular activities can take place outside of a school setting.

These outside activities can add to your abilities to pursue your passions, show deep commitment and identify leadership opportunities. So determine what you love to do and seek out opportunities to commit to it both inside and outside of school.

Ultimately, it really does come down to doing extracurricular activities, because oftentimes, students don't understand that you have to be more than just a student. 

This is your chance to showcase who you are as a person and who you are as a scholar. 

Advice for Seniors

If you are a senior admitted to multiple colleges and trying to make a decision, keep reading!  

I understand that this decision may feel overwhelming. Nothing I can say is going to provide you with total clarity. You have worked hard and earned the right to make this decision. Celebrate yourself and all of your accomplishments!  

I know you are busy. You have a lot going on both in and out of the classroom. So, I did the heavy lifting by putting together advice, tips, and other resources on how you can make this decision with confidence. Here we go. 

The Associate Director of Georgia Tech, Andrew Cohen wrote a real gem on ways to make a final decision without physically visiting or re-visiting a college. While this came out at the very beginning of the Covid pandemic, his advice is just as relevant now since most students don’t have the time or resources to revisit all of their college options. 

Admitted Student Webinars and Virtual Events: Visit websites and plan for a virtual tour or information session. You can also set up conversations with current students and alumni to pick their brains.

Virtual Campus Tours: If you cannot make it in person, get online! 

Social Media: As many of you know, I always say not to believe everything on social media. That said, you should still follow the institution and admission office’s social media handles. Make sure you also take a look at the various departmental and student organization accounts. These accounts are created for current students, so you will get some different information that you might not see on the institution or admission accounts.

Talk to Students and Admissions Staff:  Most institutions have a way for you to connect with current students.

In my many years of college counseling, I stand by focusing on the following:

1. Academic Interests and Options: As an admitted student, your goal is to understand details about the academic area you are considering and how you can tailor your studies toward your interests.  “How can I be a history major but also be a pre-med student?” Remember,  your goal is to glean insight and details to gain an understanding of what your experience will really look like on these campuses.    

2. Community: As an admitted student, your goal is to understand some of the residential opportunities available. Some dorms offer themes or group students together with similar interests. Ask questions!

3. Culture: Get an inside look at what it is really like to be part of campus. Keep in mind you are visiting campus one day out of the year, so your experience is not going to be a fully accurate representation of the campus culture. 

4. Stories not statistics: Use your time on campus and exploring social media to ask for stories and anecdotes about graduates or graduating seniors. 

Ultimately, you need to trust your gut. You can read websites, watch webinars, and scroll social media, but at the end of day you will have a feeling and need to trust yourself. You know yourself best! You will have that “aha moment,” just like I did!

Options and choices can feel overwhelming, but don’t forget that THIS WAS THE GOAL! This decision is a privilege. THIS is why you visited schools, researched colleges, and applied to more than just one place. THIS is why you took tough classes, studied, worked hard, and sat through multi-hour standardized tests—to have choices. You are EXACTLY where you wanted to be!

Good luck. You got this!

The Cost of College

For financial aid purposes, there are five types of colleges:

• Public In-State Universities

• Public Out-of-State Universities

• Private Colleges/Universities

• Two-year Colleges

• International Universities

What is the difference between public and private universities?

Public universities are partially funded by the government of the state in which they operate. 

You pay taxes. Those taxes flow to the state government, which then spends them on the universities funded and operated by the state. In contrast, private colleges mostly operate independently of state influence and funding. As a result, public universities typically have much lower sticker prices than private colleges. That said, this lower sticker price only applies to students who qualify for in-state tuition. 

Private colleges are far more likely than public universities to make their net prices flexible through discounts, particularly scholarships. 

A private college with a higher tuition could easily drop to the cost of a public university for a student with great academic achievement. Conversely, because public universities already have comparatively low sticker prices for their residents as well as (usually) much bigger applicant pools, earning a scholarship at a public university is far tougher to do unless your state has a built in merit-based program.

Based on these differences, you may already have a good idea of which types of colleges are more likely to offer you an affordable price. And you’re probably right.

Next up…FAFSA 101.

The SAT is changing. What do you need to know?

The SAT was scored out of 1600, changed to 2400, back to 1600 and now…No more filling in bubbles or waiting for proctors to collect the exam sheets: The SAT is going digital! (This will not impact the ACT.)

Don’t stress just yet. International students are going to be the first recipients of this change starting this year, but it won’t impact the United States until 2024.  The SAT is a multiple-choice exam aimed at predicting "college readiness" among high school students. You are more than just your SAT score, but this exam does signify if you are ready for college-level work. Many universities went test-optional during the course of the pandemic, but schools have the option of reevaluating this decision on a yearly basis. Therefore, it is imperative that your child is adequately prepared to test.

What are these SAT changes? Aside from a new digital format, other adjustments to the SAT include a shortened test, allowance of graphing calculators throughout the math portion and faster results.  The SAT will remain on a 1,600-point scale and continue to test skills related to the three subject areas of reading, writing and math.

The new digital test will be adaptive, which changes the level of question difficulty for subsequent questions based on a student's performance. Do we like this? How will this impact your children? As a college counselor, I have mixed feelings about this. Anxiety always plays a role in performance on standardized testing.  If your child walks in nervous, then they might answer the first question wrong, which in turn, would immediately drive their score down. 

The length of the exam will be reduced from three hours to two.  Questions are also going to be more concise. For instance, lengthy reading passages are set to be replaced with shorter versions. Only one question, rather than multiple, will be tied to each reading.

Good news? A graphing calculator will be allowed! The current SAT divides the math section into two parts: a non calculator and a calculator portion. As part of the recent changes, a calculator is now allowed for the entire math segment. 

Test results will also be available within a matter of days! No more anxiously waiting weeks for that email!

Due to the many months spent studying online during the height of the pandemic, many students are more comfortable taking tests digitally. The College Board is still figuring out how to accommodate students with learning differences. 

The biggest question is whether your child should take the SAT/ACT with the implementation of test-optional. The answer is a resounding YES. If you take the SAT or ACT and are not pleased with your scores, then exercise your test-optional right to not submit them.  If they are valuable to you and they could be a differentiator in your college application, then submit them. If you never take the test, you'll never be able to make that choice as you're applying to college. 

Are you happy about these SAT changes?

The College Essay

Are you applying to college in the next few years?  How much of your real self should you reveal in your applications?  Your college essay is meant to be a glimpse into your story, not your entire life. This is not a resume, transcript or list of achievements. After all, you have 650 words to convey something that the rest of your application does not demonstrate. Therefore, this is not the space to show your grades, extracurricular activities or why you want to attend said university. 

I want you to think of your personal statement as a way for colleges to get a sense of who you are through what values, qualities, and skills you’ve developed and will bring to their campus and community. Show who you are through what you value.

How can I give you a sense of who I am through what I value in the span of a few minutes? Why, you ask? Because that’s how long someone tends to spend reading your college application.

I’m not bringing this up to evoke anxiety. I want to manage expectations so that you write in a way that conveys all the beautiful complexity of you in the span of a few minutes.

This essay is also a place for exploration and discovery of yourself!

SHOW GROWTH. 

I love when an essay helps me see how a student has grown through their experiences.

GET PERSONAL/VULNERABLE.

Vulnerability can be scary. Especially since we can be trained to think of vulnerability as weakness, which it definitely is not. In fact, it’s one of our greatest strengths. When a student opens up about their worries, fears, or difficulties, I feel closer to them. It feels like a gift when students bravely offer up a part of themselves. 

DEMONSTRATE CRAFT.

Don’t try to demonstrate facility with language by using “big words” just for the sake of using big words.  Think of someone you know who uses big, shiny words not because they fit the context, but because they want you to be impressed. Are you actually impressed? Unlikely. This will NOT impress admissions.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Don’t tell a story because you think it’s what they want to hear. Tell them about what matters to you, about what has shaped you.

A few important reminders: 

• Think from your reader’s perspective (for clarity, and for engagement—if you’d be bored, they probably will be too).

• Don’t let a parent write/revise—admissions officers are really good at spotting this, and it will be the end of your application.

“The truth is, admission reviewers rarely know—or care—which prompt you are responding to. They are curious to discover what you choose to show them about who you are, what you value, and why.”- Brennan Barnard of The Derryfield School and Forbes

Early Prep is Key

Top schools saw record numbers of early action applicants again this year and admitted an even smaller percentage. Letting go of perceived control can be one of the hardest parts of parenting. Unfortunately, sometimes uncertainty and our growing lack of agency over our children’s future get funneled into the admission experience as a last-ditch effort to cling on. There are so many factors that go into building a class and, often, there is an overabundance of talented applicants–many of whom could be successful at a given college or university. Being top in your class does not mean an automatic acceptance at a college or university anymore. As more colleges move toward holistic admissions, other factors are becoming increasingly important, including course rigor, GPA, extracurricular activities, essays and in some cases, test scores. 

When applying to college, teenagers and their parents often gauge their chances by looking at a university's overall acceptance rate. This statistic rarely tells the whole story.  

The application volume for this cycle increased nearly 10% from last year—which itself was up some 10% from the year before that. Over the past two decades, the number of applications submitted to colleges has increased more than 150%, even as the size of high-school graduating classes has remained fairly stable.

I hope this demonstrates just how imperative it is to get the process started early. We will guide you on how to approach this process so as to not feel overwhelmed or have your child get lost in the large number of students assigned to his/her/their guidance counselor.

Wishing you the best. And remember…early prep is key!