what is the barnard admissions committee looking for? well, a good place to start is the word splashed across barnard’s website, describing the college’s personality: “bold.” that’s what you have to be to choose the prestigious, highly selective women’s liberal arts college in new york city!

known around the world as one of the oldest colleges for women, barnard was founded to ensure the highest quality education was available for the diverse, engaged students who called it home.

small classes on an intimate campus aren’t the only thing barnard has going for it. sitting on manhattan’s upper west side, barnard is right across the street from columbia university. the colleges are affiliated with each other, meaning barnard students have access to all of the resources, courses, and opportunities as their ivy league neighbors. that’s more than twenty libraries, 1500 classes, and 450 student groups!

“dedicated to the success of women,” barnard boasts alumnae who have become famous writers, politicians, and scientists, excelling in just about any field you can think of.

if this distinctive, rigorous, and tight-knit community sounds right for you, read on to learn more!

barnard quick admissions statistics

here’s a short look at the basic barnard admissions data:

average barnard sat scores (middle 50%): 1340-1490
average barnard act scores (middle 50%): 30-34
average barnard gpa: 4.0
barnard admissions rate: 11.8%

barnard sat scores

there are a few things to know about barnard’s standardized test policy if you’re planning to apply:

• barnard requires sat or act scores as part of your application, but you can choose to submit both
• the essay part of the sat is not required
• barnard superscores sat test results. this means they take the highest scores for each section from every time you took the test, creating a profile of your best performance!
• barnard does not recommend or require the sat subject tests
• you are allowed to self-report your test scores. this means you don’t have to send in an official score report when you apply, but they will accept one when you’re accepted to confirm the scores you reported

with all that information in mind, how can you put it to work to understand what kind of scores make you a competitive applicant?
 

the middle 50% of barnard’s class of 2023 scored between a 1340 and a 1490, which puts students accepted to barnard in about the 90th percentile of all test-takers nationally.

to break those numbers down further, the 25th percentile of students scored a 1340 or below, placing them below average, and the 75th percentile got a 1490 or above, meaning their scores were above the average admitted student.

aim for 1490 (the 75th percentile) to distinguish yourself from other applicants and gives the admissions committee an opportunity to look deeper into your materials and understand what makes you unique.

barnard act scores

here’s what we know about how barnard uses act test results:

• the writing portion of the test is not required
• unlike their policy on the sat, barnard does not superscore act results. that means they will take your highest composite score, but not put your highest scores from across test dates together into a new composite.
• you are allowed to self-report your act scores. this means you won’t have to pay to send barnard an official report until you choose to enroll.

the middle 50% of the class of 2023 scored between a 30 and a 34 act composite. that means, to be really confident about your chances, you should aim for above a 34.

the reason we recommend setting your sights on a 34 is simple: the middle 50% score range means that the 25% of admitted students who scored under a 30 were below average compared to other students, while the 25% who scored higher than a 34 were above average.

that means you can be certain the parts of your application which distinguish you from other applicants can really shine!

barnard average gpa

the average gpa of barnard’s class of 2023 was a 4.0.

that’s a really good gpa, and suggests that barnard looks for students who took challenging classes in high school. you should try and take as many college prep courses as possible, like honors, ib, ap, or dual enrollment to demonstrate you’re ready for a rigorous academic experience.

moreover, 85% of students came from the top 10% of their high school classes. since it’s tough to change your gpa dramatically after sophomore year, take your grades seriously from the beginning of high school, plan on enrolling in those challenging classes, and don’t let your gpa slip in senior year!

barnard acceptance rate

only 11.8% of students who applied were accepted into barnard’s class of 2023. ten years ago, barnard accepted over 28% of students into its class of 2013, demonstrating their acceptance rate is following the national trend in higher education of falling over time.

barnard is committed to being one of the most rigorous, selective colleges in the country, and works to admit a diverse and high-achieving student body.

barnard freshman profile

if you’re considering barnard, chances are you want to know what your classmates will be like.

barnard students come from all over. only about half are from new york or the mid-atlantic, and 12% are international students.

48% identify as people of color, and 13% are the first in their families to attend college. almost half come from public schools.

other barnard admissions requirements

here’s a list of what you’ll need to apply:

• common app, including the barnard writing supplement
• high school or college transcripts
• recommendation from a guidance counselor
• two teacher evaluation forms
• sat and/or act scores

barnard also offers a couple optional application materials:

• an on- or off-campus interview (this is a good way to demonstrate your interest and learn more about the college!)
• portfolios for art, dance, music, creative writing, or theater programs

remember, the deadline for regular decision is january 1st!

barnard faqs

does barnard have early decision?
yes! early decision is a binding program offering applicants the opportunity to submit their applications early and find out if they’re admitted ahead of the regular decision timeline. the “binding” part means if you’re accepted, you are obligated to attend. that said, it is a smaller pool of applicants, and you’re more likely to stand out.
for barnard, the deadline for submitting your materials is november 1st, and you’ll hear back by mid-december about whether you’ve been admitted.

what kind of student does barnard look for?
in barnard’s own words: “[barnard] selects women of proven academic strength who exhibit intellectual voracity and strong potential for further scholarly growth.” learn more about what they’re looking for here.

does barnard accept ap or ib scores?
yes, up to thirty points of credit. they generally expect a score of at least 4, and 5 for some subjects.

how to get in to barnard college

it’s important to remember that the barnard admissions office evaluates applications holistically. that means there’s no one thing you can do or have to guarantee you’ll be admitted, whether that’s a perfect test score or straight as.

like all selective colleges, barnard is looking for interesting, engaged, well-rounded students who will benefit from joining their diverse and exciting community.

with that in mind, here’s your “how to get into barnard college” checklist!

good luck, and happy studying!

the post barnard college admissions: the sat, act scores, and gpa you need to get in appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

the university of massachusetts, amherst is one of the nation’s leading public universities — ranked 24th — but going there is also like being enrolled in four more prestigious colleges.

that’s because umass amherst is a member of the five college consortium, along with smith, mt. holyoke, hampshire college, and the 2nd best liberal arts college in america, amherst college.

that means you can choose from over 6,000 courses at any of those schools for no extra cost.

even better, umass amherst has new england’s best honors college and ranks 4th nationally in research grants to their students.

there aren’t many universities offering their students as diverse an education, whether you’re looking for stellar research opportunities or a vibrant liberal arts education.

umass amherst admissions fast facts

average gpa: 3.90
acceptance rate: 64%
average sat: 1292
average act: 28.8

if umass amherst sounds like the place for you, keep reading to learn what you need to be a competitive applicant!

more about umass amherst sat scores

umass generally expects applicants’ sat scores to be in the top quarter of results nationally, fitting with their high admissions criteria.

there’s no minimum sat score, but since more than three quarters of accepted students submitted sat scores in 2019 it’s a good idea to send yours in if you scored highly, and applicants are required to submit the act or the sat.

here’s a breakdown of umass amherst sat scores:

the average score of admitted applicants in 2019 was a 1292, and the middle 50% of scores fell between 1220 and 1380. that means 25% of those admitted scored below 1220, and another 25% had above 1380.

it’s a good idea to aim for a 1380 or higher, landing you in the top quarter of applicants and really increasing your chances.

more about umass amherst act scores

the average act in 2019 was a 28.8, which is in the 90th percentile of act scores nationally — that means only 10% of test-takers got a higher result.

here’s a breakdown of umass amherst act scores:

50% of admitted students scored between a 26 and a 31, meaning anything under a 26 is a below average score and higher than 31 is above average.

one-quarter of students scored lower than the average range, which means a low test score doesn’t mean you won’t be admitted as long as you have an otherwise strong application. that said, getting a 28.8 or higher — a score in the top quartile of applicants — can really boost your chances of getting in.

more about umass amherst average gpa

the average gpa of admitted applicants in 2019 was a 3.90, which means you should be mostly an a student, with one or two bs but no cs, to be competitive.

if your school offers ib, ap, or dual enrollment classes and adjusts your grades accordingly, your gpa can end up being much more competitive.

enrolling in those courses also demonstrates your willingness to take on a challenging, college preparatory course load.

umass amherst acceptance rate

umass amherst admissions are selective, with a 64% acceptance rate in 2019. for comparison, the average acceptance rate nationally is only about 65.5%, so we’re not talking a real difference in competition.

that said, if you look at admissions statistics over the last few years, average test scores of admitted students are growing while the number of students admitted is falling. like a lot of schools, it’s only going to get more difficult to get in.

umass amherst freshman profile

if you’re thinking of applying to college, you probably want to know what your classmates will be like, right?
umass gives us a lot of demographic info on their recent classes, so we can get a pretty good picture of who chooses to enroll.

here are some of the highlights:

• 22,726 total undergraduate enrollment
• 23% out-of-state
• 5,731 students in the 2019 freshman class
• 33% alana (african-american, latino, asian, hawaiian/pacific islander and native american)
• 444 international students admitted in 2019
• 82.1% six-year graduation rate (that’s 25% higher than the national average!)

we can see from these numbers umass amherst admissions are remarkably diverse, even for a state university, and most of the students who enroll there choose to stick around to finish their degrees.

other admissions requirements

probably the most important thing to know is you can only apply to umass amherst using the common application, which means you can submit everything from transcripts to essay questions using umass amherst’s page on that site.

here’s a list of the essential application materials:

• a completed common application, with the umass amherst supplementary questions
• an official high school transcript
• sat and/or act score report from the testing agency
• an $80 application fee
• a letter of recommendation
• international students from non-english speaking countries should report a minimum internet-based toefl score of 80 or an ielts score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each subject area

if you’re applying to the architecture, art, dance, or music programs you’re also permitted to submit a portfolio or arrange an audition — check your department’s page on the umass amherst website to learn more.

umass faqs

what’s the five college consortium?
it’s a collaborative agreement among five colleges in western massachusetts, including some of america’s best liberal arts schools, to share resources like libraries and facilities, as well allowing students of any one college to enroll in classes at any of the member schools for free.

does umass use the common app?
yes, and only the common app, so you’ll be able to do everything you need to submit your application from their website.

what are the important deadlines?
for freshman applicants, that’s january 15 for regular admission and november 5 for early action, and you’ll have until may 1 to accept or decline admission.

if you end up getting your application in late, the admissions office will consider admitting you for the spring semester.

does umass amherst have early action?
yes! early action is a nonbinding program for students who want to apply and receive their admissions decision earlier than the traditional decision timeline.

the program has its own faq page with all the information you’ll need on the admissions timeline.

can i transfer to umass amherst?
yes, and transfers make up a big part of each year’s incoming class. you have until march 1 to apply for the fall semester and october 1 to apply for spring admission.

does umass amherst accept ap credit?
they do! like most colleges, how much credit, if any, you can expect to receive depends on the specific test and your scores.

how to get into umass amherst

as anyone will tell you, there isn’t one thing alone that will get you into the college of your dreams. here’s an excerpt from the umass website:

“we seek to admit students who will contribute fully to campus life. no specific grade point average, test score, or other qualification by itself ensures admission.”

that means they’re evaluating each student holistically, including not only your test scores but your personality, achievement, and community involvement.

here’s a selection of some of the criteria they value, according to umass’s admissions webpage explaining their admissions standards:

• record of achievement
• personal qualities
• co-curricular involvement
• standardized tests
• writing ability
• life context
• recommendations

it’s pretty rare that a college tells you exactly what they look for in an applicant, so we strongly recommend reading the admissions decision page thoroughly.

that said, here’s a checklist with the minimum qualifications you should have in those categories to feel confident about getting in.

umass amherst admissions checklist:

good luck, and happy studying!

the post umass amherst admissions: the sat, act scores, and gpa you need to get in appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

if you’re looking for a small college that emphasizes academics, diversity, and student engagement, there aren’t many colleges in the world delivering a more unique, rigorous education than amherst.

amherst college is one of the premier colleges in america, ranked the second-best liberal arts college by the u.s. news and world report. colleges are ranked according to criteria ranging from prestige, selectivity, to faculty resources, and amherst comes out on top.

if that’s not enough, amherst is a member of the five college consortium. that means amherst students can choose from over 6,000 classes offered at mt. holyoke, smith, hampshire, and the university of massachusetts, amherst.

amherst, massachusetts was also ranked the #4 college town in america, meaning even if you get tired of exploring the college’s 500-acre wildlife reserve and the nation’s best campus dining you can be sure there’s no shortage of exciting experiences within arm’s reach.

if amherst sounds like the place for you, read on to learn more about what makes a competitive application!

amherst college admissions: quick stats

here’s a first look at what the average incoming freshman at amherst college is scoring, along with amherst’s admissions rate.

average sat: 1490
average act 33
average gpa 4.05
admissions rate: 13%

think this could be you?

keep reading for the full breakdown of how to get into amherst college, including admissions data, freshman demographics, amherst admissions faq’s, and more!

more about amherst sat scores

amherst generally accepts students with sat scores in the top 4% of test-takers, meaning you should expect to have high scores to be admitted.

the average sat score is a 1490, and you’ll want to get at least a 1560 for your application to stand out.

the middle 50% of sat scores for the class of 2022 scored between a 700 and 770 on the evidence-based reading and writing section and between 720 and 790 in math.

composite scores for the middle 50% fell between 1420 and 1560, meaning a score under 1420 is below average and over 1560 is above average.

amherst allows students to self-report test scores, meaning you don’t have to pay to send a score report unless you’re admitted.

they also superscore, or combine your best scores, so it’s to you advantage to submit all your scores so the admissions office can create a new score showcasing your best performance.

more about amherst act scores

amherst is a highly selective school, and admitted students generally have act scores in the top 5% nationally.

the middle 50% of students have composite scores between 31 and 35, and between:

• 34 and 36 in english
• 29 and 35 in math

a composite below 31 makes your chances less certain, but 25% of accepted students scored lower and still got in.

get over a 35, and you can feel confident about getting accepted.
like most elite colleges, taking the optional writing section on the act is recommended.

like with the sat, you can self-report your act scores and skip paying the testing agency to send a score report until you are accepted.

it’s a good idea to report all of your scores if you’ve taken the test more than once, because amherst selects your best scores and combines them into a new superscore.

more about amherst average gpa

the average high school gpa of the class of 2022 was a 4.05, meaning you should be a straight-a student and have taken some more challenging courses.

it’s a good idea to take as many ib, ap, and dual enrollment classes as possible, since grades are calculated on an unweighted five-point scale by most schools. that means not only will you be raising your average gpa, but also demonstrating you are prepared for college-level courses.

keep this in mind if you’re considering amherst early in high school, and don’t let your grades drop in senior year! amherst requires the grades from your second semester of senior year, too.

more about amherst admissions rate

if you’ve read this far, you probably realize amherst takes some of the best students in the country. only 13% of applicants were accepted into the class of 2022, making amherst among the most selective colleges in the country.

to illustrate how amherst is growing more selective, in 2009 amherst accepted 15% of applicants; ten years later they take only 13%.

if you are a high school freshman or sophomore, you can count on this rate dropping further by the time you apply. it would be a good idea to keep that in mind as you choose classes and get ready for standardized tests.

amherst freshman profile

amherst’s admission and enrollment statistics have tons of information about enrollment, which you’ll probably be interested in to get a feel for what your classmates will be like.

here are some of the highlights:

• 47% of students self-identify as people of color
• 7% are international students
• 48% are male, 51% are female, 1% identify as another gender
• 35% of enrolled students applied early decision
• 30% of enrolled students are from low-income families
• 15% are the first in their families to attend college
• out of the 1,264 who were admitted, 492 enrolled

that’s a picture of a college that values not only academic achievement but accessibility and diversity, too.

other amherst admissions info

amherst’s first year applicants page is a good place to start for general information about applying. overall, amherst strives to make applying affordable and accessible for the greatest number of students, offering applicants everything from fee waivers to self-reported test scores.

these are some of the essentials for applying as a first-year:

• common application, coalition application or questbridge application
• amherst college writing supplement
• $65 application fee (non-refundable) or fee waiver (requested through common application, coalition application or amherst’s quick pass)
• school report
• secondary school transcript
• counselor recommendation
• two teacher recommendations
• standardized test results via self-reported scores or official score reports (from the sat or act)

amherst faqs

does amherst accept transfer students?
yes, and they do allow transfers to enter in the spring semester. read more to learn about your unique requirements.

does amherst accept non-traditional applicants?
if you’re homeschooled, undocumented or daca, or an international student, follow those links to find out what materials you’re expected to provide.

does amherst accept ap, ib, or other class for college credit?
no, but students are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if they are eligible to forgo introductory coursework.

how do i apply?
amherst accepts applications through the common app, coalition application, or the questbridge application.

does amherst have an early decision program?
yes. early decision is a binding program requiring students to withdraw applications from other colleges and agree to enroll at amherst in the fall. you must apply by november 1 and will learn your admissions decision by december 15. about 10% of students apply ed to amherst.

what are some important deadlines for applying to amherst?
here’s the timeline for early decision applicants:

• november 1: application and financial aid forms must be submitted and review of applications begins
• december 15: decision notices sent out electronically

and the timeline for regular decision applicants:

• january 1: applications must be submitted and review of applications begins
• february 15: financial aid forms must be submitted
• april 1: decision notices sent out electronically

how to get into amherst

it’s important to remember when applying to a school as selective as amherst that there’s no one thing your application can have that will ensure you’ll get in. instead, the admissions office will evaluate your materials holistically to get a picture of your personality and achievements.

let’s go over some general guidelines you should follow if you want to feel confident about being accepted to amherst college:

“how to get into amherst college checklist”

• an sat score of 1560 or higher
• an act score of at least 35
• a 4.05 gpa
• high grades in challenging courses
• strong extracurricular and community involvement
• thoughtful responses to essay prompts
• enthusiastic, supportive recommendations

happy studying, and good luck!

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no need to sugarcoat it–williams college is ranked as the #1 liberal arts college in america by the u.s. news and world report.

that’s pretty huge, but there’s more to a great college experience than just a ranking!

williams is nestled in a cozy town at the foot of the berkshire mountains that just happens to have one of the best contemporary art museums in america, amazing scenic hiking trails, and a famous music scene.

a passion for learning and discovery is an important part of williams’ identity. the academic program emphasizes small classes and oxford-style tutorials, with an average of one faculty member to every seven students. that’s more than twice as many teachers for every student than the national average, and comparable to somewhere like harvard or yale.

each january students can take one of dozens of pass/fail courses, travel, pursue collaborative or independent research, or do an internship–expanding the breadth of their intellectual development. williams students are involved in their community, with almost everyone participating in one of the college’s 150 campus organizations and clubs.

as one of the most prestigious colleges in the country, applying to williams means taking on one of the most selective admissions processes out there. if you think williams is the right place for you, read on for more about what it takes to get in!

williams college quick stats

here are the bare-bones williams admission statistics:

• average act: 33.5
• average sat: 1480
• average gpa: 4.03
• admissions rate: 13%

think this could be you? keep reading for the bigger picture!

more about williams act scores

like we mentioned above, williams takes only the best high school and transfer students in the country. that means the average act superscore at williams is a 33.5, which is higher than 98% of test-takers receive.

the good news is the middle 50% of act scores for the class of 2023 was 32 to 35 — that means 25% of students scored lower than a 32 and still got in. if you got a 35 or higher, you got the same score as the top 25% of admitted students.

it’s a good idea to shoot for that 75th percentile if you’re planning on applying to really make your application stand out, so make a 35 your target act score.

another plus is williams superscores results for all standardized tests. if you’ve taken the test more than once, it’s a good idea to submit all your scores so they can be combined into one ideal composite score. they also allow applicants to self-report their test scores, meaning you don’t have to pay the testing agency to send in official reports until you’ve been admitted.

more about williams sat scores

the students admitted to williams’ class of 2023 had an average sat score of 1480. to give you an idea of how those scores compare, only about 2% of students taking the sat got that score or higher.

on the math section, the average score was a 745, and admitted students scored an average of a 745 on the evidence based reading & writing section.

the middle 50% of scores fell between 1410 and 1550, meaning 25% of students scored lower than a 1410 and were admitted and, equally, 25% got higher than a 1550.

if you’re seriously considering williams, you should focus on getting a score at or above the 75th percentile result of 1550. competition among applicants is strong, and an outstanding test score can make a big difference.

if williams is high on your list but your scores aren’t where you’d like them to be, their superscore policy means it’s to your advantage to take the test as many times as you can. you don’t have to worry about paying to send score reports until you’re admitted since williams allows applicants to self-report, meaning there’s really no reason not to try and raise your score.

more about williams average gpa

for the class of 2022, the average gpa was 4.03. that means you’ll not only have to be basically a straight-a student, but most admitted students took more challenging classes, like ib, ap, or dual enrollment.

consequently, 94% of students admitted in 2017 were in the top 10% of their class, which should help you figure out where the admissions department expects you to be.

like with most selective schools, it’s a good idea early in high school to plan on taking advanced, college preparatory classes to prove you can handle a university workload. don’t let your grades slip in senior year, because williams requires a school report later in the year to make sure you stayed focused.

more about williams admissions rate

in 2019, williams admitted 13% of applicants. williams has been highly selective for a long time, and its admissions rate has only dropped in recent years. in 2018 the admissions rate was 15%, and in 2008, the admissions rate was 18.4%.

if williams continues this trend, you can only expect it to become more challenging to get in over time, and you’ll have to be an even more well-rounded applicant to be competitive.

williams freshman profile

let’s go through some of the highlights from the latest class admitted to williams:

• 134 are international students representing 52 different nationalities.
• 58% identify as students of color
• 20% are first-generation college students
• 13 identify as trans, genderqueer, nonbinary, or two spirit
• 254 students are affiliated with questbridge
• 67% of students applied for financial aid
• 23 will join the class after taking a gap year

looking at the numbers we can infer williams values diversity, and works to make the college accessible to people from different class, national, and racial backgrounds.

more williams admissions info

you can check out williams’ admissions page for more info about applying or to request more information, but here’s a basic rundown of the williams college admissions requirements.

you’ll need to send in:

• common application, coalition application, or questbridge application
• sat or act scores
• school report
• counselor recommendation
• two teacher recommendations
• mid-year report (due february 9, 2018)
• $65 application fee or fee waiver

there is an early decision program for students who are confident about choosing williams and want to hear back earlier about their admissions decision. the deadline is november 15, a couple months sooner than the january 1 deadline for regular admission.

wiliams offers the opportunity to include some optional materials as well:

• williams writing supplement
• visual/performing arts portfolio
• if you have a well-developed talent in the arts, please visit our arts supplement page for specific deadlines and details about submissions.
• scientific research abstracts
• if you have pursued significant scientific or mathematics research and are considering a research or academic career, we welcome brief descriptions of your work.

the williams writing supplement is optional, but is a great way to show your interest in the college during the applications process.

williams faqs

does williams use the common app?
yes! the common app and coalition application are popular with students applying to a number of schools since you can fill out one general application accepted by multiple schools and add in individual college’s optional or supplementary materials.

williams also works closely with questbridge, which works to connect students from low-income backgrounds with prestigious colleges and universities.

can i transfer to williams?
for sure! the deadline for transfer applications is march 1, and williams suggests applying as a transfer only if you have at least one year of undergrad at another accredited institution.

can international students apply to williams?
you definitely can, and williams gets application from more than 1,500 international students from 100 countries.

does williams accept ap credit?
yes, and if you’re interested in how williams will evaluate your ap scores in converting them to college credit you can check out this conversion chart.

does williams have early decision?
if williams is your first choice, the college offers a binding early decision program with earlier application and decision deadlines.

how to get into williams

williams is one of the most competitive colleges in america, so it’s important to remember there’s no one thing your application can include that will guarantee you’ll get in.

their admissions office looks for interested, interesting candidates with a strong record of academic achievement and community involvement as well as a compelling story.

that said, this outline covers what your application should include to have a shot at getting in.

here’s your “williams college admissions checklist”!

good luck, and happy studying!

the post williams college admissions: the sat, act scores, and gpa you need to get in appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

university of denver is a respected research university–with the rocky mountains in its backyard. the best of both worlds!

denver, the colorado city from which du draws its name, is also known as the gateway to the rockies. skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and rock climbing bring visitors from across the world to the mile-high city.

on top of the wonder if its natural surroundings, denver is know for its cultural institutions, including a contemporary art center and an active music scene. in fact, in 2016 denver was selected by the us news & world report as the best place in to live in america!

but there’s more to the university of denver than the great city it’s located in.

at du can expect small class sizes, a commitment to diversity, and all the opportunities that come with living in a rapidly growing and vibrant city.

the university’s business program is widely respected–in fact, it’s considered the best in colorado! du also has a well-regarded women’s college that awards a degree from the university. and for those who want to venture a little farther afield, 7 out of 10 university of denver students study abroad. it’s no surprise then that du ranks in the top five nationally for study abroad participation!

the undergrad community numbers around 5,600 students, smaller than comparable colorado state universities like colorado university–boulder, which was also ranked 87th by the us news & world report. each year about 1,400 new students are admitted.

on top of all that, du offers over 100 clubs and student organizations, and has a freshman retention rate of 87%. that’s pretty darn high!

university of denver at a glance

so those are the basic stats…now keep reading to for a deeper look at those numbers, expert tips on du admissions, and everything else you need to know to give yourself the best shot at being accepted to university of denver!

university of denver sat scores

the composite university of denver sat scores are listed above, but let’s analyze the scores section by section:
 

admitted students scored an average composite of 1270 on the 1500-point scale in 2019.

the middle 50% of students admitted in 2019 scored between 1160 and 1370, meaning 25% scored lower than 1160 but were still admitted and another 25% scored above 1370.

we recommend you aim for that 1370!

and if you’re planning on sending sat scores to du, here are a few other things you should know:

• the university of denver doesn’t have a minimum sat score to apply, or a threshold guaranteeing acceptance.
• they also “superscore” standardized test scores by combining your best numbers on each test you’ve taken in to one profile, rewarding you for taking the sat or act multiple times.
• unlike other schools, the university of denver doesn’t require sat subject tests, but applicants are welcome to submit them.

university of denver act scores

the average accepted student had a composite score of 28.5 in 2019, and the middle 50% scored between 26 and 31.

similar to the sat, there’s neither a minimum score the university of denver requires from applicants nor one that will ensure you’re admitted.

du doesn’t require students to submit an act writing score, but you can expect one to increase your chances if you scored well!

university of denver gpa average

admitted students’ high school gpas from 2019 look like this:

as you can see, three-quarters of admitted freshman had a gpa of 3.6 or higher, so we recommend you aim around there.

if you’re not sure what your current gpa is, you can figure it out with our gpa calculator!

university of denver acceptance rate

du accepts more than half all all students that apply, with an acceptance rate of 56% and a 13% yield (the percentage of admitted students who enrolled).

however, over the past few years, the university of denver has been growing more selective.

if you’re certain this is the place for you, you should apply for early decision or early action, since you’re much more likely to gain admission.

students can apply using university of denver’s pioneer application or submit materials using the common app. du’s fee is $65, but qualifying students can request a fee waiver.

university of denver freshman profile

so who are these students? while the freshman profile for the class of 2023 is not yet available, the student demographics from the class of 2022 can still give us a good idea of who is attending university of denver:

• international students: 7.5% from 52 countries
• students from u.s: 92.5%
• american indian/alaskan native: 0.2%
• asian: 4.5%
• black/african-american: 2.2%
• hispanic/latino: 11.8%
• multi-race (not hispanic/latino): 4.6
• native hawaiian/ pacific islander: 0.1%
• white: 74.3%
• unknown: 2.3%

expert advice on how to get into university of denver

we spoke to lena n. from the college prep organization transizion, to get her expert advice on how to get into university of denver.

let’s take a look at what she had to say!

more advice…straight from the du admissions office!

we also got in touch with craig dionne, the northeast regional director of admission at the university of denver.

here’s his number one piece of advice for getting into du:

university of denver faq

how much does university of denver cost?
du is more expensive than many other private institutions, with tuition and fees for the 2018-2019 school year at $53,775 and room and board at $14,178, according to u.s. news data.

that said, 84% first-year students receive financial aid, with an average aid package of $40,907.

what is the gender ratio at university of denver?
54% of students in 2019 were women and 46% were men, about an average gender distribution in higher education.

can undocumented students apply to university of denver?
absolutely! university of denver offers a special application for undocumented students, and is proud to support daca recipients.

how to get into university of denver

how to get into university of denver?

here’s our official “how to get into university of denver” checklist…you need:

if you can check these boxes, there’s a good chance that soon you’ll be packing your bags for one of the best cities in america!

happy studying.

the post university of denver admissions: the sat, act scores and gpa you need to get in appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

 
are you interested in pushing the boundaries of science and technology, designing video games, or innovating in the business world? if so, then rensselaer polytechnic institute might be a good fit for you!

rpi is known worldwide for a focus on science, engineering, and technology, and is consistently ranked as one of the top fifty universities in america. rensselaer’s campus boasts a business incubator, one of the most powerful university supercomputers, and an annual student video game showcase.

rensselaer polytechnic institute is also considered one of the top six universities in america in terms of median graduate income, meaning their alumni are rewarded not only with state-of-the-art facilities and rigorous academics but the tools they need to build a career straight out of college.

with a student population of 7,500 and only ten miles between campus and albany, new york, you can count on a vibrant student life in addition to a solid education.

if their motto “why not change the world?” resonates with you, rpi could be the place for you!

rensselaer polytechnic institute at a glance

some of those are pretty high numbers…but they are achievable!

let’s take a deeper dive into rensselaer polytechnic institute admissions, and find out what you need to do to make yourself a competitive candidate for rpi!

rensselaer polytechnic institute sat scores

while the composite rensselaer polytechnic institute sat scores are in the above table, here’s a breakdown by section:
 

rensselaer doesn’t have a minimum sat score required for admission, but the average composite sat score of admitted students in 2019 was a 1415 out of 1600.

on the writing test the middle 50% of students scored between a 640 and a 720, while in math the middle 50% scored between a 690 and a 780. this means 25% of admitted students scored lower than a 640 in writing or a 690 in math, while another 25% scored about a 720 in writing and a 780 in math.

if you can get scores above the middle 50% of admitted students, you can be fairly confident about your chances–if the rest of your application stands up. if not, rpi is a selective school, so you should be prepared to support your scores with strong grades and diverse extracurriculars.

rensselaer polytechnic institute act scores

the average act of students admitted in 2019 was a 31 out of 36.

the middle 50% of students, meaning those scoring between the 25% and 75% percentiles, got between a 29 and a 33. that means scoring below a 29 will put you at a disadvantage, but one quarter of students admitted that year scored lower than a 29 and still got in.

if you have a 33 or above, you can be confident about your chances: only 25% of admitted students had scores that high!

rensselaer polytechnic institute gpa average

students admitted to rpi in 2018 had an average gpa of 3.87–which means the rensselaer polytechnic institute admissions office expects you to be near the top of your class.

two-thirds of admitted freshman had a gpa of 3.75 or higher, 21% had between a 3.50 and a 3.74, 8% had between a 3.25 and a 3.49, and only 4% had gpas between a 2.00 and a 2.99.

not sure how to calculate your gpa? you can figure it out with our gpa calculator!

rensselaer polytechnic institute acceptance rate

rensselaer’s acceptance rate is 43%. this year a record total of 20,402 high school students applied to rpi, with 8,773 admitted and 1,755 enrolled.

although a 43% acceptance rate is not too selective (about 2 out of every 5 applicants are admitted!) increasing numbers of applicants may drive rpi’s admissions to become more competitive in coming years.

rensselaer polytechnic institute freshman profile

so who is the typical rensselaer freshman? let’s take a look at the class of 2022:

• international students: 13.6% from 39 countries
• students from u.s: 86.4%
• american indian/alaskan native: 0.1%
• asian: 13.7%
• black/african-american: 4.6%
• hispanic/latino: 10.4%
• multi-race (not hispanic/latino): 7.8%
• white: 61.8%
• unknown: 1.6%

rensselaer polytechnic institute other admissions requirements and info

let’s dig a little deeper, and see what else you need to get into rensselaer polytechnic institute, besides your gpa and test scores:

rpi has the following admissions recommendations:

• four years of mathematics through pre-calculus (calculus recommended)
• three years of science (including chemistry and lab-based physics)
• four years of english
• three years of social studies and/or history

additionally, the rensselaer polytechnic institute admissions committee will be looking for students who demonstrate leadership qualities and talents that will add to the rpi community!

expert advice on how to get into rensselaer polytechnic institute

we talked to ashley c. from the college prep organization transizion, to get her expert advice on how to get into rensselaer polytechnic institute university.

let’s see what she has to say!

rensselaer polytechnic institute faq

does rensselaer accept transfer students?

yes! any student with 12 or more transferable college credits completed after high school is eligible to apply to rpi as a transfer student.

transfer applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but there are final deadlines to apply to each semester:

• fall: apply by june 1
• spring: apply by november 1
• summer (architecture only): apply by march 1

after your application is submitted, you may expect a decision in approximately 3-4 weeks!

does rensselaer accept the common app?
yes! rensselaer accepts the common app, the coalition application, or the candidate’s choice application.

the rpi admissions office weighs all applications equally, so feel free to use whichever of these application platforms is the most convenient for you!

can non-native english speakers apply to rensselaer?
yes! however, if english is not your first language, you will be required to submit your test of english as a foreign language (toefl) scores as part of your rpi applications!

how to get into rensselaer polytechnic institute

how to get into rensselaer polytechnic institute?

let’s do a quick summary!

here’s your “how to get into rensselaer polytechnic institute” checklist…

you need:

check those boxes, and you’ll be all set for your new life in new york–just don’t forget a jacket!

the post rensselaer polytechnic institute admissions: the sat, act scores and gpa you need to get in appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

colorado state university is the biggest and most prestigious in colorado’s public university system.

situated at the foot of the rocky mountains in fort collins, surrounded by national parkland (but only an hour from denver!) this respected research university enrolls 26,400 undergraduate and 7,294 grad students.

csu is known for its cutting-edge research in science, particularly in the public health, environmental, climate, and clean energy technology fields.

bachelor’s degree students are concentrated in the business department, with 14% of students, biology with 11%, and engineering with 9%.

tuition is $11,831 for in-state students and $29,732 for out-of-state, making it a financially competitive choice for the region, particularly considering the opportunities a big research university offers.

if you’re interested in studying stem in a beautiful, dynamic city, colorado state is an excellent choice!

now let’s take a quick look at some csu admissions stats…

csu quick admissions statistics (for the class of 2023)

colorado state university sat scores

a 1175 on the sat is in the 70th percentile of test-takers nationwide–so (even though csu has a high admissions rate) it’s a fairly high score.

but, before we get into the sat nuts and bolts, here are a few things you should know if your planning on submitting your sat scores to colorado state:

• if you take the sat multiple times, csu will consider you based on your highest subscores from each section (your “superscore”) for admission and scholarship decisions.
• csu does not consider the written section of the sat.
• test scores are not required at all if you are older than 22, or if you have been out of high school for more than four years.

so then, let’s breakdown sat scores at colorado state by section:

while the average sat score for admitted students is a 1175, it’s useful to consider the top and bottom 25th percentiles when setting your goal score:

• the 25th percentile for colorado state sat scores is 1070
• the 75th percentile for colorado state sat scores is 1280

that means a score below 1070 is below average, and only 25% of admitted students had scores lower, whereas a score above 1280 is above average and only 25% of admitted students scored higher.

aiming for the 75th percentile is a great idea, so we recommend that you take the sat as many times as necessary to score a 1280 or higher if you want the best chances of getting in.

for more information on how to submit your sat scores, read this general information about submitting supporting documents to csu.

colorado state university act scores

here are some things to know about submitting your act scores to csu:

• the writing portion of the act is not considered.
• csu also superscores the act.
• if your 23+ or have been out of high school for 5+ years, submitting your test scores isn’t mandatory.

historically, the average act score of those admitted to colorado state is 25.5, and the act percentiles shake out as follows:

• the 25th percentile for csu act scores is 23
• the 75th percentile for csu act scores is 28

if you scored a 26 or higher, that would place you in the top 50% of applicants, and anyone with higher than a 28 is going to be a very competitive applicant.

colorado state university gpa average

the average high school gpa of students admitted to csu is 3.64 out of 4.0, which is a b+ average. this means you’ll need a mix of a’s and b’s, and few to no c’s to have a good chance of getting in.

if you’re a junior or senior and your gpa is a little low, don’t worry! you can probably improve your gpa enough to get accepted to csu over the next few semesters.

doing well in ap and ib classes is also a good way to bump up your gpa (since these courses offer an extra grade point), and will show the csu admissions office that you are prepared for college-level coursework.

not sure what your grade point average is? find out how your school calculates your gpa, and see if your on track for csu admissions. .

colorado state university acceptance rate

colorado’s acceptance rate is 84%, making it fairly accessible. four out of every five students are admitted!

this means even if your scores aren’t quite average, there’s still a pretty good chance you’ll get in: only about one-third of students who are admitted actually enroll in fall.

colorado state’s early admission program has an identical acceptance rate, which means unless you’re really certain csu is where you’d like to be, or just want the confidence applying early gives you, there’s not too much danger in waiting until spring to apply.

advice from the colorado state university admissions office

we talked to megan bush, a senior admissions counselor at csu, about her expert advice for students applying to colorado state university.

let’s hear what megan has to say!

“at colorado state university, we consider each application holistically, which means that when we review your application, we consider you as a whole person who can bring a unique perspective to our diverse community. we want you here, so we are always looking for reasons to admit you. as a counselor, i need your help to find those reasons in your application.

here are my top pieces of advice for filling out your application:

• if you have any concerns about your application, address them directly in the optional academic explanation. for example, if you have one low-scoring semester, tell me why. did you miss class for a medical emergency? did you face a personal obstacle? sometimes, extenuating circumstances help me understand the story behind the numbers.
• talk about yourself! we want to get to know you. please use your personal statement to tell me more about you, the challenges you’ve faced, and your passions. this is your chance to share your story.
• reach out to your counselor with any questions or concerns. you have the unique opportunity to connect with the person who may be reading your application, so don’t hesitate to do so. we are here for you.

we know that the application process can be stressful, so please know that the admissions counselors at csu are your advocates and here to help. we would be thrilled to welcome you to csu.

finish high school strong, and go rams!”

check out colorado state university’s website for more information about what csu looks for in your application!

how to get into colorado state university

the most important thing to remember about getting into csu is that your application is built out of many different pieces. one piece alone is not going to make or break you admissions.

but if you can cover all the bases, and show the colorado state admissions office that you’re a well-rounded applicant, you’ll have a very good chance of being admitted.

so, to recap, for the best shot at getting into colorado state university, you’ll need:

• a 1280 or higher on your sat
• a 28 or higher on your act
• a 3.64 or higher gpa
• a solid letter of recommendation
• a strong application essay

all these pieces are important…but since your act and/or sat scores play such a large role in your application, it’s important to start studying as early as possible! check out this 1-week sat free trial as well as a great 1-week act free trial to get you started.

happy studying and good luck!

the post how to get into colorado state university: sat and act scores, gpa, and more appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

colgate university (named the most beautiful college campus in america by the princeton review in 2014!) sits on a 553 acre campus in rural new york. and despite sharing a name with a top toothpaste brand, it is not a dental school.

while colgate lacks a dentistry program, the university does offer 56 diverse majors and numerous possible minors, including neuroscience, lgbtq studies, east asian languages and literatures. (it’s a liberal arts school, if you couldn’t tell.)

in fact, colgate university is tied for 16th place in us news & world report’s rankings for best liberal arts colleges–and colgate is also ranked first nationally by the institute of international education in percentage of undergraduate students participating in semester-length, off-campus study programs in a liberal arts college.

two-thirds of its 2,900+ students participate in a study abroad program during their time at the university! and if you’re interested in staying a little closer to home, colgate students can also enroll in classes at the equally prestigious nearby hamilton college.

on top of all of that, the environmentally-minded will be happy to note that colgate has a perfect sustainability score from the princeton review–the college even loans out a stable of bikes to students to explore its pristine natural surroundings!

which is all to say, there are a ton of reasons why you might be interested in this university…so let’s check out some of the admissions stats, and help you figure out how to get into colgate!

colgate university at a glance

average sat composite: 1465
average act composite: 32.5
average high school gpa: 3.82 out of 4.0
acceptance rate: 22.6%

okay, there’s your glance!

knowing the averages is a good start, but it’s only a small part of the picture..so keep reading for the full breakdown, plus some great advice from colgate’s senior assistant dean of admission & coordinator of multicultural recruitment.

and i promise there won’t be any more dental humor.

colgate sat scores

while colgate doesn’t have a minimum sat score for admission, it’s enrolled students definitely score well on the sat.

according to data on colgate’s class of 2023, student’s middle 50% of sat scores fell between a 1410 and a 1520. we advise our students to aim for the 75th sat percentile for the best shot at admission…so in this case that would be a 1520!

colgate sat scores are considered high, but you should take comfort in that fact that a full 25% of admitted students’ scores are below that middle range. on the other hand, there are lots of ways to get your sat scores up–which we’ll cover later in this post!

colgate university also superscores the sat, so if you’ve taken the test multiple times, they’ll put your best scores together for a new report showcasing your highest performance. hopefully that takes the pressure off a little!

colgate has also joined other universities in allowing students to self-report their scores. this means you don’t have to pay the testing company to send a copy of your scores to the university unless you’re admitted.

that being said, you should obviously be careful to report your scores accurately: colgate warns against recalculating or superscoring your results yourself.

there could be major repercussions for lying about your scores, so don’t tempt fate–just report your scores honestly!

colgate act scores

84% of colgate students scored between a 30 and a 36 on the act, and the middle 50% got between a 31 and a 34.

the average of colgate act scores is pretty high: a 31 composite score would put you in the 96th percentile of all students who have taken the act that year, and a 34 would put you in the 98th percentile! (magoosh can help with this: we guarantee that your score will go up by at least 100 points on the sat and at least four points on the act or your money back!)

the further below a 31 your score, the less likely your chances of admission are, but get higher than a 34 and you can feel confident your score is above average.

as with the sat, you are allowed to self-report act scores until you’re admitted, and colgate will superscore your results.

colgate admissions rate

colgate considered a highly selective school.

nearly 10,000 students applied for fewer than 2,500 admission slots, meaning 22.6% — or 1 in 4 — students who applied were admitted. 81% of students come from the top tenth of their graduating class, and 94% were in at least the top half.

colgate offers two early decision deadlines, one on november 15th and another on january 15. as a selective college, if you’re certain colgate is the right place for you applying early decision could increase your chances. a unique offering is the deferred entrance program, for students who wish to take a gap year before enrolling.

colgate gpa average

as mentioned above, 81% of colgate freshman came from the top tenth of their class, so it makes sense that nearly 50% of admitted students had gpa higher than 3.82 in 2019.

just don’t forget that improving your standardized test scores, having diverse interests and extracurriculars, and expressive application essays can help to round out your profile–even if your gpa isn’t quite as high as you’d like it to be.

colgate freshman profile

colgate received applications from every state in america for the class of 2023 and from 133 countries. 10% are international students, and one-third identify as multicultural. over half came from public, not private, high schools.

students tend to gravitate toward the following majors: economics, political science, history, psychology, and international relations and affairs. and freshman are pretty satisfied with their experience at colgate, as the average freshman retention rate is 95 percent

advice from colgate’s admissions office

we talked to jamiere n. abney, colgate’s senior assistant dean of admission & coordinator of multicultural recruitment, to get his expert advice on how to get into colgate university.

let’s see what he has to say!

“my biggest advice for a student seriously interested in being admitted to colgate university is to make sure to challenge themselves academically and socially to be prepared for the rigors of our community. colgate is located in rural central new york – this is both liberating and challenging for our student who come from across the globe to join our community of 2,900+ undergraduates.

our size allows us to offer a tight-knit environment where students are pushed to create new knowledge and actively engage both in and outside of the classroom. this level of detail necessitates someone who has really prepared themselves to be pushed to think critically and be prepared to take on more responsibility for their social environment as well.

due to our holistic admission review we truly look for a student who is interested in engaging. so the ability to eloquently talk about one’s passions and how they have pursued them thus far helps us truly understand how a student will fit into our residential, liberal arts environment. further, a student who has shown the want to go beyond minimum graduation requirements will be someone who can see beyond the potential barriers of small town hamilton to see the possibility for a global connection. from our 10% international students from 70+ countries, to our 35,000 living alumni – colgate students are truly connected to the world. it takes a special student to see that.”

for more information, check out the “what we look for in applicants” and “high school academic preparation” click-down tabs on the colgate admission webpage to see what they’ve documented as important considerations within their admission process.

how to get into colgate

first, make sure you know what the colgate act scores and/or the colgate sat scores are—and make scoring near the 75th percentile your goal. you should figure out your gpa, and see if falls into the colgate gpa average range for admitted freshman, and try to keep your gpa up, even if you’re nearing the end of high school.

make sure your essays and letters of recommendation are as strong as possible for colgate admissions. then go for it! you’ve got a great shot!

the post how to get into colgate: sat and act scores, gpa, and more! appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

there are so many things to juggle when it comes to senior year of high school–especially when you’re applying for college.

so this week we’re talking about high school senior year advice!

for a month-by-month breakdown of everything college-bound seniors need to know, check out our free ten minute video: “high school senior year survival guide!”

watch the embedded video below, or scroll down for a full video transcript.

what will i see in the “high school senior year survival guide!” video?

in this 10-minute video, our act expert kat will give you a short introduction, followed by a month-by-month guide to acing your senior year of high school.

here’s a short overview:

july: research!
august: study for the act/sat!
september: more act/sat studying!
october: ask for letters of recommendation!
november: write essays!
december: submit your applications!
january: do your fafsa!
february: apply for scholarships!
march: visit campuses!
april: choose a college!
may: keep your grades up!
june: participate in your senior year activities–it’s your last chance!

if you enjoyed this video, hit that like button, subscribe, or better yet, send it to a friend! all of us can go to college

“high school senior year survival guide!” full transcript

hey, everybody, this is kat at magoosh.

and today, we’re going to talk to you about all the major things you should be keeping track of as you go into your senior year.

okay, and i’m gonna give you one tip.

one thing to focus on, for every month starting with july right before your senior year and going through june.

by the way, how many of you are seniors right now?

finishing up high school in the last process.

if you want, go ahead and leave a comment.

[sound] or if you’re going into your senior year, what are you most concerned about?

what are you thinking about as you go into the whole college application process?

so we always love to hear from you, leave us a comment.

and let’s start with july.

so july before your senior year, this is a really good time to not totally tune out school.

i know it’s tempting, but this is when you can do some kind of like low key fun research.

so researching schools, like get the dream alive.

and while you’re doing that, definitely look into scholarships.

i know it’s overwhelming sometimes to try and find them, but july is a really good time to start looking for scholarships.

because scholarships are due all through out the year, there isn’t like one month where they’re all due.

every month their gonna be scholarships due, okay?

so july, look at scholarships.

now, august is a really good time to study for the sat, act.

and of course, here at magoosh, we have a lot of resources to help you with that.

and i think that if you start in august, you’ll be in a really good position to take the act or sat in like mid to late october.

so that’s a really nice time frame.

and if you have already taken it, i know there are a lot of you that took a junior year and not gonna take it again.

then, i could say go ahead and get started on your applications, there’s really no disadvantage of getting started early.

so now we’re getting actually into the school year.

and we have, oh, well for some of you, the sat and act in september, okay?

so october is also a good time to take it, but i’m trying to give you the safe side.

so you’re not close to any last minute deadlines for schools that do early admissions decision.

so october is fine, but september is better, okay?

so i think that’s a great time to do that.

and then october, so i have here, you’re noticing, letters of rec, okay?

that’s only one piece of a college application puzzle.

but why am i highlighting it here?

i’m highlighting it because for a lot of people, it’s the most intimidating part.

it’s hard to ask people sometimes for letters of rec.

i tell this to my pre-med students also, that teachers it’s part of our job.

so when we’re teaching we know that students are gonna ask for letters of rec.

the earlier you do it the better, because people get really busy.

and if you drew a letter writer, it’s a little bit of a heads up.

it’s just gonna make everything go so much smoother.

okay, and so while you’re doing, just also maybe start filling out the application.

so usually, applications have a lot of easy parts, you just like birth date and things like that.

and then a lot of hard parts like the essays, okay?

so do get started and the essay is actually the very next tip i have for you, okay?

moving into november, write your essays.

and i think a month is not unrealistic.

i think that a lot of students do this at the last minute and do not realize how important the essays are.

and i’ve been on the other side of it, okay?

i’ve help make decisions about kids getting, or sorry, young adults getting into college.

and the essays count a lot more than you realize.

so do some essay writing and see if you can get some people who will review them for you.

a lot of times guidance counselors will do that, family members, of course, are always an option.

somebody who is maybe a year ahead of you in school that whose advice you really trust.

so start writing the essays, they really do matter.

another thing i’ll say about that is that unfortunately, the essays don’t apply across all schools.

so you might have one essay that works for a whole bunch of schools.

but the other essays are often very school specific, which means you could be writing 15, 20 essays.

okay, so month of november, you know what you’re gonna be doing.

december, december is a great time to submit applications.

and i will say that there are some schools that have early admission deadlines in november.

and actually some schools, the deadline’s november 30th.

but that’s pretty rare, most deadlines are in january.

so december i think is just like the prime spot to get those applications out of the way.

make sure that you have all the materials that you need.

so you’re gonna have to have some kind of transcript.

it’s involved, but if you’re done with your essay, the submission part is pretty straight forward.

and so now we’re into the new year, you’re almost sort of graduated already.

and what happens in january?

well, it’s a really good time to do the fafsa.

and the reason for that, is because your parents will have gotten their text documentation from the year before.

so the nice thing about fafsa is it really does have a really long time window of when you can submit, but not all scholarships have a really long time limit.

so in order to get in the good running for different scholarships, you wanna have your fafsa done.

and that’s gonna be the earliest time you can do it with the most recent tax information from your parents.

and guidance counsellors always have extras, so they’re a great resource for that.

very used to helping students navigate the path, so.

and then february, so february again, i’m coming back to scholarship issue.

because i do think that it’s something that students overlook.

i overlooked it, i think i only applied for one, could have done a lot more.

but february is a short month, it’s a quick month, it’s gonna go by fast.

and you’re kinda in the sweet spot right now.

you’ve already submitted your applications and you’re not yet at point where you need to make decision.

so go ahead and use that time to look more scholarships.

all right, now we’re into march.

and for a lot people march is spring break, and for a lot people who take spring break during their senior year, that’s also a good time for campus visits.

i think visiting three campuses is probably a good number.

you can do more if they are really close together.

but if you aren’t able to make campus visits or maybe aren’t able to visit all the schools you want to see.

a really good idea is to email the schools orientation program and you can just find that through doing searches.

and then asked them if they have a current student that you can email to ask them about what’s it like to be a student here.

and that’s the quickest way to do it, it’s one of the best ways to do it.

so take advantage of emailing, if you can’t actually visit all the schools.

and then we have april.

so a lot of schools require you to make a decision may 1st.

what does that mean?

it means the month of april is like i remember being so distracted that month, trying to decided, i was down to two schools.

and they’re so many pros and cons to weigh.

so it’s a strange time, that decision time when you realize whoa, i could wind up on the west coast, east coast, small school, big school.

my whole life is kind of an unknown.

so give yourself that time to really make a good decision, and try not to stress out about it too much.

there’s wrong decision if it’s not the right school that you can always change schools.

i know it doesn’t sound like what you wanna do right now, but that’s april.

and then may is gonna come up so fast after april.

and it’s gonna be sort of unbelievable, it’s gonna be a blur.

you’re gonna be really busy with classes.

i haven’t mentioned that during all of these.

you’re also trying to take classes.

some of you are trying to work part-time jobs.

so all of a sudden, it’s may, and what should you do in may?

you should keep your grades up.

a lot of people blow off their spring semester grades.

they feel like, well, schools have already accepted me.

what’s the big deal?

what a lot of students don’t realize is financial aid packages and scholarships can be revote, i know that sounds really scary and mean, but it’s true.

so if you’re not keeping your grades up, if there is a big drop in your academic performance, scholarships can decide not to give you the money after all.

so keep your grades up, it’s just that last semester you’re a pro at this by this point, right?

and then june, so my advice for june is actually a little bit different, kind of on a different angle.

and here i have participate, and by that i mean participate in the celebrations.

so when i was high school senior, i kind of develop this attitude of why do i need to go to senior skip?

why do i have to do these senior all nighters?

i don’t need a graduation party.

i just doesn’t seem like so much effort and i was just already thinking about the future.

i wasn’t interested celebrating high school, and honestly, i kind of regret it.

and actually, i would’ve won something at a raffle if i had attended the senior all night party, and i didn’t get it, and my
friends told me.

so i know it’s just kind of like a silly piece of advice, but years from now, you might wish you had attended some of these senior events and graduation parties.

it doesn’t mean you’re gonna necessarily have a blast, you might, hopefully you will.

but it’s an experience that you’re never gonna have again.

and senior year is pretty cool, there’s a lot going on.

want more high school tips?

take a look at some of our other useful strategies for getting through those magical four years:

happy studying!

the post senior year survival guide | video post appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

type ucsb into google images, and you’ll see immediately why the university of california, santa barbara is consistently ranked one of the most beautiful colleges in the nation. i mean, just look at the header on this blog post–you’re basically having class on the beach!

located 100 miles north of los angeles, university of california, santa barbara sits atop the santa barbara cliffs, overlooking the pacific ocean. but there’s a lot more to ucsb than the sun and sand.

uc santa barbara is divided into three colleges and two professional schools: the college of letters & science, the college of engineering, the college of creative studies, the bren school of environmental science & management, and the gevirtz graduate school of education. so you have a lot to choose from!

one of the ten major campuses affiliated with the university of california (think also uc riverside, uc santa cruz), ucsb is currently ranked as the 8th best public school in the nation and offers its students a high level education for an amazing value (especially if you’re a california resident).

before we dive into a thorough discussion of just exactly how you can make santa barbara your home, let’s take a quick look at some ucsb admissions statistics. you can also read more about how to get into ucsb here!

ucsb quick admissions statistics (for the class of 2024)

note that ucsb is test-blind until at least fall 2024, like the rest of the uc system. in the meantime, the a-g requirements still stand.

ucsb sat scores

first and foremost, here are a few things you should know if you plan to take the sat and submit your scores to ucsb:

• ucsb requires that all applicants submit sat scores take the sat with essay.
• ucsb does not require sat subject tests, but certain programs recommend taking particular tests to satisfy prerequisite requirements or generally strengthen your application. (for example, the college of engineering recommends that all applicants take the math level 2 subject test.)
• ucsb does not “superscore” the sat scores you submit, meaning that–unlike many schools–they will not take the highest scores across all sections across for all testing date scores submitted. instead, you will have to choose the scores from a single testing date to send in.

so then, what do you actually need to score on your sat to have a good shot at admission to ucsb?

the average sat score of students admitted to ucsb is about 1360.

more specifically:

• the 25th percentile of ucsb sat scores is 1260
• the 75th percentile of ucsb sat scores is 1460

what does this mean? well, since the average ucsb sat score is 1360, if you score lower than 13600 that places you below average compared to other students applying to ucsb. a 1460 will put you above average compared to other applicants. we recommend shooting for that 75% mark and taking the sat as many times as necessary to get there.

the breakdown for each of the sat sections are as follows:

ucsb act scores

here are important some things to know about submitting your act scores to ucsb:

• the writing portion of the act is required.
• ucsb does not superscore the act either, but they will take your highest composite act score of all testing dates.

for an excellent chance of getting accepted to ucsb, you’ll want to aim for 33 or higher.

the average act score ucsb admitted students is 29, with percentile distribution as follows:

• the 25th percentile of ucsb act scores is 25
• the 75th percentile of ucsb act scores is 33

this means if you score a 29 or below, you’ll placing yourself below average compared the other applicants. a 33 or above and you’re looking good! again, we recommend taking the act as many times as you need to in order to snag that 33.

ucsb gpa average

the average gpa of students admitted to ucsb is 4.18, which means you’ll want to be performing well in honors, ap, and ib classes to get that extra grade point boost.

depending on how your school calculates your gpa, high grades in these types of classes can really bump up your overall gpa.

ucsb also has a minimum gpa requirement: 3.0 for california residents and 3.4 for non-residents. however, this gpa is calculated only from certain courses, and only if you took those courses during your sophomore or junior years.

obviously this isn’t an excuse to slack off your freshman and senior years–but it does give you a little breathing room if you got off to a bumpy start at the beginning of high school.

ucsb acceptance rate

ucsb received 93,457 undergraduate applications this year, and admitted 26,920 students. therefore the ucsb admissions rate is 29.6%.

out of the percentage admitted, 18% were enrolled.

ucsb freshman profile

the university of santa barbara publicly releases some very interesting information on the undergraduate student body. here are some of the facts and figure about this year’s current freshman class:

ucsb faqs

check out these faqs about ucsb undergraduate admissions for more in-depth answers to all your burning questions, but here some of the greatest hits:

how do i transfer to ucsb?

the ucsb admissions website provides key information for transfer applicants.

how does ucsb determine california residency?

this is a tricky one, because ucsb’s definition of residency varies between offices (for example, the admission office and the financial aid office).

however, residency information from these offices is not used to determine residency for tuition purposes–which is probably the kind of residency you’re interested in.

to be considered a california resident, you must:

• 1) be continuously physically present in california for more than one year (366 days) immediately prior to the residence determination date of the term for which you request resident status.
• 2) prove you have been financially independence from out-of-state parents for at least two years prior to the residence determination date.
• 3) be a us citizen or permanent resident of the united states or hold a valid, qualifying nonimmigrant visa.

where can i find the general course catalog?

right here!!

how to get into ucsb

the most important thing to remember about getting into ucsb is that no single portion of the application will be strong enough to carry you through the admissions process all on its own; your application needs to be holistically compelling and should demonstrate that you are a well-rounded candidate.

so, let’s recap! here’s your “how to get into ucsb” checklist…you’ll need:

• a 1460 or higher on your sat
• a 33 or higher on your act
• a 4.18 or higher gpa (but mandatorily a 3.0/3.4 or higher if you’re in-state/out-of-state)
• a’s in plenty of challenging ap, ib, or honors courses
• strong letters of recommendation
• extracurriculars that demonstrate your passions
• an engaging application essay

since your act and/or sat scores play such a large role in your application, you should definitely start studying as early as possible!

check out this 1-week sat free trial as well as a great 1-week act free trial to get you started.

good luck!

the post ucsb admissions: the sat, act scores, and gpa you need to get in appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.