• both options enable you to apply for college prior to regular admission deadlines and get an admission decision before regular applicants.
• if you apply early decision, you are bound to attending one school.
• you can apply to multiple colleges as an early action applicant (check the fine print of each school for their unique policies).
• both application types are usually due november 1st and you will hear about your admission status by mid-december.
• early action is not better than early decision and vice versa. each has its benefits and drawbacks.
• some admissions experts suggest that applying early increases your admission chances.

comparing early action vs. early decision

okay, now that you’ve got a general sense of the two ways to apply early to college, let’s look a little closer at the main differences between them.

think about the actual name of each option for a moment.

“early action” simply suggests that you’re taking action steps toward applying for college earlier.

“early decision,” on the other hand, has the word “decision” right in the name. it means that your mind is made up. you’ve decided that if you get into this school, you’re going no matter what—it’s your first-choice school. and that’s why early decision applications are binding. when you apply early decision to a school you are making a promise that you will attend if accepted.

binding vs. non-binding

a really important thing to know about early decision applications is that they aren’t legally binding. this means that you can’t be taken to court if you apply early decision, are accepted, and then want to back out. but—they are binding within the college system. so if you change your mind and decide to attend another college where you did not apply early decision, you could face having your admission revoked.

on the other hand, early action applications are non-binding. you’ll find out if you got in earlier, but you can still weigh your options. you’ll typically have until the regular commitment date (may 1st) to make a choice.

what to consider when choosing early action vs. early decision

when you’re deciding whether you want to apply early action vs. early decision, here’s the biggest factor:

how badly do you want to attend a particular college? do you have a true dream school? do just know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this is the school for you? if so, applying early decision is the way to go.

but before you take that plunge and commit, it may be worthwhile to spend some time really reflecting on the factors that make this school your #1 choice.

factors to consider

for instance, you may be dead set on a particular school on account of:

• a particular program of study — is it the only place this program is offered? is it the best of the best? are there specific faculty members you’d love to take classes with?
• geographic location — is it very important to you where you go to college when it comes to the city or state? what draws you to this particular place? why will living there be integral to your college experience?
• financial aid — some schools guarantee a certain amount of financial aid to admitted students, which may be a significant factor in your decision.
• extracurricular activities — is there a sports team you’ve been scouted for? a club that you’d absolutely love to be part of? a greek community that you feel drawn to?
• internships or other experiential opportunities — is there a school-to-career pipeline of some sort that is offered at this school? are you guaranteed some type of intern/externship, mentorship, or research opportunity you can’t get anywhere else?
• values — is there something about the school’s culture and values that appeals to you? for instance, is it affiliated with a particular religion or committed to building a diverse student population?
• other personal reasons — you may be set on a specific school because of family legacy or the school’s history or prestige.

if you don’t feel “all-in” on a college because of any combination of the above reasons, but you’d still like to apply early, then early action is likely the better route for you. also, if you’re a competitive applicant (great grades, class ranking, test scores, etc.), then early action or early decision may be a good choice for you.

still unsure? check out our quiz on whether you should accept early decision!

pros

of course, there are pros and cons to early action vs. early decision. on the upside, you’ll be better able to make your college plans earlier, which can be less stressful and more cost-effective. on the downside, you’ll have to assemble your application materials quickly, which could be stressful if you’re not prepared.

let’s look at some key points of early action vs. early decision.

early action:

• you will know your admission status early and have more time to make plans regarding housing, financial aid, jobs, classes, and so on.
• you can apply to multiple schools early action and therefore you will have options when it comes to choosing a school. this includes having time to weigh out financial aid package offers from each school.

early decision:

• if you get in, you can celebrate super early that you got into your dream school!
• by making this type of preemptive commitment, you may be more likely to be accepted (more on this shortly)

cons

early action:

• you may have more applications if you’re applying early action, which can add a lot of pressure on top of an already busy schedule during your senior year.
• if you get in more than one school, you may feel overwhelmed by indecision (although this isn’t an entirely bad problem to have!). conversely, if you don’t get into any of your early action schools, you will only have a short window to apply regular decision elsewhere.

early decision:

• you only get one early decision application, so if you start to waver on your decision, the entire college application process can get delayed.
• there may be less financial aid options available and you won’t have the opportunity to weigh out other options.

how do i decide which schools to apply to?

okay so once you have an idea of which early application route you’ll be taking, how do you decide schools to apply to?

1. look into which schools offer early action and/or early decision options; not all of them do.
   1. some of the most common early action schools include northeastern, university of michigan, mit, and georgetown.
   2. some of the most common early decision schools include nyu, rice university, and columbia university.
2. check the admissions page or call the admissions office of each school you’re interested in to double-check their early application policies and deadlines.

you can read more about how to choose the right college here!

does early action or early decision increase chances of acceptance?

when it comes to the odds of getting into a college or university by applying early decision, the truth is that your chances depend on the school. ask an admissions department directly about their acceptance rates and if early decision candidates are given any sort of priority, or take a look at their most recent class profile. also, consider that:

• because applying early decision is binding, less students apply, which may increase your chances of getting in.
• what appears to be higher acceptance rates could be due to stronger and more competitive candidates applying early decision.

in short, it certainly can’t hurt, so if you feel strongly about a particular fit, we say go for it! (on that note, check out these 3 tips for applying early decision).

other types of early action and early decision

to make matters a bit more complex, there are also a couple of lesser-known types of early action and early decision applications.

early decision 2

early decision 2 (often just abbreviated as ed2) is an option some schools offer that is virtually identical to early decision (1) but has a different due date. so while most early decision deadlines are november 1st, early decision 2 is later, often january 1st or 15th (with notifications arriving in february). both types of early decision applications are binding with one school, but ed2 allows you a bit more time to get your application together. it’s unclear if you stand a better chance of admission with early decision vs. early decision 2. but with either type of application, you’ll be demonstrating your seriousness about your interest in a particular school.

restrictive early action

restrictive early action (also known as single-choice early action or restrictive ea), on the other hand, is a type of early action application that is sort of like a hybrid of early decision and early action. it’s non-binding (like early action), but you can only choose one school to apply to (like early decision). a select number of elite colleges including princeton, yale, harvard, and stanford offer restrictive early action.

the gist is that you will want to look into the specific application types and deadlines for each school that you’re interested in and then go from there.

early action vs. early decision: a final word

overall, the decision to apply early action vs. early decision to college hinges largely on how prepared you are to apply as well as how clear you are on where you want to go and what you want to study. there’s no wrong choice, and whateverway you apply early will show your seriousness and commitment to attending college, which is always a good look to admissions boards. if you want more help deciding which route is best for you, we encourage you to chat with your school counselor.

and what about if you apply early decision but don’t get in? you may feel bummed but the good news is that you’re still able to apply to plenty of other schools by the regular deadline.

happy applying and good luck!

the post early action vs. early decision: understanding the difference appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

if you’re the parent or guardian of a student embarking on the college admissions process, congratulations! more than likely, the process of sending your student to college is exciting and overwhelming. it can be hard to know where to start, how best to support your student, which college application deadlines you’ll need to know, how to pay for college, and so on!

that’s why we here at magoosh have compiled all of our best resources for students and their families to use along their college admissions journey. this post is specifically geared toward parents, family members, and guardians looking to support their students through this complex process, but we’ll link to plenty of resources addressed directly to students!

table of contents

• how to use this guide
• choosing a college or university
• getting letters of recommendation
• completing the common application
• writing supplemental college essays
• the 5 steps to applying for financial aid
• keeping track of college application deadlines
• happy college admissions season!

how to use this guide

we highly encourage you to share and discuss these resources thoroughly with your student (or students) because if there’s one thing we believe fully, it’s that the college admissions process is highly collaborative by nature.

also, most colleges require act or sat scores (though there are a growing number of test-optional colleges and universities now) and official transcripts with a cumulative gpa. for the purpose of this post though, we’ll be focusing on the other major moving parts of the college admissions process. for more information on preparing for the act or sat, feel free to check out our act resources and sat resources! both resource hubs link to many support tools and pieces of advice for preparing to take these exams.

for now, though, let’s dive in and take a look at the other pieces of the college admissions process.

choosing a college or university

first thing’s first: the epic college search. choosing a college is perhaps the biggest beast of the entire college admissions process. it’s a big decision and involves all kinds of financial and logistical considerations.

juggling different opinions and considerations

there may be conflicting opinions and desires when it comes to choosing a college. for example, your student wants to move to the other side of the country, but you’d like them to be able to come home affordably as much as they’d like to. or perhaps your student is expressing interest in attending a college for a given major, and you’d prefer they study something else.

there may also be prohibitive factors. perhaps your student’s gpa isn’t as competitive as it needs to be to get into a certain school. perhaps you are doubtful that your family will qualify for need-based financial aid and college tuition is just not in your budget.

never fear. all families face these discussions and compromises but rest assured, the perfect school choice is definitely out there for your student.

common factors for choosing a college

as a good starting point, here’s some advice on how to choose a college based on a number of factors:

• 2-year vs. 4-year colleges
• small vs. large colleges
• in-state vs. out-of-state colleges
• private vs. public colleges

 
some other factors to consider when discussing which colleges to apply to are:

• diversity and demographics of the school
• extracurricular activities offered
• athletics offered
• greek life
• religious affiliations
• majors/programs offered
• the rigor of the curriculum
• internship/externship opportunities
• study abroad opportunities
• average class sizes
• and so on

what is most important to your student? it can be easy for students to get caught up in what their friends are prioritizing for college but what resources, opportunities, and programs are “must-haves” for your student? because there are so many factors to consider, a good starting place is college size, as this will greatly inform your student’s experience. is a bigger, more expansive campus their thing, or is a smaller, more intimate setting more up their alley? share the below quizzes with your student to start the conversation:

• resource alert
  quiz 1: what size college should you choose?
  quiz 2: what should you major in?

once your student has a clear idea of what they want to study, the second quiz can help narrow down the application process to schools with good programs for this major. (side note: it’s definitely okay if your student doesn’t know their intended major as a senior in high school. most colleges and universities do not ask students to declare a major until after their first or second year of college!)

we also really like this piece about choosing the perfect college that includes many great reflective questions you could discuss with your student.

top tips for the college search process

overall, here are some tips for parents and guardians for how to choose a college as a team with their student:

• start the college discussion and college search/research process early, ideally at the beginning of junior year. this will give you more than enough time to get a sense of the many options out there.
• visit as many colleges as possible (we understand this can be costly). nothing will give your student a better sense of a college than being on the actual campus. taking virtual college tours with your student is also a great way to get a feel for the campus while staying safe in these covid-19 times (and saving on travel expenses!).
• engage in deep, frequent, meaningful discussions about college with your student and ask many questions. it’s beneficial to have broader conversations about things like why going to college is important, as well as more quantitative discussion about what paying off student loan debt looks like after graduation.
• talk to your student about their greatest passions, what excites them most in life, and where they may see themselves down the line in life.
• keep an open mind about what your student says they want in a college experience or what they want to study.

• resource alert
  don’t miss out on this comprehensive resource of all the virtual college tours we could find online!

for more great advice on supporting your student in choosing a college, check out this piece on helping your teen with college decisions.

getting letters of recommendation

once your student has chosen which colleges to apply to, you’ll want to help them stay on top of the application requirements for each school.

but beyond these standard requirements, there are a few very key pieces of the college application process you’ll want to check in with your student about.

every college has its own specifications, but nearly all of them ask for at least one letter of recommendation from a trusted academic teacher or advisor. these are almost always due along with the rest of the application materials.

how to ask for a letter of recommendation

we recommend these guiding principles when asking for a letter of recommendation, and encourage you to discuss your student’s plan for asking for letters from their teachers.

1. please urge your student to ask for letters as early as possible, as it’s not uncommon for teachers to get flooded with requests. waiting until the last minute can lead to rushed letters or denied letters, so check in with your students about the status of their letters.
2. this downloadable letter of recommendation student fact sheet is something your student can fill out and give to their teacher(s) to assist in the process. your student’s high school may have their own template or materials they prefer you to use, so the above resource is by no means the only option.

completing the common application

if you’re not familiar with the common application, commonly referred to as “the common app,” it’s the relatively universal application that allows undergraduate students to apply to 800+ different colleges in one place.

and more than likely, it’s what your student will be using to apply to most or all of their schools.

we suggest that you review the common app with your student and create an account together. each school will have their own deadlines to keep track of, but the common app will act as a “one-stop-shop” through which your student keep track of multiple applications.

the common app essay

the most important component of the common app, however, is the common app essay, an essay that is sent to each school in addition to individual college’s requirements.

for the last several years, the seven common app essay prompts have stayed the same, and will likely remain the same for the 2021-2022 school year. students are required to choose one of the prompts and answer it in 650 words or less.

• resource alert
  feel free to go over this guide on how to write the common app essay with your student.

here are some other ways you can support your student in writing the common application essay:

• help them brainstorm: often, coming up with the initial topic of focus can feel the most daunting for students. encourage your student to write about what they are genuinely most passionate and qualified to write about, not what they think colleges “want to hear.”
• encourage them to write rough drafts: as we all know, the best writing is rewriting!
• check-in with them about their progress: they will write a stronger essay if they do not leave it until the last minute
• proofread their essay: another set of editorial eyes is always encouraged, but of course, encourage your student to write the essay in their unique voice and tone.

writing supplemental college essays

in addition to the common app essay, your student may have to write supplemental college essays for individual colleges as well.

the best thing you can do to help your student prepare for these essays is to discuss the topics with them, help them brainstorm, and get their creative juices flowing. we find that students often don’t know where to start, but bouncing ideas can help them find a direction.

college essay prompts obviously vary school by school, but many tend to fall into one of the following categories:

1. why do you want to attend x school?

this type of prompt will ask your student to reflect on why they want to attend a specific school. we recommend helping your student do some research on this front so that they can adequately articulate specific aspects of the school or academic program that appeal to them. they should also be prepared to explain what they will contribute to the academic community. what extracurricular activities will they join? what kind of peer will they be in class? how will a degree from this school in this program help them achieve their future goals? these are all great questions to discuss with your student if they’re answering this type of prompt.

for reference, a prompt of this variety may look like this one from the university of pennsylvania:

“how will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the university of pennsylvania? please answer this question given the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying.”

2. what is important that we know about you?

another type of prompt asks students to provide any additional information that does not appear elsewhere on their application. this type of essay provides them the opportunity to explain personal circumstances like hardships they’ve overcome or to provide a detailed explanation for poor grades, prior legal troubles. students may also discuss facets of their learning styles or struggles in these types of essays. since this information can be a bit sensitive, we encourage you to discuss these topics with your student in a way that empowers them. remember, colleges aren’t looking for perfect students, they’re looking for thoughtful ones!

3. what is your greatest strength/weakness?

oddly enough, it can be harder for students to talk about their greatest strengths (vs. their weaknesses), which is why having a brainstorming session with them is so great. for prompts like these, students should aim to be honest, humble, and reflective. how can knowing their greatest strengths or weaknesses serve them as a student? how has this strength or weakness helped shape them into a viable candidate?

4. show us your creativity

some colleges have notoriously “wacky” prompts like this classic from the university of chicago:

“were ph an expression of personality, what would be your ph, and why? (feel free to respond acidly! do not be neutral, for that is base!)”

these types of essays want to gauge a student’s ability to think outside the box. your student should be encouraged to have fun with prompts like these but the #1 thing to remember is to prioritize the ideas and content no matter what. this means that no matter how creative your student may get, they should still make a solid case for what they’re arguing.

5. what kind of “citizen of the world” are you?

these types of prompts ask your student to reflect on how they will contribute positively to the world in the wake of massive change and complex challenges. your student may be prompted to choose a pressing topic in today’s world and discuss how and why they will rise to fix it in college and beyond. for example, they may wish to discuss climate change, famine, cyber issues, and so on. because these topics can be controversial, it helps to talk them out with your student. encourage them to stay on track and focus on the ways they can use their skills and education to help give back to others in the world.

now, of course, not all essay prompts will fit neatly into one of the categories above, and prompts often change annually. some colleges will supply very specific templates or samples for reference, but there are also plenty of college essay examples out there. students can take a peek at what kinds of essays are helping students get accepted. of course, these are meant to be used for inspiration–not to be plagiarized.

and how long should a college essay be? it depends. some colleges will issue several short essays that are each 100-200 words, while others will ask for a longer personal statement that can range anywhere from 500-1000 words.

• resource alert
  share and discuss this guide on how to write supplemental college essays with your student.

the 5 steps to applying for financial aid

funding college is perhaps the most stressful component of the college admissions process, but it doesn’t have to be. the truth is that there are many ways to make it happen and most of them come down to securing financial aid. the following steps will walk you through exactly how to apply for financial aid.

1. fill out a fafsa before the deadline (preferably earlier)

the very first (and most critical) step to securing financial aid is completing a fafsa application. fafsa stands for “free application for federal student aid” and it’s an application to apply for college funding from the united states federal government.

if possible, plan on helping your student with the fafsa, as the application requires information about your income.

after you and your student complete the application, the government will send you a sar (“student aid report) including an efc or “expected family contribution.” the efc, reflecting the amount you can potentially help contribute to the cost of college, is used to determine how much federal aid your student is eligible for.

types of financial aid for college or university

then, each college or university your student applies uses the fafsa information to generate a financial aid award letter. each school may also give their own need-based or merit-based financial aid, but there are 3 core types of financial aid that your student may qualify for:

• grants – financial aid sums that are typically need-based and that don’t have to be paid back
• scholarships – financial aid sums that are typically at least partially merit-based and that don’t have to be paid back
• government loans – financial aid sums that are lent to your student with low-interest rates and various repayment options
• work-study – financial aid in the form of a part-time job for your student (through the college and usually on campus) that help your student earn money while attending college

for more information on how to apply for financial aid, check out our complete guide to the fafsa application, which will be updated to reflect the newest information for the 2021-2022 school year as soon as this information becomes available.

fafsa deadlines 2020-2022

to this point, the fafsa deadlines are the same every year and are as follows:

• october 1: fafsa application opens for the following school year
• june 30: fafsa deadline for the following school year
• september 15: corrections due for the current school year

check out this chart to see the see how these dates affect this current academic school year (2020-2021) and next academic school year (2021-2022):

• resource alert
  if for any reason you are unsure if your student should fill out the fafsa, refer them to this fafsa quiz.

2. consider taking out private loans if necessary

if your family doesn’t receive enough federal aid to cover the cost of college, you can always seek out private loans, for example, through your bank or other lenders.

there are many ways to secure private financial aid but there are some drawbacks to them. for instance, they’re often contingent upon credit scores and carry higher interest rates.

• resource alert
  this is a phenomenal guide to choosing the best student loans can help you sort out which loans are right for you.

3. seek out scholarships and grants

scholarships and grants are monetary awards that don’t have to be repaid and there are literally countless opportunities available out there. you just have to do some digging.

again, we recommend checking out our how to pay for college resource hub that includes an entire section on scholarships and grants, complete with a list of 25 of our favorite websites for finding free money for college.

4. weigh out work-study aid

if your student was awarded financial aid in the form of a work-study program, you’ll have to spend some weighing out if this is the right option. on the one hand, a work-study job will provide an income to your student that can help with many expenses. on the other hand, working while also attending classes can be a challenge for some students.

• resource alert
  this work-study quiz will help your student weigh out whether accepting this type of financial aid is the right scenario for them.

5. get more financial aid using these tips

while we’ve covered a lot of ground with steps 1-4, there are some lesser-known ways to get additional aid and even save money in the college application process (which can get expensive as well). just follow these tips to get more financial aid!

consider private schools

one of the best-kept secrets of financial aid is that private universities and colleges often have a lot of it to give! because of alumni donations, the high cost of tuition for students who can pay in full, and small class sizes, private schools can typically afford to spend more per student. many private institutions (like barnard college, for example) even boast that they can meet 100% of an accepted student’s financial needs. so don’t discount private schools when considering where to send your student!

reach out to the financial aid office and ask for more assistance

don’t be afraid to call the financial aid office at a school of interest and ask to talk to an advisor directly. if your student wasn’t awarded enough financial aid, explain your situation and ask if there is any additional grant money available. be friendly and respectful, but remember that you don’t have to settle for the first package you’re offered; you can consider it a starting point for negotiations. if your student was accepted, then the financial aid package is at the discretion of a few people who genuinely want them to attend, so you’re definitely well within your right to negotiate a better package.

get fees waived

act fee waivers and sat fee waivers are both available, and if your student takes the latter, they may also be eligible for college application fee waivers (depending on where they’re applying). check the college board’s fee waiver info for a directory of participating schools. while this isn’t “financial aid” in the classic sense, college application fees can really rack up, so fee waivers free up this money to use elsewhere.

complete the fafsa early

while the fafsa’s application window is quite large (as discussed above), we encourage you to apply as early as possible to have “first dibs” at the federal funds available. if you’re applying early, keep in mind that you’ll likely have to estimate your income for the rest of the fiscal year, so give yourself plenty of time to gather this information and complete a fafsa as soon as you’re able.

don’t forget about institution-specific financial aid

plenty of schools (princeton and the university of pennsylvania, for example) have their own separate financial forms in addition to the fafsa. make sure to check the requirements for each specific school that your student is applying to. you can always ask the financial aid department at each school directly.

also, along these lines, make sure to look into the specific financial aid policies of the schools your student applies to. some (but not all) schools will decrease the amount of institution-specific financial aid based on the amount of outside funding you receive. feel free to call each school specifically to get a clear sense of their financial aid policies.

look into cal-grants

if your student is applying to any school in california, make sure they apply for cal grants! cal grants offer financial aid/grants to anyone attending a california university — and according to its website, you can receive up to $12,192 in financial aid that you don’t have to pay back. all you have to do is fill out the fafsa and have your student’s counselor fill out a gpa verification form. the deadline is normally early march (march 2 this year).

have extra application materials at the ready

many scholarship applications will require the same materials as college applications, so it helps to have extra transcripts, resumes, tax returns, letters of recommendation, etc. on hand. if you have copies within reach, your student can apply quickly without missing the necessary deadlines.

use college board’s css profile

the college board’s css profile is a financial aid application that is even more detailed than fafsa. not every school uses it, but it definitely provides access to quite a bit of financial aid. if your student is applying to early decision (more on this in a moment), they will likely be using the css profile, which may open them to more financial opportunities. you can check right on their website which schools use this platform.

apply for local scholarships

people are often surprised to find out how many local scholarship opportunities are available to their students when they start looking (a basic google search of your area or zip code + “scholarships” will do it)!

from car dealerships to churches and cultural centers, you can usually find a local business or organization that wants to give students financial help. many school-based organizations also have scholarship funds as well. these scholarships are typically on the smaller side ($500-$2,000) but they add up!

fafsa and other financial aid deadlines aren’t the only ones you’ll need to keep track of, however. in the next section, we’ll go over more general college application deadlines!

keeping track of college application deadlines

it may feel like there are a million college application deadlines because each college has different ones to keep track of. the key is keeping an organized checklist or spreadsheet with the deadlines for each college your student is applying to. it’s a good idea to help your student set calendar notifications for these college application deadlines so that they don’t miss out on their chances of attending their dream school.

college application deadlines breakdown

in addition to the fafsa deadlines shared above, there are some pretty standard college application guidelines to keep in mind. every school is different, but for the most part, college application deadlines look like this:

the most pressing of these college application deadlines is early decision, since it requires your student to be certain of where they want to attend by fall. to help them decide, you can encourage them to take this early decision quiz.

happy college admissions season!

we know there’s a lot of ground to cover during the college admissions process, but we believe in both you and your student! remember to take things in stride, check in often, have open conversations about your student’s plans and dreams, and stay mindful of those college application and fafsa/ deadlines.

the pride you’ll feel when your student begins receiving college acceptance letters is unparalleled, so enjoy the journey!

the post a family guide to college admissions season appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

real talk: as you’ve probably guessed, it’s not easy to get into harvard university. harvard’s admissions process is highly selective, and you’ll have to be a pretty impressive candidate to make it through (and that doesn’t just mean having the perfect harvard sat score or act score). after all, they are ranked #2 in national universities! if this is your dream school, read on to learn how to get into harvard.

so you want to go to harvard…

you dream of singing the fight song as the harvard crimson thrashes yale at harvard stadium. you want to join the ranks of such notable alumni as fdr, bill gates, and conan o’brien. maybe you’ll even get to hear will ferrell give your commencement speech while dressed as a sailor (yeah, this really happened.)

quick harvard admissions statistics

we’re going to dive in and take a closer look at all of harvard’s admissions requirements, but here’s a quick overview of harvard admissions statistics:
 

as you can see, harvard is extremely competitive. that doesn’t mean you can’t get in though! you can learn more about harvard admissions here, but read on and we’ll tell you exactly how to get into harvard university!

harvard’s acceptance rate

let’s start by acknowledging that statistically, it’s super hard to get into harvard. the most recent numbers available are for the class of 2023, of which a mere 4.6% of students were accepted! that’s… a very small number.

according to harvard admissions statistics, 43,330 students applied for the 2019-2020 school year and of that pool, 2,009 were accepted. of those, 1,650 matriculated, or decided to attend, and 65 were admitted from the waiting list.

so what kind of student does get into harvard? let’s take a look at all aspects of harvard admissions!

more about harvard sat scores

first of all, harvard requires that you take and provide scores for either the sat or act, but not both.

if you take the sat, you are not required to complete the essay portion.

currently, the average composite sat score for admitted students is 1510. the 25th percentile for harvard sat scores is 1460 and the 75th percentile is 1580. what does that mean?

it means that if you score below 1460, you’ll be below the average and will have a much harder time being accepted. if you score 1580 or higher, you’ll be above the average harvard sat score. so long story short? if you’re taking the sat and want a strong chance of being accepted, aim for a 1580 or higher.

now what about the percentiles for each sub section? here’s how they shake out:

so again, for a better chance of getting in, keep your eye on those 75th percentiles.

here’s one last thing to keep in mind: while harvard does not create a superscore for applicants, the admissions board will consider all of your highest tests scores across all testing dates. this means that you can take the sat multiple times until you get the scores you desire in each section. that said, we don’t recommend taking it more than 5 or 6 times, as repeated attempts can reflect poorly on you.

for more insight into taking the sat, check out this guide to sat scoring.

more about harvard act scores

again, you aren’t required to submit both sat and act scores, but you’re certainly welcome to.

like the sat, if you submit your act scores, you don’t have to include your writing scores.

for the act, harvard will consider your highest composite score on a given test date.

currently, the average composite act score for students accepted to harvard is 34! the 25th percentile for harvard act scores is 33 and the 75th percentile is 35. so again, this means if you score less than 33, you’ll be below average compared to other applicants. if you score a 35 or higher, you’ll be above average.

the takeaway? aim for a composite score of 35 or higher if you want a strong shot at getting in!

here are the percentiles for the sub sections, in case you’re attempting to improve your score in a specific area:

again, make sure to keep your eye on that 75th percentile if you want to be a strong candidate.

something to keep in mind when it comes to your harvard act scores is that you don’t need to send every test result to the harvard admissions board. that means that you can take the act as many times as you’d like and then submit your overall highest composite score.

for more insight into taking the act, check out this guide to act scoring.

a final word on harvard sat and act scores: according to harvard admissions, “ “there are no score cutoffs, and we do not admit ‘by the numbers.'”

what does this mean? it means that there’s no minimum score required to apply. it also means that harvard won’t only take your standardized tests scores into consideration when reviewing your application. you’ll want to be as well-rounded a candidate as possible. so without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the other guidelines!

harvard gpa average

your gpa, or grade point average, is a solid reflection of how you’ve performed in all of your academic courses in high school (or college, if you’re a transfer student).

and if you want to call harvard home, you’ll have to have very high grades to get in. the current gpa of students admitted to harvard is 4.18, so you’ll likely need straight-as all the way.

high schools vary in how they calculate gpa (on weighted vs. unweighted scales), but usually, challenging, college-level courses like ap and ib are weighed more heavily. for example, a “b” in ap bio may be weighted the same as an “a” in a regular-level class.

so earning high grades in ap, honors, and/or ib classes is a good way to stand out as a candidate. more than likely, your gpa will be higher because of these grades, but they’ll also reflect your ability to take on and excel in rigorous courses.

a final word on gpas: they tend to be very tricky to improve dramatically after your second year. so if you have your heart set on harvard, you’ll want to start getting high grades even as a freshman and sophomore.

harvard freshman profile

taking a closer look at the most recent incoming freshman class can help give us a sense of who harvard accepts. now this doesn’t mean that the student demographic will be the same every year, but it’s good intel.

harvard has published a profile of the class of 2023 that you can read, but here are some of the highlights.

as far as diversity goes:

• 14.3% of freshmen are african american
• 25.3% of freshmen are asian american
• 12.2% of freshmen are latino or hispanic
• 1.8% of freshmen are native american
• 0.6% of freshmen are native hawaiian

additionally, 12.8% of the incoming class of are international students. you can read more about harvard’s commitment to diversity and access, but in short, harvard is making a point to become increasingly inclusive and diverse within its student body. this is a good thing!

other admissions requirements for harvard

okay so what do you actually have to do to submit an application to harvard? this is a great overview of the harvard admissions process, and specifically, the first year application requirements.

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

• the common app, coalition app, or universal app (psst… check out our guide to writing a killer common app essay)
• completed harvard-specific questions on the apps above
• a $75 fee (or fee waiver form)
• act or sat scores (with or without optional writing test scores)
• 2 sat subject tests (recommended but not required and will depend on your specific program of study)
• ap or other exam results (optional)
• high school transcripts, including a midyear report (your grades after the completion of your first semester)
• two letters of recommendation from teachers who know you well (or as harvard refers to them, “teacher reports”). we have an awesome guide on how to ask for a letter of recommendation!
• your final school report/transcripts (once you’re admitted—yay!)

for more information, check out this detailed overview of how to complete your harvard application.

harvard faqs

you may feel a little overwhelmed applying to one of the most prestigious universities in the united states, which can lead to a lot of questions. here are some of the most common questions students tend to have:

what does your gpa have to be to get into harvard?

well, we’ve already discussed that the average gpa of students admitted to harvard is 4.18, but that doesn’t mean you have to score this exact gpa. technically, there are no minimum harvard gpa requirements. that said, you’ll still want as high a gpa as possible, so aiming for a 4.0 or higher is a good call. and if your gpa is a little lower, then you’ll want to strengthen your application with stronger test scores and essays.

is it hard to get into harvard?

it’s very hard to get into harvard, but it’s not impossible, as evidenced by how many students attend and graduate yearly. with enough hard work and preparation, you might just get in!

what are my chances of getting into harvard?

this is actually a pretty hard question to answer accurately, since every applicant is a little different from the next and you never know which of your unique attributes will stand out to the admissions board (for example, your personal statements). that said, as we mentioned, harvard’s acceptance rate is quite low—historically low even. for the class of 2023, harvard only accepted 4.7% of its applicants!

is harvard need-blind?

“need-blind” means that a school does not consider your need for financial aid when deciding whether or not to admit you. harvard, like most universities, is indeed need-blind. this is good news, since it means that if you can’t afford the cost of attending harvard out of pocket, this won’t hurt your chances of getting in.

we encourage you to read more about harvard’s affordability (20% of admitted students pay absolutely nothing to attend), as well as harvard’s financial aid options.

conclusion

so there you have it! all in all, you’ll have to be an exceptional student and very impressive candidate if you want to call yourself a crimson. taking everything above into consideration, here are our recommendations:

• recommended harvard sat score: composite sat score of 1580 or higher
• recommended harvard act score: composite act score of 34 or higher
• earn a gpa of 4.0 or higher (weighted)
• take and excel in challenging honors, ap, and/or college-level courses
• write strong, compelling, and unique essays that are professional but also communicate your unique voice and a vivid picture of you as a candidate.
• provide letters of recommendation from teachers who know you very well and can speak to your aptitude, potential, and growth. ask for your letters early and give your teachers ample time to construct thorough, thoughtful reflections about you.
• participate in plenty of extracurricular activities and volunteer opportunities, especially in leadership roles.

we also love this rundown of what harvard looks for in a student. keep in mind that, according to harvard, there is “no such thing as typical student.” the type of thinker and person you are in the world is as important as your (predominantly) qualitative attributes on paper. harvard values students who push themselves out of their comfort zones, who are self reflective, who are upstanding citizens of the world, and who are forward thinking.

does this sound like you?

finally, since test scores play such a significant role in your admission, we strongly suggest that you start preparing for the sat and/or act in advance! we have a great 1-week sat free trial and 1-week act free trial to get you started!

best of luck!

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

if you’re reading this, that probably means you’ve received work-study funding. congratulations! now you have to decide if taking a work-study position is the best option for you right now. it can be difficult to determine how much time in your schedule you’ll actually have to commit to working because college itself is rigorous. so if you find yourself asking, “should i do work study?” take this work-study quiz to help you decide.

once you’ve taken this work-study quiz (and we recommend that you take it twice), read on for more information on work-study programs that may be helpful in your decision-making process.

take the quiz!

first of all, what is work-study?

work-study jobs are awarded to you as part of your financial aid package by the college that has accepted you because the college participates in the federal work-study program. work study is part of the financial aid awarded to you when you fill out a fafsa application, if you’re eligible. work-study funding offers undergraduate and graduate students a part-time job as a way of making money to pay for college expenses. so basically, work-study funding is money that is awarded to you, but you have to earn it through a job you apply for and get through your college.

work-study facts & faqs

when deciding whether or not to do work-study it’s super important to know exactly what the situation entails, what a work-study job will provide you, and what it will not. keep in mind that every college is different, but generally speaking, these are the facts about work-study positions, as explained through students’ faqs.

how do i get a work-study job?

while the opportunity to do work-study is indeed an award, you won’t just be assigned a job at the start of the school year. you’ll still have to find and apply for a position. most colleges make this very easy by providing a user-friendly search database of all the available positions.

how do i receive the money?

unlike the rest of your financial aid money–for example, scholarships and loans–which is applied directly to your tuition or awarded directly to you to pay for it, you’ll have to earn your work-study money. essentially, when you’re awarded work-study funding, you’re awarded a “dibs” of sorts on a job at your college that will pay you directly. you’ll receive a check from your work-study employer, and you can use this money to pay for college-related living expenses such as textbooks or food.

how is a work-study job different from a regular job?

besides being awarded to you and likely being on-campus, it’s really not. non-work-study jobs also pay you directly and you’re able to use the money at your discretion. the major difference is that a work-study job because it was awarded to you as part of your financial assistance, comes with a bit more of a guarantee. many students want on-campus jobs but if you’re awarded work-study funding, you’ll be given priority when applying for work-study jobs.

how much work-study money will i get, and how many hours will i have to work?

first, you’ll need to consider the total amount you’re awarded by your college for the year. this varies, but many colleges award $3,000-$5,000 a school year, sometimes more, sometimes less. almost all work-study jobs guarantee the hourly minimum wage, sometimes more, paying about $8.00 an hour on average. workload and hours can vary quite a bit, usually falling somewhere between 10-20 hours a week. this can usually be negotiated with your employer.

now, does this mean that once you’ve earned the amount awarded to you that you’ll hit a “cap” and be unable to work anymore? not necessarily. many employers often extend the number of hours you’re able to work. this, however, is not guaranteed and is handled on a case-by-case basis.

am i guaranteed a work-study job?

this is tricky. in theory, yes. in practice, no. depending on where you attend college and how many students are awarded work-study opportunities, jobs may be limited. you may have to apply for a while or accept a job that isn’t necessarily your first choice. that said, don’t worry! colleges typically go above and beyond in helping you secure a work-study job if you need one.

another noteworthy point: just because you were awarded work-study this year doesn’t necessarily mean you will be next year. fluctuating factors such as your or your parents’ income will determine whether or not you’re eligible

what kinds of work-study jobs can i apply for?

all kinds! there’s usually a wide range of positions in various departments. you could apply to work in a dorm, science lab, recreation center, daycare, etc. since you’re not assigned a job, you can apply for the ones that are most interesting to you or most suitable to your schedule. while most work-study jobs are on campus, sometimes they’re off campus, with affiliated organizations. so make sure to be mindful of location during your application process.

what if i don’t accept a work-study job?

you won’t be penalized for not accepting a work-study job, you just won’t make the money. if you don’t need it, no problem.

3 quick questions to ask yourself when deciding whether or not to do work study

#1 – do i need the work-study money?

the #1 factor in deciding whether or not to take on a work-study position is whether or not you need the money. if the money is pretty critical for affording college, then absolutely try a work-study job. but know that if you find another (non-work-study) job that pays more and/or is better suited to your schedule and lifestyle, you can certainly take that instead.

if money is not an issue and you’re already very busy with courses and extracurricular activities, don’t feel pressured to take on a work-study job just because the opportunity is offered to you.

#2 – do i have time for a work-study job?

this question relates directly to the last one, obviously. let’s be real: college can get super intense, and it may be easy to feel overloaded. as a general rule of thumb, it’s better not to spread yourself too thin, compromising your academic performance. so while the extra pocket cash may be nice, if you’re not actually in financial need, it may be better to pass on a work-study position.

#3 – do i already have a job (work-study or otherwise)?

has a great work-study job miraculously presented itself to you? one that seems pretty much perfect? consider taking it! perhaps a teacher or peer in your department has informed you about a position that sounds like it could be resume-building or highly rewarding. in these cases, it’s worthwhile to give it a try. remember, you can always opt out if you find yourself overextended.

on the other hand, perhaps you already have a non-work-study job that you enjoy. that’s okay! by all means, if you have a job that’s going well, don’t feel obliged to take a work-study job instead.

the pros and cons of accepting a work-study job

to break it down simply, here are some “pros” of doing a work study:

• money – whether needed for educational costs or helpful for spending money, a work-study job will keep you in a consistent cash flow.
• networking – working on campus can be a great way to meet people in your academic community.
• experience – it’s definitely possible to get a work-study job that builds the skills you’re looking to develop overall in college… making it easier to find a job after you graduate.

and some of the “cons:”

• over-committing yourself – if you have a very full schedule or struggle with time management, you might get flooded and risk falling behind in your classes.
• lower pay than other jobs (possibly) – this won’t necessarily be the case, but sometimes work-study jobs pay less than other jobs you may be interested in. however, if they’re on campus, they may be more convenient overall and cut down on commute time.
• limited options – while there’s usually a wide variety of work-study jobs on campus, there’s no guarantee that the one you want will be open at the time you’re applying. you may have better luck searching elsewhere.

a final word on doing work study

if you’re still asking yourself, “should i do work study?” remember that it’s not required, and that you can always change your mind if you do give it a try. you can also apply to more than one position, or switch jobs if you find a more ideal one. it’s always worth it to talk openly with your potential employer about your schedule and what you’re looking for; you may be able to negotiate more flexible hours, for example.

and if you need the work-study job but are worried about burnout, remember to look for one that lets you do homework on the job (a lot of them do!). for example, working in the library or writing center is often great for productivity.

good luck and happy and job hunting!

the post should i do work study? take the quiz appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

for any number of reasons, you may be thinking about graduating early. maybe you want to start taking college classes. or maybe you have a job lined up to save money for college. or maybe you’re just suffering a good old-fashioned case of senioritis, in which case we highly recommend this senior year survival guide! there are lots of pros and cons to graduating early, so if you’re asking yourself, “should i graduate early?” take this quiz to gain greater insight. and once you’ve taken it, read on to learn more about graduating early to decide if it’s the right choice for you!

take the quiz!

first thing’s first: get all the facts about graduating early

if you’re debating whether or not to graduate early, the absolute first thing to do is find out exactly what is required to graduate early, and how graduating early will impact your college decisions.

find out the following information:

then consider the following:

assess your reasons for graduating early

it’s a good idea to really consider why you’re considering graduating early. any of these reasons can be the right reason to graduate early, but you want to make sure you think through your motivation thoroughly.

emotional reasons

is there something going on in your personal life that it is making it hard for you to properly focus on school? for example, have you been ill, or dealing with a family issue? if so, graduating early might be the right option. keep in mind, however, that there may be other solutions, such as talking to a school counselor or taking fewer classes. if you’re experience high stress but don’t want to graduate early, talk to a teacher or counselor you trust at school about your options for lightening your load and receiving additional support.

financial reasons

let’s be real: college is expensive! plenty of students use their free time after graduating early to get jobs and save money so they can work less (or not at all) once they’re in college. if you have a job lined up already—especially if it’s one you think could add value to your resume down the line—graduating early might be the right route for you

academic or professional reasons

are you graduating early to get a jump start on college courses or to take advantage of an internship opportunity? sometimes high school students decide to take a required course at a community college, for example, or start volunteering somewhere aligned with their academic field of choice. if you’ll be intending a super intensive academic program for college, this might be a good way to get ahead, but make sure your schedule still feels manageable overall.

get feedback

while graduating early is ultimately a personal decision, it will impact some of your relationships, so it’s a good idea to get some feedback about the decision from a few different sources.

it’s a good idea to bounce your thoughts on the matter off of the following people:

the pros and cons of graduating early

obviously the benefits and risks of graduating early will be different for everyone, depending on your lifestyle and plans. but here’s a bit of a “graduating early cheat sheet” if you’re still unsure.

the potential pros:

the potential cons:

a final word on graduating early

whether or not you decide to graduate early, here’s a reminder of 5 things to do before graduation (or 10 things to do before graduation if you’re feeling ambitious).

after remember that whatever route you choose, graduation is a big deal and you should be very proud of yourself. so take a moment to pat yourself on the back and celebrate once it’s official!

the post should i graduate early? take the quiz appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

your ap us history exam is approaching! how are you feeling about it? undoubtedly, there are some topics you feel stronger about than others. the civil war is a central topic on the exam, so we’ve devised an apush civil war quiz so you can get a sense of how well you know this material. after you’ve taken the apush civil war quiz, scroll down for additional answer explanations, as well as other apush resources.

take the quiz!

apush civil war quiz answer key with explanations

q#1 – where did robert e. lee surrender to ulysses s. grant, thereby effectively ending the civil war?

a – appomattox courthouse
explanation: on april 9, 1865, robert e. lee, confederate commander of all the southern armies, surrendered to ulysses s. grant, commander of the union armies. he surrendered at appomattox courthouse in virginia, after the battle of appomattox court house, which took place that morning and was one of the last battle of the civil war.

q#2 – which union general is known for the “march to the sea,” in which he and his troops scorched a wide swathe of the south?

a – william sherman
explanation: starting november 15, 1864, william sherman led roughly 60,000 soldiers through georgia on the “georgia campaign.” their route started in atlanta and ended in savannah on december 21. during this march, they destroyed military targets, civilian properties, and transportation means.

q#3 – who served as the president of the confederacy?

a – jefferson davis
explanation: jefferson davis was president of the confederate states of america during the the civil war. the confederacy consisted of 11 southern states that seceded from the union. the first 7 to secede were: south carolina, mississippi, florida, alabama, georgia, louisiana, and texas, in defense of their right to own slaves. after the start of the civil war, virginia, arkansas, tennessee, and north carolina seceded as well.

q#4 – which state is associated with the word “bleeding,” on account of its being a battlefield over whether slavery should be allowed in the new territories?

a – kansas
explanation: “bleeding kansas” is another name for the border war, which was actually a series of very violent altercations that took place in kansas and missouri between 1854 and 1861. ultimately, kansas was admitted to the union as a free state, but many historians consider this conflict a significant precursor to the civil war, also largely fought over the issue of states’ rights concerning slavery. this is an excellent resource on apush topics related to bleeding kansas.

q#5 – what was the name of the chief justice who ruled in the dred scott case?

a – roger taney
explanation: dred scott v. sandford was a supreme court case that took place in 1857. dred scott, a slave, attempted to sue for his freedom, since he was moved to free territory by his master. the united states supreme court, led by justice roger b. taney, ruled against scott, declaring that black individuals were not considered citizens of the united states. this ruling is often considered among the most upsetting and oppressive in american history. here is a more thorough overview of apush topics related to the dred scott decision.

q#6 – which amendment formally abolished slavery?

a – 13th amendment
explanation: the 13th amendment to the u.s constitution, officially ending slavery, was passed by congress on january 31, 1865 and ratified on december 6, 1865. it declares that “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the united states, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” previous to this, on january 1, 1863, president lincoln issued the emancipation proclamation, in which he stated “that all persons held as slaves are, and henceforth, shall be free.”

q#7 – what was the costliest battle in terms of the total number of lives lost?

a – gettysburg
explanation: during the 3-day battle of gettysburg, general robert e. lee attempted to invade the north by entering gettysburg, pennsylvania. from july 1-july 3, 1863, 52,000 men were wounded, killed, or missing in action. the battle was a turning point of the war, leading to confederate retreat and halting their progress.

q#8 – which of the following states was, in a sense, both the last to join the confederacy and the last to join the union, a split reflected in the name of the two states to this very day?

a- virginia
explanation: virginia joined the confederacy reluctantly in 1861, after abraham lincoln became president. in 1863, because the state was heavily divided on account of slavery, west virginia became the 35th state to be admitted to the union. read more here on virginia’s involvement in the civil war.

additional civil war resources

for more information on how the civil war is tested on the apush exam, check out the following:

• the american civil war: apush topics to study for test day
• this highly comprehensive overview of the american civil war

other themes on the apush exam

in addition to questions specifically about the civil war, you should also familiarize yourself with the following topics and themes, which will be addressed throughout the exam:

• political parties
• expansion
• social movements
• voting rights
• 5 key american history themes

other ways to prepare for the apush exam

know your apush basics

you’ve probably been discussing this exam all year in your ap us history course, but it can be helpful to review the actual structure of and assessments on the test on your own. this apush overview goes over exactly what will be on the test, including question formats and types. it also covers key concepts, events, and strategies.

this is also a great resource covering 9 thematic topics on the apush exam, to help you brush up on everything from the british colonies to the cold war. along those lines, it’s also worth studying the specific historical periods that show up on the apush exam.

take an apush practice exam

you know the saying: practice makes perfect! you probably take practice tests in your ap us history class as part of your curriculum, but you can always take them at home as well. here are some tests for more practice:

• official apush practice exam from the college board
• other (unofficial) apush practice tests

take these other apush quizzes

if you liked this apush civil rights quiz, check out these other apush quizzes!

• general apush quiz
• the apush american revolution quiz

form apush study groups and share resources

let’s face it, working together is always more fun. try getting together with a few peers from your ap us history course weekly to refresh yourselves on key concepts, review practice test questions, divide and conquer searching for answers, etc. here are some of our favorite apush resources:

• the best apush study notes
• this apush study plan (with various timelines included)
• these apush outlines
• these apush study guides
• this apush crash course

a final word on apush testing day

ap exams can be stressful, and there’s a lot of information on the ap us history exam, but we believe in you! the earlier you can start studying, the better, and here are some tips for studying smarter.

are you looking for more ap us history exam prep? we’ve got you covered!

happy studying and best of luck on test day!

the post apush civil war quiz – are you ready for test day? appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

and remember, no peeking at the answers below before taking it!

take the quiz!

apush american revolution quiz answer key with explanations

q#1 – he famously said in a speech before the virginia commonwealth, “give me liberty or give me death.”

a- patrick henry
explanation: on march 23, 1775, patrick henry gave a speech at the second virginia convention. this speech, including the empowering line, “give me liberty or give me death,” is often credited for passing the resolution to assemble virginia’s troops for the revolutionary war.

q #2 – thomas paine is associated with which political pamphlet, in which he pushed for the overthrow of what he believed was tyranny?

a- common sense
explanation: thomas paine was an activist born in great britain who is one of the united states’ founding fathers. common sense, one of the pamphlets he authored, was incredibly influential in inspiring the patriots to declare independence from great britain in 1776. the text offered a new argument for independence rooted in enlightenment theories of human rights.

q#3 – what was the name of the conflict that raged between 1754-1763, pitting two european nations against each other?

a- the french and indian war
explanation: the french and indian war started in american and moved europe, becoming part of the seven year’s war. it was fought between the french and british over american expansion. the french received help from the mohawk and algonquin indians while the british received help from the iroquois. the british eventually captured quebec and montreal, ending the war.

q #4 – the tax on tea, at the time, was part of a broader leveling of duties against the colonialists, which included paper, lead, and paint. what was the name given to these acts?

a- the townshend acts
explanation: the townshend acts were a series of taxes on goods imported to the american colonies. these acts were enforced by british troops in america, and were considered unfair by colonists, who had no representation in parliament.

q #5 – what was the name of the first military engagement of the revolutionary war?

a- lexington and concord
explanation: the battles of lexington and concord commenced on april 19, 1775, and marked the start of the revolutionary war. facing rebellion, the british attempted to seize arms being stored in concord, massachusetts. paul revere and other riders warned of british invasion and assembled troops accordingly. the defensive gunfire that ensued has been come to know as “the shot heard ‘round the world.”

q #6 – what was the name of the british group in parliament who were against the war and helped hasten the end of the war?

a- whigs
explanation: the whig party was an american political party from 1834-54. they opposed what they saw as president jackson’s tyranny, and consisted of former members of the national republican and anti-masonic parties. among many other platforms, they also advocated for ending the war.

q#7 – which of the following was not one of the acts passed by head of the parliament at the time, george grenville?

a- imprison act.
explanation: the quartering act was passed in 1765 and required colonies to provide food, housing, and other provisions to british forces occupying their territory. the stamp act, also passed in 1765, taxed all papers in colonies, including newspapers, pamphlets, legal papers, etc.

q#8 – the declaration of independence was signed in which year?

a- 1776
explanation: the declaration of independence was signed in 1776 and detailed all of the reasons the american colonies sought independence from great britain.

additional american revolution resources

other themes on the apush exam

in addition to information on the american revolution specifically, you’ll also want to brush up on the following themes, which will be tested across the exam:

other ways to prepare for the apush exam

know your apush basics

you’ve probably been discussing this exam all year in your ap us history course, but it can be helpful to review the actual structure of and assessments on the test on your own. this apush overview goes over exactly what will be on the test, including question formats and types. it also covers key concepts, events, and strategies.

this is also a great resource covering 9 thematic topics on the apush exam, to help you brush up on everything from the british colonies to the cold war. along those lines, it’s also worth studying the specific historical periods that show up on the apush exam.

take an apush practice exam

you know the saying: practice makes perfect! you probably take practice tests in your ap us history class as part of your curriculum, but you can always take them at home as well. here are some tests for more practice:

take these other apush quizzes

if you liked the apush american revolution quiz, check out these others!

form apush study groups and share resources

let’s face it, working together is always more fun. try getting together with a few peers from your ap us history course weekly to refresh yourselves on key concepts, review practice test questions, divide and conquer searching for answers, etc. here are some of our favorite apush resources:

a final word on apush testing day

ap exams can be stressful, and there’s a lot of information on the ap us history exam, but we believe in you! the earlier you can start studying, the better, and here are some tips for studying smarter.

are you looking for more ap us history exam prep? we’ve got you covered!

happy studying and best of luck on test day!

the post apush american revolution quiz – are you ready for test day? appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

remember, no peeking at the answers ahead of time!

take the quiz!

apush quiz answer key with explanations

q #1 – in what decade did the civil war occur?

a- the 1860’s
explanation: the civil war was fought in the united states, between the north and the south, from april 12, 1861-may 9, 1865. it commenced with the battle of fort sumter, when the confederate army bombarded fort sumter (near charleston, south carolina), leading to surrender by the united states army. the battle of palmito ranch is widely considered the last official battle of the civil war.

q#2 – during his bid to become an illinois senator, abraham lincoln had a series of debates with which other man, who was trying to win the same senate seat?

a- stephen douglas
explanation: the lincoln-douglas debates, sometimes also known as the “great debates of 1858,” were 7 debates between abraham lincoln and stephen douglas that took place between august and october of 1858. lincoln was the republican candidate for us senator and douglas was the democratic incumbent. they debated a range of topics, primarily related to slavery in the united states. while he ultimately lost to douglas, abraham lincoln became a national figure through these debates. more on the lincoln-douglas debates here!

q#3 – which us battleship was sunk in the port of havana in 1898, lending its name to a popular rallying cry of the time?

a- uss maine
explanation: the uss maine blew up and sank on the night of february 15, 1898. it was sent to protect u.s. interests during cuba’s revolt against spain in the cuban war of independence. here’s a fantastic overview of how this incident fits into american imperialism.

q#4 – which of the following most accurately describes the articles of confederation?

a- it acted as a precursor to the us constitution and established how the national government would function.
explanation: the articles of confederation was a legal document in place from 1781-1789, and was in many ways the first us constitution. it served as a bridge of sorts between the government put in place by the continental congress, and the us constitution of 1787. this document was an agreement between the 13 original states for how the government would operate. for more information, and a detailed account of each article, you can read the full articles of confederation here.

q#5 – the bay of pigs and the cuban missile crisis are two events that occurred under which president?

a- john f. kennedy
explanation: president kennedy held office from january 20, 1961-november 22, 1963, when he was assassinated by lee harvey oswald. jfk’s presidency was short, but eventful. the bay of pigs took place on april 17, 1961, when a group of 1,400 cuban exiles attempted to invade the south coast of cuba, a plan jfk was privy to before his presidency. the cuban missile crisis took place during october of 1962, after the united states discovered soviet union nuclear missile sites in cuba and responded with a naval blockade of cuba.

q#6 – during wwi the us formed the allied powers along with which other nations?

a- great britain, france, and russia
explanation: the allied powers of wwi officially joined forces on september 5, 1914 through the treaty of london. they opposed the central powers, consisting of germany, austria-hungary, and turkey.

q#7 – which of the following best summarizes frederick jackson turner’s frontier thesis?

a- many of the european customs that had informed the american lifestyles were found wanting for those pioneers who moved west.
explanation: frederick turner’s frontier thesis, published in 1893, stressed the importance of american frontier life on american democracy, and critiqued the limitations of old european customs and mindsets.

q#8 – who was the founder of one of the largest states east of the mississippi river, where he also founded a quaker community?

a- william penn
explanation: after being persecuted for their faith, the quakers, led by william penn, founded the colony of pennsylvania in 1862. read more about apush topics regarding the quakers here!

themes on the apush exam

here’s a great overview of all of the themes that will be addressed throughout the apush exam:

other ways to prepare for the apush exam

know your apush basics

you’ve probably been discussing this exam all year in your ap us history course, but it can be helpful to review the actual structure of and assessments on the test on your own. this apush overview goes over exactly what will be on the test, including question formats and types. it also covers key concepts, events, and strategies.

this is also a great resource covering 9 thematic topics on the apush exam, to help you brush up on everything from the british colonies to the cold war. along those lines, it’s also worth studying the specific historical periods that show up on the apush exam.

take an apush practice exam

you know the saying: practice makes perfect! you probably take practice tests in your ap us history class as part of your curriculum, but you can always take them at home as well. here are some tests for more practice:

take these other apush quizzes!

form apush study groups and share resources

let’s face it, working together is always more fun. try getting together with a few peers from your ap us history course weekly to refresh yourselves on key concepts, review practice test questions, divide and conquer searching for answers, etc. here are some of our favorite apush resources:

a final word on apush testing day

ap exams can be stressful, and there’s a lot of information on the ap us history exam, but we believe in you! the earlier you can start studying, the better, and here are some tips for studying smarter.

are you looking for more ap us history exam prep? we’ve got you covered!

happy studying and best of luck on test day!

the post apush quiz – are you ready for test day? appeared first on magoosh blog | high school.

marquette university is a private, jesuit university that is ranked #84 in national universities. marquette is located walking distance from downtown milwaukee, a city full of museums, restaurants, music venues, and many other fun and exciting things to do. so if you’re looking for an urban college experience in small-ish and super welcoming city, marquette may be for you!

with 11 full schools and more than 100 majors, marquette boasts options for nearly any subject you may be considering. there’s also a rich campus life, with countless extracurricular activities to partake in.

before we explore exactly how to get into marquette, let’s take a look at some quick marquette admissions statistics.

quick marquette admissions statistics

now you may notice that it takes pretty strong academic chops to get into marquette. at the same time, their acceptance rate is quite high. this means that as long as you’re a strong candidate, you’ll have a great chance of getting in!

without further ado, let’s take a closer look at exactly how to get into marquette university.

more about marquette sat scores

before determining what score you’ll want to aim for, here are a few things to keep in mind about marquette sat scores:

so what do you actually have to score to get into marquette?

it actually really helps to consider percentiles when determining what to aim for:

meaning, if you score a 1150 or lower, you will be below average compared to students admitted to marquette. on the other hand, if you score a 1320 or higher, you’ll be above average.

the sweet spot score to aim for is 1320 or higher, which will make you highly competitive.

depending on what program you’re applying for, you may want to raise your score on a given test section. in that case, it can be helpful to consider the percentiles for each individual section:

as a rule of thumb, you should aim for the 75th percentile score or higher for each section. this means scoring higher than 75% of other people applying.

and remember, you only have to submit your highest scores to marquette. you can take the sat as many times as necessary to get a score you’re happy with. you should retake the test if you don’t score a 1310 or higher the first time.

more about marquette act scores

here are a couple things to keep in mind when considering marquette act scores:

act writing test scores are not required, but are strongly encouraged.

so what do you need to score on the act? again, percentiles are helpful in determining what to aim for:

this means that if you score a 24 or lower on your act, you’ll be below average compared to other students accepted to marquette. if you score a 30 or higher, however, you’ll be above average.

the takeaway? you’ll want to aim for a 30 or higher to be a competitive applicant.

more about marquette gpa requirements

the average gpa of students admitted to marquette is an impressive 3.65. a gpa of 3.65 means earning mostly a’s in your high school classes, and perhaps some b’s.

depending on how gpa is calculated at your high school, earning high grades in honors, ib, and/or ap classes can help boost your gpa. you’ll also show marquette that you are ready for the rigor of college courses.

keep in mind though, that after your sophomore year, it is very difficult to change your gpa. so if you’ve got your eye on marquette, you’ll have to keep your grades high starting early on in high school.

marquette acceptance rate

we have some good news about applying to marquette. unlike many other colleges and universities, which have lowered their acceptance rates, marquette’s acceptance rate is going up.

according to the marquette wire’s piece “new admissions strategy results in increasing acceptance rate” in december 2017, marquette’s acceptance rate has increased 20% since 2012, when only about 55% of students were accepted.

marquette’s goal is to expand opportunities to wider circles of students while still maintaining very high admissions standards. this includes excellent test scores, high gpas, and plenty of extracurricular activities.

according to marquette’s president lovell, “some of our programs will have 2000 applicants for 80 spots…and those are very high-achieving students. we want to be able to try to offer more of them to get up here and come to marquette. i think the master plan will help us grow the areas where we see tremendous demand.”

this year, for the class of 2023, marquette’s total enrollment went down, with 1975 student joining the freshman class. this is 225 less students than last year. however, the applicant pool was also smaller. brian troyer, dean of undergraduate admissions, says that things have not gotten more competitive, but stayed relatively consistent.

“our goal is to attract as large of a talented and diverse applicant pool as we can and then admit those students whom we believe have the capacity for success at marquette university,” he says.

so you can rest assured that marquette’s current accept rate is a “best of both worlds scenario.” if you’re a very strong student you’ll have a good chance of getting in, and you’ll still be attending an academically prestigious university.

marquette’s freshman profile

here’s a great overview of marquette’s student demographics, as well as a super comprehensive freshman profile for the class of 2022 that details test scores, academic programs, general demographics, etc.

this is the most recent data available, so let’s take a look at a few details about the class of 2022 to give you a sense marquette’s acceptance trajectory:

additionally, by the numbers:

now obviously these types of statistics change year to year, but they can give you a general sense of what incoming freshman classes look like at marquette.

other marquette admissions requirements

what will you need to apply to marquette? here’s a handy list of the necessary application materials:

additionally, there are some optional items you may want to include with your application:

on a deeper level, what will the admissions board be looking for?

we spoke with eric foley, admissions counselor at marquette university who said the following:

so as you can see, applying to marquette involves demonstrating both qualitative and quantitative attributes about yourself that create a holistic, well-rounded picture of both your academic capabilities as well as your suitability for marquette specifically.

marquette faqs

here are some faqs about undergraduate admissions, but let’s address a few other commonly asked questions as well.

can i transfer to marquette?

yes, marquette accepts transfer students on a rolling basis. here is a great checklist for transfer students that details everything you will need to apply.

is marquette need-blind?

yes, marquette is need-blind. your need (or lack thereof) for financial aid will not affect your acceptance into the school. here is more information about financial aid at marquette university.

does marquette have early action application?

marquette has a priority application date of december 1. according to marquette admissions, “applications completed after [this] deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. application review for admission to marquette university is completed on a rolling basis. the online application for freshman admission will be available by august 1. beginning in late september, admission decisions are sent 2-3 weeks following the completion of the application for admission and receipt of all supporting materials.”

how to get into marquette

so, what’s the magic formula for how to get into marquette? as we’ve discussed, marquette has a high acceptance rate, but you still need to be a very strong student. overall, here’s what we recommend if you want a good chance of being accepted:

• earn at least a 1320 on your sat or a 30 on your act.
• earn a gpa of at least 3.6.
• write strong essay responses, both on your common app essay, and marquette-specific responses. your writing is a great way of painting a more in-depth picture of who you are beyond your grades and test scores. this is an excellent guide for writing a strong common app essay.
• opt to include a letter of recommendation, if possible. while optional, a thorough letter of recommendation will help make you a stronger candidate. make sure to request a letter from an academic teacher or school counselor who can speak thoroughly to your character, growth, and potential. here’s some advice on asking for a letter of recommendation for college to ensure that you get the best letter possible
• participate in plenty of extracurricular activities and volunteer work.

here are some helpful application tips directly from marquette as well.

and of course, since your act and sat scores play a huge role in your application, start studying early! check out this great, 1-week sat free trial and 1-week act free trial to get you started!

happy studying and good luck!

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

pepperdine university is a private, christian, research-based college located in malibu california. overlooking the pacific ocean, i can’t think of a more beautiful place to go to school.

while you don’t have to identify as any particular religion to attend pepperdine, it’s worth mentioning right away that attendance requires religious participation. according to u.s news and world report, “students must attend 14 spiritual events a semester and take at least three religion courses during their time at pepperdine. there is a church of christ on campus, as well as a handful of student-led ministries.”

pepperine is ranked #50 in national universities and is considered fairly selective. it’s best known for its business, marketing, and science programs. seaver college of letters, arts, and sciences is the main school for undergraduates (although some also attend the graziadio business school part-time while working full-time), so that’s what we’ll be focusing on.

before we explore just how to get into pepperdine, let’s take a quick look at some quick pepperdine admissions statistics.

quick pepperdine admissions statistics

you’ll have to be a very strong student if you want to call malibu home, but with high grades and test scores, it’s certainly doable.

so without further ado, let’s take a look at exactly how to get into pepperdine!

more about pepperdine sat scores

before we get into what score to aim for, here are a few things to know about pepperdine sat scores:

• pepperdine requires either the sat or act, but you can take both if you’d like.
• pepperdine superscores the sat, meaning that they will consider only the highest section scores across all testing dates. this means that you can take the sat as many times as necessary to get highly competitive scores in each section.
• the sat essay is optional.

as far as what you’ll need to score, the average composite sat score of students admitted to pepperdine is 1290, but looking at percentiles can help give you a better sense of your actual chances of getting in:

• the 25th percentile for composite pepperdine sat scores is 1220.
• the 75th percentile for composite pepperdine sat scores is 1420.

so what does this actually mean?

it means that if you score an 1220 or lower, you’ll be below average compared to the other students applying to pepperdine. on the other hand, if you score a 1420 or higher, you’ll be above average.

the takeaway? you want to aim for a 1390 or higher to stand a strong chance of getting in.

as far as the percentiles go for the individual sections:

a good rule of thumb, then, is to aim for the 75th percentile scores or higher for an excellent chance of getting into pepperdine.

more about pepperdine act scores

here are a couple things to keep in mind about pepperdine act scores:

• pepperdine does not superscore the act, but you can choose which scores by testing date are sent to them.
• the act writing test is optional.

the average composite act of students accepted to pepperdine is 29, which is considered a competitive score.

as far as percentiles:

• the 25th percentile for composite pepperdine act scores is 26.
• the 75th percentile for composite pepperdine act scores is 32.

in other words, a score of 26 or lower will put you below average compared to the other applicants, while a score of 32 or higher will place you above average.

so your sweet spot to aim for? 30 or higher!

more about pepperdine gpa

the average high school gpa of students admitted to pepperdine is 3.6, which is a b+ average.

this means you’ll need very good grades to be a strong applicant.

depending on how your high school calculates gpa, getting high grades in honors, ap, and ib classes can help raise it, since these classes are often weighted more heavily. in fact, excelling in these challenging courses indicates to colleges that you are ready for the rigor of their classes.

one thing to keep in mind, though, is that it’s very difficult to change your gpa after your sophomore year. so if you have your eye on pepperdine, you’ll have to earn a’s and b’s from the get-go!

here’s a breakdown of your admissions chances with various gpas:

as you can see, even with a very high gpa, your chances are still under 40% and become increasingly slim with even a small gpa drop. what this means is that having a great gpa is just one part of the pepperdine admissions equation.

pepperdine acceptance rate

pepperdine is harder to get into than ever before, as detailed in “pepperdine becomes more competitive as seaver reports lowest admittance rate for 2019.”

according to the article, 13,718 students applied to pepperdine for the 2019-2020 academic year, of which 4,241 were admitted, a record low of a 30% admissions rate.

director of admissions falone serna notes that there was an 11% increase in applicants this year, making the selection process more challenging.

in the fall of 2019, pepperdine began accepting early action applications for the first time ever. according to enrollment manager kristy collins, about 1/3 of all applications were early action, which she expects to continue.

greater selectivity often means greater prestige, so the good news is, if you’re admitted to pepperdine, you’ll be getting into a school with an excellent reputation.

pepperdine freshman profile

here’s a great, very comprehensive overview of pepperdine’s freshman profile for fall of 2019, complete with gpa and test score averages, religious affiliations, states and countries of origin, and general demographic breakdowns. this is also a valuable comparative chart of pepperdine’s past freshman profiles. these types of statistics can obviously change over time, but they’ll give you a pretty good indication of who pepperdine is admitting, generally.

here are some quick stats on pepperdine’s admitted class of 2023:

• 60% admitted students are female
• 40% admitted students are male
• 79.2% of admitted students are domestic
• 11.8% of admitted students are international

furthermore, the ethnicity breakdown for enrolled students is as follows:

• 49% white
• 14% hispanic or latino
• 10% asian
• 13% non-resident/alien
• 8% indicated “other”
• 5% black or african american
• 1% race or ethnicity unknown

other admissions requirements for pepperdine

so what will you actually need to formally apply to pepperdine university? here’s a handy list:

• all parts of the common application, sometimes just referred to as the “common app.” as part of the common app, you will need to submit a common app essay, so here’s a great resource on exactly how to write a common app essay that will get you accepted!
• a $65 application fee
• responses to two additional pepperdine-specific prompts that can be uploaded through the common app.
• official high school transcripts (for each school you’ve attended if you’ve attended more than one).
• an academic letter of recommendation from a core subject teacher (e.g. math, english, etc.) or from a school counselor. there are various ways you can submit this letter, whether electronically or through good old fashioned snail mail.
• your official sat or act scores

you can also read more about pepperdine admissions requirements for transfer applicants, international applicants, and re-applicants if you fall into one of those categories.

pepperdine faqs

this is an absolutely fantastic overview of just about every faq about pepperdine that you could possibly have, and here are some other great faqs about pepperdine’s admissions process, but let’s take a look at a few of the most common questions about pepperdine that you may also have.

is pepperdine early action binding?

no, pepperdine is not early action binding. what this means is that if you’re admitted to pepperdine after submitting an early action application, you are not required to attend.

does pepperdine interview?

no. according to pepperdine’s admissions department, “pepperdine does not offer evaluative interviews. admission counselors are available to meet with prospective students to discuss the university and the application process, but these discussions are not among the factors considered when applications are evaluated.”

is pepperdine need-blind?

yes, pepperdine is need-blind, meaning that your need (or lack thereof) for financial aid will not impact your chances of being accepted. that said, you may be eligible for financial aid, and you can read more about pepperdine’s tuition, cost, and financial aid here.

how to get into pepperdine university

so, here we are. we’ve reviewed all of the actual application requirements for pepperdine university, as well as the average tests scores and gpas of those admitted. if you’re wondering then, just exactly how to get into pepperdine university, consider this your all-around “cheat sheet” to be a highly competitive candidate and increase your chances significantly:

• score a 1420 or higher on your sat or a 32 or higher on your act
• earn a gpa of 3.6 or higher
• have plenty of extracurricular and volunteer activities listed, especially if you served in leadership roles
• get a very strong letter of recommendation from a teacher who knows you well and can speak to your ability, growth, and potential. here’s a handy resource on how to ask for a letter of recommendation to ensure you get the best letter possible in a timely manner.
• write a strong common app essay and strong responses to the pepperdine-specific essays. strong writing goes a long way and this is your best chance to give pepperdine a sense of who you are, not just of your academic performance.

and if you want advice right from the source, here’s what pepperdine’s admissions says about candidates: “the admission committee looks closely at an applicant’s academic record, gpa, standardized test scores, background of service and leadership, and character as exhibited in references and short answer/personal statements.”

and of course, as always, since test scores play a large role in your application, you’ll want 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!

best of luck!!!

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