News
Standardized Testing Requirements at Yale
Following Dartmouth’s lead, Yale is the most recent Ivy League school to reinstate standardized test scores as a requirement for new students. This means that Yale applicants will need to submit either SAT, ACT, or advanced placement scores in order to be considered for admission. This adjustment will go into effect for students applying for the fall class of 2025.
Yale claims their previous choice to forego standardized test scores became a hindrance to applicants from low socioeconomic backgrounds. According to the Ivy League, admissions committees had less student information to work with therefore putting more emphasis on GPAs and extracurricular activities when assessing applications. Thus, students who suffered in these areas were not given an opportunity to reinforce their scholastic strengths via test scores.
Administrators at Yale assert that requiring standardized testing scores helps them get a fully rounded view of each individual as a student. They claim having access to these scores will “highlight an applicant’s areas of academic strength.” However, they wish to emphasize that test scores alone can not predict student achievement and will only be used as a piece of a larger puzzle when reviewing student qualifications.
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
607-848-1266
AP Course Decisions
For high school students, taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes can offer numerous benefits such as gaining college credit, improving academic skills, and strengthening college applications. However, it can be challenging to decide how many AP classes to take.
AP classes are designed to provide college-level coursework to high school students. These courses offer students an opportunity to explore challenging subjects in greater depth and prepare them for college-level academic rigor. However, the workload of AP courses is typically higher than that of regular high school courses. Students should consider their academic ability based on their performance in previous academic years, including their grades, course difficulty, and study habits. Students must also factor in their workload, including from extracurricular activities.
Another factor to consider is a student's future goals. If a student is planning to attend a highly competitive college or pursue a career in a challenging field, taking multiple AP courses can demonstrate their academic readiness and preparedness. Even so, colleges take other factors into account, and there is no guaranteed number of AP courses that will substitute for a well-rounded and individual background.
Counselors, researchers, and consultants agree that it’s far more important to select a schedule that will be manageable to a student based on their workload, academic level, and future goals, rather than loading their schedule with as many AP courses as possible.
Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266