Score At The Top Blog

In response to Covid-19 and the ensuing standardized test cancellations throughout the spring, summer, and even into the fall, a greater number of colleges are going “test-optional” for the class of 2021. Some schools have indicated that this policy may extend into next year’s admissions cycle…or beyond. The most up-to-date list of test optional colleges can be found here. A brief perusal shows that schools that have made this decision include elite colleges – all eight Ivies – and other academic powerhouses, such as Georgetown and the entire University of California system. For students unable to take the SAT or ACT this application cycle, the test-optional policy offers some consolation. But, what does this mean for your application? Let’s take a look….

Topics: College Admission, ACT/SAT, Test Optional

At this year’s virtual SUS Admissions Tour, admissions directors from Florida’s 12 public universities weighed in on testing, shared updates to applications, and offered tips for this year’s application cycle. In this article we've share some of their more interesting take-aways.

Topics: UF, FSU, UCF, SUS

In August of last year, our blog titled “When your GPA doesn't equal your GPA” discussed the varying ways in which colleges look at students’ grades – and the strength of the schedules that produced those grades – in making admissions decisions. In that blog, we noted that “When it comes to your GPA, the one that’s on your transcript is not necessarily the one that colleges will use!” That’s every bit as true now as it was then, and it’s also true, in spades, for the Florida State University System (SUS) schools that will be the focus of this blog.

Topics: College Admission, Application Essays, Person Statement

Over and over in our chapters up to this point, we’ve stated explicitly that your personal statement must convey qualities that reveal your character to the admissions reader. It’s not coincidental that the closing sentences of your personal statement essay should also leave the reader with a final burnished image. In the best case, you tie together your narrative with mature reflection. Therein lies the impact of your writing.

Topics: College Admission, Application Essays, Person Statement

College admissions directors read hundreds − if not thousands − of college application essays, morning, afternoon, and evening.  They're the people in college admissions looking for the good read, the applicant’s essay that will make their day. That’s why getting the reader’s attention right from the start goes a very long way toward making you stand out from a long procession of students.

Topics: College Application, Application Essays, Person Statement

Three of the four qualities we listed in our last blog chapter – maturity, self-reflection, and intellectual curiosity – must be combined well in order to be effective; your essay must tell a story whose conclusion demonstrates the fourth quality, the impact as expressed through personal reflection. You are not simply telling a story; you are demonstrating your observational powers at this stage in your life – specifically, how your story affected who you have become.

Topics: College Admission, Application Essays, Person Statement

“To be or not to be” might be germane for Hamlet, but one that’s relevant to the topic at hand is “To Create a College Application essay outline” or to try winging it without one – and the correct answer’s cogent for demonstrating the type of character that admissions officers look for in applicants.

As background, we’ve worked successfully with many thousands of students on their essays, so we’re acutely aware that while one can “get there” with lots and lots of winging, one’s just as likely to both come up with a substandard essay and have one’s fingers fall off.

Topics: College Admission, Application Essays, Person Statement

There's no reason to panic – at least not yet– but because college applications are due during the first semester of your senior year, you should begin working on them now if you haven’t already done so. And if you're just getting started and wondering how to complete your personal statement for your college application, we’re here to help, so you've come to the right place.

More than 800 colleges accept the Common Application, so that's what we’re going to focus on in this post.

Topics: College Admission, Application Essays, Person Statement

Join renowned college expert, Judi Robinovitz, as she shares her vast knowledge of college admissions − and how to guide your child to success. This session will specifically address the Florida State University System (SUS); Judi will provide you with the most current admission information for all twelve state universities in Florida. You can use this information, along with other college insights Judi will share, to make your student’s college application stand out and improve chances for admission.

Topics: College Admission, FSU, Florida State Universities, SUS

In light of all the recent ACT testing center cancellations, we wanted to reach out to you to make sure that your registration was up-to-date for the September ACT Exams. Below is a list of schools that are currently hosting the ACT exam for September 12th, 13th, 19th, and/or 20th. 

Topics: ACT, Test Optional, COVID-19