Road to a top college: How to ace SAT and the application essay

It’s a jungle out there — in the evolving landscape of college admissions, that is.With trends shaping standardized testing requirements, challenges introduced by the digitization of the SAT and the significance of college essays, a promising outcome requires an early, proactive and strategic planning strategy. Off the coattails of the pandemic, a majority of colleges and universities are still offering a test-optional (SAT/ACT) policy to students.

However, this policy will likely end within the next two years, said Gabe Cramer, managing director of mentoring at college admissions consultancy firm Command Education.“While some schools have decided to continue that in perpetuity until otherwise, students should be careful, as you must examine individual school policies to find out if you’re required to sit for these tests as an applicant,” said Cramer.It’s also advisable to check out the Common Data Set (a compliation of admissions standards around the country) to find out what percentage of students are being admitted to a given institution with or without submitting test scores.The CDS aims to improve the accuracy of information provided to all involved in a student’s transition to higher education.“It’s a critical piece of the puzzle,” said Cramer.

“For example, if only 11 percent of those admitted to a certain school did not submit test scores last year as candidates, that school may be test-optional in name only.It may be expecting you to submit.”Whatever the case, it’s always an advantage to submit test results if you can, added Cramer. “We tell all students, at the very least, take a practice diagnostic to see where you’re scoring on both the SAT and the ACT.

Let’s create a goal score for you, whether you’re trying to up your chances of admission to a top institution or a reach school,” (those for which your academic profile falls below their typically accepted range).“If you don’t think your test score will get yo...