Author: admin

Boost Your SAT Score Now

Surprising Truth

Most students in Portland, Beaverton, and Hillsboro think they need to be a genius to get a high SAT score, you know, but honestly, it’s not about being a genius, it’s about having a solid strategy. Meet Emily, a senior at a high school in Bethany, she was struggling to get a decent score, her parents were worried, her teachers were worried, but Emily was determined to improve. She spent hours studying, but her score wasn’t budging, that was until she changed her approach.

So, what was holding Emily back? It was her lack of understanding of the test format, and her inability to manage her time effectively. She would often run out of time, or misread questions, and that would throw her off. But, once she figured out the format, and learned how to manage her time, her score started to rise. You can do the same, by understanding the test format, and learning how to manage your time, you’ll be amazed at how much your score can improve.

Breaking It Down

Let’s break it down, the SAT is a long test, it’s over three hours, and it’s exhausting, but if you’re prepared, you’ll be fine. The test is divided into four sections, reading, writing, math, and an optional essay, each section has its own unique challenges, but with the right strategy, you can conquer them. For example, in the reading section, you need to be able to read quickly, and understand complex texts, in the math section, you need to be able to solve problems quickly, and accurately.

You can improve your SAT score, by focusing on your weaknesses, and building on your strengths. If you’re struggling with math, don’t worry, you can improve, with practice, and patience. If you’re struggling with reading, don’t worry, you can improve, by reading more, and practicing your comprehension skills. The key is to identify your weaknesses, and work on them, you know, it’s like training for a sport, you need to practice, to get better.

SAT Score Improvement Tips

So, here are some tips, to help you improve your SAT score, first, practice consistently, don’t cram, it doesn’t work. Second, use authentic materials, the College Board website has plenty of free resources, use them. Third, join a test prep course, or get a tutor, it can make a big difference, honestly. At MMT Prep, our tutoring center in Beaverton, we offer test prep courses, and one-on-one tutoring, our experienced instructors, can help you improve your SAT score, and get into your dream college.

In Portland, Oregon, we have a lot of resources, to help you prepare, from tutoring centers, to online courses, you can find what works best for you. In Beaverton, OR, we have MMT Prep, which offers SAT tutoring, and test prep courses, that can help you raise your SAT score, and get into a top college. So, don’t wait, start preparing, today, you can do it, you know. Raising SAT scores in Beaverton, is our specialty, at MMT Prep, we have the expertise, and the experience, to help you succeed.

Call to Action

So, what are you waiting for, contact MMT Prep, today, and let us help you improve your SAT score, our experienced instructors, can help you develop a personalized plan, to achieve your goals. Don’t let your SAT score hold you back, take control, and get the score you deserve. At MMT Prep, we believe in you, and we know, you can do it. Visit our website, or give us a call, to learn more, about our SAT test prep strategies, and Oregon SAT preparation courses, you won’t regret it.

May 22, 2026

Class of 2030 Admit Rates: Latest College Acceptance Rate Trends

Class of 2030 Admit Rates

Overall admission rates for the class of 2030 are updated once information become available. Check back for updates as colleges continue to release data!

School	Class of 2030	Class of 2029	Class of 2028	Class of 2027
Adelphi University	TBA	72.15%	65.90%	77.53%
American University	TBA	65.56%	61.87%	47.38%
Amherst College	6.78%	7.72%	9.01%	9.81%
Arizona State University	TBA	Overall: 88.39% In-state: 90.00% Out-of-state: 87.24% International: 89.93%	Overall: 89.89% In-state: 91.62% Out-of-state: 89.17% International: 89.63%	Overall: 90.19% In-state: 92.00% Out-of-state: 89.74% International: 88.38%
Auburn University	TBA	46.89%	45.92%	50.47%
Babson College	TBA	16.00%	17.09%	19.74%
Barnard College	TBA	10.05%	8.84%	7.96%
Bates College	TBA	14.83%	13.30%	13.06%
Baylor University	TBA	52.22%	51.28%	50.97%
Belmont University	TBA	93.67%	95.28%	96.36%
Bentley University	TBA	TBA	45.05%	48.44%.pdf)
Binghamton University	TBA	Overall: 37.31% In-state: 29.10% Out-of-state: 73.73% International: 62.06%	Overall: 38.61% In-state: 31.32% Out-of-state: 79.18% International: 65.44%	Overall: 37.73% In-state: 31.45% Out-of-state: 75.16% International: 60.98%
Boston College	12.70%	13.85%	16.19%	15.65%
Boston University	TBA	12.83%	11.11%	10.85%
Bowdoin College	6.53%	6.81%	7.13%	8.02%
Brandeis University	TBA	45.00%	40.47%	35.33%
Brown University	5.35%	5.65%	5.39%	5.23%
Bryn Mawr College	TBA	28.15%	29.43%	31.06%
Bucknell University	TBA	32.20%	28.93%	32.01%
California Institute of Technology	TBA	3.78%	2.57%	3.14%
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo	TBA	Overall: 29.96% In-state: 26.36% Out-of-state: 62.08% International: 31.03%	Overall: 31.22% In-state: 28.85% Out-of-state: 53.56% International: 30.83%	Overall: 29.65% In-state: 28.24% Out-of-state: 41.43% International: 34.69%
Carleton College	TBA	21.78%	20.41%	22.28%
Carnegie Mellon University	TBA	11.07%	11.66%	11.40%
Case Western Reserve University	TBA	35.31%	37.78%	28.68%
Chapman University	TBA	72.06%	65.43%	55.61%
Claremont McKenna College	TBA	9.44%	9.59%	11.12%
Clark University	TBA	40.47%	39.54%	41.67%
Clemson University	TBA	Overall: 42.43% In-state: 52.89% Out-of-state and international: 40.36%	Overall: 38.34% In-state: 55.95% Out-of-state: 34.94% International: 35.77%	Overall: 38.05% In-state: 49.23% Out-of-state: 36.04% International: 19.64%
Colby College	TBA	8.00%	7.09%	6.83%
Colgate University	TBA	17.43%	13.88%	11.95%
College of Charleston	TBA	Overall: 73.00% In-state: 72.52% Out-of-state: 73.53% International: 47.68%	Overall: 60.03% In-state: 73.94% Out-of-state: 55.76% International: 54.44%	Overall: 72.00% In-state: 75.61% Out-of-state: 70.92% International: 49.06%
College of the Holy Cross	TBA	17.00%	18.00%	21.10%
Colorado College	TBA	22.09%	18.47%	20.03%
Columbia University	4.23%	4.94%	3.86%	4.00%
Connecticut College	TBA	39.18%	37.04%	38.28%
Cornell University	TBA	8.38%	8.41%	7.90%
Dartmouth College	5.84%	6.02%	5.40%	6.23%
Davidson College	TBA	12.62%	13.37%	14.48%
Denison University	~22.00%	19.55%	17.39%	16.93%
DePaul University	TBA	87.80%	75.89%	73.53%
Dickinson College	TBA	41.49%	42.09%	43.08%
Drexel University	TBA	69.90%	79.44%	77.53%
Duke University	4.73%	5.20%	5.71%	6.78%
Elon University	TBA	63.26%	66.35%	67.31%
Emory University	Overall: 12.29%	Emory: 10.30% Oxford: 13.34%	Emory: 10.29% Oxford: 12.66%	Emory: 10.65% Oxford: 16.51%
Fairfield University	21.00%	25.05%	33.29%	44.98%
Fashion Institute of Technology	TBA	Overall: 67.01% In-state: 69.60% Out-of-state: 65.08% International: 64.38%	Overall: 60.24% In-state: 65.52% Out-of-state: 57.48% International: 51.88%	Overall: 57.61% In-state: 59.59% Out-of-state: 56.97% International: 53.61%
Florida State University	Overall: ~20.11%	Overall: 23.83% In-state: 34.05% Out-of-state: 13.53% International: 7.88%	Overall: 24.22% In-state: 31.85% Out-of-state: 16.58% International: 10.55%	Overall: 25.38% In-state: 36.14% Out-of-state: 14.42% International: 8.09%
Fordham University	~47.00%	57.76%	59.29%	56.28%
Franklin & Marshall College	TBA	31.63%	28.19%	31.83%
Furman University	TBA	47.98%	42.95%	52.57%
George Washington University	TBA	TBA	47.09%	43.54%
Georgetown University	13.00%	13.49%	12.91%	13.08%
Georgia Tech	Overall: 12.82% In-state: ~27.64% Out-of-state and international: ~9.28%	Overall: 13.34% In-state: 29.46% Out-of-state: 10.12% International: 7.34%	Overall: 14.07% In-state: 33.13% Out-of-state: 10.42% International: 8.20%	Overall: 16.46% In-state: 36.60% Out-of-state: 12.53% International: 9.95%
Gonzaga University	TBA	79.62%	81.69%	75.96%
Grinnell College	TBA	16.00%	14.51%	12.68%
Hamilton College	TBA	13.59%	13.62%	11.77%
Harvard University	TBA	4.18%	3.65%	3.45%
Harvey Mudd College	TBA	12.33%	12.66%	13.10%
Haverford College	TBA	13.31%	12.37%	12.91%
Howard University	TBA	TBA	41.34%	34.89%
Hunter College	TBA	TBA	53.80%	54.05%
Indiana University – Bloomington	TBA	Overall: 75.89% In-state: 72.24% Out-of-state: 78.58% International: 63.61%	Overall: 78.21% In-state: 75.14% Out-of-state: 80.76% International: 66.82%	Overall: 80.37% In-state: 75.79% Out-of-state: 83.91% International: 70.64%
Johns Hopkins University	TBA	6.11%	6.44%	7.56%
Kenyon College	TBA	TBA	31.03%	30.71%
Lafayette College	32.27%	31.16%	31.45%	31.40%
Lehigh University	TBA	28.96%	25.93%	29.26%
Lewis & Clark College	TBA	71.18%	78.49%	74.53%
Loyola Marymount University	TBA	48.21%	45.08%	40.29%
Loyola University Chicago	TBA	75.10%	81.60%	81.39%
Loyola University Maryland	TBA	69.86%	75.49%	76.33%
Macalester College	TBA	28.13%	28.52%	28.21%
Marquette University	TBA	78.02%	81.34%	87.48%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	4.58%	4.56%	4.55%	4.80%
Miami University – Ohio	TBA	70.41%	Overall: 75.40% In-state: 80.42% Out-of-state: 83.49% International: 33.98%	83.35%
Michigan State University	TBA	81.27%	Overall: 84.80% In-state: 84.36% Out-of-state: 84.37% International: 88.10%	87.05%
Middlebury College	Fall 2026 and spring 2027 admits: ~17.00%	Fall 2025 admits only: 12.77% Fall 2025 and spring 2026 admits: ~13.90%	Fall 2024 admits only: 10.75% Fall 2024 and spring 2025 admits: 11.96%	Fall 2023 admits only: 10.37% Fall 2023 and spring 2024 admits: ~11.00%
Montana State University	TBA	Overall: 99.38%	Overall: 82.14% In-state: 86.21% Out-of-state: 80.99% International: 91.78%	Overall: 86.83% In-state: 84.93% Out-of-state: 87.29% International: 98.67%
Mount Holyoke College	TBA	TBA	36.00%	38.00%
Muhlenberg College	TBA	TBA	71.99%	64.01%
New York University	TBA	9.06%%20for%20the%20web.pdf)	9.23%	9.41%
North Carolina State University	TBA	Overall: 39.53% In-state: 46.22% Out-of-state: 25.17% International: 34.36%	Overall: 41.67% In-state: 49.56% Out-of-state: 35.71% International: 22.87%	Overall: 39.55% In-state: 49.98% Out-of-state: 28.67% International: 28.45%
Northeastern University	TBA	5.62%	5.22%	5.65%
Northwestern University	~7.00%	~7.00%	7.69%	7.22%
Oberlin College	TBA	College of Arts and Sciences: 34.02% Conservatory of Music: 26.11%	Overall: 34.16% College of Arts and Sciences: 34.30% Conservatory of Music: 33.09%	Overall: 32.98% College of Arts and Sciences: 32.92% Conservatory of Music: 34.68%
Occidental College	TBA	44.85%	44.17%	39.89%
Ohio State University	TBA	Overall: 49.20% In-state: 45.09% Out-of-state: 46.42% International: 66.09%	Overall: 60.57% In-state: 57.31% Out-of-state: 58.98% International: 72.03%	Overall: 50.82% In-state: 49.13% Out-of-state: 49.73% International: 57.26%
Olin College of Engineering	TBA	TBA	25.20%	21.66%
Pace University	TBA	78.47%	75.92%	77.14%
Pennsylvania State University	TBA	TBA	Overall: 60.56% In-state: 62.51% Out-of-state: 59.08% International: 64.37%	Overall: 54.22% In-state: 57.86% Out-of-state: 53.12% International: 53.37%
Pepperdine University	TBA	67.36%	62.86%	49.85%
Pitzer College	TBA	26.80%	25.16%	16.66%
Pomona College	TBA	7.14%	7.09%	6.76%
Princeton University	TBA	4.42%	4.62%	4.50%
Providence College	TBA	49.90%	50.89%	48.58%
Purdue University	TBA	Overall: 43.43% In-state: 71.09% Out-of-state: 43.58% International: 22.49%	Overall: 49.79% In-state: 74.17% Out-of-state: 50.70% International: 27.56%	Overall: 50.36% In-state: 73.99% Out-of-state: 50.40% International: 29.78%
Reed College	TBA	29.19%	24.61%	27.16%
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	TBA	67.25%	63.43%	58.50%
Rhode Island School of Design	TBA	23.38%	18.66%	13.81%
Rice University	7.73%	8.01%	8.00%	7.88%
Rochester Institute of Technology	TBA	TBA	66.98%	71.14%
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology	TBA	79.29%	76.86%	72.81%
Rutgers University–New Brunswick	TBA	TBA	Overall: 59.73%	Overall: 65.35% In-state: 70.72% Out-of-state: 71.98% International: 62.27%
Sacred Heart University	TBA	TBA	65.36%	67.68%
San Diego State University	TBA	Overall: 37.41% In-state: 31.32% Out-of-state: 90.70% International: 59.02%	Overall: 35.98% In-state: 30.79% Out-of-state: 87.06% International: 57.06%	Overall: 34.18% In-state: 29.34% Out-of-state: 81.08% International: 50.12%
Santa Clara University	TBA	47.88%	48.00%	43.84%
Sarah Lawrence College	TBA	TBA	61.73%	58.93%
Savannah College of Art and Design	TBA	74.94%	82.98%	83.68%
Scripps College	TBA	39.88%	38.29%	33.94%
Seattle University	TBA	TBA	76.92%	76.05%
Seton Hall University	TBA	69.00%	73.26%	78.90%
Skidmore College	TBA	23.77%	21.05%	22.92%
Smith College	TBA	22.41%	21.00%	19.73%
Southern Methodist University	TBA	47.64%	63.35%	61.22%
Stanford University	TBA	3.80%	3.61%	3.91%
Stony Brook University	TBA	Overall: 48.18% In-state: 39.95% Out-of-state: 62.91% International: 67.09%	Overall: 49.04% In-state: 41.57% Out-of-state: 61.68% International: 73.08%	Overall: 49.01% In-state: 42.75% Out-of-state: 60.60% International: 71.40%
Swarthmore College	7.44%	7.52%	7.46%	6.94%
Syracuse University	TBA	TBA	45.92%	43.12%
Texas A\&M	TBA	Overall: 51.66% In-state: 54.15% Out-of-state: 41.25% International: 48.55%	Overall: 57.32% In-state: 59.02% Out-of-state: 48.71% International: 56.53%	Overall: 63.10% In-state: 65.05% Out-of-state: 52.74% International: 63.50%
Texas Christian University	TBA	48.09%	44.49%	42.60%
Texas Tech	TBA	Overall: 69.04%	Overall: 72.65% In-state: 74.82% Out-of-state: 68.25% International: 33.65%	Overall: 70.89% In-state: 72.30% Out-of-state: 68.74% International: 40.34%
The New School	TBA	72.62%	63.42%	62.16%
Trinity College	TBA	29.00%	29.25%	33.52%
Trinity University	TBA	24.88%	25.92%	28.16%
Tufts University	10.00%	10.81%	11.53%	10.13%
Tulane University	~15.00%	14.46%	13.98%	14.59%
University at Albany	TBA	Overall: 70.44% In-state: 70.07% Out-of-state and international: 95.68%	Overall: 69.09% In-state: 68.48% Out-of-state: 82.36% International: 55.13%	Overall: 69.87%
University at Buffalo	TBA	Overall: 80.59% In-state: 80.09% Out-of-state: 70.48% International: 94.42%	Overall: 74.18% In-state: 76.16% Out-of-state: 78.99% International: 60.43%	Overall: 69.30% In-state: 68.08% Out-of-state: 74.27% International: 73.61%
University of California, Berkeley	TBA	Overall: 11.45% In-state: 13.55% Out-of-state: 10.33% International: 5.80%	Overall: 11.04% In-state: 14.93% Out-of-state: 7.34% International: 3.38%	Overall: 11.73% In-state: 15.13% Out-of-state: 7.80% International: 3.53%
University of California, Davis	TBA	Overall: 44.35% In-state: 37.14% Out-of-state: 63.24% International: 55.94%	Overall: 41.83% In-state: 36.55% Out-of-state: 57.32% International: 50.68%	Overall: 41.64% In-state: 36.25% Out-of-state: 60.35% International: 49.14%
University of California, Irvine	TBA	Overall: 28.70% In-state: 21.88% Out-of-state: 47.38% International: 41.79%	Overall: 28.78% In-state: 21.82% Out-of-state: 49.76% International: 43.14%	Overall: 25.75% In-state: 20.39% Out-of-state: 47.25% International: 32.56%
University of California, Los Angeles	TBA	Overall: 9.41% In-state: 9.61% Out-of-state: 11.22% International: 6.32%	Overall: 8.97% In-state: 9.53% Out-of-state: 9.26% International: 6.26%	Overall: 8.73% In-state: 9.46% Out-of-state: 8.62% International: 6.09%
University of California, Merced	TBA	Overall: 94.33% In-state: 96.30% Out-of-state: 83.88% International: 79.97%	Overall: 91.52% In-state: 93.27% Out-of-state: 85.02% International: 85.03%	Overall: 88.60% In-state: 91.80% Out-of-state: 75.97% International: 61.56%
University of California, Riverside	TBA	Overall: 86.52% In-state: 86.86% Out-of-state: 88.84% International: 82.09%	Overall: 76.85% In-state: 75.04% Out-of-state: 91.03% International: 84.99%	Overall: 70.38% In-state: 68.50% Out-of-state: 85.23% International: 78.65%
University of California, San Diego	TBA	Overall: 28.56% In-state: 24.75% Out-of-state: 39.66% International: 30.91%	Overall: 26.77% In-state: 25.99% Out-of-state: 33.49% International: 22.44%	Overall: 24.76% In-state: 24.51% Out-of-state: 31.92% International: 17.93%
University of California, Santa Barbara	TBA	Overall: 38.20% In-state: 32.12% Out-of-state: 54.50% International: 47.59%	Overall: 32.96% In-state: 32.38% Out-of-state: 38.21% International: 30.10%	Overall: 27.78% In-state: 28.05% Out-of-state: 32.63% International: 21.48%
University of California, Santa Cruz	TBA	Overall: 72.73% In-state: 71.20% Out-of-state: 84.12% International: 72.40%	Overall: 65.57% In-state: 62.15% Out-of-state: 81.41% International: 77.06%	Overall: 61.28% In-state: 59.56% Out-of-state: 80.14% International: 58.85%
University of Central Florida	TBA	Overall: 42.80% In-state: 47.39% Out-of-state: 27.86% International: 24.31%	Overall: 44.71% In-state: 49.12% Out-of-state: 28.87% International: 23.39%	Overall: 43.39% In-state: 48.21% Out-of-state: 28.09% International: 19.27%
University of Chicago	TBA	TBA	4.48%	4.79%
University of Colorado – Boulder	TBA	Overall: 70.67% In-state: 81.31% Out-of-state: 66.68% International: 76.19%	Overall: 76.21% In-state: 84.84% Out-of-state: 72.88% International: 81.54%	Overall: 81.43% In-state: 92.29% Out-of-state: 77.22% International: 85.08%
University of Connecticut	TBA	Overall: ~54.00%	Overall: 52.39%	Overall: 53.95% In-state: 44.94% Out-of-state: 56.23% International: 69.11%
University of Denver	TBA	85.38%	77.29%	71.19%
University of Florida	TBA	Overall: 19.77%	Overall: 24.20% In-state: 23.26% Out-of-state: 23.82% International: 32.49%	Overall: 24.03% In-state: 52.58% Out-of-state: 14.25% International: 19.60%
University of Georgia	Overall: ~29.84%	Overall: ~33.85%	Overall: 37.92% In-state: 46.98% Out-of-state: 31.10% International: 20.90%	Overall: 37.19% In-state: 50.24% Out-of-state: 28.11% International: 21.60%
University of Hawaii at Manoa	TBA	Overall: 87.97% In-state: 88.71% Out-of-state: 88.01% International: 78.57%	Overall: 86.60% In-state: 87.34% Out-of-state: 86.81% International: 74.57%	Overall: 69.67% In-state: 80.69% Out-of-state: 66.56% International: 48.41%
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign	TBA	Overall: 36.59% In-state: 49.32% Out-of-state: 29.03% International: 30.49%	Overall: 42.37% In-state: 54.39% Out-of-state: 36.20% International: 33.52%	Overall: 43.69% In-state: 56.23% Out-of-state: 35.87% International: 34.50%
University of Maryland	TBA	Overall: 45.03% In-state: 43.68% Out-of-state and international: 45.55%	Overall: 44.80% In-state: 50.89% Out-of-state and international: 42.54%	Overall: 44.84% In-state: 53.90% Out-of-state and international: 41.56%
University of Massachusetts – Amherst	TBA	Overall: 59.89% In-state: 57.79% Out-of-state: 63.52% International: 54.13%	Overall: 59.73% In-state: 60.47% Out-of-state: 60.95% International: 52.86%	Overall: 57.77% Out-of-state: 58.65% In-state: 60.05% International: 47.89%
University of Miami	TBA	17.61%	18.90%	18.51%
University of Michigan	TBA	16.42%	15.64%	17.94%
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	TBA	Overall: 16.72% In-state: 34.84% Out-of-state and international: 10.93%	Overall: 15.34% In-state: 37.99% Out-of-state: 6.63% International: 14.28%	Overall: 18.74% In-state: 41.16% Out-of-state: 9.33% International: 18.22%
University of North Carolina at Charlotte	TBA	Overall: 77.78% In-state: 82.71% Out-of-state: 66.85% International: 70.00%	Overall: 79.60% In-state: 84.38% Out-of-state: 67.38% International: 73.95%	Overall: 80.21% In-state: 85.96% Out-of-state: 65.45% International: 66.92%
University of Notre Dame	9.00%	9.38%	11.27%	12.38%
University of Pennsylvania	TBA	4.92%	5.40%	5.87%
University of Pittsburgh	TBA	Overall: 59.45%	Overall: 58.09%	Overall: 49.70%
University of Rhode Island	TBA	TBA	Overall: 72.16% In-state: 74.58% Out-of-state: 71.80% International: 67.41%	Overall: 77.07% In-state: 75.89% Out-of-state: 77.40% International: 72.83%
University of Richmond	TBA	22.24%	22.20%	23.31%
University of Rochester	TBA	Overall: 41.91%	Overall: 40.08% College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering: 40.13% Eastman School of Music: 39.00%	Overall: 35.85% College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering: 35.81% Eastman School of Music: 36.89%
University of San Diego	TBA	53.58%	52.38%	46.81%
University of South Carolina	TBA	TBA	Overall: 60.15% In-state: 76.17% Out-of-state: 54.72% International: 65.32%	Overall: 61.49% In-state: 77.50% Out-of-state: 55.60% International: 62.02%
University of Southern California	11.67%	11.19%	9.81%	10.01%
University of Tennessee – Knoxville	Overall: 47.81% In-state: 76.00% Out-of-state: 40.37% International: 63.92%	Overall: 43.58% In-state: 72.83% Out-of-state: 35.08% International: 47.12%	Overall: 41.60% In-state: 70.10% Out-of-state: 33.37% International: 28.59%	Overall: 45.99% In-state: 60.40% Out-of-state: 43.02% International: 35.19%
University of Texas at Austin	TBA	Overall: 22.22%	Overall: 26.64% In-state: 37.72% Out-of-state: 10.13% International: 12.87%	Overall: 29.12% In-state: 40.97% Out-of-state: 11.76% International: 13.24%
University of Vermont	TBA	Overall: 73.04% In-state: 76.54% Out-of-state: 75.19% International: 30.44%	Overall: 65.30% In-state: 74.15% Out-of-state: 65.68% International: 34.91%	Overall: 60.02% In-state: 71.43% Out-of-state: 59.83% International: 32.83%
University of Virginia	In-state: 21.62% Out-of-state and international: 9.61%	In-state: 23.50% Out-of-state: 12.91% International: 11.62%	In-state: 25.93% Out-of-state: 13.83% International: 10.46%	In-state: 27.58% Out-of-state: 13.18% International: 11.50%
University of Washington – Seattle	TBA	Overall: 41.75% In-state: 45.74% Out-of-state: 42.16% International: 35.64%	Overall: 39.15% In-state: 47.85% Out-of-state: 36.20% International: 38.83%	Overall: 42.53% In-state: 52.27% Out-of-state: 38.46% International: 45.42%
University of Wisconsin – Madison	TBA	Overall: 40.81% In-state: 56.39% Out-of-state: 40.33% International: 31.60%	Overall: 45.17% In-state: 59.27% Out-of-state: 45.55% International: 33.26%	Overall: 43.24% In-state: 60.67% Out-of-state: 42.67% International: 31.91%
Vanderbilt University	~4.08%	5.33%	5.86%	6.28%
Vassar College	TBA	20.93%	18.57%	17.73%
Villanova University	TBA	27.53%	26.98%	25.12%
Virginia Tech	TBA	In-state: 47.33% Out-of-state: 58.87% International: 57.57%	In-state: 47.65% Out-of-state: 59.06% International: 66.04%	In-state: 47.08% Out-of-state: 63.16% International: 68.01%
Wake Forest University	TBA	20.76%	21.67%	21.56%
Washington and Lee University	TBA	13.39%	13.97%	17.36%
Washington University in St. Louis	TBA	11.92%	12.06%	11.96%
Wellesley College	TBA	14.79%	14.05%	13.91%
Wesleyan University	15.78%	16.11%	16.49%	17.10%
Willamette University	TBA	TBA	77.09%	79.08%
William & Mary	Overall: 34.43%	Overall: 36.96%	Overall: 34.09% In-state: 36.32% Out-of-state and international: 34.43%	Overall: 32.72% In-state: 39.28% Out-of-state and international: 28.19%
Williams College	7.48%	8.61%	8.25%	9.99%
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	TBA	61.89%	60.16%	58.50%
Yale University	4.24%	4.75%	3.87%	4.50%

Note: “TBA” means the school has not yet released or confirmed the admit-rate data in this chart. Approximate rates are marked with “~.”

The college admissions landscape remains highly competitive for the Class of 2030.

As colleges continue releasing admissions data, early numbers show that many selective universities are maintaining historically low acceptance rates, while public universities continue to show major differences between in-state, out-of-state, and international applicants.

What Are Admit Rates?

A college’s admit rate, also called an acceptance rate, is the percentage of applicants who are offered admission.

For example, if a college receives 50,000 applications and admits 5,000 students, its admit rate is 10%.

However, admit rates do not tell the full story. Many colleges admit students through different rounds, including Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, transfer admission, and special programs. Public universities may also have very different admit rates for in-state and out-of-state students.

Class of 2030 Admissions: Key Trends

The Class of 2030 admissions cycle shows that competition at top colleges remains intense. Several highly selective schools reported admit rates below 10%, including Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, Duke, MIT, Vanderbilt, Williams, Amherst, Bowdoin, and Yale.

Some schools became even more selective compared with the previous year. For example, Columbia’s admit rate decreased from 4.94% for the Class of 2029 to 4.23% for the Class of 2030. Duke also dropped from 5.20% to 4.73%, while Vanderbilt declined from 5.33% to approximately 4.08%.

At the same time, not every school followed the same pattern. Some universities remained relatively stable, while others became slightly less selective. This shows why students should avoid relying only on national headlines and instead look carefully at each college’s individual data.

Highly Selective Colleges Remain Extremely Competitive

Many of the most selective colleges continue to admit only a small percentage of applicants. Current Class of 2030 admit rates include:

School	Class of 2030 Admit Rate
Columbia University	4.23%
Yale University	4.24%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	4.58%
Duke University	4.73%
Brown University	5.35%
Dartmouth College	5.84%
Bowdoin College	6.53%
Amherst College	6.78%
Williams College	7.48%
Rice University	7.73%
University of Notre Dame	9.00%
Tufts University	10.00%
University of Southern California	11.67%
Boston College	12.70%
Georgetown University	13.00%

These numbers make it clear that strong grades and test scores are only part of the admissions process. At highly selective schools, students also need strong essays, meaningful extracurricular involvement, academic focus, and a thoughtful college list.

Public University Admit Rates Can Vary by Residency

For many public universities, the overall acceptance rate does not tell the full story. In-state applicants often have a much higher admit rate than out-of-state or international applicants.

For example, Georgia Tech reported a Class of 2030 overall admit rate of 12.82%, but the in-state admit rate was approximately 27.64%, while the out-of-state and international admit rate was approximately 9.28%.

The University of Virginia also shows a major residency gap. For the Class of 2030, UVA reported:

Applicant Type	Class of 2030 Admit Rate
In-state	21.62%
Out-of-state and international	9.61%

This matters because many families look at a school’s overall admit rate and assume it applies equally to all applicants. In reality, a student’s residency status can significantly affect admissions chances at public universities.

Colleges With Notable Class of 2030 Admit Rates

Below are several schools that have already released Class of 2030 admit-rate data:

School	Class of 2030	Class of 2029	Class of 2028	Class of 2027
Amherst College	6.78%	7.72%	9.01%	9.81%
Boston College	12.70%	13.85%	16.19%	15.65%
Bowdoin College	6.53%	6.81%	7.13%	8.02%
Brown University	5.35%	5.65%	5.39%	5.23%
Columbia University	4.23%	4.94%	3.86%	4.00%
Dartmouth College	5.84%	6.02%	5.40%	6.23%
Duke University	4.73%	5.20%	5.71%	6.78%
Georgetown University	13.00%	13.49%	12.91%	13.08%
Georgia Tech	12.82%	13.34%	14.07%	16.46%
Lafayette College	32.27%	31.16%	31.45%	31.40%
MIT	4.58%	4.56%	4.55%	4.80%
Rice University	7.73%	8.01%	8.00%	7.88%
Swarthmore College	7.44%	7.52%	7.46%	6.94%
Tufts University	10.00%	10.81%	11.53%	10.13%
Tulane University	~15.00%	14.46%	13.98%	14.59%
University of Notre Dame	9.00%	9.38%	11.27%	12.38%
University of Southern California	11.67%	11.19%	9.81%	10.01%
Vanderbilt University	~4.08%	5.33%	5.86%	6.28%
Wesleyan University	15.78%	16.11%	16.49%	17.10%
William & Mary	34.43%	36.96%	34.09%	32.72%
Williams College	7.48%	8.61%	8.25%	9.99%
Yale University	4.24%	4.75%	3.87%	4.50%

Why Admit Rates Are Getting Lower at Many Colleges

There are several reasons why admit rates have become lower at many selective colleges.

First, many schools have received larger applicant pools in recent years. Test-optional policies, increased national awareness, and easier application platforms have encouraged more students to apply to more colleges.

Second, students are building longer college lists. Instead of applying to 6 or 8 schools, many competitive applicants now apply to 12, 15, or even 20 colleges.

Third, colleges are carefully managing yield, which means they are trying to predict how many admitted students will actually enroll. This can lead to more waitlist activity and more strategic admissions decisions.

Finally, top colleges are not just looking for qualified students. They are building a balanced class. Academic excellence matters, but so do essays, recommendations, extracurricular depth, institutional priorities, geographic diversity, major interest, and personal background.

What This Means for Students

For students applying to college, the most important takeaway is that admit rates should guide strategy, not create panic.

A low admit rate does not mean a student should avoid applying. However, it does mean students need a balanced college list with reach, target, and likely schools.

Students should also avoid assuming that past admission trends will perfectly predict future outcomes. A school that admitted 15% of applicants last year may become more selective this year depending on application volume, institutional goals, and yield management.

The strongest applicants usually have three things in common:

They build a smart, balanced college list.
They present a clear academic and personal story.
They start early enough to create thoughtful applications.

How to Use This Class of 2030 Admit Rate List

Students and families can use this list to understand how competitive each college has been over the past several years. When comparing schools, pay attention to:

Whether the admit rate is overall or separated by residency
Whether the rate includes Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision
Whether the school has a special college, campus, or program with separate admission standards
Whether the school’s admit rate has been rising, falling, or staying stable

For public universities, students should be especially careful with residency-based numbers. An out-of-state applicant may face a very different level of competition than an in-state applicant.

Final Thoughts

The Class of 2030 admissions cycle confirms that college admissions remains highly competitive, especially at selective private universities and popular public flagships. While admit rates are useful, they should not be the only factor students consider when building a college list.

A thoughtful application strategy should include academic fit, major availability, financial affordability, campus culture, location, and realistic admissions chances.

As more colleges release Class of 2030 data, this article will continue to be updated with the latest admit rates and admissions trends.

May 14, 2026

Unlocking the BS/MD Program: A Guide for High School Students in Oregon

College Admissions

Complete BS/MD Program List: What Students Should Know Before Applying

For high-achieving high school students who are serious about becoming physicians, BS/MD programs can be one of the most attractive — and competitive — college pathways in the United States.

A BS/MD program allows students to apply to an undergraduate institution and medical school pathway at the same time. In many cases, students receive conditional acceptance to medical school while still in high school. That can reduce some of the uncertainty of the traditional pre-med route, but it also means the application process is extremely selective.

Many BS/MD programs have very small class sizes, strict GPA requirements, MCAT requirements, interview rounds, and residency preferences. Program details can also change from year to year, so students should always confirm requirements directly with each school’s official website before applying.

Why BS/MD Programs Are So Competitive

BS/MD programs are not simply “strong pre-med tracks.” They are early medical school pathways. That means colleges are not only evaluating whether a student can succeed in college, but also whether the student is mature, academically prepared, service-minded, and genuinely committed to medicine.

These programs are highly competitive because they offer students a conditional medical school pathway earlier than the traditional application process. Acceptance rates, class sizes, and program requirements can vary widely by school.

Students applying to BS/MD programs usually need:

Strong GPA and rigorous coursework
High SAT or ACT scores, when considered
Clinical exposure or medical volunteering
Research experience
Leadership and service
A clear reason for pursuing medicine
Strong essays and interview preparation

Top BS/MD Programs Students Often Consider

Below are some of the most recognized BS/MD programs in the U.S. These programs are often highly selective and may include additional requirements such as interviews, minimum college GPA standards, MCAT expectations, or residency preferences.

Program	Location	Typical Length	Notes
Brown University PLME	Providence, RI	8 years	One of the most well-known liberal medical education programs
Rice University / Baylor College of Medicine	Houston, TX	8 years	Extremely selective with very limited seats
Case Western Reserve PPSP	Cleveland, OH	8 years	Strong academic and research-focused pathway
University of Pittsburgh GAP	Pittsburgh, PA	8 years	Highly competitive guaranteed admission pathway
University of Rochester REMS	Rochester, NY	8 years	Small cohort and highly selective
RPI / Albany Medical College	Troy, NY	7 years	Accelerated BS/MD option
Union College / Albany Medical College	Schenectady, NY	8 years	Combined liberal arts and medical pathway
UMKC BA/MD	Kansas City, MO	6 years	One of the best-known accelerated medical programs
Drexel University BS/MD	Philadelphia, PA	8 years	Large BS/MD seat count compared with many programs
George Washington University BA/MD	Washington, DC	7 years	Small cohort and highly selective
Howard University BS/MD	Washington, DC	6 years	Accelerated pathway for Howard students
UConn Special Program in Medicine	Connecticut	8 years	Gives special consideration to Connecticut residents
Stony Brook BS/MD	Stony Brook, NY	8 years	Small cohort and competitive admission process
SUNY Upstate Accelerated Scholars	Syracuse, NY	7–8 years	Strong option for New York students
Virginia Commonwealth University BS/MD	Richmond, VA	8 years	Well-known direct medical pathway

Complete BS/MD Program List by State

The following list is organized by state for easier student research. Because BS/MD program availability and requirements can change, families should always verify final details directly through each college or medical school.

Alabama

University of Alabama School of Medicine EMSAP
University of South Alabama COMEAP

Arizona

University of Arizona Tucson APME

California

UC Merced / UCSF Fresno SJV PRIME+
California Northstate University BS/MD Honors Track

Colorado

CU Denver BS/MD

Connecticut

UConn Special Program in Medicine

Washington, D.C.

George Washington University BA/MD
Howard University BS/MD

Florida

Florida Atlantic University BS/MD
Florida International University BS/MD
University of South Florida BS/MD
Nova Southeastern BS/MD

Georgia

Augusta BS/MD
Mercer University BS/MD

Illinois

University of Illinois Chicago GPPA
DePaul University / Rosalind Franklin University BS/MD

Indiana

University of Evansville B/MD
University of Southern Indiana B/MD
Indiana University Pathway to Medicine
Ball State University BS/MD

Kentucky

University of Louisville GEMS BS/MD

Louisiana

Tulane Pathway to Medicine
Grambling State University / Meharry BS/MD

Michigan

Wayne State Med Direct BS/MD

Minnesota

University of Minnesota BA/MD

Missouri

University of Missouri–Kansas City BA/MD
Saint Louis University Medical Scholars Program

New Jersey

Caldwell University / NJMS BS/MD
Drew University / NJMS BS/MD
Saint Peter’s University / NJMS BS/MD
New Jersey Institute of Technology / NJMS BS/MD
The College of New Jersey / NJMS BS/MD
Rutgers University–Newark / NJMS BS/MD
Stevens Institute of Technology / NJMS BS/MD
Montclair State University / NJMS BS/MD
Rowan University BS/MD
Seton Hall / Hackensack BS/MD

New Mexico

University of New Mexico BA/MD

New York

Brooklyn College / Sophie Davis BS/MD
CCNY / Sophie Davis BS/MD
Hofstra BS/MD
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute / Albany Medical College BS/MD
Union College / Albany Medical College BS/MD
Siena College / Albany Medical College BA/MD
University of Rochester REMS
Stony Brook BS/MD
SUNY Upstate Accelerated Scholars BS/MD

Ohio

Case Western Reserve PPSP BS/MD
University of Cincinnati BS/MD
University of Toledo BACC2MD

Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma BA/MD
University of Tulsa ECM BS/MD

Pennsylvania

Drexel University BS/MD
Penn State / Sidney Kimmel PMM BS/MD
Washington & Jefferson / Lewis Katz School of Medicine BS/MD
University of Pittsburgh GAP BS/MD
Wilkes University / Penn State BS/MD
Wilkes University / Geisinger BS/MD

Rhode Island

Brown University PLME

South Carolina

University of South Carolina BS/MD

Tennessee

Meharry / Middle Tennessee State University Medical School Early Acceptance Program

Texas

Baylor University BS/MD
Texas A&M E2ENMED
Texas Tech UMSI BS/MD
University of Houston HonorsMed
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros MD

Virginia

Virginia Commonwealth University BS/MD

Important Differences Between BS/MD Programs

Not every BS/MD program works the same way. Some are true guaranteed admission programs, while others are conditional pathways or guaranteed interview programs. Some programs require the MCAT, while others may waive it if students meet specific academic standards.

Students should compare programs based on:

Program length: 6, 7, or 8 years
MCAT requirement: required, waived, or restricted
Minimum college GPA requirement
Number of available seats
In-state or regional preference
Undergraduate major flexibility
Research and clinical opportunities
Medical school match and location

6-Year, 7-Year, and 8-Year BS/MD Programs

One major difference between BS/MD programs is length. Some programs are accelerated, while others give students a more traditional undergraduate experience before medical school.

6-Year BS/MD Programs

A 6-year BS/MD program is highly accelerated. Students move quickly through undergraduate coursework and medical school preparation. UMKC BA/MD and Howard University BS/MD are examples of shorter accelerated pathways.

7-Year BS/MD Programs

A 7-year BS/MD program can save one year compared with the traditional route. Examples include George Washington BA/MD, RPI/Albany Medical College, and Penn State/Sidney Kimmel PMM.

8-Year BS/MD Programs

An 8-year BS/MD program gives students a more traditional undergraduate experience while still offering a medical school pathway. Brown PLME, Case Western PPSP, University of Rochester REMS, Drexel, VCU, and many other programs follow an 8-year structure.

What Makes a Strong BS/MD Applicant?

A strong BS/MD applicant needs more than excellent grades. These programs are looking for students who already understand the responsibilities of medicine.

Strong applicants often have:

Advanced science and math coursework
Excellent grades in AP, IB, honors, or dual enrollment classes
High standardized test scores when submitted
Hospital volunteering or physician shadowing
Community service connected to health care or underserved groups
Research experience
Leadership in school or community organizations
Clear writing about why medicine matters to them

Because BS/MD interviews can be intense, students also need to explain their motivation naturally. They should be able to talk about patient care, ethics, service, scientific curiosity, and long-term commitment — not just prestige or job security.

Common Mistakes Students Make

Many students apply to BS/MD programs too casually. These programs are often more selective than regular undergraduate admissions. A student may be competitive for a top university but still not be competitive for its BS/MD pathway.

Common mistakes include:

Applying without enough medical exposure
Writing generic “I want to help people” essays
Underestimating interview preparation
Ignoring state residency preferences
Not checking MCAT and GPA continuation requirements
Applying only to reach-level BS/MD programs
Failing to build a balanced college list

A smart BS/MD strategy should include reach BS/MD programs, regular pre-med target schools, honors colleges, and affordable safety options.

Final Takeaway

BS/MD programs can be an excellent option for students who are deeply committed to medicine, but they are not easy shortcuts. They require early preparation, strong academic performance, meaningful activities, and a clear personal story.

Families should use BS/MD lists as a starting point, not a final application plan. Program availability, requirements, MCAT policies, and seat counts can change from year to year. Before applying, always confirm details on each school’s official website and build a balanced list that includes both BS/MD and traditional pre-med options.

For students who want to become physicians, the goal is not just to get into a BS/MD program. The goal is to find the right academic environment where they can grow into a strong future doctor.

Need Help Building a BS/MD or Pre-Med College List?

MMT Prep helps students plan competitive college admissions strategies, including BS/MD programs, pre-med pathways, essays, activities, and interview preparation.

Contact MMT Prep today to start building a smarter college application plan.

May 7, 2026

Colleges Reinstating SAT and ACT Requirements: What Students Should Know

College Admissions

Colleges Reinstating SAT and ACT Requirements: What Students Should Know

After several years of test-optional admissions, more colleges are bringing back standardized testing requirements. For students applying in the coming admissions cycles, SAT and ACT planning is becoming important again.

The Return of Standardized Testing

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges temporarily moved to test-optional admissions because students had limited access to SAT and ACT testing sites. Now, the admissions landscape is shifting again. While many colleges still remain test-optional, a growing number of selective institutions have announced that SAT or ACT scores will once again be required for admission.

This does not mean every college is bringing back testing. However, it does mean students should no longer assume that test-optional policies will stay the same from year to year. Testing policies can change quickly, and students should check each college’s official admissions website before applying.

College Kickstart’s updated April 2026 list shows several institutions reinstating standardized testing requirements for recent and upcoming application cycles, including schools such as Princeton, Claremont McKenna, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, and others. Source: College Kickstart

Why Are Some Colleges Bringing Back SAT and ACT Requirements?

Colleges have given different reasons for returning to standardized testing. Some institutions argue that test scores provide useful academic information when reviewed alongside grades, course rigor, essays, recommendations, and extracurricular activities. Others believe that standardized testing can help identify talented students from schools where fewer advanced courses or enrichment opportunities are available.

Johns Hopkins, for example, states on its admissions website that first-year applicants are required to submit SAT or ACT scores and that scores are reviewed as part of a holistic admissions process. Source: Johns Hopkins Undergraduate Admissions

This is part of a larger national trend. Harvard, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, MIT, and other highly selective schools have also moved away from fully test-optional admissions in recent years, showing that standardized testing is becoming relevant again at many competitive colleges. Source: Associated Press

Colleges Reinstating Standardized Testing Requirements

The table below summarizes selected colleges that have reinstated or announced plans to reinstate SAT/ACT requirements. Students should always verify the latest policy directly through each college’s admissions website before applying.

Institution	State	Admit Rate	Middle 50% SAT / ACT	Cycle Reinstated	Notes
Princeton University	NJ	4%	1500–1560 / 34–35	2027–28
Claremont McKenna College	CA	9%	1480–1540 / 33–35	2027–28
Auburn University	AL	46%	1260–1380 / 26–31	2026–27	Test submission was already strongly encouraged.
University of Alabama	AL	77%	1110–1360 / 22–30	2026–27	Phased return: GPA below 3.0 required first; universal requirement for Fall 2028.
Louisiana State University	LA	73%	1180–1320 / 24–30	2026–27	Phased return: GPA below 3.5 required first; universal requirement for Fall 2028.
Carnegie Mellon University	PA	11%	1500–1560 / 34–36	2025–26	Flexible policy; required for Computer Science; optional for Fine Arts.
Cornell University	NY	8%	1510–1560 / 33–35	2025–26
Georgia Southern University	GA	88%	970–1140 / 18–23	2025–26	Part of the University System of Georgia’s shift.
Georgia State University	GA	55%	980–1200 / 19–26	2025–26	Part of the University System of Georgia’s shift.
Johns Hopkins University	MD	6%	1530–1560 / 34–36	2025–26
Kennesaw State University	GA	69%	1010–1210 / 19–26	2025–26	Part of the University System of Georgia’s shift.
Ohio State University	OH	61%	1280–1430 / 26–32	2025–26
Stanford University	CA	4%	1510–1570 / 34–35	2025–26
University of Miami	FL	18%	1350–1450 / 30–33	2025–26
University of Pennsylvania	PA	5%	1510–1570 / 34–36	2025–26

Note: This table is based on the College Kickstart April 2026 update and should be used as a starting point. Always confirm directly with each college because testing policies may change.

What This Means for Students Applying to College

Students should treat testing as part of their admissions strategy again. Even when a college is still test-optional, a strong SAT or ACT score can help support an application, especially at selective schools where many applicants already have strong grades and rigorous coursework.

This is especially important for students applying to competitive majors such as computer science, engineering, business, pre-med tracks, economics, and other high-demand programs. At some universities, admission to the major may be more selective than admission to the university overall.

Should Students Still Take the SAT or ACT?

In most cases, yes. Even if every school on a student’s current college list is test-optional, that list may change later. A student may add a college that requires testing, or a school may update its policy before the student applies.

Taking the SAT or ACT gives students more flexibility. If the score is strong, they can submit it. If the score does not help the application and the college is test-optional, they may choose not to submit it.

Student Situation	Testing Recommendation
Applying to highly selective colleges	Plan to take the SAT or ACT. Strong scores may be expected or helpful.
Applying to schools that have reinstated testing	Testing is required, so students should prepare early.
Applying to test-optional colleges	Still consider testing. A strong score can improve the application.
Applying for merit scholarships	Check scholarship rules carefully. Some scholarships may still consider or require scores.
Unsure about college list	Take the SAT or ACT to keep more options open.

Test-Optional Does Not Always Mean Test-Blind

One common misunderstanding is that “test-optional” means colleges ignore test scores. That is not true. Test-optional means students may choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If students submit scores, colleges may still consider them as part of the application review.

Test-blind is different. A test-blind college does not consider SAT or ACT scores even if the student submits them. Because policies vary, students should carefully check whether a school is test-required, test-optional, test-flexible, or test-blind.

How to Build a Testing Plan

Students should begin by reviewing the testing policies for every college on their list. Then they should decide whether the SAT or ACT is a better fit. Some students perform better on the SAT, while others are stronger on the ACT.

A smart testing plan usually includes:

Taking a diagnostic SAT and ACT to compare performance
Choosing one test to focus on
Preparing consistently for several months
Taking the official test more than once if needed
Checking score ranges for target colleges
Reviewing whether scores are needed for scholarships or specific majors

When Should Students Start Preparing?

Students should avoid waiting until senior year to begin thinking about standardized testing. A good timeline is to take a diagnostic test during sophomore year or early junior year, prepare during junior year, and complete official testing before senior-year applications become overwhelming.

For students aiming at highly selective colleges, early planning matters. The strongest applicants often combine rigorous courses, strong grades, meaningful extracurricular involvement, thoughtful essays, and competitive test scores.

Final Takeaway

Standardized testing is not disappearing from college admissions. In fact, several selective colleges have already brought back SAT and ACT requirements, and more may follow. While test-optional admissions still exist at many schools, students should be careful not to assume that testing no longer matters.

The safest strategy is to prepare early, understand each college’s policy, and keep testing as an available option. A strong score can strengthen a college application, support scholarship opportunities, and give students more flexibility when building a balanced college list.

May 2, 2026

Unlocking Opportunities: QuestBridge for High-Achieving Students

College Admissions

What Is QuestBridge? A Guide for High-Achieving Students

QuestBridge is one of the most important college admissions programs for high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Through its National College Match program, eligible students may be able to earn admission to a top college with a full four-year scholarship.

What Is QuestBridge?

QuestBridge is a nonprofit organization that connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with leading colleges and universities in the United States. Its best-known program is the National College Match, which gives qualified high school seniors the opportunity to apply to multiple top colleges through one application process.

The goal of QuestBridge is to help talented students access colleges that might otherwise feel financially out of reach. Many QuestBridge partner colleges are among the most selective schools in the country, including major research universities and liberal arts colleges.

What Is the QuestBridge National College Match?

The National College Match is a special college application and scholarship process for high school seniors. Students submit a QuestBridge application, and QuestBridge selects a group of applicants as Finalists. Finalists can then rank QuestBridge partner colleges in order of preference.

If a student “matches” with one of the colleges they ranked, they are admitted early and receive a full four-year Match Scholarship. According to QuestBridge, the scholarship can be worth over $325,000 and may cover tuition, housing, food, and other expenses.

Source: QuestBridge National College Match

Who Is QuestBridge For?

QuestBridge is designed for students who have strong academic records but come from families with limited financial resources. QuestBridge states that strong applicants are typically students who earn mostly A’s in challenging courses, demonstrate intellectual curiosity, and come from households earning less than about $65,000 per year for a family of four, with minimal assets.

Students may also be strong fits if they qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, face financial hardship, or have significant family responsibilities.

QuestBridge Looks For	What It Means
Academic Strength	Mostly A grades, rigorous classes, strong writing ability, and intellectual curiosity.
Financial Need	Typically a household income under about $65,000 for a family of four, with limited assets.
Personal Qualities	Resilience, motivation, leadership, responsibility, and strong character.
College Readiness	A student who is prepared to succeed at a highly selective college or university.

Source: QuestBridge Application Eligibility

How Does QuestBridge Work?

The QuestBridge process is different from a traditional college application. Students are not simply applying to one college at a time. Instead, they first apply through QuestBridge, then may become Finalists, rank colleges, and submit each college’s required materials.

Step 1: Submit the QuestBridge Application

Students submit the National College Match application, which usually includes academic information, financial information, essays, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, and other personal background details.

Step 2: Become a Finalist

QuestBridge reviews applications and selects Finalists. Being named a Finalist does not guarantee admission to a college, but it allows the student to continue in the Match process.

Step 3: Rank Partner Colleges

Finalists can rank QuestBridge college partners in order of preference. This is an important decision because, for most colleges, the Match is binding. That means if the student matches with a school they ranked, they are expected to attend that college.

Step 4: Submit Match Requirements

Each college may require additional materials, such as financial documents, supplemental essays, test scores if applicable, or other forms. QuestBridge reminds students that Match Requirements vary by school, so students must carefully check each college’s instructions.

Step 5: Receive Match Results

In December, Finalists learn whether they matched with one of the colleges they ranked. If they match, they receive admission and a full four-year scholarship from that college.

Source: How the National College Match Works

What Happens If a Student Does Not Match?

Not matching does not mean the student is rejected from all QuestBridge colleges. Many students who do not match can still apply to QuestBridge partner colleges through Regular Decision or other application rounds. In many cases, students may still receive generous financial aid from partner colleges.

This is one reason QuestBridge can still be valuable even for students who are not matched in December. The application helps students present their academic achievement, financial background, personal story, and resilience in a detailed way.

Is QuestBridge Only for Ivy League Students?

No. QuestBridge is not only for students applying to Ivy League schools. While some QuestBridge partner colleges are Ivy League universities, the program also includes many top liberal arts colleges, research universities, and highly respected institutions across the country.

The better question is not “Is this student Ivy League material?” but rather: Has this student achieved at a high level despite financial challenges? QuestBridge is designed to recognize students who have shown academic excellence, maturity, and determination in difficult circumstances.

Benefits of Applying Through QuestBridge

Benefit	Why It Matters
Full Four-Year Scholarship	Matched students may receive a scholarship covering tuition, housing, food, and other expenses.
Access to Top Colleges	Students can be considered by some of the most selective colleges in the country.
Application Fee Support	QuestBridge Finalists often receive waived application fees at partner colleges.
Story-Based Application	The QuestBridge application gives students room to explain family responsibilities, financial hardship, resilience, and personal growth.
Regular Decision Opportunities	Students who do not match may still apply to partner colleges through later rounds.

Is QuestBridge Competitive?

Yes. QuestBridge is highly competitive because it is aimed at students who are both academically strong and financially eligible. Students should not assume that financial need alone is enough. Successful applicants usually show strong grades, challenging coursework, meaningful extracurricular activities, leadership, maturity, and strong essays.

At the same time, students do not need to be perfect. QuestBridge understands that low-income students may have had fewer opportunities, more family responsibilities, work obligations, or limited access to expensive test prep and extracurricular programs.

Who Should Consider Applying?

A student should strongly consider QuestBridge if they:

Are a high school senior applying to college
Have strong grades in rigorous classes
Come from a low-income household
Have limited family assets
Can explain their personal story clearly and honestly
Are interested in attending a selective college or university
Need significant financial aid to make college affordable

Common Misunderstandings About QuestBridge

Misunderstanding 1: “QuestBridge is only for perfect students.”

QuestBridge is competitive, but it is not only for students with perfect grades or perfect test scores. The application is holistic and considers academic achievement, financial background, personal challenges, and character.

Misunderstanding 2: “If I do not match, I failed.”

Not matching does not mean the student failed. Many students who do not match still go on to attend excellent colleges with strong financial aid packages.

Misunderstanding 3: “The Match is the same as regular college admission.”

The Match is different because students rank colleges and may receive a binding early admission offer with a full scholarship. Students should understand the commitment before ranking schools.

Misunderstanding 4: “QuestBridge is only about income.”

Financial need is very important, but QuestBridge also looks for academic strength, intellectual curiosity, resilience, and motivation.

How Students Can Strengthen Their QuestBridge Application

The strongest QuestBridge applications are honest, detailed, and personal. Students should not try to sound like someone else. Instead, they should clearly explain their background, responsibilities, goals, and academic journey.

Strong applications often include:

A clear explanation of the student’s family and financial circumstances
Specific examples of academic curiosity and motivation
Essays that show resilience without exaggerating hardship
Recommendation letters from teachers who know the student well
Evidence of leadership, responsibility, work experience, or community involvement
A thoughtful college ranking list based on fit, not just prestige

Final Thoughts: Is QuestBridge Worth It?

For the right student, QuestBridge can be life-changing. It can open the door to top colleges, generous financial aid, and a national network of students with similar backgrounds and goals.

However, students should approach QuestBridge carefully. The application takes time, the Match process has important rules, and ranking colleges should be done thoughtfully. Students should research each partner college, understand whether the Match is binding, and prepare materials early.

For high-achieving students from low-income families, QuestBridge is absolutely worth considering as part of a strong college admissions strategy.

May 2, 2026

Top Computer Science Schools in the U.S. Based on CSRankings

Computer Science Admissions

Top Computer Science Schools in the U.S. Based on CSRankings

For students interested in computer science, rankings can be helpful—but only when families understand what the ranking actually measures. This article summarizes the top U.S. computer science programs based on CSRankings.org, a research-focused ranking system that tracks faculty publications at selective computer science conferences.

What Is CSRankings?

CSRankings is a computer science ranking system that focuses on research output. Instead of ranking schools mainly by reputation, student surveys, or broad university prestige, CSRankings measures computer science departments based on faculty publications in selective conferences across areas such as artificial intelligence, systems, theory, security, databases, human-computer interaction, software engineering, and more.

This makes CSRankings especially useful for students who are interested in research, graduate school, Ph.D. preparation, or understanding which universities have strong faculty activity in specific computer science fields.

However, students should not use CSRankings as the only factor when choosing a college. Undergraduate teaching quality, internship access, cost, campus culture, career placement, location, class size, and academic fit still matter greatly.

Why This Ranking Matters for CS Applicants

Computer science has become one of the most competitive college majors in the United States. At many universities, admission to the computer science major is significantly harder than general admission to the university. A school that looks like a “target” overall may actually be a reach school for computer science.

For high school students building a college list, this means they should think beyond brand name alone. Some public universities with very strong computer science departments may be just as competitive—or even more competitive—for CS than many private universities.

Top U.S. Computer Science Schools Based on CSRankings

The following table is based on the CSRankings U.S. computer science ranking data provided from CSRankings.org. Because some schools are tied, multiple universities may share the same rank.

Rank	University	Country	Score	Faculty Count
1	Carnegie Mellon University	United States	20.2	182
2	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	United States	16.3	125
3	University of California, San Diego	United States	14.7	132
4	Georgia Institute of Technology	United States	13.6	151
5	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	United States	10.9	103
6	University of Michigan	United States	10.8	105
7	University of Washington	United States	10.4	80
8	University of California, Berkeley	United States	10.2	84
8	University of Maryland, College Park	United States	10.2	97
10	Cornell University	United States	10.1	105
11	Northeastern University	United States	9.5	114
12	Stanford University	United States	9.4	61
13	Purdue University	United States	8.0	74
14	New York University	United States	7.6	90
14	University of Texas at Austin	United States	7.6	60
16	University of Wisconsin–Madison	United States	7.5	85
17	Princeton University	United States	7.1	66
18	University of Pennsylvania	United States	6.7	69
19	Columbia University	United States	6.5	58
20	University of California, Los Angeles	United States	6.3	49
21	University of Southern California	United States	6.2	65
22	University of California, Irvine	United States	5.8	77
23	University of Massachusetts Amherst	United States	5.7	64
24	Stony Brook University	United States	5.4	63
25	Northwestern University	United States	5.3	79
25	University of Chicago	United States	5.3	49
27	University of Virginia	United States	5.1	66
28	Rutgers University	United States	5.0	57
28	University of California, Riverside	United States	5.0	58
30	Duke University	United States	4.9	56
30	University of Utah	United States	4.9	70
32	Pennsylvania State University	United States	4.7	62
33	George Mason University	United States	4.6	52
33	University of California, Santa Barbara	United States	4.6	41
35	Boston University	United States	4.5	59
35	Texas A&M University	United States	4.5	60
37	Harvard University	United States	4.3	38
37	North Carolina State University	United States	4.3	60
37	University of California, Santa Cruz	United States	4.3	67
37	Virginia Tech	United States	4.3	75
41	Arizona State University	United States	4.2	68
41	Johns Hopkins University	United States	4.2	74
41	University of Illinois at Chicago	United States	4.2	56
41	Yale University	United States	4.2	42
45	Rice University	United States	4.1	39
45	University of North Carolina	United States	4.1	44
47	Ohio State University	United States	4.0	47
48	University of California, Davis	United States	3.9	54
48	University at Buffalo	United States	3.9	44
48	University of Colorado Boulder	United States	3.9	75
48	University of Minnesota	United States	3.9	52
52	Brown University	United States	3.8	41
53	Oregon State University	United States	3.5	41
53	University of Central Florida	United States	3.5	68
55	Indiana University	United States	3.0	64
55	University of Texas at Dallas	United States	3.0	42
57	Rochester Institute of Technology	United States	2.9	63
58	Washington University in St. Louis	United States	2.8	31
59	University of Rochester	United States	2.7	28
59	University of Texas at Arlington	United States	2.7	36
61	University of Florida	United States	2.6	34
61	University of Notre Dame	United States	2.6	33
63	Michigan State University	United States	2.5	31
63	New Jersey Institute of Technology	United States	2.5	38
65	Dartmouth College	United States	2.4	29
65	University of Connecticut	United States	2.4	31
65	University of Pittsburgh	United States	2.4	32
68	College of William and Mary	United States	2.3	26
68	Florida State University	United States	2.3	22
68	Tufts University	United States	2.3	37
68	Vanderbilt University	United States	2.3	39
72	Binghamton University	United States	2.2	25
72	Clemson University	United States	2.2	35
72	Stevens Institute of Technology	United States	2.2	28
72	UNC Charlotte	United States	2.2	49
72	University of Delaware	United States	2.2	29
77	University of California, Merced	United States	2.1	18
77	University of Georgia	United States	2.1	25
77	University of South Florida	United States	2.1	36
77	Worcester Polytechnic Institute	United States	2.1	25
81	California Institute of Technology	United States	2.0	26
81	Emory University	United States	2.0	23
81	Iowa State University	United States	2.0	29
81	University of Arizona	United States	2.0	22
85	Tulane University	United States	1.9	15
86	Drexel University	United States	1.8	20
86	Florida International University	United States	1.8	32
86	Georgetown University	United States	1.8	16
86	Washington State University	United States	1.8	24
86	Wayne State University	United States	1.8	14
91	CUNY	United States	1.7	39
91	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	United States	1.7	23
91	TTI Chicago	United States	1.7	14
91	Temple University	United States	1.7	16
91	University of Maryland, Baltimore County	United States	1.7	33
91	University of Iowa	United States	1.7	18
91	University of Tennessee	United States	1.7	23
98	Augusta University	United States	1.6	24
98	Case Western Reserve University	United States	1.6	17
98	Colorado State University	United States	1.6	22
98	George Washington University	United States	1.6	14
98	Illinois Institute of Technology	United States	1.6	15
98	Lehigh University	United States	1.6	14
98	University of Houston	United States	1.6	21
98	University of Massachusetts Lowell	United States	1.6	20
98	University of Nebraska	United States	1.6	18
98	University of North Texas	United States	1.6	24
98	University of Oregon	United States	1.6	18
98	University of Texas at San Antonio	United States	1.6	24

How Students Should Use This List

Students should use this ranking as a research tool, not as a final college list. A high CSRankings position can indicate strong faculty research output, but undergraduate experience can vary widely from school to school.

For example, a student interested in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, or systems should look deeper into each department’s strengths instead of relying only on the overall ranking. CSRankings allows users to filter by specific computer science subfields, which can be especially helpful for students who already know their area of interest.

Important Takeaway for College Admissions

Many of the universities on this list are extremely competitive for computer science. Schools such as Carnegie Mellon, MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech, UIUC, Cornell, University of Washington, and UC San Diego should usually be treated as reach schools for most applicants applying to computer science.

Even strong students with excellent grades, advanced math coursework, coding experience, and high SAT or ACT scores should build a balanced college list. A strong computer science list should include reach schools, realistic target schools, and likely schools where the student would still be happy to attend.

Recommended College List Strategy for Computer Science Applicants

Category	Suggested Count	Meaning
High Reach	3–5 schools	Extremely selective CS programs such as CMU, MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Cornell, or top Ivy-level options.
Reach	4–6 schools	Highly competitive CS programs where admission is possible but not predictable.
Target	4–6 schools	Schools where the student’s academic profile is clearly above the typical admitted range for CS.
Likely / Safety	3–4 schools	Schools with stronger admission probability, reasonable cost, and a CS program the student would be happy to attend.

Final Thoughts

The CSRankings list is valuable because it highlights research strength across computer science departments. For students who want to pursue graduate school, research, or specialized fields within computer science, this can be an especially helpful starting point.

But the best computer science school is not always the highest-ranked school. The right choice depends on academic fit, affordability, career goals, internship access, research opportunities, and the student’s ability to thrive in that environment.

Families should use rankings as one piece of the decision-making process—not the entire strategy.

Source: Ranking data adapted from CSRankings.org U.S. Computer Science Rankings.

May 2, 2026

2024 Ranking: Top 100 Dental Schools

The following table organizes the 2024 dental school ranking list by rank, institution, location, and number of dental programs. Students should use this as a starting point for research and confirm program details directly with each school.

RankSchoolLocationDental Programs1University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA15 dental programs2Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York City, NY10 dental programs3Tufts UniversityMedford, MA17 dental programs4New York UniversityNew York City, NY4 dental programs5University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA17 dental programs6University of California Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA5 dental programs7University of Michigan Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI11 dental programs8University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC5 dental programs9Boston UniversityBoston, MA27 dental programs10University of FloridaGainesville, FL4 dental programs11Texas A&M University College StationCollege Station, TX15 dental programs12University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA13 dental programs13University of Washington SeattleSeattle, WA13 dental programs14Ohio State UniversityColumbus, OH5 dental programs15Rutgers University New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ12 dental programs16University of Minnesota Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN16 dental programs17The University of Texas Health Science CenterSan Antonio, TX13 dental programs18University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY14 dental programs19Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE4 dental programs20The University of Texas Health Science CenterHouston, TX14 dental programs21University of Maryland BaltimoreBaltimore, MD9 dental programs22University of the PacificStockton, CA4 dental programs23Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA8 dental programs24Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA4 dental programs25University of IowaIowa City, IA16 dental programs26Touro UniversityNew York City, NY1 dental program27Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda, CA14 dental programs28University of California San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA7 dental programs29Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New OrleansNew Orleans, LA5 dental programs30University of Nebraska Medical CenterOmaha, NE8 dental programs31University of Illinois ChicagoChicago, IL9 dental programs32Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, FL10 dental programs33MCPHS UniversityBoston, MA4 dental programs34University of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma City, OK4 dental programs35University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY13 dental programs36University of Missouri Kansas CityKansas City, MO8 dental programs37Midwestern University Downers GroveDowners Grove, IL1 dental program38Indiana University Purdue University IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN10 dental programs39University of New EnglandBiddeford, ME3 dental programs40A.T. Still University of Health SciencesKirksville, MO2 dental programs41University of Colorado Denver Anschutz MedicalDenver, CO2 dental programs42Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA23 dental programs43Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH7 dental programs44University of RochesterRochester, NY9 dental programs45University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT2 dental programs46Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY5 dental programs47Howard UniversityWashington, DC5 dental programs48Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI8 dental programs49University of Detroit MercyDetroit, MI9 dental programs50University of KentuckyLexington, KY2 dental programs51University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT2 dental programs52Lake Erie College of Osteopathic MedicineErie, PA1 dental program53Medical University of South CarolinaCharleston, SC3 dental programs54University of AlabamaBirmingham, AL3 dental programs55West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV4 dental programs56University of MississippiUniversity, MS2 dental programs57University of WyomingLaramie, WY1 dental program58Roseman University of Health SciencesHenderson, NV2 dental programs59Oregon Health & Science UniversityPortland, OR7 dental programs60University of Nevada Las VegasLas Vegas, NV8 dental programs61Minnesota State University MankatoMankato, MN2 dental programs62East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC1 dental program63University of New MexicoAlbuquerque, NM2 dental programs64Midwestern University GlendaleGlendale, AZ1 dental program65Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA2 dental programs66Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL4 dental programs67Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul, MN2 dental programs68Foothill CollegeLos Altos Hills, CA4 dental programs69Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL2 dental programs70Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA1 dental program71Clemson UniversityClemson, SC1 dental program72Rollins CollegeWinter Park, FL1 dental program73Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO5 dental programs74University of DaytonDayton, OH1 dental program75The University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphis, TN3 dental programs76University of New HavenWest Haven, CT2 dental programs77Regis CollegeWeston, MA2 dental programs78Pacific UniversityForest Grove, OR1 dental program79University of HawaiiHonolulu, HI1 dental program80Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and ScienceRochester, MN2 dental programs81Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids, MI2 dental programs82University of South DakotaVermillion, SD2 dental programs83Baker CollegeOwosso, MI1 dental program84University of Alaska AnchorageAnchorage, AK3 dental programs85University of ToledoToledo, OH1 dental program86Lincoln Memorial UniversityHarrogate, TN2 dental programs87Western University of Health SciencesPomona, CA1 dental program88Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA4 dental programs89Texas Woman’s UniversityDenton, TX1 dental program90Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ1 dental program91Jacksonville UniversityJacksonville, FL2 dental programs92University of LouisianaMonroe, LA1 dental program93Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown, OH1 dental program94Seton Hill UniversityGreensburg, PA3 dental programs95University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle Rock, AR1 dental program96Idaho State UniversityPocatello, ID3 dental programs97Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS1 dental program98Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WA2 dental programs99Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY2 dental programs100East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN1 dental program

Rankings and program counts can change over time. Students interested in BS/DMD, BS/DDS, pre-dental, or direct dental pathways should verify current admissions requirements, program availability, and eligibility rules directly with each institution.

May 2, 2026

BS/DMD Programs: What High School Students Should Know Before Applying

For students who are serious about becoming dentists, BS/DMD programs can be one of the most direct — and competitive — pathways into dental school.

A BS/DMD program is a combined undergraduate and dental school pathway that allows students to pursue a bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree through a structured admissions track. In many cases, students apply while they are still in high school and, if accepted, receive a conditional pathway into dental school after completing specific undergraduate requirements.

These programs are especially attractive to students who already have a strong interest in dentistry, healthcare, science, patient care, and long-term professional school planning. However, they are also highly selective, and families should understand that applying to BS/DMD programs is not the same as applying to a regular biology or pre-health major.

What Does BS/DMD Mean?

BS/DMD stands for Bachelor of Science / Doctor of Dental Medicine. Some schools may use similar names such as BS/DDS, BA/DMD, or accelerated dental programs. The general idea is similar: students complete an undergraduate degree and then continue into dental school, often through a partner dental school or an affiliated dental program.

Traditional dental preparation usually involves four years of undergraduate study followed by four years of dental school. Some combined programs may shorten the overall timeline to seven years, while others may keep the traditional eight-year timeline but provide a more direct or conditionally guaranteed pathway.

Why BS/DMD Programs Are So Competitive

BS/DMD programs are competitive because they are not simply evaluating whether a student can succeed in college. They are also asking whether a high school student has the maturity, academic strength, service mindset, and professional clarity to eventually succeed in dental school.

Strong applicants usually need more than a high GPA. Competitive students often show evidence of:

Advanced science coursework, especially biology and chemistry
Strong standardized test scores, when required or submitted
Dental shadowing or healthcare-related exposure
Community service and patient-centered activities
Leadership experience
Clear motivation for dentistry
Strong communication skills
A thoughtful explanation of why dentistry is the right career path

This is why BS/DMD admissions should be treated as a specialized application strategy, not simply an extra box to check on the college list.

Common Requirements for BS/DMD Applicants

Each program has its own requirements, so students should always check the official admissions page for each school. However, many BS/DMD and accelerated dental programs may consider some combination of the following:

High school transcript
Rigorous coursework, including honors, AP, IB, or dual-enrollment science classes
SAT or ACT scores, depending on the program’s testing policy
Supplemental essays
Dental or healthcare experience
Letters of recommendation
Interview performance
Minimum college GPA requirements after enrollment
DAT requirements for continuation, depending on the program

Students should also understand that acceptance into a BS/DMD program is often conditional. A student may need to maintain a specific GPA, complete prerequisite courses, demonstrate professionalism, and satisfy additional program requirements before officially entering dental school.

Important Dental School Prerequisites to Know Early

Even for students applying to combined dental pathways, the academic foundation matters. Dental schools commonly expect strong preparation in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and related lab sciences. Students who are serious about dentistry should begin planning their high school and college coursework early.

At the college level, many dental schools traditionally expect coursework such as:

Biology with lab
General chemistry with lab
Organic chemistry with lab
Physics with lab
English or writing-intensive coursework
Additional recommended courses such as biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, or upper-level sciences

For high school students, this means the preparation starts long before the dental school application. Course selection, summer planning, volunteering, shadowing, and essay development should all support the same long-term story.

What Makes a Strong BS/DMD Essay?

A strong BS/DMD essay should not sound like a generic “I want to help people” essay. Admissions readers want to understand why the student is specifically interested in dentistry.

Strong essays often include:

A specific moment that sparked the student’s interest in dentistry
Evidence that the student understands the profession
Reflection from shadowing, volunteering, research, or patient-facing experience
A connection between science, service, communication, and manual skill
A mature explanation of long-term goals

The best essays do not simply praise dentistry. They show that the student has explored the field carefully and understands both the rewards and responsibilities of the profession.

BS/DMD Strategy: Building the Right College List

Families should be careful not to build a college list only around BS/DMD programs. Because these programs are extremely selective, students should also apply to strong undergraduate colleges where they can succeed as pre-dental students even if they are not admitted to a direct dental pathway.

A balanced college list may include:

Category	Purpose
BS/DMD or BS/DDS Programs	Highly selective direct or accelerated dental pathways
Strong Pre-Dental Colleges	Schools with strong science advising, research, and healthcare opportunities
Target Schools	Colleges where the student’s academic profile is competitive
Likely/Safety Schools	Schools with strong admission probability, affordability, and pre-health support

The goal is not just to get into one program. The goal is to preserve multiple strong pathways toward dental school.

Common Mistakes Students Make When Applying to BS/DMD Programs

Many strong students hurt their chances by approaching BS/DMD applications too casually. Common mistakes include:

Starting dental shadowing too late
Writing essays that sound too general
Applying without understanding each program’s continuation requirements
Assuming high grades alone are enough
Not preparing for interviews
Building a college list with too many reach programs and not enough realistic options
Failing to explain why dentistry, not just medicine or healthcare generally, is the right fit

BS/DMD admissions require early planning because the application must show consistency. A student’s classes, activities, essays, recommendations, and interview should all support the same professional direction.

Examples of BS/DMD, BS/DDS, and Direct Dental Programs

The following list includes examples of BS/DMD, BS/DDS, early assurance, guaranteed admission, conditional admission, and accelerated dental pathways. Program details can change, so students should always confirm the most current requirements directly with each college or dental school before applying.

Programs Commonly Open to High School Applicants

Dental School / Program	Program Type	General Structure	Notes
Augusta University / Dental College of Georgia	BS/DMD pathway	7-year program	Typically structured as 3 years of undergraduate study followed by 4 years of dental school.
Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine	Guaranteed admission / articulation pathway	6-year, 7-year, and 8-year options may be available	Includes pre-professional or articulation-style pathways with select undergraduate partners.
Howard University College of Dentistry	Combined education program	6-year pathway	Often described as a 2+4 combined curriculum with conditional acceptance into the dental pathway.
Marquette University School of Dentistry	Pre-Dental Scholars Program	7-year pathway	Conditional acceptance pathway for qualified students.
Missouri Southern State University / Kansas City University	Early acceptance program	7-year pathway	Generally structured as 3 years at MSSU followed by 4 years at Kansas City University.
LECOM School of Dental Medicine	Early acceptance program	8-year pathway	Partner undergraduate schools may include institutions such as Gannon University, Adelphi University, and Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Nova Southeastern University	Dual admission dental program	7-year or 8-year pathway	Direct or dual admission style program for qualified applicants.
New York University College of Dentistry	Guaranteed admission pathway	7-year pathway	May include pathways through NYU College of Arts and Science and partner institutions.
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine	Articulation agreements	Often 7-year pathways	Rutgers has had articulation agreements with multiple undergraduate colleges. Students should check each undergraduate partner for details.
Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine	Scholars for Dental Medicine	8-year conditional program	Designed for Stony Brook undergraduate students pursuing a conditional dental pathway.
Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry	Conditional dental pathway	7-year pathway	May include pathways with Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and Temple University College of Science and Technology.
University of Connecticut Special Program in Dental Medicine	Special program in dental medicine	8-year conditional pathway	Highly selective pathway for students interested in dental medicine.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry	Conditional dental program	7-year pathway	Program may be connected to the McNichols Campus undergraduate pathway.
University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry	Conditional acceptance pathway	8-year pathway	Admission or continuation may depend on undergraduate performance and program requirements.
University of Louisville School of Dentistry	ULEAD program	8-year conditional pathway	Designed for University of Louisville students pursuing a dental school pathway.
University of Nevada, Reno / University of Nevada, Las Vegas	Conditional dental pathway	7-year pathway	May be limited to Nevada high school graduates admitted to the University of Nevada, Reno.
University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry	Accelerated dental pathway	5-year, 6-year, or 7-year options	Undergraduate study is generally completed at the Stockton campus, followed by dental study in San Francisco.
University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine	Guaranteed admission program	8-year pathway	Direct or guaranteed admission style dental medicine pathway for qualified students.
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine	Biodental program	7-year conditional pathway	May include pathways with the University of Pennsylvania College of Arts and Sciences and select partner institutions such as Hampton University, Lehigh University, Muhlenberg College, and Villanova University.
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry	Guaranteed admission program	8-year pathway	Dental school pathway for qualified students who meet continuation requirements.

Programs Commonly Open to Current College Students

Dental School / Program	Program Type	When Students Apply	Notes
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine	MMEDIC program	After approximately 2 years of study at Boston University	Modular Medical/Dental Integrated Curriculum pathway for qualified BU students.
Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine	Accelerated dental pathway	During undergraduate study	May be connected to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and may have Illinois residency requirements.
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine	Early assurance program	As a Tufts college sophomore	Early assurance pathway for qualified Tufts undergraduate students.
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry	DDS Reserved Admission Program	Sophomore year	May be limited to Missouri or Kansas residents.
University of Florida College of Dentistry	Honors combined BS/DMD program	Second semester freshman year	7-year combined pathway for qualified University of Florida students.
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry	Preferred Applicant Track	During undergraduate study at VCU	Designed for qualified VCU Honors College students who entered as freshmen.

Because program names, partner schools, eligibility rules, and application timelines can change, students should treat this table as a starting point for research. Before applying, confirm whether the program is open to high school seniors, current college students, state residents, honors students, or students at specific partner institutions.

How MMT Prep Helps BS/DMD Applicants

MMT Prep helps students build a clear and competitive BS/DMD admissions strategy. We work with students on academic planning, activity development, essay strategy, interview preparation, and college list building.

Our goal is to help students present a mature, well-supported application that explains not only that they are strong students, but also why they are ready to pursue dentistry as a long-term professional path.

For BS/DMD applicants, we can help with:

College list strategy
BS/DMD and BS/DDS program research
Personal statement and supplemental essay planning
Dental experience and activity positioning
Interview preparation
Pre-dental academic roadmap planning
Application timeline management

Final Takeaway

BS/DMD programs can be an excellent opportunity for students who are deeply committed to dentistry, but they require thoughtful preparation. These programs are not simply looking for students who are good at science. They are looking for students who can demonstrate academic readiness, professional maturity, service orientation, and a clear understanding of the dental field.

Students who begin early, build meaningful dental-related experiences, and develop a balanced college strategy will be in a much stronger position.

If your student is interested in BS/DMD, BS/DDS, or other direct dental pathways, MMT Prep can help you create a focused admissions plan.

Contact MMT Prep at seank@mmtprep.com to learn more.

May 2, 2026

Reach Schools vs Target Schools: Why Top Colleges Are More Competitive Than Families Think

College Admissions Strategy

Many families underestimate how competitive today’s college admissions landscape has become. Schools that once felt like realistic “target schools” are now often lottery-level reach schools, even for students with strong GPAs, high SAT scores, and impressive extracurriculars.

The “Reach School” Category Is Bigger Than Most Families Realize

In college admissions, a reach school is not simply a school where the student is slightly below average. Today, many highly selective universities and liberal arts colleges should be treated as reaches for nearly every applicant.

Even a student with excellent grades, rigorous coursework, strong test scores, and meaningful extracurricular activities may not be able to predict admission at schools with single-digit acceptance rates.

The biggest mistake families make is assuming that a strong student automatically has “target school” odds at elite colleges. In reality, many of these schools are reaches because the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number of available seats.

Examples of Highly Competitive Reach Schools

The following schools have extremely low admission rates. For most students, these colleges should be categorized as high reach or reach schools, not targets.

SchoolAdmission RateColumbia4%Vanderbilt4%Yale4%Duke5%MIT5%Brown5%Dartmouth6%Amherst7%Bowdoin7%Northwestern7%Williams7%Rice8%Notre Dame9%Georgia Tech Non-Resident9%UVA Non-Resident10%USC12%Boston College13%

A strong GPA and high SAT or ACT score are no longer enough to make these schools “targets.” For most high-achieving students, these colleges should be treated as reach schools because admission is highly unpredictable.

What Is the Difference Between a Reach, Target, and Safety School?

A balanced college list should include several types of schools. The goal is not just to apply to impressive names. The goal is to make sure the student has strong options when admission decisions arrive.

CategorySuggested CountMeaningHigh Reach3–5Ivy League schools, Stanford-like schools, MIT, Duke, Vanderbilt, and top liberal arts collegesReach4–6Schools such as USC, Boston College, Notre Dame, Rice, and top public universities for non-residentsTarget4–6Schools where the student’s academic profile is clearly above the admitted student averageLikely or Safety3–4Schools with strong admission probability, realistic affordability, and programs the student would be happy to attend

This kind of structure helps students avoid overloading their list with unpredictable schools. A good college list should balance ambition with realistic admissions outcomes.

The Common College List Mistake: Prestige Stacking

Many families build a college list that looks impressive but is not strategically balanced. For example, a list like this may look strong on paper:

Columbia, Yale, Duke, USC, NYU, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Northwestern, and Vanderbilt

The problem is that this list is almost entirely made up of reach schools. Even if the student is academically qualified, the list does not provide enough realistic admission options.

This is why families should not build a college list based only on rankings, brand names, or prestige. A strong college application strategy should be based on admission probability, academic fit, financial fit, major competitiveness, and the student’s long-term goals.

Public Universities Are Not Automatically Safety Schools

Another important misunderstanding is that public universities are automatically safer than private universities. This is especially untrue for popular public universities with massive applicant pools.

The University of California system is a clear example. Several UC campuses receive enormous numbers of applications each year.

UC SchoolApplicantsUCLA146,672UC San Diego141,752UC Berkeley133,128UC Irvine125,987UC Santa Barbara108,503UC Davis104,850

Even without looking at admission rates, the applicant volume alone shows how competitive these schools can be. For out-of-state students and students applying to impacted majors such as computer science, engineering, biology, business, data science, or nursing, these universities can become reach schools very quickly.

A student should not assume:

“I’ll apply to UC schools as backups.”

For many students, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and UC Irvine are not backup schools. They are reach schools.

How Students Should Build a Balanced College List

The modern college list should be built around risk management, not prestige stacking. Students should apply broadly, but they should also classify schools more conservatively.

A high-achieving student may be qualified for top schools, but qualification does not equal predictability. This is one of the most important points families need to understand.

A student can be academically strong and still face very low odds at schools with acceptance rates below 10%. That does not mean the student is not impressive. It simply means the admissions process at highly selective colleges has become extremely competitive.

College Counseling Takeaway for Families

For families going through the college admissions process, the most important strategy is to create a list that gives the student real choices in April.

A counselor might explain it this way:

“Your student may be qualified for top schools, but qualification does not equal predictability. The goal is not just to apply to famous colleges. The goal is to create a list where the student has real options in April.”

The most meaningful takeaway from this data is simple:

Apply broadly, classify schools more conservatively, and make sure the student has at least 3–4 schools they would genuinely be happy to attend where admission is realistically likely.

Final Thoughts: A Smart College List Creates Options

A balanced college list does not mean giving up on dream schools. Students should still apply to ambitious reach schools when those schools are a strong fit.

However, a successful college admissions strategy also requires realistic planning. The best college list includes reach schools, target schools, and likely schools that the student would truly be excited to attend.

In today’s admissions environment, the smartest families are not just asking, “Where is the most prestigious place my student can apply?” They are asking, “Where can my student thrive, get admitted, and have strong options when decisions come out?”

May 2, 2026
Why MMT Prep is Popping in Beaverton Right Now

So, What’s the Big Deal About Beaverton?

Are you wondering why Beaverton is suddenly the go-to spot for students looking to boost their test scores and academic skills? You’re not alone – it seems like every other parent in the Portland area is talking about the same thing: finding the best tutoring center in Beaverton to help their child succeed.

As a parent, you want the best for your child, and that includes giving them every opportunity to excel in school and beyond. But let’s be real – the education system can be tough, and sometimes your child needs a little extra help to stay on top of their game. That’s where MMT Prep comes in – a tutoring center in Beaverton that’s quickly becoming the top choice for students and parents alike.

What Sets MMT Prep Apart

So, what makes MMT Prep the best tutoring center in Beaverton? For starters, their team of expert tutors are dedicated to helping your child achieve their full potential, whether that’s acing the SAT or mastering a difficult math concept. They offer personalized test prep in Oregon, tailored to your child’s unique needs and learning style, and they’re always available to answer your questions and concerns.

But MMT Prep is more than just a tutoring center – it’s a community. Their Beaverton tutoring center is a welcoming and supportive environment where your child can feel comfortable asking questions and seeking help. And with their Oregon tutoring services, you can trust that your child is in good hands, whether they’re looking for test prep, homework help, or just some extra guidance and support.

Why Beaverton?

So, why Beaverton? Well, for one thing, it’s a great location – close to Portland, Hillsboro, and Bethany, making it easy for students from all over the Portland area to get to. And with its strong schools and family-friendly vibe, Beaverton is the perfect place for a tutoring center like MMT Prep to thrive. Plus, with the growing demand for test prep in Oregon, it’s no surprise that MMT Prep is popping in Beaverton right now.

But don’t just take our word for it – check out the MMTPrep Beaverton reviews from satisfied parents and students who’ve seen real results from their tutoring sessions. And if you’re looking for the best test prep centers in Oregon, look no further than MMT Prep – their Beaverton tutoring center is the perfect place to start your child’s journey to academic success.

What’s Next?

So, what are you waiting for? If you’re looking for a tutoring center in Beaverton that can help your child achieve their full potential, look no further than MMT Prep. With their expert tutors, personalized test prep, and supportive community, you can trust that your child is in good hands. And with their Portland area tutoring services, you can be sure that your child will get the help they need to succeed – no matter where they are in their academic journey, and they’ll be able to get the scores they need, and you’ll be able to relax, knowing your child is getting the best possible education, and that’s a pretty great feeling, right?

Ready to get started? Contact MMT Prep today to learn more about their Beaverton tutoring center and how they can help your child achieve their academic goals. With MMT Prep, you can trust that your child will get the best possible education, and that’s something to feel good about.

April 29, 2026

Author: admin

Surprising Truth

Breaking It Down

SAT Score Improvement Tips

Call to Action

Class of 2030 Admit Rates

The college admissions landscape remains highly competitive for the Class of 2030.

What Are Admit Rates?

Class of 2030 Admissions: Key Trends

Highly Selective Colleges Remain Extremely Competitive

Public University Admit Rates Can Vary by Residency

Colleges With Notable Class of 2030 Admit Rates

Why Admit Rates Are Getting Lower at Many Colleges

What This Means for Students

How to Use This Class of 2030 Admit Rate List

Final Thoughts

Why BS/MD Programs Are So Competitive

Students applying to BS/MD programs usually need:

Top BS/MD Programs Students Often Consider

Complete BS/MD Program List by State

Alabama

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Washington, D.C.

Florida

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Kentucky

Louisiana

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

Ohio

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

Important Differences Between BS/MD Programs

Students should compare programs based on:

6-Year, 7-Year, and 8-Year BS/MD Programs

6-Year BS/MD Programs

7-Year BS/MD Programs

8-Year BS/MD Programs

What Makes a Strong BS/MD Applicant?

Strong applicants often have:

Common Mistakes Students Make

Common mistakes include:

Final Takeaway

Need Help Building a BS/MD or Pre-Med College List?

The Return of Standardized Testing

Why Are Some Colleges Bringing Back SAT and ACT Requirements?

Colleges Reinstating Standardized Testing Requirements

What This Means for Students Applying to College

Should Students Still Take the SAT or ACT?

Test-Optional Does Not Always Mean Test-Blind

How to Build a Testing Plan

When Should Students Start Preparing?

Final Takeaway

What Is QuestBridge?

What Is the QuestBridge National College Match?

Who Is QuestBridge For?

How Does QuestBridge Work?

Step 1: Submit the QuestBridge Application

Step 2: Become a Finalist

Step 3: Rank Partner Colleges

Step 4: Submit Match Requirements

Step 5: Receive Match Results

What Happens If a Student Does Not Match?

Is QuestBridge Only for Ivy League Students?

Benefits of Applying Through QuestBridge

Is QuestBridge Competitive?