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Regular Decision Notification Dates: Class of 2028

With the promise of spring on the horizon, we are nearing the time when colleges and universities will release their regular decision notifications. Waiting for these updates can be stressful, so to help alleviate some of that anxiety, we’ve compiled a list of regular decision notification dates for some of the top schools in the U.S.

REGULAR DECISION NOTIFICATION DATES: CLASS OF 2028

SchoolNotification Date
Amherst CollegeOnline around March 20th
Babson CollegeBy mid-March
Barnard CollegeLate March
Bates CollegeBy April 1st
Baylor UniversityBy April 10th
Brandeis UniversityApril 1st
Boston CollegeBy April 1st
Bowdoin CollegeMid-March
Boston UniversityLate March  
Brown UniversityBy Early April
Bucknell UniversityBy April 1st
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)Mid-March
Carnegie Mellon UniversityNo later than April 1st  
Claremont McKenna CollegeBy April 1st
Colby CollegeOn or before April 1st
Colgate UniversityLate March
Columbia UniversityLate March
Connecticut CollegeLate March
Cornell UniversityLate March
Dartmouth CollegeLate March or Early April
Dickinson CollegeLate March
Duke UniversityLate March or Early April
Emerson CollegeMid-March
Emory UniversityBy April 1st
Georgetown UniversityApril 1st
Hamilton CollegeLate March
Harvard UniversityEnd of March
Harvey Mudd CollegeApril 1st
Haverford CollegeEarly April
James Madison UniversityMid-Late March
Johns Hopkins UniversityMarch 20th
Macalester CollegeMarch 17th
MITMid-February
Middlebury CollegeLate March
New York UniversityApril 1st
Northeastern UniversityBy April 1st
Northwestern UniversityMarch
Pomona CollegeBy April 1st
Purdue UniversityMarch 31st
Rice UniversityBy April 1st
Santa Clara UniversityBy April 1st
Stanford UniversityEarly April
Swarthmore CollegeBy April 1st  
Tufts UniversityBy April 1st
Tulane UniversityApril 1st
University of California campusesMarch 1-31st
University of ChicagoLate March
University of GeorgiaMid-March
University of IllinoisMarch 1st
University of MarylandBy April 1st
University of MichiganBy Early April
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillMarch 31st
University of Notre DameLate March
University of PennsylvaniaBy April
University of RichmondApril 1st
University of South CarolinaBy Mid-March
University of Texas – AustinMarch 1st
University of VirginiaBy April 1st
Vanderbilt UniversityApril
Villanova UniversityBy April 1st
Wake Forest UniversityAround April 1st 
Washington University in St. LouisApril 1st
Wellesley CollegeLate March
Wesleyan UniversityLate March
Williams CollegeApril 1st
Worcester Polytechnic InstituteLate March
Yale UniversityBy April 1st

COPING WITH THE WAIT

As students await these final decisions, here are a few tips to help you through.

Focus on the Present: Engage in activities that you enjoy or that keep you busy, whether it’s a hobby, part-time job, volunteering, or spending time with friends and family. Keeping your mind occupied can help pass the time more quickly.

Talk About It: Share your feelings with friends, family, or a trusted mentor. Sometimes, expressing your concerns and discussing your emotions can provide a sense of relief. They can offer support and perspective during this challenging time.

Limit Social Media Checking: Constantly checking for updates on social media can contribute to anxiety. Consider limiting your time on platforms where college-related news and discussions are prevalent. Set specific times to check for updates to avoid constant speculation.

Take Care of Yourself: A healthy student is a happy student!

Maintain Perspective: Remember, whether you’re accepted, waitlisted, or denied, this decision is NOT personal so don’t take it that way. It is in no way a reflection of your character or self-worth.

Is there a school of interest you’d like to see on this list? Let us know in the comments and we’ll gather the information for you and post an update.

Follow us on Instagram @toptieradmissions for more tips and the latest admissions news!

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Top STEM Contests to Boost Your Ivy Odds

For high school students with a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), participating in prestigious contests can be a game-changer. Not only do these competitions provide a platform to showcase one’s intellectual prowess, creativity, and problem-solving skills, but they also offer a unique opportunity to catch the attention of top-tier universities.

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TOP STEM CONTESTS TO BOOST YOUR IVY ODDS

We’ve curated a list of the top STEM competitions specifically tailored for high school students. From robotics challenges to scientific research competitions, each contest not only serves as a way to validate your academic excellence but also as a gateway to the most prestigious educational institutions.

  1. Regeneron Science Talent Search: Your parents may remember this competition as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search. It is the same competition (the oldest in the U.S. for high school students), it just has a new sponsor. The competition is open to students who are US Citizens or students of any citizenship who go to school in the U.S. Students must submit their individual research project for review and can win up to $250,000 in scholarships. (Due: November, 2024)
  2. National Sciences Bowl: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, this team-based STEM competition resembles a traditional high school quiz bowl format. Students are tested on their knowledge of biology, chemistry, earth and space science, energy, mathematics, and physics, and the questions get progressively more difficult. Regional competition registration deadlines vary by region, with the national championship held in late April. 
  3. AMC (American Mathematics Competition)/AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination): The AMC, AIME, and USAMO are three levels of school-based mathematics examination competitions aimed at targeting the top math students in the U.S. Students first sit for the AMC10 or AMC12. The top 2.5-5% of scorers on these tests are then invited to take the AIME exam, and the top AIME scorers are invited to the final round of competition, the USAMO (United States of America Mathematical Olympiad), which represents some of the best high school mathematicians in the U.S. (The AMC test is offered in November of each year) 
  4. USACO (USA Computing Olympiad): In this test-based competition, students can use C++, Java, C, or Python languages to answer three competitive programming problems. Competitors begin in the lowest level, Bronze, and can progress through four increasingly difficult divisions to Platinum. The top USACO participants are invited as “finalists” to a summer training camp, from which four are selected to represent the U.S. in the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI). (The first contest is usually held in mid-December)
  5. FIRST Robotics Competition: Future engineers will enjoy the FIRST Robotics Competition, which challenges high school teams to build and program industrial-sized robots to compete against other team’s robots in a field game set each year by contest administrators. This contest involves teamwork, computer science and engineering knowledge, and creativity, and teams progress through regional rounds to the national championship in this year-long competition.

As you can see, the competition landscape is wide and varied. This is just a small sampling of contests that can catch the eye of admission officers. Be proactive as you explore your academic field and challenge yourself to enter contests throughout your high school career! For the top five Humanities and Social Science contests, stay tuned for Part 2 in this series next week.

Follow us on Instagram @toptieradmissions for more tips and the latest admissions news!

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Demystifying the Common Data Set

The college admissions process can be overwhelming. There are so many factors to consider when choosing the right institution for your future (acceptance rate, academic strengths, extracurricular offerings, location, campus culture, research opportunities, and so much more). Fortunately, there is a valuable resource that can help you navigate some quantitative aspects of this complex journey: the Common Data Set (CDS).

WHAT IS THE COMMON DATA SET?

The Common Data Set, often referred to as CDS, is a standardized questionnaire that colleges and universities across the United States complete annually. It is designed to provide consistent and comprehensive data on various aspects of each institution, making it easier for prospective students, parents, and researchers to compare and evaluate colleges and universities. The CDS is divided into several sections, each focusing on different aspects of a school’s operations and demographics. These sections typically include information on admission statistics, enrollment figures, financial aid, and academic programs.

WHY DOES THE COMMON DATA SET EXIST?

The primary purpose of the Common Data Set is to promote transparency and facilitate informed decision-making for all stakeholders involved in the college admissions process. Here are a few key reasons why the CDS exists:

  • Standardization: The CDS ensures that colleges and universities report data consistently. This standardization allows for apples-to-apples comparisons between institutions, making it easier for prospective students and their families to assess their options.
  • Accessibility: By making this data publicly available, the CDS promotes transparency and accessibility. Anyone interested in higher education can access valuable information without having to navigate through multiple websites or request information directly from each institution.
  • Informed Decision-Making: Prospective students and their families can use the CDS to gain insights into critical factors such as admission rates, graduation rates, financial aid availability, and student demographics. This information helps families make informed decisions about which colleges align with their goals and preferences.
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HOW TO USE THE COMMON DATA SET

Using the Common Data Set effectively can simplify your college search process.

Common Data Set: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make the most of this resource:

Locate the CDS

You can typically find the Common Data Set for a specific college or university on their official website. Look for a section dedicated to institutional research or data.

On the Yale University website, for example, you can access these reports here.

Explore the Sections

The CDS is organized into various sections, each covering different aspects of the institution. Start by reviewing the sections that are most relevant to your needs. Common sections to check include A (General Information), B (Enrollment and Persistence), C (First-Time, First-Year Admission), and D (Transfer Admission).If you were interested in transferring to Yale, for example, you would want to pay particular attention to section D, which highlights the number of students who applied, were admitted, and enrolled as degree-seeking transfer students in Fall 2022 (a grand total of 32).

Source: Yale University, Common Data Set

Compare Institutions

If you’re considering multiple colleges or universities, gather CDS reports for each of them. This will allow you to make side-by-side comparisons of key metrics and statistics.

You might use this information to compare the number of transfer students admitted to Brown University (152) versus Harvard University (15).

Source: Brown University, Common Data Set 2022-2023
Source: Harvard University, Common Data Set 2022-2023

Analyze the Data

Pay close attention to the information provided in each section. Look for details like admission requirements, acceptance rates, student-to-faculty ratios, and financial aid options. It will also tell you whether or not the school tracks demonstrated interest. This data can help you evaluate whether an institution aligns with your academic and financial goals.

Seek Additional Information

The Common Data Set is a powerful tool that helps make the college search process more transparent. While the CDS provides a wealth of information, it does not cover every aspect of a college or university or contextualize the data as it informs your unique background and admissions journey. For personalized guidance and an expert strategy, work with our team of senior private counselors who can help you make informed decisions about your educational future.

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Get to Know College Admissions Expert, Dr. Eliza Fox

Our mission at Top Tier Admissions is to provide comprehensive support, guidance, and resources to students and families navigating the college admissions process. We prioritize teen mental health and work towards alleviating the stress and pressures associated with this process, empowering students to make informed decisions, nurturing their authentic love of learning, and encouraging academic achievement.

You attended Stanford University for undergrad, where you studied English and creative writing. What was the highlight of your college years and what do you wish you had known about Stanford when you were an applicant?  

A lot of my students are interested in Stanford for its STEM programs, but I know firsthand that the university’s humanities offerings are also incredible. As an English major, I studied Irish poetry with Eavan Boland, attended readings by Stegner Fellows like Jesmyn Ward, and read A Room of One’s Own at King’s College (where Woolf drew inspiration for the book). After I developed an interest in journalism, Stanford’s Rebele Journalism Program sponsored my internships at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

When I applied to Stanford, I knew the school had a strong English Department, but I had no idea just how many opportunities the university offered that would be a great fit for me. I now push my students to research Stanford—and all of their other target colleges—thoroughly before they apply. It not only makes them more compelling applicants (especially when it comes to interviews and essays about “why this school”), but also ensures they can really hit the ground running when they arrive as new freshmen.

Tell us a bit more about your graduate work at the University of Virginia, especially your interest in digital humanities. What is your advice for high school students who want to learn about this field?

Digital humanities is a field that uses technological tools and computational methods to study humanities questions—a fascinating subject for people with interdisciplinary interests! At UVA, I explored DH when I worked on Ivanhoe, a digital game meant to foster literary interpretation and collaboration. There are, however, lots of other types of DH work out there, ranging from digital archives to augmented reality projects.

Very few high schools cover digital humanities, so most of my students don’t have much experience with the field. If they seem intrigued by the subject, we’ll often start by exploring some of the curated projects on sites like Digital Pedagogy in the Humanities. That can help them get a sense of what’s possible in the field and encourage their creativity. I also always encourage students interested in DH to bolster their coding skills. Proficiency in Python, R, etc. makes it much easier to develop a unique project!

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How has your career as an educator and published author informed  your  approach to college essay guidance?

One of the key things that I learned as a writer and that I taught to all of my students at UVA was to pay attention to genre. A strong academic essay will look very different from a strong newspaper article, and both will differ from an excellent poem or a piece of humor writing. Paying attention to your style and expected audience can help ensure that your writing is well-received.

I keep this guidance in mind now when I work with students on their college essays, knowing that most high school students have no experience with this particular type of writing. We generally begin by reviewing sample essays and talking about the parts of them that work (and sometimes don’t work) to ensure that students have a clear sense of what their own essays might look like. That knowledge makes it much easier for them to dive into the brainstorming and drafting process.

Your students have remarkable success getting their creative writing published in competitive journals. What are your tips for high school students who want to submit their writing to contests or publications?

Many students don’t realize how many literary magazines and contests are out there. There are tons! If you like writing, you can almost always get your work published. The key is to make sure you are writing consistently and submitting your work often. Don’t let a “no” from one journal discourage you from submitting to another!

I also recognize that many students don’t have time for independent creative writing during the school year. With that in mind, I encourage them to take advantage of summer and winter breaks to produce as many rough drafts as possible. If they can produce a number of new pieces during their breaks, we can then edit those pieces slowly over the course of the following semester. For students who like this idea, but worry they won’t have the initiative to write during their breaks: an established writing program (like those at Iowa and Kenyon) or a guided tutoring program (like Top Tier’s own Writing Center) can help to keep you motivated!

We know you’re a voracious reader and encourage your students to keep up a consistent reading habit. What are some great books you’ve read recently? And what are some suggestions you have for a student who wants to read more outside of school but doesn’t know where to begin?

These days, I mostly read books to support my students. I recently read How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming alongside a student with a potential interest in astronomy—we discussed the book to get a sense of what parts of the field intrigued her. I also reread Lord of the Flies so that I could chat about it with a student who was reading it in his English class and struggling to understand it fully.

I know from experience that most students have very little time for free reading outside of school, but I always encourage my students to keep up the practice. Depending on a student’s preferences, I might suggest they read for 15 minutes before going to sleep or embrace audiobooks (which can be especially helpful if you have a long commute to school). I also push my students to explore different types of writing—short stories, graphic novels, news articles, etc.—to find the genres they most enjoy.

Want to work with Eliza? Contact us today to reserve your spot.

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The Top Tier Team’s Most Memorable College Essay Lines

A well-crafted, memorable college essay can be the difference between a deferral and an acceptance. These essays offer windows into an applicant’s aspirations, experiences, and unique perspectives. We know that crafting the college essay can be a daunting task so, to inspire your writing, we’re sharing some unforgettable lines from successful college essays over the years, written by our impressive Top Tier Admissions students. Compiled by our expert team of Senior Private Counselors and our Director of Application Boot Camp®, these lines showcase the art of storytelling and how to stand out in the fiercely competitive world of college admissions. So, grab your pen, your notepad, or simply your curiosity, as we share the essay lines that left a lasting impression.

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CRAFTING THE COLLEGE ESSAY: MOST MEMORABLE LINES

Michele:

I don’t know a dirt bike from a Ducati, but Danish motorcyclists who traverse the highways of Copenhagen in leather vests stamped with palm-shaped hamsas bring me joy.
Attending: Stanford University

Liz:

When the Waffle Queen of Norway needed help selling her “Slammin’ Salmon on a Stick,” I happily joined the #wafflelution. My Minnesota community values quirkiness and hard work, and my experience hand-crafting and serving savory waffles at the Minnesota State Fair brought together these complementary values. 
Attending: Cornell University

Maria

Pine pitch canker fungus had claimed another victim. My heart ached as I identified the characteristic speckles of brown emerging on yet another tree on my drive back to the plant nursery.
Attending: Brown University

Anita:

Dressed in an old tweed jacket with elbow patches, my best approximation of early 20th-century garb, I recounted to the crowd surrounding my gravesite how I met my fate head-on with a steam-powered locomotive. When I finished sharing my tale, the mayor shook my hand, commending me for reviving the story of someone who’d been lost to the history books. 
Attending: University of Notre Dame

Kristen:

A hypnotic collection of black polka dots shrinks into the swollen folds of a giant, dandelion yellow pumpkin. Yayoi Kusama’s original Kabochas mesmerize art enthusiasts; the 1,000-piece image scattered across my coffee table is just as captivating.   
Attending: Harvard University

Heidi:

I investigated the fallout of the Atlanta spa shooting upon Asian-Americans by spending the summer working alongside women whom many consider to be sex workers.
Attending: University of Chicago

Mimi:

My first love was a man from New Orleans with a heavy Cajun accent who could throw flaming playing cards and defeat evil villains.
Attending: Brown University

Eliza

I worked to capture the halting cough of a sob in an abrupt line break and to show the lethargy of a last visit in a slowly cascading final stanza. I explained how holding on to the memory of a voice is like trying to cup water with spread palms.
Attending: Yale University

Nellie

I used to think my biggest fear was sharks or snakes, but that day I learned it was actually middle schoolers.
Attending: Brown University

Tina

You probably would have heard about it if I had created a rocket by now, maybe from the CIA in the form of a cease and desist.
Attending: Duke University

Deanna

Middle school was the first time I learned that I was different. I had gone through elementary school feeling the same as my friends, united by our love of Taylor Swift, lacrosse, and mac and cheese.
Attending: Northwestern

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