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USEFUL FACTS (to better understand U.S. education and American society)

CommonApp report: Overall applicant volume increased 72% between 2013–14 and 2021–22 to 1.24 million in 2021-22. Click here to read the report.
CommonApp report: Each applicant is applying more and more universities to an average of 6.22 schools per applicant in 2021-22. Click here to read the report.
Statistics of high school graduates by DoE: 3+ million in recent years
3+ million completed high school but only 1.2+ million used CommonApp to apply to colleges each year. Where did the others go? Clicked here to read the statistics by USDOE. Short answer: in 2020, for example, 37% chose not to go to colleges (e.g., started to work or joined the military) and 20% went to 2-year colleges.
Texas Administrative Code regarding high school curriculum & graduation requirement. With statistics, discrete mathematics and astronomy in the list, do you still feel the US high school curriculum too easy and simple?
MIT requires the SAT or the ACT for both prospective first year and transfer students. We in ChatUPA anticipate more schools will follow this policy. Click to read MIT’s policy on Tests and Scores.
Another trend: some universities, such UCB, UCLA, will NOT consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. Click to read details.
SAT is changing: from paper and pencil to digital at international test centers in the spring of 2023 and at U.S. schools and test centers in the spring of 2024. Click to see the details.
SAT vs ACT: what are the differences between them? Which Test is Right for Me?
What Is a Liberal Arts College? Click to read the answer. In short, liberal arts colleges are four-year undergraduate institutions that emphasize degrees in the liberal arts fields of study, including humanities, sciences and social sciences.
How to calculate GPA?
What AP courses are there?
What is the International Baccalaureate (IB)?
What is the legacy preference in college admissions? Is it fair？
Introduction to University of California system
老留学生的感叹：中国留学生家庭越来越高端，普通家庭的孩子机会不多了
Why America Can’t Fix Its Gun Violence Crisis
Taming the Admissions Anxiety (for parents. A research article from Harvard Graduate School of Education). Key points: listen to your kid. Be a guide and a facilitator. Unclutter your own anxiety. Do not filtering your kids interest and goals through your own hopes, your peer-driven status worries, or your own unmet college expectations. Prioritize quality over quantity, when it comes to extracurricular activities. Make sure your kids are eating and sleeping well. Encourage your child to be authentic, truthful, and reflective in the application process.

Resources

USEFUL FACTS (to better understand U.S. education and American society)

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