Degrees Explained: A Guide to College Degrees
Quick answer: The main types of college degrees are the associate degree (about two years), the bachelor’s degree (about four years), the master’s degree (usually one to two years beyond a bachelor’s), and the doctoral degree (several more years of advanced study and research). Professional degrees such as the MD and JD prepare you for […]
Top 10 Scholarly Journals for High School Research
Quick answer: Research journals for high school students include The Young Researcher, the Journal of Emerging Investigators, The Concord Review for history essays, the Journal of High School Science, and the National High School Journal of Science. Choose a peer-reviewed journal in your field, check its submission windows, and follow its formatting rules closely. For […]
The Difference Between Weighted and Unweighted GPA
Quick answer: The key difference in weighted vs unweighted GPA is course difficulty. An unweighted GPA uses a 4.0 scale and treats every class equally, while a weighted GPA adds extra points for honors, AP, IB, and dual enrollment courses, so an A in an AP class might count as a 5.0. Colleges see both, […]
USA Fencing Summer Nationals Recap
Quick answer: USA Fencing held its 2024 Summer Nationals and July Challenge from June 29 to July 8 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, with fencers from across the country competing for national titles in epee, foil, and saber. InGenius Prep collaborated with USA Fencing on this recap of gold medalists and […]
How Harvard Admissions Officers Rate Your Extracurricular Activities
Quick answer: The Harvard extracurricular rating runs from 1 to 6, with 1 as the highest. A 1 reflects national-level or truly unusual achievement, a 2 reflects major contributions to your high school or local and regional recognition, a 3 reflects solid participation, and a 4 reflects little involvement. Readers always consider context, including work […]
Duke Eliminates Essay and Test Ratings for College Admissions
Quick answer: Duke essay and test ratings ended in February 2024, when Duke University stopped assigning numerical scores to applicants’ essays and standardized tests. Readers still consider both, but evaluate them holistically. Duke continues to rate other parts of the application, including academics, curriculum rigor, recommendations, and extracurriculars. In February 2024, Duke University announced a […]
How to Get a 1500 Score on the SAT
Quick answer: Here is how to get a 1500 on the SAT: take a diagnostic practice test, master your weakest skill areas first, and practice with official College Board materials in Bluebook. Build accuracy before speed, learn the built-in Desmos calculator, and take full-length timed practice tests. A 1500 sits around the 97th percentile of […]
How to Do a Passion Project for College Applications
Quick answer: A passion project for college applications is an independent project you design around a genuine interest, such as research, a nonprofit, an app, or a publication. To do one well, pick a specific problem, set goals and a timeline, create something real that others can use, and document the results you achieve. Over […]
Admission Rates at Top U.S. Universities and What They Mean
Quick answer: Admission rates at top universities remain in the single digits at the most selective schools. Harvard admitted about 4.2% of applicants to the Class of 2029 and MIT admitted 4.6%, while Notre Dame and UCLA each admitted 9% of recent applicants. Application volume, early rounds, yield, and testing policies all shape these numbers. […]
Standardized Testing Policies for the Top U.S. Universities
Quick answer: Standardized testing policies at top US universities fall into four groups: test required, test optional, test flexible, and test blind. Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford, Penn, Brown, Dartmouth, and Cornell now require the SAT or ACT, while Princeton, Columbia, and Notre Dame will require scores for fall 2028 entry. Always confirm each school’s current […]