Avalon Admissions Blog

Weekly admissions intel, success stories, and mindset tips curated by Avalon mentors.

Blogs

Fewer Applications and Higher Acceptance Rates: What the Latest Admissions Data Really Tells Us
COLLEGE ADMISSION News and Articles

Fewer Applications and Higher Acceptance Rates: What the Latest Admissions Data Really Tells Us

This shift is driven by many factors including cost and greater acceptance of programs outside the US, but there is an additional factor emerging: the perceived climate of intolerance and danger in the United States. Concerns about polarization, personal safety, policy volatility, campus climate, or long-term social direction are influencing educational decisions. Studying abroad is increasingly viewed not just as an academic alternative, but as a better choice altogether.

Neil Chyten
April 30, 2026
It’s Not Just About “What” You Do, But Also “Why” You Do It
COLLEGE ADMISSION News and Articles

It’s Not Just About “What” You Do, But Also “Why” You Do It

Admission to top colleges is not just about high GPAs, rigorous coursework, community service, founding clubs, or crafting abstract, metaphor-driven essays about life.

Neil Chyten
April 9, 2026
Avalon Guidelines for Research Papers
COLLEGE ADMISSION News and Articles

Avalon Guidelines for Research Papers

All research papers, whether they are based on the literature review or direct observation, should follow a standard template that is generally accepted by readers of such research.

Neil Chyten
March 17, 2026
The Importance of Academic Research Conducted During High School.
COLLEGE ADMISSION News and Articles

The Importance of Academic Research Conducted During High School.

How important are research related topics to college admission? The answer lies within the details surrounding that research. Research that is well chosen, well executed, and leads to a specific and tangible outcome can provide the boost that a student needs to put them over the top in the ultra-competitive world of elite college admission.

Neil Chyten
March 17, 2026
How Important are SAT, ACT, and Other Test Scores?
STANDARDIZED TESTING News and Articles

How Important are SAT, ACT, and Other Test Scores?

ACT, SAT and AP (as well as international tests including IB and CA) provide useful benchmarks to colleges anxious to fill their classrooms with highly capable students. Therefore, they continue to be valuable to colleges, and are strongly considered in the admissions process, especially by highly competitive colleges.

Neil Chyten
March 13, 2026
Structural and Scoring Changes to the ACT beginning in April, 2025
STANDARDIZED TESTING News and Articles

Structural and Scoring Changes to the ACT beginning in April, 2025

In April 2025, the ACT underwent a series of structural and score reporting changes. These changes are summarized below.

Neil Chyten
March 13, 2026
Will Your Academic Awards Add Value to Your College Application?
COLLEGE ADMISSION News and Articles

Will Your Academic Awards Add Value to Your College Application?

In this article, we rate categories of academic awards in terms of their potential impact on college applications

Neil Chyten
February 18, 2026
Best and Worst Summer Activities for College Applications
COLLEGE ADMISSION News and Articles

Best and Worst Summer Activities for College Applications

By choosing summer activities strategically, students can develop experiences that not only enrich their personal growth but also enhance their narrative for top colleges to consider.

Neil Chyten
February 13, 2026
Application for Columbia Summer
COLLEGE ADMISSION Dates and Deadlines

Application for Columbia Summer "College Edge" Program Now Open

Columbia's College Edge Program for students currently in, or entering, grades 11–12. These are real college classes, taken for credit alongside Columbia undergraduate students. These credits may or may not be accepted by the college you will attend. However, you will receive a transcript and a grade that can be added to your college application.

Neil Chyten
January 22, 2026
Harvard's Summer 2026 Course Catalog for High School Students is Now Available
COLLEGE ADMISSION Dates and Deadlines

Harvard's Summer 2026 Course Catalog for High School Students is Now Available

Harvard's summer 2026 course catalog and application for Harvard's two-week, four-week, and seven-week programs are now available.

Neil Chyten
January 22, 2026
The Rise and Fall (and Rise?) of the ACT
STANDARDIZED TESTING News and Articles

The Rise and Fall (and Rise?) of the ACT

As college admissions became increasingly competitive, students began seeking “The One” test that might best set them apart in a crowded applicant pool.

Neil Chyten
January 20, 2026
The Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Competition
COLLEGE ADMISSION News and Articles

The Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Competition

Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) is the most prestigious science competition for high school students in the country.

Neil Chyten
January 12, 2026
What Really Matters in Elite College Admissions in 2025-2026
COLLEGE ADMISSION News and Articles

What Really Matters in Elite College Admissions in 2025-2026

As families prepare students for applications to the most selective colleges in the country, it is easy to get distracted by headlines—test-optional policies, AI essays, or shifting legal frameworks. But when you strip away the noise, the fundamentals of elite college admission in 2025 remain remarkably consistent. The difference today is that competition is fiercer, margins are thinner, and mistakes are harder to recover from.

Neil Chyten
December 27, 2025
How is Private School Admission Similar to College Admission?
PRIVATE SCHOOL ADMISSION News and Articles

How is Private School Admission Similar to College Admission?

Getting into top private schools is not unlike getting into top colleges. Highly valued applicants demonstrate a consistent set of values whether they are applying for college or private school. Overall, they are seeking to establish an advantageous mix of talent while also creating a well-blended campus culture.

Neil Chyten
December 23, 2025
In The Era of AI, What Will Replace Computer Science as The Best Major for Tech-Oriented Students
COLLEGE ADMISSION News and Articles

In The Era of AI, What Will Replace Computer Science as The Best Major for Tech-Oriented Students

The “safe majors” of yesterday aren’t guaranteed anymore. The students who will thrive are the ones with deep, transferable skills and the ability to pivot as industries evolve. In a world changing this quickly, fundamentals such as math, science, and engineering skills beat simple computer programming in a landslide.

Neil Chyten
December 22, 2025
NYU Tandon Launches Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence
COLLEGE ADMISSION News and Articles

NYU Tandon Launches Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence

According to NYU’s release more than 70 faculty, PhD students, and post-doctoral researchers “are working in 10,000 square feet of shared experimental spaces, including a 6,800-square-foot flagship facility” in Downtown Brooklyn.

Neil Chyten
December 18, 2025