The Harvard Ready Test

With acceptance rates in the single digits at elite colleges, and over 3.3 million high school seniors, the competition has never been more intense.

Top Tier Admissions is on a mission to make the college admissions process more transparent and less intimidating. The expert counselors at Top Tier Admissions have designed this quiz to help your student get ahead of the game.

Learn where your student falls in the mix and then contact us for personalized guidance to gain a competitive edge.

Let’s get started!

1. What is your child’s approximate class rank?

#1 or #2 in their class (officially or unofficially)

Top 5-10% in their class

Top 15-25% in their class

Below top 25% in their class

2. What is your child's course rigor?

3-5 AP courses (or 4 HL courses if IB) before senior year and as many honors courses as have been available; and/or college courses during the summers, dual enrollment senior year

2-3 AP courses and a few honors/accelerated classes

No AP courses but a few honors/accelerated classes

No AP courses, no honors/accelerated classes

3. What are your child’s highest SAT or ACT score?
Note: Even though many colleges are "score optional" the majority of top applicants to Ivy League schools are submitting high scores.

1540-1600 (35-36 ACT composite)

1440-1540 (32-34 ACT composite)

1300-1440 (28-31 ACT composite)

Below 1300 (28 ACT composite); OR my child has not taken the SAT or ACT

5. What are your child’s highest AP scores?

Mostly 5s (4 or more total AP Scores)

Mostly 4s (2-4 AP scores)

Mostly 3s

My child hasn’t taken any AP exams

6. My child’s extracurricular activities are best described as:

President/founder of at least two organizations or other major activities. OR my child is state or nationally-ranked in some area and has won awards at the state or national level

Holds some leadership positions in school (for example, co-editor of the newspaper). OR has won some awards in the community

A member of several clubs and organizations at their school, but no major leadership

My child does not participate in any leadership/extracurricular activities

7. In what ways has your child gone above and beyond over the summers?

They have spent most summers doing serious research or academic work since 9th grade; OR my child has been involved in RSI or Telluride summer programs/other super competitive summer programs

They have spent at least one or two summers doing some research or academic work (college-level course for credit, etc.)

They go to camp/travel and have done a few shorter pre-college programs

They have not participated in any academic or leadership activities during the summer

8. In what ways does your child stand out academically or otherwise?

My child is poised to be named valedictorian, and/or has received major academic awards from high school; and/or they have received math awards, science awards, or other awards on a state or national level; and/or have attended competitive summer programs or taken college courses

My child is a National Merit Scholar; OR has other talents that make them stand out (dance, music, theater, athletics, etc.)

My child is academically solid all around, but has no major awards

My child has not received recognition/awards in school or outside of school

9. Does your child have a “hook” or special connection to a school?

My child is a recruited athlete, a first-generation college student, or is Native American or African American, OR has a parent who is a consistent top donor to their top-choice school

My child is a legacy (at least one parent went to the school) or has some kind of family connection, or they are Hispanic

Our family has some lower-level connections with a few schools

My child is a typical applicant

10. What do your child’s teachers say about them?

Comments have typically been along the lines of “Best student I’ve ever taught” or “Top student in the class”

Comments are generally very positive

Teachers have strongly encouraged my child to speak up and/or work harder in their classes; OR they have given standard praise (works hard, very diligent)

My child has not received much feedback from teachers

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Name of High School

High School Graduation Year

State

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