April Admissions News
April 2026 Preview –
What’s Coming This Month
📅 Mark Your Calendars – Key April 2026 Dates
🔬 Rising Researchers –Camps are Filling Up, Act Now to Save Before the Early Bird Deadline
🎓Seniors – Close to the Finish Line: Top Tips to a Confident College Pick
📚Underclassmen News – AP Exam Playbook: Study Smart, Score Strong
⚕️Med School Applicants – April Game Plan: What Every Med School Applicant Should Be Doing Right Now
📷In the News – Moon Prep Featured Articles
📊 University Updates – What You Need to Know
🎙 White Coat Club Podcast – The Power of Passion Projects
✏️SAT/ACT Prep – Ace Your Exams With Expert Test Prep
Mark Your Calendar!
✅ April 11: ACT Test Administration
✅ April 15: BHW Women in STEM Scholarship
✅ April 17: May SAT – Registration Deadline
✅ April 19: National College Fair – New York City – Register Here
✅ April 19: Virtual College Fair by NACAC – Register Here
✅ April 21: April ACT Score Release
✅ April 21/22: National College Fair – Montgomery County (MD) – Register Here
✅ April 24: National College Fair – Prince George’s County (MD) – Register Here
✅ April 27/28: National College Fair – Boston – Register Here
✅ May 1: National College Decision Day!
✅ May 2: SAT Test Administration
✅ May 4 – 8 & May 11-15: AP Exams!
Summer break is right around the corner — and it’s the perfect time to get ahead while your peers are taking time off. Use some time to add research and even a publication to your resume.
Join one of our Summer 2026 Research Camps:
Camp 1: Searching for Life in the Universe: The Intersection of Astronomy & Biology, led by Dr. Ryan.
Schedule: Every Tuesday and Friday (6/30/26 – 7/31/26) from 7:00p – 8:30p ET / 4:00p – 5:30p PT
View the syllabus
Camp 2: Cardiovascular Health – The Medical and Social Factors Behind Disease, led by Loren B..
Schedule: Every Monday & Thursday (7/6/26 – 8/6/26) from 7:00p – 8:30p ET/ 4:00p – 5:30p PT
View the syllabus
Camp 3: Bioinformatics Research: Biology Meets No-Code AI and ML Programming. Select a focus in either Medicine, Microbiology, or Plants for Beginners, led by Dr. Jedy.
Schedule: Every Monday & Thursday (7/20/26 – 8/20/26) from 7:00p – 8:30p ET/ 4:00p – 5:30p PT
View the syllabus
Camp Investment: $3500 (Early Bird Discount: Register by June 1 to save $200)
Close to the Finish Line: Top Tips to a Confident College Pick
Navigating the final stretch as college decisions rapidly approach can feel overwhelming, but a clear plan helps you move with confidence. Your deadline window exists to balance admission results, financial aid decisions, housing allocations, and class placement, so acting promptly can secure preferred options and reduce post-decisional stress. When finalizing your choice, take a close look at each offer by comparing the total picture: financial aid packages, scholarships, on-campus resources, and the long-term value of your chosen major. If possible, revisit campuses virtually or in person and lean on current student insights to gauge fit, culture, and support systems. Don’t forget to confirm housing, orientation, and course registration timelines so you don’t miss any deadlines or get closed out.
Affordability matters beyond tuition alone. Consider the total cost of attendance, including room and board, books, commuting, and potential increases in costs over time. Understand how aid is packaged—what comes as grants versus loans—and picture what repayment could look like after graduation. Exploring work-study options or part-time on-campus opportunities can also ease the financial load during your first year. On the academic and community front, verify that the program aligns with your intended major and career goals. Look at advising quality, internship pipelines, and alumni networks as indicators of long-term success, and reflect on campus culture, diversity, and available support services that contribute to well-being.
As we approach May 1st (decision day), create a simple pros-and-cons assessment for your top choices and decide what non-negotiables matter most to you—location, program strength, campus size, or vibe. Plan a short period for decompression after you’ve made your choice so you can submit with a clear mind. After committing, notify all schools of your decision to avoid holding spots for others, complete enrollment deposits, and take care of housing or orientation forms. Start gathering required documents, such as immunizations, transcripts, and financial aid forms, to ensure a smooth start. If the pressure feels intense, remember you’re choosing a place to grow, learn, and belong. Trust your research, listen to your gut, and take decisive steps this week—your future college experience awaits.
AP Exam Playbook: Study Smart, Score Strong
If you’re aiming for strong AP results, the most effective path starts with a deliberate, study-focused plan rather than last-minute cramming. Begin by aligning your course load with your goals and mapping out a study calendar that breaks each subject into manageable chunks. For every AP course you take, identify the core concepts, essential vocabulary, and recurring themes that tend to appear on the exam. Create a standardized study routine that you can repeat weekly: dedicate specific days to review notes, practice questions, and full-length timed drills.
Active, deliberate practice is your strongest tool. After each study session, summarize what you learned in your own words, and generate a few practice questions that target the areas you found most challenging. Use timed practice exams to simulate the pressure of test day and to build pacing. When you review, don’t just look at the right answers—analyze each mistake to understand whether it came from misreading, gaps in knowledge, or a timing error, and then create a quick corrective card for future reference. Practicing with AP-style questions is critical because it trains you to recognize the format, the wording traps, and the best strategies for selecting the correct choice.
Note-taking should be concise and action-oriented. For each unit, distill the big ideas into bullet-point notes, include a few key formulas or dates, and map connections between topics to reinforce integrated thinking. Use flashcards for quick recall of definitions, rules, and essential dates, and employ spaced repetition to move information into long-term memory. Don’t neglect content review from multiple units in the same session to mirror the exam’s integrative nature, especially in subjects like U.S. History, World History, and Science courses that weave concepts across chapters.
Study plans should leverage a mix of strategies: first, a quick-fire review of recent material; second, targeted practice on your weak spots; third, a full-length, timed practice test to build endurance and timing. When possible, create or join a study group to compare approaches, explain tricky concepts to peers, and expose yourself to different problem-solving perspectives. If you’re unsure where to start, ask your teachers which topics tend to recur and seek extra practice problems or clarifications.
Finally, manage your exam-day readiness through a consistent pre-study routine. Sleep well, eat a balanced meal, stay hydrated, and arrive early with all permitted materials. Keeping stress in check can significantly affect performance, so include a brief, calming ritual before you begin and a plan to handle nerves during the test. With disciplined, targeted practice and thoughtful content review, you’ll approach AP exams with confidence and a clearer path to success.
Aim High, Plan Smart: Crafting a Balanced College List
The college admissions landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade, and the trend shows no sign of slowing. From 2015 to 2024, the most selective colleges drew far more applications while their acceptance rates fell, creating a more competitive environment across the board. The result is a paradox: more students aim high, yet the chance of securing an offer from a top choice has become slimmer. For families and students, this makes a balanced college list more important than ever.A balanced list isn’t about chasing “safety” spots or playing it safe; it’s about building a range of options that reflect likelihood of admission, and the overall college experience. At the high end, aspirational schools should align with your strengths and goals. In the middle, target strong matches that fit well with academics, extracurriculars, and campus culture. On the practical end, include well-matched options where you’re confident you’ll gain access to meaningful opportunities, financial aid, and a positive college experience.
What this means in practical terms
– Your “safety” may not be as safe as it once was. Schools that admitted a sizable share of applicants in 2015 may now be attracting far more interest and enforcing tougher standards. Build lists using up to date data, not outdated averages.
– Acceptance rates are a noisy signal. A very low rate doesn’t automatically mean a school is harder to get into; it can reflect a large, speculative applicant pool. For example, elite universities may receive tens or even hundreds of thousands of applications, while yield and the composition of applicants can shift the odds in nuanced ways.
– The emotional toll is real. Rejections from highly selective schools are not a reflection of a student’s worth or readiness; they reflect a changing admissions landscape. Supporting students’ well-being through the process is essential.
– The arms race is self-reinforcing. As acceptances tighten, students apply to more schools as insurance, which can push acceptance rates down further. Recognizing this dynamic helps families set realistic expectations and manage workloads.
– Data matters now more than ever. Look at the most recent admission data—acceptance rates, yield, and the criteria colleges emphasize to distinguish genuine fit from speculative ambition.
Looking ahead
Early indicators from 2025 cycles suggest the trend continues: average acceptance rates at the most selective schools hover around 20 percent, with applications continuing to climb. Whether the sub-10% club expands depends on factors such as testing policies, application volume, and evolution in evaluation criteria. For sophomores and juniors, the practical takeaway is clear: begin building a well-rounded, thoughtfully layered list that includes aspirational, target, and safety-oriented options, and revisit it regularly as data and personal goals evolve. For parents, maintain open conversations about expectations, budgets, and the realities of limited spaces in selective programs to keep everyone aligned and supported.
How to start now
– Create a multi-tier list: aspirational, strong match, and safety-oriented schools, with data-backed justification for each choice.
– Gather current data: look at the most recent acceptance rates, yield, and admission criteria to gauge fit.
– Plan a data-driven timeline: set milestones for researching schools, meeting with counselors, visiting campuses (physically or virtually), and organizing applications.
– Focus on sustainable preparation: emphasize steady coursework, meaningful involvement, and thoughtful recommendations rather than sheer quantity of activities.
With proactive planning, families can navigate a tougher admissions landscape without sacrificing well-being or ambition. A balanced list helps students pursue ambitious goals while ensuring they have realistic, accessible paths to a rewarding college experience.
April Game Plan: What Every Med School Applicant Should Be Doing Right Now
April marks a critical transition point for medical school applicants, as the AMCAS and AACOMAS application cycles quickly approach. Both platforms typically open in early May, with submissions beginning shortly after, making now the ideal time to ensure every component of your application is polished and ready. Submitting early can significantly impact your chances, as many schools review applications on a rolling basis—meaning strong, early applicants often have an advantage in both interview offers and admissions decisions.
One of the most important sections to refine this month is your activities section. Rather than simply listing experiences, focus on crafting concise, meaningful descriptions that highlight your impact, growth, and reflection. Pay particular attention to your “most meaningful” entries; these should clearly communicate not just what you did, but why it mattered and how it shaped your journey toward medicine. Strong storytelling and intentional reflection can elevate your application far beyond a list of accomplishments.
Equally important is securing strong letters of recommendation. April is the time to finalize who you are asking, ideally, individuals who know you well and can speak to your character, work ethic, and readiness for medical school. When reaching out, be professional and specific, providing your letter writers with your resume, personal statement draft, and clear deadlines. Setting expectations early ensures that letters are submitted on time and reduces last-minute stress as the application opens.
Ultimately, April is about alignment and readiness. By finalizing your timeline, strengthening your written components, and confirming your letters of recommendation, you position yourself to submit early and confidently. Taking these steps now not only streamlines the application process but also allows you to present the strongest, most cohesive version of your story when it matters most.
Check out our latest article:
3 Key Factors to Consider Before Enrolling in a Special Masters Program (SMP)
University Updates and Numbers You Need to Know
📊From an applicant pool of 41,898, Boston College plans to admit about 5,300 students (roughly 13%), with an anticipated waiting list of around 4,500.
📊After reviewing a record 21,000+ applications for a highly selective cohort, Wake Forest has admitted 18% of applicants, considering academics, community engagement, and alignment with the Pro Humanitate motto.
📊Pomona College offered admission to 876 students for the Class of 2030, representing all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 44 countries. The cohort includes a school-record 29% first-generation students and 12% international students.
📊As of the end of February 2026, more than 58,000 students have applied for fall 2026 admission to the University of Connecticut!
📊 University of Michigan received a record 115,125 undergraduate applications for Fall 2026, highlighting the rapidly increasing competition at one of the nation’s top public universities. The milestone reflects a 29% increase in applications over the past five years, underscoring how selective admissions at leading institutions continue to intensify for today’s applicants.
📊 Brown received 47,937 applications for the Class of 2030, one of the largest applicant pools in University history. 1,674 Regular Decision offers of admission were made to the incoming Class of 2030, in addition to the 890 Early Decision admission offers made in December. The overall admit rate for this year’s pool is 5.3%, with a Regular Decision admit rate of 3.8%. Of the 4,687 applicants to the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), 64 students were admitted with a 1.4% admission rate.
📊 Williams College has reached a new level of selectivity, admitting just 7.4% of applicants to its Class of 2030 reflecting the lowest acceptance rate in the school’s history amid a record-breaking applicant pool. With over 15,000 regular decision applications and continued growth in interest, the milestone underscores the increasingly competitive landscape at top liberal arts colleges.
📊 The University of Notre Dame continues to see record-level selectivity, maintaining a 9% acceptance rate for the Class of 2030 for the second consecutive year amid more than 36,000 applications.
📊 Johns Hopkins University admitted 1,982 students through Regular Decision to the Class of 2030, joining 813 students accepted in earlier rounds to form one of its most selective classes yet.
📊 Tufts University’s Class of 2030 reflects growing selectivity amid a record-breaking pool of more than 36,000 applicants—an 8% increase from the previous year and up 57% over the past six years. With admission rates hovering around just 10–11% in recent cycles and thousands of highly qualified candidates competing for limited seats, the new class underscores Tufts’ continued competitiveness among top-tier universities.
📊 The University of Virginia extended a record 10,287 admission offers for its Class of 2030 from a surging applicant pool of more than 82,000—marking a significant rise in selectivity. In-state applicants saw an admit rate around 22%, while out-of-state students faced much steeper odds near 10%, underscoring the increasingly competitive nature of UVA admissions.
White Coat Club Episode:
The Power of Passion Projects
In this episode, Nicole is joined by Michaela, a passion project expert, to explore one of the most meaningful ways students can stand out in the college admissions process: passion projects.
The conversation begins by defining what a passion project truly is and why these initiatives have become increasingly valuable in holistic admissions. Rather than simply adding another activity to a resume, passion projects allow students to explore their genuine interests, demonstrate initiative, and create meaningful impact in areas they care about.
Nicole and Michaela discuss when students should begin thinking about passion projects, how they can find inspiration, and how to transform an initial idea into something tangible. The episode also explores examples of successful projects and highlights the difference between activities that feel forced for admissions purposes and those that authentically reflect a student’s curiosity and motivation.
Finally, Michaela shares practical advice for students who want to take the first step but are unsure where to begin. From identifying interests to executing a project with purpose, this episode provides guidance for students who want to turn their ideas into meaningful experiences.
Whether a student is just starting to explore their interests or looking for ways to deepen their involvement, this conversation offers insight into the power of pursuing something that truly matters.
Check out this episode to learn more!
SAT/ACT Prep
Spring SAT/ACT testing is a key moment for high school juniors, offering one of the last opportunities to secure strong scores before college application season begins in the summer/fall. Taking the exam in the spring allows students time to reflect on their performance, identify areas for improvement, and plan for a potential retake, if needed, for more competitive scores and stronger applications. Spring 2026 test dates include:
SAT:
May 2, 2026
June 6, 2026
ACT:
April 11, 2026
June 13, 2026
July 11, 2026
Equally important is starting test preparation early. Younger students who build foundational skills in reading, writing, and math while becoming familiar with standardized test formats tend to approach junior year with greater confidence and less stress. Early exposure not only improves performance over time but also helps students develop effective study habits, making the entire testing process more manageable and successful.
Moon Prep students can use their current retainers. Getting started is easier than ever!
Contact your Moon Prep counselor today to get started!