What's up guys, I was just wondering how much do regents grades factor into college admissions? And additionally, if anyone knows, do all schools look at them or just New York schools?
Regents exams, for those unfamiliar, are standardized tests administered to high school students in the state of New York as part of the graduation requirements. While the scores on these exams are important for graduating high school in New York, they do not carry a significant weight in college admissions.
Generally, colleges are more interested in your overall academic performance in high school—your GPA, the rigor of your coursework (such as Honors, AP or IB classes), and your SAT or ACT scores. These are considered better indicators of your ability to succeed in college.
Colleges outside of New York likely won't place too much emphasis on Regents scores unless you bring them up in your application. Admissions officers all over the country are familiar with many different state-specific exams, but their focus will still be on the broader aspects of your academic performance. In other words, ace your Regents, but remember that they're just one part of the picture. If you've done well on them, feel free to use that as a testament to your studying skills or dedication to your education; however, a lower score likely won't significantly harm your chances.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.