Policy, data, and trends — one deep dive every week
Produced by the Rocket Academy Teaching & Research Team: international curriculum exam analysis, registration deadline reminders, and admissions data reviews — helping families close the information gap. Click any card for the key takeaways.
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Exam Update
College Board Releases Official SAT Test Dates for H2 2027 – H1 2028
Eight Saturday digital test dates are set: five in fall 2027 (8/28, 9/18, 10/2, 11/6, 12/5) and three in spring 2028 (3/4, 5/6, 6/3). The class of 2028 should lock in the three fall sittings ahead of ED/EA; spring is prime time for the class of 2029.
Rocket Academy Teaching & Research Team·
College Board Releases Official SAT Test Dates for H2 2027 – H1 2028
Exam Update
Key Takeaways
Five fall 2027 sittings: 8/28, 9/18, 10/2, 11/6, 12/5; three spring 2028 sittings: 3/4, 5/6, 6/3 — all Saturday digital exams
Class of 2028 (current grade 11): the final window before ED/EA is in the fall — take a first sitting in August and push for a higher score in September–October
Class of 2029 (current grade 10): prep intensively over winter break, take a first sitting in March–May, and leave room for a retake
Most colleges accept Superscoring, so you can focus on Reading & Writing and Math in separate sittings
Mainland China test-takers still need to sit the exam in Hong Kong, Macau, or other locations — seats at popular sittings fill fast, so register as soon as registration opens
Rocket Academy
Rocket SAT fall and Christmas classes are now enrolling — 2-10 student small group classes with tiered instruction, paced to your target score
Scan the QR code to add our WeChat Assistant and claim a free [1-on-1 diagnostic plan + trial class] with a customized SAT score timeline
Policy
27Fall Early Application Expansion: UF's First ED Deadline on Oct 15, USC Launches ED, WashU Adds EA
The University of Florida introduces binding ED (deadline 10/15), USC opens ED for the first time ever (11/1), and WashU adds non-binding EA (11/2). More early options mean your school list strategy needs to evolve too.
Teaching & Research Team·
27Fall Early Application Expansion: UF's First ED Deadline on Oct 15, USC Launches ED, WashU Adds EA
Policy
Key Takeaways
UF launches binding ED: deadline 10/15, standardized test scores required, enrollment confirmation due by 1/8 if admitted
USC opens ED for the first time in its history: deadline 11/1; note that its three performing arts schools are RD-only, and the WBB program is ED/EA-only
WashU adds non-binding EA: deadline 11/2, non-binding and stackable with ED applications
The University of Michigan adopts a dual ED + EA track
Three common pitfalls: treating EA as a backup, ignoring the enrollment obligations of binding ED, and missing each school's distinct deadlines
Rocket Academy
With early application windows compressed, test scores and application materials must move forward in lockstep
Scan the QR code to add our WeChat Assistant and claim a free [1-on-1 diagnostic plan + trial class]
Data Report
2027 U.S. News National University Rankings: MIT Ends Princeton's 15-Year Reign
MIT takes #1 for the first time, with Princeton dropping to #2; a new metric — graduate earnings by major — carries 5% weight, shifting school selection from prestige to value.
Teaching & Research Team·
2027 U.S. News National University Rankings: MIT Ends Princeton's 15-Year Reign
Data Report
Key Takeaways
MIT #1, Princeton #2; Caltech climbs 6 spots to tie for #5
The new "graduate earnings by major" metric carries 5% weight and counts only federal financial aid recipients
CMU rises 6 spots to #14; Berkeley and UCLA drop to a tie at #20
All six UC campuses land in the Top 40
Ranking formulas change every year — cross-referencing multi-year data is more meaningful than fixating on a single year's rank
Rocket Academy
Rankings are the starting point of school selection, not the finish line — fit matters more than position
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Exam Update
Two Weeks Before the October SAT: The Last Sitting Before ED/EA Deadlines
Test on 10/3, scores out 10/16 — just in time for the 11/1 early deadlines. With two weeks to go, these matter more than one more practice test.
Teaching & Research Team·
Two Weeks Before the October SAT: The Last Sitting Before ED/EA Deadlines
Exam Update
Key Takeaways
The 10/3 test releases scores on 10/16, in time for 11/1 ED/EA; late registration closes 9/22
September scores don't arrive until 9/25 — secure an October seat first, then decide whether to keep it
At the 1400 level: lock in accuracy on fundamental questions; at 1500+: focus on margin for error on the hardest questions
Five pre-test essentials: mock-exam pacing, error-log review, Bluebook device setup, ID check, and sleep schedule adjustment
Rocket Academy
Rocket SAT final-sprint classes and 1-on-1 targeted remediation deliver fast, efficient score gains
Scan the QR code to add our WeChat Assistant and book a free trial class
Competitions
Two Wins from One Prep: Master Two Top Bio & Chem Competitions in a Single Cycle
UKChO 2027 moves fully offline to paper; on the biology track, BBO → USABO share 80%+ of content, and on the chemistry track, UKChO → CCC plays from hard to easy — one prep, two payoffs.
Teaching & Research Team·
Two Wins from One Prep: Master Two Top Bio & Chem Competitions in a Single Cycle
Competitions
Key Takeaways
UKChO 2027 goes fully paper-based and offline: exam on 1/22, registration closes 1/11 — back-plan your prep from these dates
Biology track: BBO (1/16) → USABO (April), with over 80% content overlap
Chemistry track: UKChO → CCC (4/21), tackling the harder exam first
A-Level, IB, and AP students have different leverage points and need individualized schedules
Rocket Academy
Rocket's bio & chem competition classes are led by UKChO gold-medal and USNCO gold-medal coaches
Scan the QR code to add our WeChat Assistant and claim a competition pathway assessment
Policy
Independent Candidates Can Take AP Exams in Mainland China in 2027! Prometric Registration in Five Steps
Three categories eligible, four excluded; the full process — MyAPChina registration → subject selection (closes 12:00 noon on 10/16) → payment (RMB 1,525 per subject, closes 11/9) → verification → admission ticket — explained in one article.
Teaching & Research Team·
Independent Candidates Can Take AP Exams in Mainland China in 2027! Prometric Registration in Five Steps
Policy
Key Takeaways
Three categories of independent candidates may register and four situations are barred — check your eligibility before you start
Prepare three essentials in advance: a College Board account, an ID photo, and your original national ID card
Subject selection closes at 12:00 noon on 10/16; payment runs from 10/16 to 12:00 noon on 11/9, RMB 1,525 per subject
Verify your MyAP subject info on 12/1, confirm by 1/31/2027, and download your admission ticket on 4/3
Rocket Academy
Rocket AP classes cover 20+ subjects, with reminders at every registration milestone
Scan the QR code to add our WeChat Assistant and claim the AP prep resource pack
Data Report
Forbes 2027 America's Top Colleges: MIT Repeats at #1, Vanderbilt Cracks the Top 10
A ranking built on salary, debt, graduation rate, and ROI: MIT alumni earn a median of $131,182 ten years out; NYU, Emory, and WashU fall outside the top 40 — "worth it" is replacing "prestigious."
Teaching & Research Team·
Forbes 2027 America's Top Colleges: MIT Repeats at #1, Vanderbilt Cracks the Top 10
Data Report
Key Takeaways
Methodology: alumni salary 20% + debt 15% + graduation rate 15% + ROI 15%, among other factors
MIT repeats at #1 with a 10-year median alumni salary of $131,182; Vanderbilt enters the top 10 for the first time
NYU at 46, Emory at 41, WashU at 45 — all outside the top 40
Forbes emphasizes salary, and U.S. News has introduced an earnings-by-major metric — the two lists are converging
Three ways to read rankings: multi-year trends, earnings by major, and personal fit
Rocket Academy
In the age of ROI, school selection demands a clear cost-benefit calculus
Scan the QR code to add our WeChat Assistant and claim a [1-on-1 school list positioning + planning diagnostic]
Rocket News
Rocket Academy Fall Classes: Round Two Enrollment Underway — Christmas Classes Preview
Round-one fall classes are in session: full coverage of AP / IB / A-Level / competitions / standardized tests, with tiered 2-10 student small group classes; round two is now enrolling, and the Christmas schedule is out.
Rocket Academy·
Rocket Academy Fall Classes: Round Two Enrollment Underway — Christmas Classes Preview
Rocket News
Key Takeaways
Covering AP, IB, A-Level, IG, international competitions, SAT/ACT, and TOEFL/IELTS
Our signature 2-10 student small group classes ensure every learner receives full attention
A transparent Learning Progress Tracking System: homework submission, accuracy rates, and error logs — visible to parents in real time
Rocket Academy
Scan the QR code to add our WeChat Assistant for the latest class schedule and a free trial seat
Policy
Key Signals from the UC Counselor Conference: Reassessing Testing, GPA, and Majors
Test-blind is confirmed to continue but may revert after the class of 2029; GPA windows and honors-weighting rules are tightening; in the admit-by-major era, choosing a major means choosing a difficulty level.
Teaching & Research Team·
Key Signals from the UC Counselor Conference: Reassessing Testing, GPA, and Majors
Policy
Key Takeaways
Test-blind confirmed: SAT/ACT will not be considered, though testing requirements may return for classes after 2029
GPA calculation window: from the summer after grade 9 through the summer after grade 11; honors weighting only counts AP/IB/college courses — non-A-G courses do not count
The admit-by-major era: UCLA Nursing admits 1% vs. Music at 24% — major choice directly shapes admission difficulty
Newly added majors offer real opportunities; UC applications close 11/30 — an action checklist is provided
Rocket Academy
UC applications and GPA planning require a long game — every semester from grades 9–11 counts
Scan the QR code to add our WeChat Assistant and claim a [1-on-1 diagnostic plan]
Admissions
UChicago ED0 Results Are Out — Chinese Students Have Already Earned 10+ Offers
The University of Chicago's ED0 round — an early application channel exclusive to summer program participants — released results first, with Chinese students already securing 10+ offers. The opening shot of the 27Fall season.
Teaching & Research Team·
UChicago ED0 Results Are Out — Chinese Students Have Already Earned 10+ Offers
Admissions
Key Takeaways
ED0 is a super-early application channel exclusive to participants in UChicago's SSP summer program, with decisions released in September
Chinese students have earned 10+ offers in this round — a pace far ahead of most ED rounds
Top summer school experience is becoming a key asset in early applications
Rocket Academy
The earlier summer program planning starts, the better — begin evaluating in grade 10
Scan the QR code to add our WeChat Assistant and assess your summer program and early application pathway
Planning
AP Registration Opens | AMC Early-Bird Deadline Approaching
Key fall 2026 dates at a glance: mainland AP 2027 registration opens 9/15 with payment due 11/9; AMC10/12 U.S. early-bird closes 9/30, and China region Versions A/B close 10/26 and 11/3 — plus BPhO, BMO, and NEC deadlines and a reminder that most U.S. early applications are due 11/1.
Teaching & Research Team·
AP Registration Opens | AMC Early-Bird Deadline Approaching
Planning
Key Takeaways
9/15: mainland AP 2027 registration opens (school administrator system); 9/16: students submit information, upload photos, and confirm subjects
11/9: mainland AP payment deadline (12:00 noon; unpaid entries are void); 12/1: log in to MyAP to verify subject information
AMC10/12: U.S. early-bird registration closes 9/30, regular registration 10/15; China region Version A closes 10/26, Version B 11/3
AMC10/12 exam dates: Version A on 11/5, Version B on 11/13 (17:00–18:15)
BPhO Round 0 takes place 9/30 (25 questions / 60 minutes), Round 1 on 11/10; BMO Round 1 on 11/19
11/1: mainstream ED/EA/REA deadlines; 11/30: NEC (CNEC) preliminary registration closes
Rocket Academy
Follow the "Rocket International Education" WeChat official account (火箭国际教育) for further analysis and deadline reminders at every milestone
Scan the QR code to add our WeChat Assistant and claim a free [1-on-1 diagnostic plan + trial class] with a customized year-long prep timeline
Policy
New U.S. F1/J1 Visa Rules Temporarily Frozen Nationwide — D/S Survives
On 9/14, a federal court in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction halting the visa rules set to take effect 9/15: the 4-year fixed stay, transfer restrictions, and the shortened 30-day grace period are all on hold. A status conference is set for 10/2.
Teaching & Research Team·
New U.S. F1/J1 Visa Rules Temporarily Frozen Nationwide — D/S Survives
Policy
Key Takeaways
On 9/14, the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction blocking the F/J visa rules slated for 9/15, temporarily preserving the D/S (Duration of Status) system
As proposed: F-1/J-1 stays capped at a fixed 4 years, with extensions requiring applications to USCIS
As proposed: no transfers or major changes during the first undergraduate year in principle, with education pathways progressing only upward
As proposed: the post-graduation grace period cut from 60 days to 30 days
The judge found DHS "arbitrary and capricious," citing four procedural grounds including the lack of a cost-benefit analysis and failure to respond to nearly 22,000 public comments
A status conference is scheduled for 10/2; DHS may appeal — continued monitoring is warranted
Rocket Academy
Rocket Academy is a one-stop training platform for undergraduate study-abroad exams, with a "Four-in-One" Score-Boosting Team service model covering AP / IB / A-Level / IG international curricula, international competitions, standardized tests, and language exams
In times of policy flux, planning early matters more: scan the QR code to claim a [1-on-1 diagnostic plan + trial class]
Insight
UCLA Launches the Nation's First Digital Humanities Department: Cultivating "Whole People" for the AI Era
The first standalone digital humanities department in the U.S. launches this fall and opens for applications in fall 2027, with an inaugural cohort of roughly 40. Interdisciplinary talent fluent in both code and the human condition is the new competitive edge.
Teaching & Research Team·
UCLA Launches the Nation's First Digital Humanities Department: Cultivating "Whole People" for the AI Era
Insight
Key Takeaways
UCLA established the nation's first independent digital humanities department in fall 2026, opening for applications in fall 2027
The new department has 23 faculty and 4 administrative staff; the first cohort is expected at ~40 students, stabilizing at 50–100
The field is already the second most popular minor on campus, with ~750 undergraduates enrolled last academic year
Context: U.S. humanities enrollment has fallen from ~15% to ~8% — the humanities are finding new paths forward
NACE survey: 99% of hiring managers value communication skills, but only 55% of graduates meet the bar — "code + humanities" hybrid skills are in demand
Rocket Academy
Choosing a major means choosing a track: Rocket's Academic Advising Team can align a student's strengths with AP/IB subject choices and build a major-direction evidence chain
Scan the QR code to add our WeChat Assistant and claim a [1-on-1 diagnostic plan + trial class]
Data Report
Latest from College Board: SAT Participation Surges, AP Doubles
International SAT test-takers are up 71% over four years to 217,000; international AP candidates doubled over a decade to 149,000. In 2027, seven subjects including Statistics go digital, and new business and cybersecurity courses debut.
Teaching & Research Team·
Latest from College Board: SAT Participation Surges, AP Doubles
Data Report
Key Takeaways
International SAT test-takers: ~127,000 in 2022 → 217,000 in 2026, up 71% in four years
The testing comeback: all eight Ivy League schools restore standardized testing requirements for 2028Fall; over half of the Top 30 again mandate SAT/ACT
International AP candidates: ~73,000 in 2016 → 149,000 in 2026 (+105%), exam sittings +120%, averaging nearly 2.2 subjects per candidate
2027 AP changes: morning/afternoon sessions become Session 1/2; Asia-Pacific Session 1 starts at 9:00 Beijing time
AP Statistics goes fully digital with a revised course framework; six languages — Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish — go fully digital
New courses: AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity hold their first exams in May 2027
Rocket Academy
Scan the QR code for free resources: "March/May/June/August 2026 SAT Past Papers" and Rocket's exclusive "AP White Paper" (exam handbook + prep timeline + 20+ subject guides + common Q&A)
The "AP Score-5 Resource Pack": core concepts, knowledge maps, formula models, hard-problem walkthroughs, and official past-paper collections for every subject
Plus a free [1-on-1 diagnostic plan + trial class] and a free academic assessment
Competitions
Brain Bee 2027 Announced: Regional Round Moves Up to January 9
More than two months earlier than last year, shrinking the prep window to four months; base-school registration closes 12/5. Includes a month-by-month countdown plan — ideal for long-term planning in grades 9–11.
Teaching & Research Team·
Brain Bee 2027 Announced: Regional Round Moves Up to January 9
Competitions
Key Takeaways
The 2027 regional round moves up to 1/9 (vs. 3/21 in 2026), cutting two months from the prep cycle
National round: 3/13–14, 2027; international round: August 2027
Registration: base schools from now through 12/5; individual registration 12/5–12/12
Format: Brain Bee division 80 questions, Junior division 60 questions, closed-book written test; ~40% of regional participants win awards, and ~500 advance to the national round
Four-month countdown: Sep–Oct framework phase → Nov past-paper phase → Dec registration + sprint → Jan final prep; core reading: Brain Facts
Note: grade 12 results won't arrive in time for U.S. RD — best suited for long-term planning in grades 9–11
Rocket Academy
Rocket Brain Bee courses are enrolling, with a track record you can verify; scan the QR code for a free "Brain Bee Competition Past-Paper Collection"
We also offer AMC / BPhO / NEC and other mainstream competition classes — scan to consult an academic advisor
Data Report
TIME's First-Ever U.S. College Rankings: Stanford Tops the List, Harvard at #10
75% of the weight sits on graduate earnings and ROI: Harvey Mudd College, with just 900 undergraduates, rockets to #3, and Michigan–Ann Arbor is the only public university in the top ten.
Teaching & Research Team·
TIME's First-Ever U.S. College Rankings: Stanford Tops the List, Harvard at #10
Data Report
Key Takeaways
TIME partnered with Statista to release its first 2026–2027 Best Colleges ranking (500 schools)
Stanford #1 (96.36 points), MIT #2; Harvey Mudd College #3 (~900 undergraduates; median starting salary for the class of 2026 above $100,000)
Michigan–Ann Arbor #5 (the only public university in the top ten); Harvard #10, Yale #11
Duke, JHU, Northwestern, and UChicago all fall outside the top 25
Caveat: part of the income data covers only Pell Grant recipients — international students should not extrapolate the ROI directly
Rocket Academy
Rankings change every year; school-selection logic doesn't — fit beats position. Scan the QR code to claim a [1-on-1 diagnostic plan] and let's talk through your child's school list
Planning
ACT Regular Registration Closing Soon | SAT Test Day Approaching
Thirteen key September dates ranked by urgency: ACT, SAT, AP registration, BPhO, and IGCSE — one timeline to decode back-to-school season.
Teaching & Research Team·
ACT Regular Registration Closing Soon | SAT Test Day Approaching
Planning
Key Takeaways
9/11: ACT October sitting (10/17 exam) regular registration closes
9/12: September SAT test day; Edexcel IGCSE autumn registration closes
9/15: mainland AP 2027 registration opens (school administrator system)
9/18: October SAT (10/3 exam) regular registration closes; 9/22: late/change deadline
Rocket Academy specializes in international curricula, international competitions, and standardized test & language prep, having supported 9,000+ study-abroad families to date
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Insight
Elite Professors Heading North? The U.S.–Canada Talent Race Is Rewriting School-Selection Logic
Canada invested C$504 million to recruit 64 leading scholars — 48 of them from Harvard, MIT, and Yale. Three signals for school selection: funding health, status flexibility, and multi-country applications.
Teaching & Research Team·
Elite Professors Heading North? The U.S.–Canada Talent Race Is Rewriting School-Selection Logic
Insight
Key Takeaways
The Canadian government committed C$504 million to a research chairs program, recruiting 64 scholars in the first cohort — 48 of them from top U.S. schools including Harvard, MIT, Yale, and Berkeley
Up to C$8 million per scholar over 8 years; UBC (9 scholars) and the University of Ottawa (7) lead, with 21 universities participating
Context: U.S. NIH funding cut 20%, NSF cut 59%; proposed student-status rules would fix stays at 4 years and shrink grace periods to 30 days
Three signals for school selection: assess funding health, weigh visa-status flexibility, and treat multi-country applications as standard practice
Rocket Academy
Rocket Academy's 2026 AP results: 641+ scores of 5, with a 5-rate above 90% per subject; 89+ students earned 5s on three or more exams, and our top student scored 5 on seven exams in a single year
Comprehensive, sprint, mock-exam, honors, and bridge classes with 1-on-1 and small-group customization — fall classes now enrolling
Our Star Faculty Team averages 7+ years of teaching experience, with online and in-person bilingual instruction in Chinese and English; scan the QR code to book a [mock-exam diagnostic + trial class]
Policy
Mainland China 2027 AP Registration Opens September 15 — One Round Only All Year
Registration timeline, eligibility limits, and the digital-exam transition in one read: who can test on the mainland, what independent candidates should do, and how to prepare for digital subjects.
Teaching & Research Team·
Mainland China 2027 AP Registration Opens September 15 — One Round Only All Year
Policy
Key Takeaways
Mainland 2027 AP registration opens 9/15 — a single round all year, with no late registration if missed
The registration timeline and eligibility rules (school-based vs. independent candidate pathways) explained in one article
Which subjects go digital and how to adjust your prep strategy, covered in tandem
Full highlights and step-by-step registration guidance are available from our WeChat Assistant
Rocket Academy
Scan the QR code for Rocket's exclusive "AP White Paper": exam handbook + grade-by-grade prep timeline + 20+ popular subject guides + common Q&A
Free [1-on-1 diagnostic plan + trial class] — get your subject selection right before you register
Insight
The Princeton Paper Fraud Scandal: U.S. Admissions Enter the "Lifetime Verification" Era
Caltech stands up an "anti-fraud unit" as application authenticity becomes a hard red line. Which essay, research, and competition pitfalls to avoid.
Teaching & Research Team·
The Princeton Paper Fraud Scandal: U.S. Admissions Enter the "Lifetime Verification" Era
Insight
Key Takeaways
As the Princeton star student's paper fraud scandal unfolds, elite schools are escalating authenticity checks across the board
Caltech launched an "anti-fraud unit" — U.S. undergraduate admissions have entered the "lifetime verification" era
Common pitfalls and self-check points for essays, research, and competition records
The full case breakdown is available from our WeChat Assistant
Rocket Academy
Genuine ability is the most durable packaging: Rocket stands for academic integrity and lets real score gains speak
Scan the QR code to claim a [1-on-1 diagnostic plan + trial class] and build an application profile that can withstand verification
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