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UMich Implementing Early Decision 2026 + Final Week of Bootcamp

Mr. John's Test Prep

Mr. John's Test Prep

— 8 min read
UMich Implementing Early Decision 2026 + Final Week of Bootcamp

July 2025

Dear MJTP Parents and Students,

We're in the final stretch of our SAT Summer Bootcamp, and what a value it's been! As we head into the last week, I wanted to share some updates on test prep, college admissions, and what you should be focusing on right now.

SAT Summer Bootcamp: Week Four Finale

This week marks the end of our four-week SAT Summer Bootcamp with Dr. Ela Sharma and me. We're wrapping up with Transitions and Rhetorical Synthesis, the final section of the SAT verbal modules. While we won't be offering another dual-subject bootcamp this summer, Dr. Sharma will be running a math-focused SAT bootcamp for anyone who needs that extra math instruction. Feel free to reach out to her directly at ela.sharma@gmail.com

Parents, you've been wondering what these transition questions actually look like. I've put together a quiz with the exact types of questions your kids are tackling. Fair warning - these aren't your typical multiple-choice questions.

SAT Transitions and Rhetorical Synthesis Quiz

SAT Transitions and Rhetorical Synthesis Quiz

Question 1:
Plato believed material objects to be crude representations of unseen ideal forms. In his view, such abstract, nonmaterial forms are the ultimate source of knowledge. Aristotle disagreed, positing that knowledge is best obtained through direct engagement with the material world; _______ sensory experience of the material is the ultimate source of knowledge.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. regardless,
B. admittedly,
C. in other words,
D. meanwhile,
Question 2:
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
  • A commodity chain is the series of links connecting the production and purchase of a commodity on the world market.
  • Chinese American anthropologist Anna Tsing studies the contemporary commodity chain of matsutake mushrooms.
  • At one end of the matsutake chain are mushroom pickers in Oregon.
  • At the other end are wealthy consumers who buy the costly matsutake in Japan.
  • According to Tsing, "Japanese traders began importing matsutake in the 1980s, when the scarcity of matsutake in Japan first became clear."
The student wants to provide an overview of the matsutake commodity chain. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
A. The contemporary matsutake commodity chain has its origins in the 1980s when, according to Tsing, "the scarcity of matsutake in Japan first became clear."
B. Commodity chains include the linked production and purchase of commodities, such as the matsutake mushroom, on the world market.
C. Decades after the Japanese import of matsutake began, a commodity chain now links matsutake pickers in Oregon with wealthy consumers of the costly mushrooms in Japan.
D. Wealthy consumers who buy the costly mushrooms in Japan are at one end of the matsutake commodity chain.

1:1 Tutoring Update

My individual tutoring slots for the August 23rd SAT are essentially full, but I may have some flexibility opening up after that test date. If you need both math and verbal support, I'm partnering with Abbey Connick to offer comprehensive preparation. She is arguably the most successful SAT Math tutor on Wyzant.com. Together, we've built a strong track record of success with students who need that dual approach. You can find Abbey at abigail.connick@gmail.com.

Word Stacks Gets an Upgrade

I've been busy updating the SAT vocab quiz page, Word Stacks, with several new prefix quizzes. The real excitement is in the multimodal learning features I'm adding to the Official SAT Vocab quizzes. Students can now engage with vocabulary through narratives, flashcards, matching games, prefix matching, and traditional multiple-choice formats. Different learning styles, different approaches - same strong results.

Check out the March 2024 SAT Vocab Survey + Quiz at https://www.mrjohnstestprep.com/the-march-2024-sat-vocab-survey-quiz/

College Admissions Update: Michigan Goes Binding

Big news from the University of Michigan: they've introduced Early Decision for Fall 2026 applicants. This is a binding plan where students apply by November 1 and can expect decision notifications by the end of December. According to their admissions office, "The introduction of this new plan allows highly qualified students, who know that the University of Michigan is their top choice institution, to affirm their commitment to the university earlier in the annual application cycle."

You can read more here:
https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/first-year-application-plans

This is significant because Michigan joins the ranks of highly selective schools using binding early decision to manage their admissions process and yield rates.

Record-Breaking Application Numbers

Speaking of competitive admissions, many top 50 universities reported record-high application numbers for the Class of 2029. NYU set a new record with more than 120,000 applications and saw a 10% increase in early decision applications, while Duke's Early Decision pool marked the largest in the university's history with 6,627 applications.

These numbers tell a clear story: early application rounds continue to grow in popularity because they offer higher acceptance rates compared to regular decision. However, that advantage is narrowing as applicant pools get larger. Duke's Early Decision acceptance rate dropped to 12.81% for the Class of 2029, down from previous years.

Students need to be strategic about applying early to maximize their chances, but also realistic about just how competitive these processes have become.

Common Application Essay Time

Now is the time to be drafting your CommonApp essays. I've been working with students over the past few weeks on revisions, and I can't stress this enough - do not wait until the last minute. The students who start their essays in July and August have time to revise, reflect, and create something genuinely compelling. Those who wait until October are scrambling, and it shows in their writing.

Your essay is one of the few places in your application where you have complete control over the narrative. Use that power wisely.

Final Thoughts

College admissions keeps getting more competitive, but that doesn't mean you should panic. It means you should be strategic, start early, and get good help when you need it. Whether that's test prep, essay coaching, or just having someone help you think through your application strategy, the key is not waiting until the last minute.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, but remember - senior year application season is just around the corner. Let's make sure you're ready.

Best, Mr. John

Ready to get started with test prep or essay coaching? Reach out to schedule a consultation, and let's talk about your goals for the upcoming admissions cycle.

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