Academic
Index
How strong is your college application?|
In just 5 minutes, get a free Ivy League-level breakdown of your entire college application and find out where you standIn just 5 minutes, get a free Ivy League-level breakdown of your entire college application and find out where you stand
What is Academic Index?
Submit Your Profile
Easily upload your Common App PDFs and high school transcript
Upload PDFs from Common App and your transcript. Our AI extracts courses, grades, test scores, and activities—transforming hours of data entry into seconds.
Application Assessment
Our advanced system holistically evaluates using real admissions criteria
We analyze academic performance, course rigor, extracurricular impact, leadership progression, and narrative coherence using the same framework admissions offices use.
Get Your Score Report
Receive detailed feedback and know exactly where you stand
Receive your personalized Academic Index score (0-240) with percentile rankings and school comparisons. See exactly how competitive your profile is at top-tier schools.
Compare Your Score
See how you rank against other applicants on our interactive leaderboard
Join our leaderboard to compare your AI score with others. Add friends to see how you stack up, and create a college list to compare against applicants to the same school.
1985
1985
Academic Index Created
Ivy League created a policy to regulate athletic recruitment using a formula based on GPA and standardized test scores with a minimum threshold for recruited athletes.
The Ivy League introduced the Academic Index as a policy to regulate athletic recruitment. To ensure academic standards were maintained across the conference, they created a formula based on GPA and standardized test scores, setting a minimum threshold that all recruited athletes were required to meet.
2000
2000
Evolution Begins
Became public knowledge through admissions guidebooks and online forums. General applicants started using the calculation to benchmark their own statistics against Ivy League admission standards.
The Academic Index became widely known to the public through admissions guidebooks, such as "A is for Admission," and early internet forums. While still officially an internal tool for athletic coaches, general applicants began using the calculation to benchmark their own statistics against Ivy League admission standards.
2025
2025
Modern Application
We adapted the original framework with modern, holistic analysis. Students can assess their standing, view national rankings, and identify specific areas for improvement in their applications.
We have adapted the original scoring framework and integrated it with our own modern, holistic analysis used by nearly all top colleges today, allowing students to accurately assess their standing among other applicants, see where they rank on our national leaderboard, and identify specific areas for improvement in their application.
Academic Index
Formula
Academic
Score Component
Combines holistic weighted GPA and class rank into an academic performance index
Personal
Score Component
Captures extracurricular impact, personal statement quality, and other personal contributions
Alignment
Score Component
Measures how well your coursework and activities align with your intended academic focus
Awards
Score Component
Reflects recognition from competitions, distinctions, and formal honors across disciplines
Testing
Score Component
Represents standardized testing and AP/IB performance as evidence of readiness
Score Ranges
Understanding your competitive positioning
Top-tier applicant
Outstanding profile; top-tier applicant
Highly selective ready
Very strong; competitive for highly selective colleges
Competitive top schools
Above average; competitive for many top schools
Mid-tier competitive
Good profile; competitive at mid to upper-tier schools
Needs strong essays
Academically decent; may need strong essays
Developing profile
Developing profile; focus on personal strengths
Limited options
Uncompetitive for selective schools; limited indicators
Scores are holistic assessments, not guarantees
The Original Formula
Simple formula for athletic recruitment
A simple mathematical calculation designed for athletic recruitment
GPA & rank
GPA and class rank conversion (20-80 pts)
SAT scores
SAT Reasoning scores (20-80 pts)
SAT tests
SAT Subject Tests (20-80 pts)
Monitors minimum academic standards for recruited athletes
Our Modern Approach
Holistic evaluation for elite university admissions
A comprehensive, holistic evaluation system that reflects how elite universities actually make admissions decisions
Academics
Grades & tests
GPA, test scores, course rigor, class rank
Extracurriculars
Leadership & impact
Leadership, impact, depth, authenticity
Essays
Your voice & story
Reflection, narrative craft, voice, memorability
Awards
Recognition
National, state, and school-level recognition
Alignment
Interests match goals
Coherence between interests and achievements
Provides a complete picture of your college application strength
students have calculated their aiAcademic Index already!
Research-Based
Ivy League methodology
Built on established Ivy League methodology
Privacy First
Data never shared or sold
Your data is never shared or sold
Instant Results
No waiting required
No waiting, no email required
Based on informal conversations with Ivy League admissions representatives and published institutional research. This calculator provides educational estimates and should not be considered official admissions guidance.