Narrow the whole field down to the part that is yours
Three questions gets you a list — and the thing that matters more: what each cut removed, and whether it was worth it.
Act one · What do you want to become?
IllustrativeScores come later. Pick a direction you actually want to move toward — or just write something, even "my mother told me to use this".
The layer that reasons from an ambition to majors and schools is not built. Choosing here only records it; it will not change the numbers on the right.
Narrowing by major is not built — we hold no programme-level data at all, so there is no invented number here.
Act two · What do these places actually mean?
MeasuredCity versus small town is the cut that genuinely changes four years. Each choice shows what it alone removed, and what that was.
The small number beside each option is how many campuses would be left if you chose it. An option showing 0 would empty the list, but it is still clickable, and will tell you why.
The eight federal regions, not eight moods — the Southeast holds both Miami and rural Alabama. This replaces a list of more than fifty states; what actually shapes four years is still the Setting control above.
Which states are in which region
- New England CT ME MA NH RI VT
- Mid-Atlantic DE DC MD NJ NY PA
- Southeast AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC SC TN VA WV
- Great Lakes IL IN MI OH WI
- Plains IA KS MN MO NE ND SD
- Southwest AZ NM OK TX
- Rocky Mountains CO ID MT UT WY
- Far West AK CA HI NV OR WA
Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) regions, as listed in the IPEDS 2023 data dictionary.
The December–February average of daily lows (NOAA 1991–2020 normals), at the nearest weather station within 25 km — a median of about 5.5 km away. A mountain campus can differ by several degrees from a station in the valley below.
Straight-line distance to the nearest salt-water shoreline (Natural Earth 1:10m, public domain), including bays, sounds and tidal river mouths, and excluding the Great Lakes — Chicago and Detroit do not count. Note that river cities such as Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia also read as close, because their rivers are tidal; they are not on the open ocean. Accurate to a few km, so read the 10 km band as "close", not as a precise line.
How much the land rises and falls within 25 km of the campus (a hiking radius): the 95th minus the 5th percentile of land elevation (USGS 3DEP / SRTM / GMTED2010, public domain). It measures relief, not altitude — Boulder and Denver are at almost the same altitude (about 1,650 m) but Boulder's relief is about 1,240 m and Denver's about 400 m. 25 km is a close radius: a campus near a big range reads low if the range lies beyond it — the University of Washington in Seattle reads about 170 m, below the lowest band.
Act three · What you are working with
Scores do not filter markets, only feasibility within one, which is why they come last. Nationality is the opposite — it is the single largest cut.
The aid layer is currently a single-digit sample extracted by hand, school by school, which is not enough to filter on. See DESIGN.md §13.
Every line is taken from the university's own website, with the page it came from and the date it was read. Three kinds of number appear below and they are not the same thing: read them against the key.
Admissions cycle: 2027 entry, using each university’s currently published pages; not every one names the year. Pages read on 2026-10-04. Websites change and this does not update itself.
- Stated minimum
- Below this you cannot apply.
- Standard offer
- The offer the university normally makes; individual programmes may ask for more.
- Expected lower boundary
- Where the university says competitive applicants start.
- Range of admitted students
- What the middle half of last year’s admitted students actually scored.
- Context (no single figure)
- How this curriculum is treated, with no comparable number.
United Kingdom · UCAS
IB: 9 of 9 universities read. Of those, requirement stated: 7; page says nothing on it: 2.
UCAS says there is no list of accepted qualifications: each university sets its own entry criteria, so what counts differs by university and by course.
Source text
There is no list of 'accepted qualifications' because each university will have different entry requirements for their courses
Source page · ucas.comOne UCAS application carries at most five choices in total.
Source text
you can only have five choices in total
Source page · ucas.comImperial: most students apply in their final year of school on the grades their teachers predict; only applicants who accept an offer send final grades.
Source text
The majority of students apply in their final year of high school, on the basis of grades they are predicted by their teachers to achieve
Only applicants who receive and accept an offer are required to send us their final grades
Source page · imperial.ac.ukLSE received about 34,000 applications for roughly 1,900 places in 2026, and says that meeting or being predicted to meet its standard offer does not guarantee an offer.
Source text
In 2026, we received approximately 34,000 applications for roughly 1,900 places
predicted or actual grades which meet or exceed the standard offer do not guarantee an offer of admission
Source page · lse.ac.ukCambridge: offers are made in advance of final results, and the predicted grades in the school's UCAS reference are used to understand an applicant's potential; the academic requirements do not have to be met when you apply.
Source text
offers are made in advance of applicants achieving their final grades.
These predicted grades are used during the admissions process to help the University understand each applicant’s potential.
Academic entry requirements do not need to be met at the point of application submission
Source page · undergraduate.study.cam.ac.ukOxford: applicants are assessed on a range of evidence (the UCAS form, personal statement and reference, prior achievement and predicted grades, plus admissions tests and interviews where they apply), and Oxford advises against using UCAS entry-grade data to predict the chance of admission.
Source text
Oxford’s admissions processes use a range of evidence about applicant performance and potential, including information from UCAS forms, the personal statement and reference, prior achievement and predicted grades.
We would not advise that UCAS’s entry grades data is used to predict the likelihood of being admitted to Oxford.
Source page · ox.ac.uk
- 1 Sep 2026OpensUCAS: completed applications can be submitted64 days ago
- 15 Oct 2026DeadlineUCAS 18:00 UK time: Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses20 days ago
- 13 Jan 2027DeadlineUCAS 18:00 UK time: equal-consideration date for most courses70 days away
These dates belong to the 2027-entry round, which is today’s Grade 12. Whether that is your round depends on your grade — choose it above.
Imperial College London
Overall 38 to 42, with 6 or 7 in the relevant Higher Level subjects.
Source text
Overall scores of 38-42, with scores of 6-7 in relevant subjects at higher levelSource page · imperial.ac.ukLondon School of Economics (LSE)
37 points overall with 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level, up to 39 points with 7, 6, 6; each programme page gives its own requirement.
Source text
range from 37 points overall (with three Higher level subjects at grades 6 6 6) to 39 points overall (with three Higher level subjects at grades 7 6 6)Source page · lse.ac.ukKing's College London
As a guide, 40 points overall (21 from three Higher Levels) for A*A*A*, down to 29 points (12 from three Higher Levels) for CCC. Offers usually also name marks in three Higher Level subjects, and the points include Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.
Source text
A*A*A* 40 points overall or an aggregate score of 21 from three Higher LevelsCCC 29 points overall or an aggregate score of 12 from three Higher LevelsOur offers will usually specify certain marks in three subjects at Higher Level, in addition to an overall point score for the whole DiplomaOur point score includes points for Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE)Source page · kcl.ac.ukUniversity of Manchester
The general undergraduate page and the USA page state no IB requirement (IB is mentioned only for English language); requirements are left to each course profile.
University of Edinburgh
The Diploma at a specific overall grade and specific grades in three Higher Level subjects, set degree by degree; at least grade 5 in Standard Level English for every degree unless a higher level is stated. For highly selective degrees only those who exceed the requirement may be considered.
Source text
You must obtain the award of Diploma at a specific overall grade and achieve specific grades in three HL subjectsyou must achieve at least grade 5 at Standard Level (SL) EnglishFor highly selective degree programmes we may only be able to consider candidates who exceed the requirementsSource page · ed.ac.ukUniversity of Cambridge
Minimum offer levels are 41 to 42 points out of 45, with 776 in the Higher Level subjects. Some Colleges (usually Churchill, Corpus Christi and Selwyn) make offers above that, and may ask for 777 or a higher total, or a 7 in particular subjects.
Source text
Minimum offer levels are 41-42 points out of 45, with 776 in Higher Level subjects.The following Colleges usually make IB offers above the minimum offer level: Churchill, Corpus Christi, and Selwyn.Some Colleges may ask you to achieve 777 or a higher points total.You may also be required to achieve 7 in particular subjects.Source page · undergraduate.study.cam.ac.ukUniversity College London (UCL)
Note: UCL's pages do not say which entry year they cover, and its guidance page for international applicants still gives 2026-entry deadlines. These figures are its currently published standard, but the page does not confirm which entry year they apply to.
Source text
Our application deadline for most courses is 18:00 (UK time) on 14 January 2026.Source page · ucl.ac.ukUCL equates the IB Diploma to its A-level offers: A*A*A is 40 points overall with 20 in three Higher Level subjects; A*AA is 39 with 19; AAA is 38 with 18; AAB is 36 with 17; ABB is 34 with 16. At least 5 points are needed in each Higher Level subject. Individual IB certificates and the IBCP are not accepted.
Source text
A*A*A = 40 points overall including 20 in three higher level subjects.A*AA = 39 points overall including 19 in three higher level subjects.AAA = 38 points overall including 18 in three higher level subjects.AAB = 36 points overall including 17 in three higher level subjects.ABB = 34 points overall including 16 in three higher level subjects.For all equivalencies at least 5 points is required in each higher level subject.Please note - We do not accept individual International Baccalaureate certificates.UCL does not accept the IBCP for entry to its courses.Source page · ucl.ac.ukUniversity of Oxford
A total score of 38, 39 or 40 points depending on the course, including core points, with 6s and 7s in Higher Level subjects; each course page gives its own details. The IB Career-related Programme is not accepted.
Source text
A total score of 38, 39 or 40 points (depending on the course) including core points, with 6s and 7s in subjects taken at the Higher level.Please visit the individual course pages for details.The University does not accept the IB Career-related Programme.Source page · ox.ac.ukUniversity of Warwick
Note: Warwick says on its USA page that its undergraduate entry requirements are under review for the 2027/28 admissions cycle, and that until the review is complete and the notice is removed the published requirements are a guide only.
Source text
Our undergraduate entry requirements are currently under review for the 2027/28 admissions cycle. Until this review is complete and this notice is removed, you should use the published entry requirements as a guide only.Source page · warwick.ac.ukWarwick's university-wide entry page states no IB points. It says typical IB offers are listed under each course entry, and gives only a note on which IB Mathematics courses are accepted.
Hong Kong · direct application
IB: 4 of 4 universities read. Of those, requirement stated: 4; page says nothing on it: 0.
HKU: applicants must make sure predicted or actual results are entered in the application system for evaluation, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Source text
Students should ensure their predicted or actual results are inputted into the application system for evaluation
Satisfying the minimum requirements does not guarantee admissions
Source page · admissions.hku.hkCUHK: applications received by 12 November 2026 are considered for advance offers, which may be firm or conditional; the regular deadline is 7 January 2027.
Source text
candidates who apply to CUHK on or before 12 November 2026 will be considered for advance offers
applicants may be considered for either a firm or conditional offer depending on individual merits
Regular Round Deadline 7 January 2027
Source page · cuhk.edu.hkHKUST: for A-level applicants, predicted grades from the school, IGCSE/GCSE results and AS results are useful for a preliminary assessment.
Source text
GCEAL predicted grades from the school, IGCSE/GCSE/ GCEOL results, GCEAS Level results will be useful information for preliminary assessments
Source page · join.hkust.edu.hkCityU: entrance requirements are subject to ongoing review, individual majors may require specific subject backgrounds, and the published score ranges are for reference only and should not be used to predict the chance of admission.
Source text
Entrance requirements are subject to ongoing review.
In addition to the General Entrance Requirements, individual majors may require specific subject backgrounds.
Source page · cityu.edu.hk
- 23 Sep 2026OpensHKU: applications open42 days ago
- 24 Sep 2026OpensCityU: applications open41 days ago
- 2 Oct 2026OpensHKUST: online application opens33 days ago
- 12 Nov 2026DeadlineCUHK: advance-offer round deadline8 days away
- 15 Nov 2026DeadlineCityU: early-round deadline11 days away
- 25 Nov 2026DeadlineHKU: first-round evaluation (noon, Hong Kong time)21 days away
- 25 Nov 2026DeadlineHKUST: priority-round deadline21 days away
- 1 Dec 2026DeadlineHKU: predicted or actual grades and supporting documents for the first round27 days away
- 7 Jan 2027DeadlineCUHK: regular-round deadline64 days away
- 15 Jan 2027DeadlineCityU: main-round deadline72 days away
- 30 Jun 2027DeadlineHKUST: applications close238 days away
These dates belong to the 2027-entry round, which is today’s Grade 12. Whether that is your round depends on your grade — choose it above.
The University of Hong Kong (HKU)
Expected lower boundary of 34 to 43 IB points across 57 programmes: 34 for 22 of them, 43 for Medicine.
Source page
Computed from HKU’s own programme-by-programme data, not a sentence on the page; the method is in DESIGN.md §19.
Source page · admissions.hku.hkThe Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
IB Diploma with 30 points out of 45 (a general minimum, for guidance only).
Source text
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) with 30 points out of 45General minimum requirements are for guidance only. Satisfying requirements does not guarantee admission, as admission is on a competitive basis.Source page · admission.cuhk.edu.hkThe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
The middle 50% of the 2025 intake scored 35 to 40 points, including bonus points.
Source text
Mid 50% Score Range for 2025 Intake: 35 - 40 (including bonus points)Source page · join.hkust.edu.hkCity University of Hong Kong (CityU)
An IB Diploma for first-year admission, with no points minimum stated; for admission with Advanced Standing I, at least 30 diploma points out of 45. An English-language requirement applies as well.
Source text
An IB Diploma for admission to first-year studies. For Advanced Standing I admission, a minimum diploma point score of 30 (out of 45) is required;Source page · cityu.edu.hkThe 25th to 75th percentile of the 2025 intake scored 32 to 38 IB points, including the points for TOK and the Extended Essay.
Source text
25th - 75th Percentile of Admissions Score Range (2025 Entry)32 - 38(including additional points for TOK & EE)Source page · cityu.edu.hkThis block covers the UK and Hong Kong only. The US is not modelled here, so no US figure appears. We read part of each market, not all of it.
Act four · Major
MeasuredChoosing a subject removes no school. It does two things: it moves the schools that actually award it to the top, and it tells you when your location choice and your subject choice are in conflict.
Schools in the essay library
In the libraryThe essay library covers only a small number of U.S. schools whose prompts have been checked one by one. Here is how they relate to your current filter: once on My list you can plan deadlines, and the reuse map shows which essays carry across.
The library covers 9 U.S. schools; 5 of them are inside your current filter.
- See promptsSign up to add →Brown UniversityRI
- See promptsSign up to add →Boston UniversityMA
- See promptsSign up to add →Duke UniversityNC
- See promptsSign up to add →Harvard UniversityMA
- See promptsSign up to add →University of Southern CaliforniaCA
- See promptsSign up to add →Cornell UniversityNYExcluded by: Region (New England, Southeast, Southwest, Far West)
- See promptsSign up to add →Northwestern UniversityILExcluded by: Region (New England, Southeast, Southwest, Far West)
- See promptsSign up to add →New York UniversityNYExcluded by: Region (New England, Southeast, Southwest, Far West)
- See promptsSign up to add →University of ChicagoILExcluded by: Region (New England, Southeast, Southwest, Far West)
The library also holds 3 Hong Kong universities. They are outside the U.S. federal data, so they take no part in this filter: add them from the library directly.
Adding a school does not change your filter, and which schools your filter returns does not depend on whether they are in the library.