How to Choose the Right Extracurriculars for College
When preparing students for the college admissions process, we place a lot of emphasis on identifying and developing students’ interests in addition to good grades and test scores. As we’ve said before, students’ interests are important because it helps colleges make admissions decisions and build well-rounded classes.
How to Get into Georgia Tech: All You Need to Know
Known for its rigorous academic programs, particularly in engineering and technology, the Georgia Institute of Technology — better known as Georgia Tech — attracts applicants from around the globe. Located in the bustling city of Atlanta, Georgia Tech is one of the top public research universities in the U.S. Admission is highly competitive, so prospective students need to start early to build a strong applicant profile.
2024-25 Common App Supplements
In this webinar, IvyWise college admissions counselors walk event attendees through each step of the Common App and share tips on brainstorming essay topics, beginning the first draft, being mindful of word choice and tone, carefully editing the final essay, and using supplemental essays to demonstrate their interest in each college on their list.
Watch now Many schools utilize the Common App as their primary application form, and school-specific supplements allow every institution to customize this universal application in order to build a well-rounded first-year class. From asking about a student’s favorite snack to designing their dream seminars, many colleges are getting creative with their supplement questions so that admissions officers can learn as much about applicants as possible.IB vs. AP: Which Is Best for College Admissions?
For high school students looking to make the most of their courses, choosing between an International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum is often a top priority. While both choices are academically rigorous and can lead to college credit, there are also profound differences between the two programs.
Waitlist Admission Rates
For waitlisted students, it can be hard to judge just how much of a chance they have of getting accepted off the waitlist. Data around waitlist acceptances can be scarce, especially as waitlists at top colleges grow and more and more schools become less transparent about their admissions statistics. The college counselors at IvyWise, however, have dug into the data and have some insight into waitlist admission rates.
How to Get into Boston College: All You Need to Know
As a premier Jesuit research university, Boston College (BC) offers a diverse array of programs, attracting intellectually curious students from around the world. From its picturesque campus in Chestnut Hill — a neighborhood in suburban Newton — to its distinguished faculty, Boston College embodies a commitment to excellence in both scholarship and service.
Class of 2028 Admission Rates
Students navigating the college admissions process continue to experience unique challenges and changes, including the announcement of an entirely digital SAT, continued test-optional policies, increasing application numbers, and each student applying to more colleges on average. All of this has led to an even more competitive year at the most selective colleges in the U.S., while other schools plan to admit more students than ever before in order to manage enrollment numbers.
High School Classes: What to Choose to Prepare for College
While college may feel like a distant challenge on the horizon, it’s important for high school students to choose their classes carefully to begin preparing for their next academic milestone. Admissions officers will review the courses students take from their first year of high school onwards, which is why it’s crucial to be selective about the classes you’re taking to ensure they align with your long-term goals. Although choosing high school classes may feel overwhelming at first, students who do their research will feel confident in the choices they are making when it comes time for course selection.
Test Score Submit Rates for the Class of 2027
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the way higher education institutions review applications, with many colleges choosing to adopt a test-optional application review process. However, with record-breaking applicant pools and record-low admit rates, families are worried that test-optional may not really mean test-optional at all. Here is what we know, so far.
How to Get Into Stanford: All You Need to Know
Join IvyWise college admissions counselors Mike, a former Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Stanford, and Eric, a former admissions officer at Columbia, for an inside look at Stanford. Whether you are beginning the college search process or finalizing your list, this is a great opportunity to learn all about Stanford from those with first-hand admissions experience.
Watch nowWhile Stanford may not technically be part of the Ivy League, the school’s academic caliber — not to mention its competitive admissions process — rivals that of Harvard and Yale. Many students are eager to enroll in the top-tier university, which has a wide array of renowned programs including engineering and environmental science. Although earning admission at Stanford University is challenging, there are a few steps applicants can take to set themselves up for success. Keep reading to learn more about how you can set your application apart.
How to Get Into Stanford University: Table of Contents
When to Apply to Stanford University How Hard Is It to Get Into Stanford: Early Prep How Do You Actually Get Into Stanford: The Application Class Profile What Makes StanfordHow to Apply to a U.S. College as an International Student
High school students across the U.S. aren’t the only ones trying to navigate the often-confusing college application process — students around the world are, too. And many are thinking about coming to the U.S. for their higher education. Open Doors reported that 1,057,188 international students were enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities during the 2022-23 academic year, which was 5.6% of the total student population.
Transfer Admission Rates: What are Your Chances of Getting In?
The transfer admissions process can often be even more selective than regular undergraduate admissions, and with 35% of college students transferring at least once, it’s important to understand exactly how difficult (or not!) it is to transfer to your dream school.
Yield Rates for the Class of 2027
After many colleges reported all-time low acceptance rates, some students might be curious about their yield rates, or just how many of these admitted applicants have chosen to enroll. Yield is a priority for every college because it impacts their place on rankings lists and it can also influence their bond ratings. Additionally, yield rates help schools evaluate their admissions process and how attractive they are to prospective students.
4 Reasons Why College Prep Can Be Fun
By Mari, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor
Who says preparing to apply to college can’t be enjoyable? Of course, college prep still involves working hard, earning the best grades possible, and achieving your target scores on standardized tests, but there’s a lot you can control about the process that can — and should — be fun.
Starting College: Resources for New Students
Join IvyWise Academic Advisor Carolyn and Medical School Admissions Counselor Sarika as they discuss how to approach your college experience intentionally and strategically to graduate on time.
Watch now Summer is almost here, and college-bound seniors will soon start preparing for their first year on campus. While it’s tempting to just enjoy the lazy days of summer — especially if you have been accepted to college — it’s still important to spend your summer productively. Fall term will be here before you know it, so it’s good to be prepared.Test Prep 101: What You Need to Know About the LSAT
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is an important part of the admissions process for aspiring law students. Designed to assess the critical skills necessary for success in law school, the LSAT evaluates reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and persuasive writing skills. Beginning in August 2024, law school hopefuls will see a change in the exam’s format. If you’re preparing to take the LSAT during the 2024-25 testing cycle, here’s what you need to know.
Class of 2028 Early Admission Rates
The first members of the college class of 2028 are in! Here’s our breakdown of the early admission rates for the class of 2028. We will continue updating this post as more information becomes available!
How to Get Into Colgate: All You Need to Know
Colgate University is a small liberal arts college located in Hamilton, New York — about one hour southeast of Syracuse. It’s often ranked as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Colgate is quite selective and only admits a small percentage of applicants every year. To be considered for admission to Colgate, prospective students should start to prepare early by building their profile, doing their research, and gathering their application materials. Read on to learn what it takes to get into Colgate University.
Summer Activities for High School Students
Summer is just around the corner, but it’s not too late to plan for a productive break! Join IvyWise college admissions counselors and a member of the Summer Discovery team as they explain the importance of having a productive summer and share suggestions to identify the best activities, courses, and programs for your interests and goals.
Watch now Summer break is almost here for many students, but that doesn’t mean all learning must stop! It’s important for college-bound students to spend their summers wisely, but they don’t have to participate in a pre-college summer program to do it.Colleges want to know what students are doing in their spare time, and that includes the few months that students have off during the summer. A productive summer can help you better explore your interests and ultimately strengthen your applicant profile when it comes time to apply to college. Spending your summer wisely is an important college prep strategy and can go a long way toward helping you achieve your college admission goals.
The SAT Math Test: Everything You Need to Know
The standardized testing landscape has dramatically transformed over the past few years. While the majority of colleges and universities operated under test-optional or test-blind policies for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, some colleges, like Dartmouth and Yale, will be returning to requiring test scores for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Join an IvyWise college admissions counselor and tutor to learn about what changes to the SAT mean for the college admissions landscape.
Watch now Does the thought of taking the SAT Math test intimidate you? If so, you’re not alone. Even students who do well in their high school math classes may feel anxious about the Math Section of the SAT. It’s important to keep in mind that you likely have already learned the math concepts that are on the test — it’s the presentation of these questions that may look different. Learning the structure of the SAT Math test and what concepts you will be tested on can help you plan your test prep strategy and feel more confident on exam day.How to Write an Activities List for College Applications
Summer is a great time for you to catch up on your college prep, including pulling together some materials that will be helpful when it’s time to start the college application process. Compiling a list of your activities, awards, internships, and more is a great way to organize all the information you want colleges to know — and sets you up for a smoother college application experience.
