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IvyWise Blog

 

When Should You Write a Letter of Continued Interest?

A letter of continued interest (often referred to as a LOCI) is a written statement that a student sends to the admissions office of a school they are still interested in attending, despite being deferred or waitlisted. Generally, these letters reiterate the student’s interest in and fit for the college in question and update the admissions office on any achievements that the student has earned since submitting their initial application.

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2024-25 Common App Essay Prompts

The Common Application has announced the personal statement essay prompts for the 2024-25 admissions season.

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In-State and Out-of-State Colleges: Acceptance Rates, Public Universities, Tuition

Choosing between in-state and out-of-state colleges is an important decision that can significantly impact your college experience. In-state institutions often offer financial advantages, with lower tuition costs and potential access to state-funded scholarships. However, out-of-state colleges may provide unique opportunities, diverse cultural experiences, and access to specialized programs not available locally. Keep reading to learn more about in-state vs. out-of-state colleges.

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Auditing a Class: What Does It Mean and the Pass Fail Grading System

What if you could take a college course without worrying about the stress of letter grades and competition from classmates? Some colleges and universities offer that opportunity, allowing students to either audit a class or enroll on a pass/fail grading system. Keep reading to understand more about these options and if they affect your grade point average, as well as the pros and cons of the pass/fail grading system.

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A List of Testing Policies by School

The COVID-19 pandemic brought on numerous changes within the standardized testing industry, including the introduction of a new, entirely digital testing format and many colleges shifting to a test-optional admissions process for the 2020-21 admissions cycle.

Fast forward a few years. More than 1,900 colleges and universities in the U.S. extended their test-optional policies through the 2023-24 application cycle, with some making the move to test-optional even longer or permanent. Other schools have since reinstated their standardized testing requirements.

Curious about the testing policies of the schools on your best-fit list? Check out our recently updated list below.

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Caltech vs. MIT: Which College Is Right for You?

One is on the East Coast, the other on the West Coast. Both have the industrious beaver as their mascot. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the California Institute of Technology are both scientific and technological titans and world leaders in cutting-edge research and innovation. Let’s explore the distinctive features of MIT and Caltech, so you can decide which college is right for you.

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Understanding Small vs. Medium vs. Large Colleges

When searching for best-fit colleges, size is often one of the first things that students consider. Many college-bound students already have an idea of what they’re looking for in a school before they start researching specific institutions. Maybe they prefer a large student body with endless possibilities, like what you find at public research universities. Perhaps a small campus with an intimate atmosphere is preferable — a characteristic of many private colleges. Going with your gut is a good place to start, but there are many pros and cons to certain college sizes that students might overlook when building their balanced college list. 

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How to Get into Cornell: All You Need to Know

Cornell University is an Ivy League institution nestled in the natural beauty of upstate New York. Its world-renowned programs in engineering, architecture, and hospitality, among others, are just a few reasons that many prospective students dream of attending Cornell. 

Like every other highly selective university and Ivy League member, Cornell has become increasingly competitive through the years. It’s important to understand what Cornell is looking for and what you can do to increase your chances of admission. Read on to learn more about Cornell and about what it takes to get in.

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5 Colleges with Great ROI

The value of a college degree is a topic of constant debate and often something families consider when preparing for the college admissions process. There is no denying that a college education is one of the most important investments families will ever make.

Students and parents often look beyond the prestige of name-brand schools and give more consideration to institutions with reputations for the best return on investment. If you’re looking for schools with great value and post-grad success, here is our list of schools with a great ROI!

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How to Ace the Georgetown Alumni Interview

Georgetown University, nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C., is renowned for its commitment to educating global citizens who are academically proficient and socially conscious. The admissions interview at Georgetown serves as a unique opportunity for applicants to expand on their written applications and showcase their personality, passion, and alignment with the university’s values. Keep reading to learn what the interview entails and how to ace it. 

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