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12th Grade

IvyWise Tips for the College Transition

Tips for the College Transition

Making the jump from high school to college can be exciting, but also overwhelming for some students. With college life comes more independence, but also significantly more responsibilities than students may be used to at home. It’s easy to have a smooth college transition, however, if students keep these simple tips in mind.

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IvyWise How College Admissions Decisions Are Made and What to Do Next

How College Admissions Decisions Are Made and What to Do Next

IvyWise counselors Victoria and Christine break down the college admissions rubric and discuss examples of different hard and soft factors that admissions officers evaluate on the Just Admit It! college admissions podcast, giving listeners expert insight from former admissions officers.

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IvyWise Making an Impact Inside and Outside of the Classroom

Making an Impact Inside and Outside of the Classroom

When applying to college, the goal of most students is to “stand out.” They want to know what they can do to differentiate themselves from the thousands of other applicants they are competing against to win a spot at their top-choice college. Some students think a stellar essay will separate them from the pack. While others think a lengthy activity list, or an outstanding teacher recommendation, will tip the scales in their favor. While these are all important elements of college applications, one of the best ways to stand out when applying to college is to show how you’ve made an impact with your interests inside — and outside — of the classroom.

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IvyWise Should You Apply Early Action vs. Regular Decision?

Should You Apply Early Action vs. Regular Decision?

There are some advantages to applying Early Decision or Early Action to your top-choice college. However, when developing an application strategy it’s important to know when it’s appropriate to apply in the early round — and when you should hold off.

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IvyWise What Happens to Your College Application After It’s Submitted?

What Happens to Your College Application After It’s Submitted?

Have you wondered about what happens to your applications after the submit button is pressed? All that hard work you have put in to making your application the best it could be is seemingly transmitted into an electronic abyss. It may be tempting to think that all that remains for your application’s future is a roll of the dice — hopefully in your favor — but while you are waiting for your results, your application is taking a long journey and undergoing various processes. We’re here to provide some insight into what happens to your application after it leaves your hopeful hands.

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IvyWise Advice for C Students From a Former Admissions Officer

5 Common College Application Red Flags and How to Address Them

Students will spend a lot of time stressing over their college applications, but small mistakes like a typo in an essay won’t send you to the “no” pile — it’s common college application red flags that students need to address in order to improve their admission chances.

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IvyWise Ask an IvyWise Counselor: ED I vs. ED II

Ask an IvyWise Counselor: ED I vs. ED II

If you have a burning question about the college admissions process, chances are, you aren’t the only student with that question! An IvyWise counselor recently answered this student’s question about Early Decision policies.

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IvyWise What Are Your Chances of Getting Off the Waitlist?

What Are Your Chances of Getting off the Waitlist?

What are the chances of getting accepted after being waitlisted? As high school seniors prepare for admissions decisions, there’s a lot of uncertainty that comes with learning you’ve been placed on the waitlist. Do you accept the spot and wait to learn your fate? If you do, how likely are you to get in, and what can you do to improve your chances of getting off the waitlist?

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IvyWise Getting Deferred: Why It Happens and What to Do Next

Getting Deferred: Why It Happens and What to Do Next

While it is disappointing not to have an acceptance in hand, a deferral does not mean that you’re out of the admissions race! In fact, a deferral should be considered a second chance to highlight your strengths and what you have accomplished during your senior year.

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IvyWise Wait and See? Tips for How to Get Off the Waitlist

Wait and See? Tips for How to Get off The Waitlist

Admissions rates remain exceptionally competitive at top colleges, with any schools reporting record-low admission rates for the class of 2027. What’s behind these competitive acceptance rates? The move to test-optional admissions policies may have encouraged some students who otherwise wouldn’t have applied to feel more confident hitting submit.

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