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College Prep

IvyWise How to Build a Strong Student Profile for College Admissions

How to Build a Strong Student Profile for College Admissions

Most savvy college applicants these days are finely tuned into the fact that it takes a lot more than being an accomplished, high-achieving student to gain a coveted acceptance to the nation’s top institutions. But how exactly do you develop the best applicant profile?

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IvyWise Applying to College as an Undecided Student

Applying to College as an Undecided Student

One of the most compelling and authentic applications I read during my time as an admissions officer at Duke University was from a student who applied as undecided.

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IvyWise What High School Students Need to Know About Applying to Direct Dental Programs

What High School Students Need to Know About Applying to Direct Dental Programs

Direct dental programs allow high school students to apply to and, if successful, be admitted into an undergraduate institution and a partner dental school simultaneously. These programs are referred to by several different names such as accelerated dental or BS (BA)/DDS (DMD) programs.

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How to Make an Art Portfolio for College or University

When applying to arts programs or majors, many colleges will require an art portfolio for college admission. This is a critical piece of your college application that often requires many hours of planning and creating to ensure that you’re accurately highlighting your creative background, skills, and interests.

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IvyWise What Are Executive Functioning Skills and How to Improve Them this Summer

What Are Executive Functioning Skills and How to Improve Them This Summer

From helping you manage time and attention to solving problems and maintaining emotional control, executive functioning skills are invaluable for navigating the complexities of daily life and achieving your goals. These cognitive processes can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Keep reading to learn more about executive functioning and how you can improve these skills. 

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IvyWise How to Improve Your Writing Skills Ahead of College Application Season

How to Improve Your Writing Skills Ahead of College Application Season

If you’re wrapping up junior year of high school, there’s a lot to think about: college tours, signing up for standardized tests, applying to summer programs – the list goes on. There is one more thing you should be prioritizing as you look toward your senior year: developing your writing skills.

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The Benefits of Signing Up for Advanced Classes

Enter any conversation about college admissions, and you will inevitably hear the word “transcript.” This all-important document presents an academic narrative of the applicant, showcasing the grades and courses the student has taken throughout their high school career.

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IvyWise IvyWise Balancing College Apps and Senior Year Coursework

Balancing College Apps and Senior Year Coursework

As the sun sets on the summer and we enter another academic year, seniors are less than a year away from the induction into adulthood and independence that awaits after high school graduation. Before that new journey begins, seniors must contend with graduation requirements and post-high school plans.

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IvyWise Uncovering Your Passions Using the College Admissions Process

Uncovering Your Passions Using the College Admissions Process

Most U.S. colleges and universities use a holistic review method when reviewing applicants for admission, considering various aspects of a student’s academic and personal record. This includes the tangibles, like a student’s four-year transcript, test scores, recommendation letters, and essays. 

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IvyWise College Admissions Rubric: Developing a Competitive Transcript

College Admissions Rubric: Developing a Competitive Transcript

The transcript is one of the most powerful documents provided in the application process and is often one of the first components of the college application that evaluators consider. A student’s GPA, found on a transcript, can be regarded as a significant indicator of success in post-secondary education and therefore has an essential role when considering applicants.

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