Nearly 3,000 degree-granting post-secondary institutions dot the American higher education landscape. We mostly hear about the colleges and universities that grace rankings and lists. While these are excellent schools, there are plenty more that don’t get the attention they deserve. At IvyWise, we emphasize thoroughly researching colleges to find those that are the right fit for your needs and goals, whether they’re well-known schools or lesser known.

Do you enjoy learning about the brain and how it works, why we make the decisions we make, and how the brain influences our behaviors? Are you interested in mental health? If you answered yes to either (or both!) of these questions, psychology might be the path for you.

The college admissions process has long been a rite of passage but has arguably become more stressful in recent years as admission rates at selective institutions continue to drop. Plus, more students are continuing on to college, and each student, on average, is applying to more colleges than ever before.

After many conversations and much soul searching, you’ve decided to enroll your child in a private day or boarding school. This is a big decision with many moving parts, so it’s important to start the test preparation and application process as early as possible so that you (and your child) don’t get overwhelmed.

Even as the SAT undergoes some significant changes in its switch to a digital format, the underlying reality of taking a major standardized test remains the same — you’ve got to do some prep work! As the hours of grammar drills and math flashcards march on, however, you may find your focus flagging and your energy sagging.

As the college admissions landscape has evolved, these are the more common questions I am getting from students and their families. Yes, grades and test scores remain pivotal, but that’s just the first hurdle. What makes the difference between being admitted, deferred, or denied is a student distinguishing themselves uniquely — what we call being “pointy.”

Are you a high school student eagerly eyeing your dream college? Perhaps you’re anxious about your college application and wondering whether it’s a good idea to reach out to the admissions office. You’re not alone in having these questions, and we’re here to provide clarity with some frequently asked questions about high school students contacting college admissions staff.

Early Decision, Early Action, Early Decision II, Restrictive Early Action — believe it or not, the list goes on. There is no shortage of early application options for college admissions these days, and some hold a significant statistical advantage to students. Yes, this means that in some early processes, most students are significantly more likely to receive offers of admissions than if they applied Regular Decision. The percent advantage ranges from school to school and differs when it comes to Early Action programs. Read on for a breakdown of the numbers and for insight on why students should consider participating in early admissions programs.

The college application process is stacked with buzzwords, including the often-used “holistic review” and “hook.” Right now, more and more families are trying to decipher terms like “profile building,” “applicant profile,” and “telling your story.” What do these terms mean, and how do they differ? How do you approach your applicant profile? How do you tell your story? What can families do to prepare?

The concept of studying outside of the United States for college can be alluring. There are opportunities to travel, to immerse yourself in a new culture or language, and to become a more informed global citizen. However, many American students are not aware of the differences in the degree offerings between the U.S. and other countries, nor how the application process will differ between applying to colleges and universities in the U.S. versus applying somewhere abroad.