College Prep

Events Yale: How to Get In and What to Know DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Whether you are beginning the college search process or finalizing your list, this is a great opportunity to learn all about Yale from IvyWise college admissions counselors Eric, formerly of Columbia, and Lloyd, formerly of Yale. Following the presentation, attendees had their questions about college admissions and Yale answered directly by IvyWise experts. Eric » Formerly at Columbia University Lloyd » Formerly at Yale University

Events UPenn: How to Get In and What to Know DATE AND TIME Wednesday, October 30 3pm ET Free Register ABOUT THIS EVENT Whether you are beginning the college search process or finalizing your list, this is a great opportunity to learn all about the University of Pennsylvania from those who used to recruit and admit students to the university. There will be a live Q&A session following their presentation, allowing attendees to have their questions about college admissions and UPenn answered directly by IvyWise experts. We will provide all registrants with a link to the recording of the webinar after the event.

Events The ABCs of the Role of High School Transcripts in College Admissions DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT A student's high school transcript is the single most important qualifying or disqualifying element of their application, allowing colleges to assess whether they are academically prepared for the rigor of their curriculum.  But how exactly do college admissions officers evaluate a student's transcript? Join IvyWise college admissions counselor to learn about: How college admissions officers take a student's grades, course load, and strength of school into consideration when reading their application Understanding different curriculum options Selecting the right high school courses Finding opportunities to explore your interests outside of school courses Following their presentation, Carolyn and Christine answered attendees' questions about transcripts and course selection in college admissions.

Events MIT: How to Get In and What to Know DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Whether you are beginning the college search process or finalizing your list, this is a great opportunity to learn all about MIT from those who used to recruit and admit students to the university. At the end of the presentation, attendees had their questions about college admissions and MIT answered directly by IvyWise experts. Katie » Formerly at MIT Tiffany » Formerly at MIT

Events Beyond the Classroom: Standing Out with Extracurricular Activities DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Are you participating in the right extracurricular activities? In this talk, IvyWise college admissions counselors demystify what admissions officers are looking for when evaluating activities and how they factor into your overall student profile. They share tips on how you can identify your interests and select extracurricular activities and summer activities to authentically explore passions and interests that align with your college and academic goals.

Events How to Build a Competitive College Admissions Profile DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Building an authentic and compelling profile throughout high school is key to college admissions success. Activities, interests, and academic pursuits all come together to tell the story of who a student is in their college application, bringing them to life to the admissions committee. But each student’s interests and goals are as unique as they are, so how can they build a strong profile if they’re unsure about where to start?

Events Don’t Call It a Comeback: The Return of Standardized Testing DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Join IvyWise college admissions and test prep experts to learn about important changes in standardized testing, including: Many selective universities, including Brown, Caltech, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Yale, will be returning to requiring test scores for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle Others, including Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford, will reinstate the requirement for the 2025-2026 cycle The Digital SAT is now being offered both in the U.S. and abroad The ACT recently announced changes to its test format and length At the end of the presentation, attendees had their questions about test prep and college admissions answered directly by IvyWise experts.

Events Red, White, and Royal Blue: U.S. vs.

Events Class of 2025 College Application Primer With Former Admissions Directors DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT After three years of hard work, it is almost time for the Class of 2025 to apply to college!  But what comes next? Join IvyWise college admissions counselors for a deep dive into the college application process and how you can set yourself up for success as you look ahead to the 2024-2025 college admissions cycle.

Events It's Not Too Late to Make the Most of Summer 2024 DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Summer is just around the corner, but it’s not too late to plan for a productive break! From conducting an independent project to attending a summer program at a university campus, there are several ways for students to fight summer brain drain and stay on track with their college admissions goals! 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.

Events A Look Inside Liberal Arts Colleges with a Former Admissions Director DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Join IvyWise college admissions counselor Eric for a deep dive into liberal arts colleges. With over 3,000 four-year institutions in the U.S.

Events Class of 2028 College Application Primer With Former Admissions Directors DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT As the Class of 2028 finishes up eighth grade and looks ahead to beginning high school, now is the perfect time to start thinking about how to make the most of their next few years. Join IvyWise college admissions counselors for a deep dive into the college application process and how you can set yourself up for success in high school. Attendees learn about selecting the right courses, developing their personal profile, and identifying the best-fit extracurricular activities and summer plans.

Events Class of 2027 College Application Primer With Former Admissions Directors DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT As the Class of 2027 finishes up their first year of high school, now is a great time to regroup on the past few months and plan ahead for the rest of high school. Join IvyWise college admissions counselors for a deep dive into the college application process and how you can set yourself up for success over the next few years of high school. Attendees learn about selecting the right courses, developing their personal profile, and identifying the best-fit extracurricular activities and summer plans.

Events Class of 2026 College Application Primer With Former Admissions Directors DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT The Class of 2026 is almost halfway done with high school, but there is still plenty of time to take advantage of the flexibility and opportunity that next few years can offer. Join IvyWise college admissions counselors for a deep dive into the college application process and how you can set yourself up for success over the next few years of high school. Attendees learn about selecting the right courses, developing their personal profile, identifying the best-fit extracurricular activities and summer plans, and beginning the college search process.

Events A Look Inside Political Science and Pre-Law Colleges with Former Admissions Directors DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Join IvyWise college admissions counselors Christine and Robin for a deep dive into colleges where you can study political science and pre-law. With over 3,000 four-year institutions in the U.S.

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. There are thousands of wonderful colleges and universities for students to consider, but many applicants are drawn toward a smaller number of schools considered “top schools” based on various rankings, adding to the already competitive nature of college admissions.

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.

Join this webinar to learn how IvyWise’s college admissions counselors can help you build a strong profile by identifying and pursuing the things that will help you stand out when applying to college. Watch now 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.

By Robin, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor 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. When college admissions officers read a student’s application, they not only review what grades the student has earned but also the rigor of the student’s course selection.

“Today was a good day at school. Ingrid and I played at recess.” And so began my very first journal entry.

We say this all the time: the earlier you start on college prep the better. But how early is early? The reality is that colleges look at everything from 9th grade on – meaning students need to show up to day one of high school ready to go.