Class of 2025 Regular Decision Notification Dates

Are you ready for regular decision notification dates? Admissions offices across the US are working hard to get through hundreds of thousands of regular decision college applications for the class of 2025 in order to notify students of their decisions by the spring.
How Do I Get Recruited as a College Athlete?

If you’re passionate about your sport of choice, you may be interested in what it takes to get recruited as a college athlete. There are a lot of misconceptions about the athletic recruitment process, so it’s important to learn all of the facts to determine your best path forward.
Colleges Extending Test-Optional Policies for 2021-22

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the college entrance exam testing industry, which resulted in a number of colleges shifting to test-optional admissions process for the 2020-21 admissions cycle. Now that schools have a glimpse into 2021, many colleges are extending their test-optional policies for the 2021-22 admissions cycle (and beyond!)
How Many Schools Should You Add to Your College List?

When students are working on compiling their balanced college lists, one of the first questions that often comes to mind is how many universities should they apply to. While there isn’t one magic number for every student, there are some guidelines to keep in mind.
4 Ideas for a Productive Summer Break

With many traditional summer activities temporarily on hold due to the ongoing pandemic, some students might be wondering what they should do this year to make the most of their vacation. Although it may be tempting, it’s not a good idea to enter full relaxation mode for the entire two to three months that you’re off from school.
Just Admit It: What Extracurricular Activities Should I Do?

Most students know that they need high GPAs to be competitive in the college admissions process, but what about extracurricular activities? Although applicants often understand that they should have passions and hobbies, many are a little less clear about what kind of pursuits to prioritize.
2021-22 Common App Essay Prompts

The Common Application has announced the personal statement essay prompts for the 2021-22 admissions season, prompting the first change in the essay questions in nearly five years.
Building a College List in a Virtual World

Building your balanced college list is one of the most important steps in the application process. Students must do their research and visit campuses to pinpoint their best-fit options, but many might wonder how this all works in a virtual world.
The Benefits of Attending an HBCU

There are a host of famous faces who count Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as their alma mater, including our Vice President Kamala Harris. Given their list of noteworthy graduates, many students might be interested in the benefits associated with attending an HBCU.
Transfer Admissions Tips from Former Admissions Officers

If you’re curious about how transfer admissions work, you’re far from the only one. On average, 35% of college students transfer at least once during their college career.
2021 AP Exam Overview

AP Exams are an opportunity for students to demonstrate their expertise in advanced classes, get a taste of college-level coursework, and maybe even earn credit towards their undergraduate degree. This year there are significant changes to the AP Exam process due to COVID-19, and students will have the chance to sit for exams either in-person or virtually.
Juniors: Should You Take the SAT or ACT This Year?
Watch our expert counselors answer some of your most pressing testing questions. Check out the recording of the IvyWise Live webinar The Future of Standardized Testing.

In years past, the vast majority of high school juniors planned on taking the SAT/ACT. However, with an increasing number of schools extending their test-optional admissions policies, some students may be wondering whether it is still worthwhile to study for these exams.
Black History Month Reading List

Outside reading is a key part of college prep, and in honor of Black History Month, we’re encouraging students to add to their outside reading list by exploring books written by black authors. From novels to memoirs, diversify your independent reading list by adding new genres to your selection of must-read books.
Class of 2025 College Application Numbers

Despite several significant changes to the admissions cycle due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many schools are reporting record-breaking application numbers for the class of 2025.
College Board Eliminates SAT Subject Tests Permanently

The College Board announced that it is discontinuing SAT Subject Tests permanently, as well as revamping the current SAT exam to eliminate the optional essay section.
Colleges Extending Regular Decision Deadlines

Earlier this year, we announced that several colleges were opting to extend their early application deadlines. Now, several months later, it looks like many schools are following a similar path for their regular round process.
4 Signs You Should Consider Transferring Colleges

Every student’s college admissions journey is unique and, for some, that may mean enrolling in more than one school before graduation day. According to Inside Higher Ed, more than one third of all college students transfer, so if you are considering other options for your higher education you’re not alone.
Early Decision II 101: What Students Need to Know

An increasing number of colleges are adding Early Decision II to their application options, often with a deadline in early- to mid-January.
Class of 2025 Early Admission Rates

The first members of the college class of 2025 are in! Here’s our breakdown of the early admission numbers for the class of 2025. More decisions will be released this month and into January, along with statistics, so we will be updating as more information becomes available!
College Planning for 2021

Whether you’re in your first year of high school or getting ready for graduation, it’s important for students to stay consistent when it comes to college planning. To stay on track, we encourage students to set goals throughout their high school career that will ensure they meet every college preparation milestone.