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IvyWise Blog

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Get to Know Our IvyWise Scholars — In Their Own Words

Each year, IvyWise welcomes a select group of high-achieving, low-income students into the IvyWise Scholars program, our pro bono college counseling initiative. The reasons each student has for applying to the program are as varied as their backgrounds.

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UT Austin

How to Get into UT Austin: All You Need to Know

Founded in 1883, UT Austin is the flagship university of Texas and consistently ranks as a top public research university in the U.S. — in fact, it’s often referred to as the “Harvard of the South.”

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aerial view of Vanderbilt University campus

How to Get into Vanderbilt: All You Need to Know

A highly selective institution that’s known for its engineering, education, music, and humanities programs, Vanderbilt University is a top choice for many students. The institution attracts applicants from around the world due to its stellar academic reputation, beautiful campus, and location in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee.

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teenage girl writing on laptop

How to Write the 2026-27 Yale Supplemental Essays

Given the competitive nature of Yale’s admissions process, every component of your college application is going to be crucial, including supplemental essays.

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Beautiful casual student using laptop indoors.

Stanford University Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide 2026-27

If Stanford is one of your top-choice schools, you may be wondering how you can make your application stand out. Your responses to Stanford’s supplemental essay questions are a significant way to set yourself apart from other applicants. However, these essay prompts require you to be both concise and creative, which is not an easy task.

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Buildings of University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States.

How to Get into UVA: All You Need to Know

The University of Virginia is one of the most competitive and exclusive public universities in the country. It was famously founded by one of the Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, in 1819 in the beautiful city of Charlottesville, Virginia. UVA boasts a beautiful and sprawling campus that those in the know lovingly call “Grounds.” A campus quad is located within Grounds, known as “the Lawn,” where students attend classes, participate in student activities, and keep UVA traditions alive.

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What Is the Role of the School Profile in College Admissions?

What Is the Role of the School Profile in the College Admissions Process?

What does strength of school mean, and how do colleges use the school profile to evaluate applicants? In this episode of the Just Admit It! podcast, IvyWise experts Tasha and Juaquin explain how admissions officers read a transcript in the context of a student’s high school and share tips for strengthening your academic profile within it.

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Bovard Auditorium, USC campus

How to Get into USC: All You Need to Know

The University of Southern California — or USC, as it’s best known — is a top research university and one of the most selective schools in the country. Located in sunny Los Angeles, California, it’s been a pioneer in academic and research initiatives since its beginnings in 1880.

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Young students of robotics preparing robot for testing in workshop

25 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the U.S. in 2026

Mechanical engineering involves the study of machines, materials, and mechanisms — that is, how things work. If you have a genuine interest in understanding how mechanical systems function and enjoy working with tools and machinery, this field may be a good fit. To be successful, you should enjoy tackling challenges, thinking critically, and finding creative ways to solve problems.

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Columbia University campus

Columbia University Acceptance Rate for Class of 2030

As a member of the Ivy League, Columbia University is known as one of the best colleges in the U.S. and one of the most highly selective institutions in the country — and that selectivity shows no sign of easing.

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