11th Grade

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.

Why Juniors Should Still Carefully Consider Their Testing Strategy

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. 

Read More »

SAT Subject Tests and the Essay Section of the SAT are Gone for Good

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.

Read More »

Here are the Colleges that Superscore the ACT

Superscoring is the practice of considering only the highest section scores across all SAT or ACT test scores that are submitted when evaluating applications. Many schools already superscore for the SAT, but superscoring for the ACT has not always been widely practiced.

Read More »

Make the Most of Time Spent Social Distancing with Your Kids

For students who are used to juggling coursework, extracurricular activities, and time spent with friends, the transition to remote learning has proven extremely challenging. While every student will react to all this time at home differently, parents can play a powerful and important role in helping students make the most of this experience.

Read More »

Maximize Your Virtual Tour Experience with These Tips

Typically, fall is a popular time for high school juniors and even some younger students to embark on a set of college tours meant to help future applicants better envision their best-fit environment. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, most college touring options have gone virtual for the time being.

Read More »

Join Our Facebook Live Webinars April 15 & 17 to Learn More About How To Prep for College Admissions Process This Fall

Tune in to IvyWise Live on our Facebook page next week, where College Admissions Experts Christine, Scott, Nat, Zach, and Rachel will discuss how students can prepare for the college admissions process this fall and answer your most pressing college prep questions.

Read More »

Our Suggestions for Academic Resolutions for 2020

With the New Year right around the corner, now is the perfect time to reflect on your academic progress and set goals for 2020. Whether you’re prioritizing test preparation or hoping to boost your grades, every student can benefit from setting resolutions that relate to their academic journey.

Read More »

Get a Head Start on Planning for the New Year

With the new year right around the corner, now’s the time to start thinking about your test prep goals for 2020. Whether you’re a freshman who is just beginning to think about college, a sophomore gearing up to start test prep, or a junior who is already in the thick of it, there are concrete steps that you can take in 2020 to get closer to achieving your test prep goals.

Read More »

College Visits Are a Big Part of Your College List Research

Junior year is a big college prep year, and one of the most important things that juniors will do this fall is visit colleges and universities as part of their college list research.

Read More »

Research Is Key To Creating a Balanced List of Colleges To Apply To

The college admission season is here, but where are you applying? Students should start researching colleges and building a balanced college list junior year, and continue to refine their list throughout the school year.

Read More »

Resources to Help High School Juniors Stay On Track With Their College Planning

The college application process is right around the corner for high school juniors, and we have a number of resources to help college bound juniors get and stay on track before they apply to college in the fall.

Read More »

Now that it’s a new year and winter break is over, it’s time to start focusing on what you should be doing to get ahead and make the most of the rest of the school year.

Read More »

As students prepare to head back to school, many are examining their class schedule, gauging how difficult the next academic year will be and how they will achieve their grade goals. But it’s not just grades that colleges consider when evaluating applicants for admission. Colleges are also looking at the classes applicants are taking, how challenging they are, and how those courses align with students’ interests and academic goals.

Read More »

When I started formulating my balanced college list, I really was unsure what type of university or college I was looking for. I didn’t have a particular major in mind, all I knew was that I wanted to make sure I chose a school that would foster my own academic and professional growth while being a place I would be comfortable and proud to call home.

Read More »

Before getting a head start on your college applications this summer, make sure you’re aware of Common Application changes for the 2016-17 admissions season.

Read More »

College visits are a critical part of the college search process, and it’s important for students and parents to make the most of their time on campus. Before you head off to prospective colleges, make sure you know what – and what not – to do while you’re there!

Read More »

By Amy Jeffrey, founder of Make Me a Freshman

Teacher recommendations. Transcripts. FAFSA. These are just three of the many different types of forms that you must track when applying to college. How can you manage them all?

Read More »

Recently, the Common Application announced that the prompts for the 2016-17 application season will remain the same as last year, and that, instead of waiting for the Aug. 1 open date, current high school juniors can create accounts now that will roll over into the fall admission cycle. This is a big move, as the Common App stands to have some competition from the Coalition App, which plans to launch its “locker” feature soon and new application this summer. But what does this mean for current juniors, who are already under enough college prep pressure that these colleges supposedly want to help alleviate? How early is too early to get started on your college application essays?

Read More »

If you’re a high school junior applying to college next year, chances are you’ve been on a college visit or two and have spent a considerable amount of time researching different colleges and universities. Many students who have only a limited view of what colleges are like are sometimes shocked to find out how vastly different most institutions are from one another in terms of size, campus life, academics, athletics, and more. During your research and visits it’s likely you’ve learned a lot and picked up some interesting college facts along the way! Now it’s time to put your knowledge to the test with these fun questions.

Read More »

The holiday season is here, and students are getting a much-needed break from their normal school schedule. While it’s necessary for students to take some time to recharge, many often become restless after a few days and may need some productive ways to pass the time.  

Read More »

The end of the fall semester and the fast-approaching Regular Decision deadlines, coupled with the release of early decisions, makes December an especially busy, and crucial, month. Students need to prepare for finals and standardized tests, while also juggling extracurricular commitments and, for seniors, the added stress of finishing college applications.

Read More »

Your next year of high school is around the corner, but don’t fret! IvyWise is here to help you plan for the future, and prepare for what’s to come. Whether you’ll be entering high school for the first time, or already planning for college next year, we have advice to help you start the year strong, and maintain the drive through the fall, winter, and spring.

Read More »

Today the Common Application released the essay prompts for the 2013-2014 application, along with news that they will enforce a strict 650 word limit, an increase of 150 words from the previous 500 word limit.

Read More »

Creating a time management game plan can help you juggle tasks efficiently and effectively

It’s a new semester, and whether you’re in high school or college, that means getting back into the swing of balancing schoolwork, clubs, sports, friends, and a good night’s sleep. Energy and sanity can run low when a pile of work is never ending. Managing good grades, performing well at a big game or academic competition, spending quality time with family, and maintaining a social life can be exhausting. That’s why every student should invest in a time management game plan. 

Read More »

The new year is a great time for new college admissions and academic goals 

It is a new year, and in the spirit of starting fresh people all over the world are setting New Year’s Resolutions. As a student, setting goals both personally and academically is important, especially when preparing for college admissions. Whether you are a freshman, senior, or in between, there is always an aspect of the application and college planning process that you could be working on, and planning ahead is always a good idea. So use the inspiration of the New Year to prepare for many successful years ahead and happy 2013! However, a list of goals could be endless, so we have put together some attainable resolutions that will help you in the journey to college admissions.   

Read More »

This week our client relations manager, Alex, tells us what she loved about attending Stanford University in Stanford, CA.

Read More »

Did you know that at some schools you can take a classes on Harry Potter, how to watch the TV show The Wire, and even one on Lady GaGa’s (actual) fame? Many colleges these days are offering interesting course selections that take pop culture and familiar icons and use them as tie-ins to deeper, more intellectual ideas and lessons. 

Read More »

Making new friends and getting involved on campus starts with exploring your interests. Student clubs and organizations are a great way to meet new people and build on the skills and interests that you already have.

Read More »

For high school sophomores and juniors, fall marks the first steps in the college search process. Many schools have a mid-October fall break, and students and families often use this time to go on college visits. At IvyWise, our team of expert counselors always stress the importance of the college visit. Not only does it give you the opportunity to show demonstrated interest, a factor that admissions officers take into consideration when reading applications, but it also gives you the chance to get a feel for campus life first-hand.

Read More »

Test-Optional v. Test-Required: Which is the Best-Fit for You?

The October SAT is this weekend, and high school students across the country are squeezing in every last bit of knowledge they can before heading to their testing centers on Saturday.  

Read More »

When discussing the different elements of a college application, we often bring up the significance of the “brag sheet.” At IvyWise, we can’t stress enough how important a complete and comprehensive brag sheet is to the admissions process. Your brag sheet lists all of your extracurriculars, employment, summer experiences, honors, awards, interests, hobbies, and, very notably, community service.

Read More »

Recommendation Letter Roundup

One of the most critical elements of a stellar college application is a collection of glowing recommendation letters from counselors, teachers and other administrators you have interacted with during your four years of high school. Recommendation letters play a critical role in painting a picture of how you relate to and interact within your academic and extracurricular activities.

Read More »

College Applications: How to Address Red Flags

As the academic year winds down, students finishing their junior year may be looking to get a head start on the college application process. Almost every student gets nervous about college applications, but for students who have to explain an infraction, grade dip, or extenuating circumstances, there’s an even higher level of anxiety. Are you afraid that a “red flag” on your file will drop it straight into the ‘denial’ pile? Make an appointment with your guidance counselor or with an independent college counselor to address any red flags on your application in an articulate, comprehensive, and responsible way.

Read More »