Category: 12th Grade
Test Score Submit Rates for Class of 2026
The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the way higher education institutions review applications with many colleges choosing to adopt a test-optional application review process. However, with record-breaking applicant pools and record-low admit rates, families are worried that test-optional may not really mean test-optional at all. Here is what we know, so far.
Yield Rates for the Class of 2027
After many colleges reported all-time low acceptance rates, some students might be curious about their yield rates, or just how many of these admitted applicants have chosen to enroll. Yield is a priority for every college because it impacts their place on rankings lists and it can also influence their bond ratings.
What Vanderbilt Admissions Officers Look for in Essays
If Vanderbilt University, also known as Vandy, is one of your top-choice schools, you may be wondering how to craft your admissions essay to help you stand out. Vanderbilt is incredibly selective, so they look for students who demonstrate what they can contribute to the diverse campus community academically and otherwise. Your response to these essays contributes to the holistic review of your application, so it’s important to put a lot of thought into them.
Keep reading for more information about the Vanderbilt essays and some strategies for writing them, including tips from one of our IvyWise counselors.
3 Tips for Standing Out During the College Application Process
The Common Application opened August 1, and millions of students across the globe will apply to college via the Common App this year. With so many students applying to college every year, most applicants have the same question on their minds: what can I do to increase my chances of standing out?
How to Get Into USC: All You Need to Know
The University of Southern California, or USC, as its 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 the late 19th century. Today, it’s one of the most prestigious and desirable academic experiences in the country and the world.
How to Get Into Vanderbilt: All You Need to Know
As a highly selective institution that’s known for its engineering, education, music, and humanities programs, it’s easy to understand why many rank Vanderbilt at the top of their college lists. This university offers many strong areas of study and is located in the heart of Nashville, one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country.
With a stellar reputation and thousands of applicants each year, students must go the extra mile to earn a spot at Vanderbilt. Read on to learn more about what sets Vanderbilt University apart and learn best practices to increase your chances of admission.
IvyWise Students Share Their Top College Prep Tips
For current high school seniors, the college application season is in full swing. We caught up with our Class of 2023 IvyWise Scholars to learn more about their college admissions journeys, what it’s like to work with IvyWise during this process, and get some of their college prep tips for other college-bound students.
5 Ways to Narrow Down Your College List
Finalizing your list of best-fit schools is one of the most important steps of the college application process. Between writing supplemental essays, finalizing personal statements, and requesting letters of recommendation, there’s a lot that students need to prioritize – and often, they put off the difficult task of narrowing down their long list of best-fit schools. Keep reading to learn more about what you should keep top of mind so that you can narrow down your college list and stay ahead of the game on all of your applications.
Columbia Interview Questions: What to Expect
Note: Starting with the 2023-24 application season, Columbia University is no longer offering alumni admissions interviews.
For students who dream of attending an Ivy League university in a big city, Columbia University is often their top choice school. The college is renowned for its academic rigor and its core curriculum, which is the cornerstone of a Columbia education. Given these factors, it’s no surprise that gaining admission is exceptionally competitive.
Students need to do well in every component of the application process in order to stand out, and that includes the interview. Keep reading to learn more about Columbia interview questions, so you can be prepared to stand out and ace your interview.
What Is a Columbia Admissions Interview Like?The first step to excelling during the Columbia University interview is understanding exactly what goes into the process and what makes it unique. You should know that you will be speaking with a regional alumnus and not a member of the admissions office. Interviews are meant to be more informational than evaluative, so they tend to have a relaxed tone. You will typically be assigned to an alumnus who
Understanding EA vs. ED vs. EDII and More
Did you know that you can apply to a college early and get a decision way before most other students? Many colleges offer “early” application options, with students usually submitting their applications in October or November and receiving a decision by December. With the rise in the number of students applying to multiple colleges, and the difficulty of predicting yield, many colleges are offering a number of early application options. So how do you know if applying early is right for you?
How to Get Into Stanford: All You Need to Know
While Stanford may not technically be part of the Ivy League, the school’s academic caliber—not to mention its competitive admissions process—rivals that of Harvard and Yale. Many students are eager to enroll in the top-tier university, which has a wide array of renowned programs including engineering and environmental science.
Although earning admission at Stanford University is challenging, there are a few steps applicants can take to set themselves up for success. Keep reading to learn more about how you can set your application apart.
How to Get Into Stanford University: Table of Contents
When to Apply to Stanford University How Hard Is It to Get Into Stanford: Early Prep How Do You Actually Get Into Stanford: The Application Class Profile What Makes Stanford University Unique? When to Apply to Stanford UniversityIf you’re looking to gain admission to Stanford University, it’s important to understand the application timeline. Most applicants apply to Stanford during their senior year of high school, but those that are offered admission begin preparing to apply years earlier. Some students may choose to
What To Know About Applying To Stanford
Although not technically part of the Ivy League, Stanford is virtually as selective as any of the institutions within this esteemed group of colleges. While they did not release admission data for the class of 2026, Stanford’s acceptance rate was 3.95% for the class of 2025, and we expect the school to continue at this level of selectivity moving forward.
While it’s no doubt that a Stanford acceptance letter requires tremendous academic ability and a serious work ethic, there are several steps students can take to increase their admissions odds. Keep reading to learn more about the elite college and what it takes to successfully apply to this top school.
5 Ways High School Prepares You for College Life
If college is the gateway to the real world, then high school is the long highway that precedes it. After four years of high school, you might feel as though you are totally unprepared for the challenges of higher education. Although pumped-up academic standards are a big part of the college transition, being a college student also calls for independence, maturity, and responsibility.
6 Tasks Rising Seniors Should Do Before School Starts
Most rising seniors have a lot on their to-do lists in order to prepare for the college application process this fall. Students who get a jumpstart on the process before school is back in session and are often at a major advantage because they’re able to make the most of senior year and keep stress at bay.
3-2 Engineering Programs
Students interested in becoming engineers have traditionally enrolled in four-year degree programs at large universities with comprehensive engineering programs. These programs allow students to specialize in a particular type of engineering, such as mechanical, chemical, or civil. However, different paths for studying engineering have begun to diverge from the more traditional trajectory.
How to Get Into New York University: All You Need to Know
With a location in the heart of New York City and an array of top-ranked academic programs, it’s easy to understand why so many students place New York University at the top of their college best-fit lists. The institution has plenty of research and learning opportunities to offer, as well as all of the advantages associated with going to school in a major metropolitan city.
Consequently, it’s no surprise that getting into New York University is particularly challenging, with acceptance rates plummeting to new lows in recent years. Keep reading to learn more about what it takes to gain admission to New York University and the top tips students should keep in mind throughout the application process.
How to Get Into New York University: Table of Contents
When to Apply to New York University How Hard Is It to Get Into New York University: Early Prep How to Actually Get Into New York University: The Application Class Profile What Makes New York University Unique? When to Apply to New York UniversityOnce students learn about
Princeton vs Harvard: Which One Should You Choose?
When most students think of top-tier colleges, Princeton and Harvard are likely some of the first schools to come to mind. Both institutions are members of the Ivy League that have plenty of famous alumni, as well as ample research and learning opportunities.
Despite these similarities, several distinguishing factors set each university apart. Keep reading to learn more about how Harvard and Princeton compare to one another and what this might mean for your own list of best-fit colleges.
Is Harvard or Princeton More Prestigious?While prestige should not be a deciding factor in your college application decisions, plenty of students are interested in learning how their potential best-fit schools might stack up to other universities. When it comes to comparing Harvard University versus Princeton University, it’s challenging to pick a winner because institutions are exceptionally prestigious. Harvard and Princeton are both members of the Ivy League, and each school is known for its extremely low acceptance rate and ongoing commitment to academic excellence.
Why Is Princeton So Popular?There are several reasons why Princeton University has become so
How to Get Into Yale University: All You Need to Know
This article is reviewed by the IvyWise team which includes former Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Yale University, Christine.
As a member of the Ivy League that’s known for its top-notch music and arts programs, it’s easy to understand why many rank Yale at the top of their college list. The university, one of the oldest in the country, offers many strong areas of study and is within traveling distance of New York City.
Since Yale University has a stellar reputation and receives thousands of applicants each year, students must go the extra mile to get a spot. Read on to learn more about what sets Yale University apart and learn best practices to increase your chances of admission.
How to Get Into Yale University: Table of Contents
When to Apply to Yale University How Hard Is It to Get Into Yale: Early Prep How to Actually Get Into Yale: The Application Class Profile What Makes Yale University Unique? When to Apply to Yale UniversityThe first step to any application process should be reviewing
IvyWise Scholars Spotlight: Benson
IvyWise Scholar Benson Shares His Top Tips for Students Applying to College
As part of our IvyWise Gives Back initiative, IvyWise Scholars is our pro bono college admissions counseling program for high-achieving, low-income students. We caught up with IvyWise Scholar Benson, a gifted student from Louisiana, to learn more about his college admissions journey, what it’s like to work with IvyWise during this process, and get some of his college prep advice for other students.
IvyWise Scholars Spotlight: Nicole
IvyWise Scholar Nicole Shares Her Top Tips for Students Applying to College
As part of our IvyWise Gives Back initiative, IvyWise Scholars is our pro bono college admissions counseling program for high-achieving, low-income students.
IvyWise Scholars Spotlight: Nevaeh
IvyWise Scholar Nevaeh Shares Her Top Tips for Students Applying to College
It’s so important to have perspective when going through the college admissions process, which is why we’ve reached out to one of our own students, Nevaeh, to share some advice for future applicants.
