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College Admissions Advice for 9th Graders – IvyWise Blog

girl student writing down educational goals

9 Goals for the New Year: What Are Your Educational Goals for 2026?

January is almost here — a new year, a fresh start. If you’re like many people, you may have some goals you want to accomplish in 2026. Setting academic goals can help you stay focused and on track for the rest of the school year and beyond.

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High school students conduct a science experiment with plants in class.

Why Leadership Matters in College Admissions

In the context of college admissions, leadership can significantly enhance a student’s profile, showcasing their ability to influence, inspire, and drive positive change. High school students can find many ways to develop essential leadership skills to make a meaningful impact — and they don’t have to take on leadership roles to do it.

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Student works with counselor on college application essay.

The Role of a High School Counselor

Amidst the whirlwind of classes, extracurricular activities, and social dynamics, high school counselors play a crucial role in supporting students. They are not just there to help with academic planning and college applications — they also provide guidance on personal and social issues, helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in school and life.

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Students collaborate on a laptop, working together on a school project.

How to Find Accurate College Acceptance Rates

Every year we hear about “record-low college acceptance rates” for a number of already highly selective colleges and universities. With more students applying to more colleges, it’s no surprise that many schools across the U.S. are seeing their admission rates drop; however, that’s not always the case for every institution.

When building your balanced college list, it’s important to understand how your profile stacks up against the most recently admitted class and the overall college acceptance rates for each school to which you plan to apply. There are a number of places to find this information, but it’s not always easy to find, so we’ll break it down for you:

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Smiling student studies in library, thinking about college and future success.

Time Management Tips for Students

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.  

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Student in glasses with backpack pumps fist in apparent academic success.

The Essential Guide to Acing the College Application Process

While the application process may seem intimidating at first, every student’s college admissions journey is an opportunity to discover more about themselves and their academic goals. With the right strategy, all students will be able to identify their own best-fit schools and showcase why they deserve a spot on campus. 

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Four diverse students ready for college admissions success.

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.

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Smiling student with backpack on campus, ready for college success.

Which High School Classes Will Set You Up for Success in College? 

If you already know what field you want to study in college, or even have a general idea of your preferred discipline, taking some high school classes that align with your future college curriculum can save a lot of time and energy. But how do you know which high school classes will set you up for success in college?

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Note on corkboard asks: What's your goal? Green pushpin.

How to Set Test Prep Goals for 2020

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.

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