College Application Tips

Learn About the Common App’s COVID-19 Question

COVID-19 has impacted just about every element of students’ college prep and the college application process is no exception. From canceled SAT and ACT testing dates to a lack of opportunities to tour college campuses, the 2021-22 application cycle is likely to continue to be impacted by the ongoing pandemic. 

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More Students Are Applying to Dozens of Colleges, But Is That a Smart Strategy?

With colleges receiving more applications than ever before and admissions rates dwindling each year, many college-bound students are deciding to hedge their bets and apply to as many schools as possible in order to secure sufficient offers of admission. There have been reports over the years of students applying to dozens of colleges ­– sometimes 30, 40, even 50. But is this really beneficial? How much is too much when it comes to college applications?

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Our Step-By-Step Guide for Submitting the Common App

Hitting “submit” for the Common App is a major milestone in every student’s college admissions journey. However, before you can celebrate, it’s important to make sure you understand the submission process inside and out so that you can present yourself in the best light possible.

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The Common Application officially opens for the 2021-22 college application season on August 1, allowing students across the globe to begin their college admissions journey. But what is the Common Application, exactly? Who can use it and when? Understanding the Common App and other college application options can make your college prep strategy easier to formulate.

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While the Common Application is the most widely used college application, it’s not the only option for students who are getting ready to apply to their best-fit colleges. The Coalition Application is an alternative that now counts more than 150 institutions as member colleges.

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Learn How College Admissions Officers Evaluate Transcripts

Your high school transcript is often considered the most important piece of information admissions officers have to evaluate. At the end of the day, college is an academic endeavor, so admissions officers are looking to understand how you perform in the classroom and the subjects that interest you.

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Here are the Colleges That are Open for On-Campus Visits

After more than a year without in-person college tours, some universities are reopening for on-campus visits. Visiting colleges can be a valuable opportunity for students to get a comprehensive picture of a potential best-fit school and begin envisioning themselves on campus.

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Here are the Available Common App Supplements for 2021-22

Many schools utilize the Common App as their primary application form, and school-specific supplements allow every institution to customize this universal application in order to build a well-rounded first-year class.

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What Does a College Applicant Need to Include in Their Resume?

If you think resumes are only for job applications, it’s time to think again. A resume is an ideal medium to clearly and concisely present what you’ve accomplished throughout your high school career. Consequently, many students choose to include a resume when applying to college or when requesting letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors.

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These Schools Still Have Space For Students in the Class of 2025

For students who maybe got a late start on the college admissions process, or their goals and interests have changed, trying to apply for admission to the fall term may seem impossible. However, there are 195 colleges and universities in the US and abroad that are still accepting applications after May 1 for the class of 2025.

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The 2021-22 Common App Changes You Need to Know About

As the most widely used college application system in the United States, the Common Application is likely already on many students’ radars. However, some future applicants may be less aware of the changes being made to the Common App for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

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Learn Why Early College Preparation and Executive Functioning Skills Are So Important

The college process can feel overwhelming, especially when students get a late start. From compiling a best-fit list to writing essays, there are many steps in the college application process. Consequently, we always encourage students to start early and build executive functioning skills that will serve them throughout college and beyond.

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Use These Virtual College Visit Tools for A Campus-Like Experience

In years past, many students went on spring college tours to get a feel for campus life and narrow down their list of best-fit options. Since many campuses remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual visits have emerged as the ideal option for students who are looking to learn more about prospective colleges. 

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Learn How College Admissions Committees Really Review Your Applications

While many students may think they know how their college applications are reviewed, very few individuals are actually in the room where decisions are made. If you’re curious to learn all of the details about how application reviews work, admissions officers are the only source for first-hand experience. 

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Learn More About When You Should Start Planning for College

“When should I get started with my college prep?” is one of the first questions on many students’ minds when they look ahead towards their college application process. While some may be tempted to put off their preparation until the second half of junior year, we recommend beginning your admissions journey at the start of high school to avoid any last-minute stress. 

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Learn How Many Schools to Add to Your Balanced 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.

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Here are the Common Application Prompts for 2021-22

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.

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How to Build Your 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. 

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What Applicants Should Keep in Mind About ED II

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

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College Planning For Every Year of High School

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. 

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What Every Applicant Should Keep in Mind Before Regular Decision Deadlines

For students who are working on regular decisions applications, the next few days are likely to be the home stretch. With many college application deadlines falling on January 1st, some students may be wondering what they can do to give their submissions that special “it” factor. 

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The US is still a popular destination for international students pursuing a university education, and US universities welcome international students with open arms. However, the admissions process for international students to US universities can be especially rigorous, as there are a number of requirements for international applicants and international students are read slightly differently than their US counterparts.

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A Recent Episode of Just Admit It Explains How Demonstrated Interest Influences Your Admissions Odds

While most students understand the importance of admissions factors like grades and test scores, many don’t realize that demonstrated interest can have a big impact on your chances of admission. Although it can’t be captured by a single number in a similar matter, that doesn’t mean that demonstrated interest doesn’t matter.

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We all know the personal statement is a huge part of the college application, but how important are those extra supplemental essays? For many students writing fatigue can set in and they don’t spend as much time working on those – especially as application deadlines loom. So how important is it to spend time on those supplements?

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College Counselors Give Advice on How to Address COVID-19 In College Applications

As seniors prepare to submit applications during an admissions cycle unlike any other, many students may be wondering whether or not they should discuss the pandemic and if so, how? While there isn’t a universal approach that will be best for every applicant, there are some tips students should keep in mind when planning their approach. 

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Make the Most of Applying for Scholarships with These Tips

Scholarships are a win-win: students can help reduce the costs associated with attending college while also adding to their resumes. As an added bonus, the vast array of different scholarship options out there means there is truly an opportunity for every student.

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Learn How to Emphasize Creativity and Why it Counts

Students who are eager to stand out on their college applications can’t overlook the importance of demonstrating creativity. Based on a recent Adobe study, 95% of admissions decision-makers believe in the value of creative skills. Despite this, only 20% of the same group report that students demonstrate their creativity “very well” on college applications and nearly 70% of students don’t know where to showcase these skills on their college applications.

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By Carolyn, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor

The weather here in my home state of Tennessee is finally starting to cool, there is pumpkin spice creamer in my coffee, and I just squashed what will (hopefully) be one of the last mosquitoes of the year. And with the change in the seasons, of course, comes the first wave of college application deadlines. Over the past several years, applying early to colleges has become a popular trend, and many colleges have developed a multi-deadline admissions process that might include Early Action, Early Decision, Single-Choice Early Action, and/or Regular Decision options. Whether or not to apply early can be a stressful decision even in “normal” years, but even more so in the current application cycle that is already rife with change and uncertainty.

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Start the Back-to-School Season on the Best Note Possible

It’s safe to say that for many students, this year’s back to school season will be unlike any other. With many colleges and high schools offering remote or hybrid learning options, students may not be reuniting with their classmates face-to-face as they have in previous years. 

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Our Top Advice for Students Applying to College this Fall

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?

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What Seniors Should Remember Throughout the College Admissions Process

Applying to college can always feel a bit overwhelming for rising seniors, but this year students may be particularly susceptible to stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With so much uncertainty around campus life for the fall, prospective applicants have a unique set of questions and concerns on their radar. 

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Get a Head Start on Applications By Reviewing These Supplements 

Although the Common App doesn’t officially open until August 1st, it’s often in students’ best interest to get a jump start on personal essays and supplements. Many colleges understand that applicants are eager to begin the admissions process and as a result, some schools have already announced their school-specific essay prompts for the 2020-21 application season.

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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.

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Stay Engaged In Your Course Work, No Matter What

Whether it’s an MOOC, an online SAT course, or another virtual learning experience, there are a variety of reasons why students may turn to digital courses. Now, amidst growing concerns over the recent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, many schools across the globe are opting for virtual learning so students can continue their coursework during school closures.

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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.

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Tips for Students Right Before College Applications are Due

Between family vacations and holiday festivities, it can be all too easy to put off college application work until the very last minute. While it’s always best to work consistently and strategically, even the most dedicated students find themselves working down to the wire from time to time.

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How to Have Fun Over the Holidays While Staying Focused

With the holidays just days away, it’s all too easy for students to check out and go on vacation-mode. While there is nothing wrong with taking some time off to recharge, students who are preparing for the college admissions process need to stay mindful and motivated throughout the season.

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How to Cope and What Happens Next

Unfortunately, everyone has to deal with rejection from time to time. It can initially feel devastating for students who do not gain admission to the university they applied to via Early Decision, but with time, it is possible to cope and make the best of it.

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Learn What it Takes to Be a Longhorn

UT Austin is one of the most prestigious public universities in the country, so it’s no wonder that it’s a top choice for many high school seniors. From Division 1 sports teams to a destination-worthy location in the heart of Austin, there are several qualities that set this institution apart.

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Learn More About this Top College Before Applying

Duke University is a renowned university in North Carolina with a rich history, top-tier academics and lots of school spirit. Consequently, it is an extremely popular choice amongst high school seniors with a variety of different interests and specialties.

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