Category: College Planning
Class of 2028 Early Decision Notification Dates
The college admissions season is flying by, and before you know it early admission decisions will be released. Here’s our annual list of early decision notification dates!
Next Steps After Being Accepted to College ED or EA
Congratulations! You were accepted to your Early Decision or Early Action college. But what do you need to do next? There are a number of things to consider moving forward, so it’s important for students to weigh all their options before accepting an early offer of admission.
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?
Waitlist Admission Rates
For waitlisted students, it can be hard to judge just how much of a chance they have of getting accepted off the waitlist. Data around waitlist acceptances can be scarce, especially as waitlists at top colleges grow and more and more schools become less transparent about their admissions statistics. The college counselors at IvyWise, however, have dug into the data and have some insight into waitlist admission rates.
Medical School Admissions Interviews: What You Need to Know
If you’re going through the medical school admissions process, you are hoping to be invited to one or more medical school interviews — the final step before admissions decisions. Being invited to interviews is exciting, but it can also be nerve-wracking. Attending interviews takes a lot of time and preparation, and the format and structure may vary for each one. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of medical school admissions interviews, how to prepare for them, and what to do after the interview.
Class of 2028 Early Application Deadlines
The first college application deadlines for the Class of 2028 will be here before you know it. Here are some of the early application deadlines students need to be aware of.
Medical School Admissions: Guide to the AMCAS Application
If you’re considering applying to medical school, you’ll likely be using the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) to apply to your best-fit medical school programs. This can be a challenging process, but knowing what to expect ahead of time and formulating a strategy to complete the AMCAS will help the process go more smoothly.
Application Strategy: Learn How Early Decision Works
Once you’ve put the finishing touches on your list of best-fit colleges, it’s time to consider application strategy. More specifically, rising seniors need to decide when they will apply to the schools on their list.
Early Decision can be a great application option for a student who is passionate about a certain school and able to meet the deadline. Keep reading to learn more about this application strategy and to determine whether applying early is the right move for you.
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.
With 12 schools, from the McIntire School of Commerce to the School of Nursing, applicants have many excellent academic options to choose from. Known as a bastion of high quality, public education, UVA has become an increasingly popular college for applicants from across the country, though about 68% of students who enrolled in the fall of 2022 hailed from Virginia.
UVA students are proud Cavaliers who are just as likely to be found cheering on their football team at Scott Stadium as they are to be volunteering in one of the many service projects run through the university’s service center, Madison House. It takes a smart, engaged, critical thinker to excel at a place like UVA. Do
How to Get Into Georgetown: All You Need to Know
Georgetown is known for its strength in the fields of international relations and political science, so it’s not surprising that many diplomats and politicians have passed through its doors. It’s the perfect location to steep yourself in the necessary knowledge to pursue careers in these fields.
In fact, the Walsh School of Foreign Service offers more specialized undergraduate majors in this field than most universities, including majors in culture and politics; global business; international economics; international history; international political economy; international politics; regional and comparative studies; and science, technology & international affairs. Georgetown also offers many other programs of study in its four other academic colleges, the College of Arts and Sciences, the McDonough School of Business, the School of Health, and the School of Nursing.
If you are a curious, strong student who sees yourself living and studying in the nation’s capital, Georgetown should be on your radar. Read on to find out everything you need to know to apply to Georgetown.
How to Get Into Bowdoin College: All You Need to Know
Bowdoin College is a small liberal arts college in Brunswick, Maine, just northeast of Portland. It does not offer professional track majors but has robust liberal arts offerings including a renowned environmental studies program. It is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 liberal arts colleges in the country by U.S. News and World Report.
Bowdoin is only a 30-minute drive from Portland and a few miles from the ocean. Beyond its main campus, Bowdoin also has the Schiller Coastal Studies Center, a center for research and recreation located a few miles away on Orr’s Island.
Read on to learn best practices that applicants should use to increase their chances of admission to Bowdoin College.
Good Extracurriculars for College: Why They Matter and How to Choose Yours
When preparing students for the college admissions process, we place a lot of emphasis on identifying and developing students’ interests in addition to good grades and test scores. As we’ve said before, students’ interests are important because it helps colleges make admissions decisions and build well-rounded classes.
However, developing students’ interests isn’t just about getting into college—they’re a key factor in helping students succeed during their four years and after graduation.
How to Get Into Northwestern: All You Need to Know
Northwestern is a top research university and liberal arts institution just outside of Chicago in the town of Evanston, Illinois. It’s known for its world-class school of journalism, Medill, as well as its top-notch, innovative programs across disciplines.
The university was founded in 1851 to serve the Northwest Territory, then a new part of the United States. Though it started with just 10 students, it has grown significantly—it now has over 8,000 undergraduate students in its 12 schools and colleges. Though it is well known for the Medill School of Journalism, it boasts many excellent majors within the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.
Northwestern is a member of the Big Ten athletic conference, and the Northwestern Wildcats play sports at the highest level, NCAA Division I. Beyond sports, students have access to a huge array of extracurricular activities, adding to a vibrant student and campus life.
Read on to find out what you should do to prepare for admission to Northwestern University.
A Complete Guide to Choosing a College Major
You have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to choosing which colleges to apply to, and one factor that might influence your balanced college list is choosing a college major.
Some students already know what they want to major in, and this may influence which colleges they apply to. For other students, the choice of undergraduate major may be a bit less certain. If you’re undecided about a major, it won’t hurt your chances of admission. However, you still need to decide on a major once you’re enrolled.
Harvard Waitlist: How Hard Is It to Get Off of It?
Harvard is one of the most popular first-choice colleges for students, and it’s also one of the most competitive. In fact, in the latest admissions cycle, just 3.41% of applicants were offered a seat in the first-year Class of 2027.
Given this competitive admissions rate, some very talented students are going to find themselves on Harvard’s waitlist. While most applicants have a general idea of what a waitlisted outcome means, few understand how waitlists really work and what they can do to boost their odds of admission, which is what we’re going to explore here:
College Waitlist Admissions: How to Get Admitted
You’ve worked hard throughout high school, hoping to be admitted into one of your top-choice colleges. You put time and effort into your application and supplements, only to find out you’ve been placed on the waitlist. Confused? You’re not alone. Fortunately, there are steps you can take in this situation.
Which AP and IB Courses Count for College Credit and How?
Taking AP or IB courses doesn’t just look good from a college admissions perspective—these classes can also translate into college credit once a student enrolls. While policies vary by college, many universities will grant college credits that go towards specific course requirements, in turn allowing students to free up some room in their schedules. Even if AP and IB courses are only applied towards a student’s overall credit count, completing advanced classes is a great way to get a jump start on college.
When Should You Write a Letter of Continued Interest?
A letter of continued interest (often referred to as a LOCI) is a written statement that a student sends to the admissions office of a school they are still interested in attending, despite being deferred or waitlisted. Generally, these letters reiterate the student’s interest in and fit for the college in question and update the admissions office on any achievements that the student has earned since submitting their initial application.
U.S. vs. U.K. Admissions: What You Need to Know
While more and more international students are studying in the U.S. every year, a number of students are also looking to the U.K. for university options. The U.S. and U.K. university systems are dramatically different, however, and many international students struggle with determining which would be the best fit for their learning styles, goals, and interests. With these two admissions systems and processes differing so significantly, it’s important to understand the nuances of U.S. vs. U.K. admissions and how to apply to each.
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.
Sample Harvard Interview Questions and Answers
If you’re nervous about your Harvard interview, you’re not alone. Since Harvard is one of the most competitive schools in the country, it’s important to do your best on every component of the application to stand out.
Interviews can feel particularly stressful for students because they’re an unfamiliar challenge. However, it is possible to build up your confidence by preparing in advance. Keep reading to learn more about the Harvard interview questions that you can expect to encounter, as well as tips for answering them.
