Category: College Prep
How to Set Effective College Prep Goals
by Scott, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor
Setting goals is a great way to motivate yourself to achieve something that’s meaningful to you. And if getting into college is a major goal, then you can break it down into smaller, more manageable steps related to academic performance and expanding your knowledge in areas of interest. These two go together, and both are important for college admissions.
College Prep Resources for High School Students
If you’re planning to go to college, it’s essential to make all four years of high school count. Colleges look at your entire high school record — courses, grades, activities, and more — when evaluating college applications. They want to see how you have progressed over your time in high school and if you’re truly ready for the rigors of a college education. So, whether it’s your first year in high school, your senior year, or somewhere in between, these resources can help you on your path to higher education.
High School Classes: What to Choose to Prepare for College
While college may feel like a distant challenge on the horizon, it’s important for high school students to choose their classes carefully to begin preparing for their next academic milestone. Admissions officers will review the courses students take from their first year of high school onwards, which is why it’s crucial to be selective about the classes you’re taking to ensure they align with your long-term goals. Although choosing high school classes may feel overwhelming at first, students who do their research will feel confident in the choices they are making when it comes time for course selection.
4 Reasons Why College Prep Can Be Fun
By Mari, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor
Who says preparing to apply to college can’t be enjoyable? Of course, college prep still involves working hard, earning the best grades possible, and achieving your target scores on standardized tests, but there’s a lot you can control about the process that can — and should — be fun.
Advice for First-Generation College Students
Juniors: How to Get on Track with College Prep Before Summer Break
After three years of hard work, it is almost time for the Class of 2025 to apply to college! But what comes next? Join IvyWise college admissions counselors Judy and Tasha for a deep dive into the college application process and how you can set yourself up for success as you look ahead to the 2024-2025 college admissions cycle.
Watch nowJunior year is a busy time for students, and arguably one of the most critical college prep years. There’s only a little bit of time left before summer break and juniors are suddenly rising seniors and ready to start applying to college. There’s a lot that juniors can do between now and then to prepare and get on track with their college prep.
Meet with Your CounselorFirst and foremost, if you haven’t already, make time to meet with your college counselor. Your college counselor is a great resource to help you figure out where you need to be with your prep and what you can do now to ensure that you’re prepared come next fall.
College Prep Planning for 8th Grade Students
As the Class of 2028 finishes up eighth grade and looks ahead to beginning high school, now is the perfect time to start thinking about how to make the most of their next few years. Join IvyWise college admissions counselors Kayon and Robin for a deep dive into the college application process and how you can set yourself up for success in high school.
Watch Now The easiest way to minimize the stress associated with the college admissions process is to start early! If you understand what admissions officers are looking for and what you need to check off your to-do list and when, you can avoid last-minute time crunches.Campus Resources for Students With Disabilities
Navigating college life can be both exhilarating and challenging — and the challenges may be compounded for individuals with disabilities. Fortunately, most colleges and universities are committed to being inclusive, offering a myriad of campus resources tailored to support students with diverse needs. Learn more about campus programs and resources that can help disabled students thrive academically and personally.
How to Ace the Georgetown Alumni Interview
Georgetown University, nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C., is renowned for its commitment to educating global citizens who are academically proficient and socially conscious. The admissions interview at Georgetown serves as a unique opportunity for applicants to expand on their written applications and showcase their personality, passion, and alignment with the university’s values. Keep reading to learn what the interview entails and how to ace it.
How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview [With Samples]
Many colleges include an admissions interview as part of the application process, which is a great way to further demonstrate your interest, learn more about the school, and get answers to your questions. It’s a good idea to send a thank you note via email after you’ve been interviewed. Not only is it a good practice, but it helps keep you top of mind and gives you one more opportunity to make your case for admission. Keep reading to learn more about how to craft a good thank you email.
9 Goals for the School Year: What Are Your Educational Goals for 2024?
January is here — a new year, a fresh start. If you’re like many people, you may have some goals you want to accomplish in 2024. Setting some academic goals can help you stay focused and on track for the rest of the school year and beyond. Keep reading to learn more about academic goal setting.
How to Ace Your UPenn Interview: Common Questions and Tips From Alumni
The University of Pennsylvania — or Penn, as it’s often referred — offers interviews to prospective students. Depending on volunteer availability, Penn may reach out to you to schedule an Alumni Conversation. This is essentially a conversation between you and an alum so that you can learn a little more about Penn and they can learn a little more about you.
College Prep 101: College Admissions Glossary of Terms
Applying to college and choosing where to enroll is both a major milestone and an important decision. It’s bound to be a little stressful, but it can feel completely overwhelming if you’re not up to date on all the latest terminology.
Staying Up Late to Study Hurts Students More Than It Helps
For many high school students balancing standardized tests, school projects, assignments and extracurriculars, it may seem like there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. As a result, many students are staying up late to study. According to a 2015 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about seven out of 10 high school students aren’t getting enough sleep. In fact, Stanford Medicine refers to teen sleep deprivation as an epidemic.
UCLA Personal Statement: FAQ, Examples & Insider Tips
UCLA is part of the University of California system, which is comprised of nine campuses throughout the state. Students applying to UCLA must use the UC application — the University of California system does not use the Common App or Coalition Application. The application process includes several personal statement prompts, or what UC refers to as personal insight questions. Keep reading to learn more about these prompts and tips for responding to them.
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.
What to Look for In a College Admissions Counselor
The college application process is an opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth, but it can also be stressful and filled with uncertainty. For many students, working with a college admissions counselor can be a meaningful way to expand their horizons and receive nuanced guidance throughout the process.
How to Prepare for Your Rice University Interview
If you’re planning to apply to Rice University, you can request to be interviewed as part of the admissions process. While Rice University interviews are optional and not guaranteed, they provide a unique opportunity for you to learn more about the campus experience, showcase your knowledge of Rice, and highlight your life experiences and accomplishments. If you don’t have an interview, it won’t hurt your chances of gaining admission. However, participating in an interview can give you a competitive edge, since your interviewer submits a report to the admissions committee.
Currently, Rice does not offer campus interviews — all interviews are conducted virtually, but this may be subject to change in future admissions cycles. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect during college admissions interviews at Rice University so you can feel prepared and confident.
5 Tips for Choosing High School Classes
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.
UCLA Acceptance Rate and Stats: What it Takes to Get In
With a sprawling California campus, top tier academic offerings and Division 1 sports teams, it’s no wonder that the UCLA acceptance rate is so low. The Los Angeles-based university emerges as a top-choice institution for many high school students, so students need to prepare thoroughly in order to emerge as competitive applicants.
Insightful Tips for Adjusting to Life as a Transfer Student
It can be difficult to choose where to go to college, and it sometimes happens that a student realizes their current school isn’t working for them. Or perhaps a student starts out at a community college before continuing on to a four-year school to finish their degree. Whatever the reason, transferring to another school is always an option. If you’re considering a transfer to another school, you are not alone.
