IvyWise Blog

As one of the eight prestigious Ivy League institutions, Brown University is a dream school for many students. However, the Brown acceptance rate is one of the lowest in the country

Approximately 2,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. currently have test-optional or test-free policies for first-year applicants. Other schools have since reinstated their standardized testing requirements.

Curious about the testing policies of the schools on your best-fit list? Check out our recently updated list.

If Princeton is at the top of your list for best-fit colleges, you know that every component of your application counts. With an acceptance rate of 4.06% for the class of 2030, it’s clear that applicants are going to have to submit their best work to be competitive, and that includes writing compelling supplemental essays.

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.

As a member of the Ivy League that’s known for its rural setting and renowned Greek life, Dartmouth College ranks at the top of many students’ lists of best-fit colleges. The school has plenty of well-regarded programs and is the only member of the Ivy League that is an undergraduate-focused college, rather than a university.

If Harvard is one of your top-choice schools, you may be wondering how you can make your application stand out to the admissions committee. This is where your college essays come in.

Colgate University is a small liberal arts college located in Hamilton, New York — about one hour southeast of Syracuse. It’s often ranked as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. As a selective institution, Colgate only admits a small percentage of applicants every year. To be considered for admission to Colgate, prospective students should start to prepare early by building their profile, doing their research, and gathering their application materials. Read on to learn what it takes to get into Colgate University.

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 the essay prompt contributes to the holistic review of your application, so it’s important to give it a lot of thought.

Grades are one of the most important factors in college admissions, but it matters how you earn them. In this episode of Just Admit It!, IvyWise counselors Tasha and Abdiel talk about course rigor and why it’s crucial for students not only to achieve strong grades, but also to challenge themselves academically.

As an Ivy League school based in New York City, Columbia University is a top choice for many students. The school offers a variety of well-regarded programs and is known for its signature Core Curriculum, part of the Columbia student experience for over a century.