IvyWise Blog

Harvard is one of the most popular first-choice colleges for students, and it’s also one of the most competitive. Admission rates are consistently under 5%.

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.

Are you ready for Regular Decision notification dates? Admissions offices across the U.S. are working hard to get through hundreds of thousands of Regular Decision college applications for the class of 2030 in order to notify students of their decisions this spring.

It’s one of the most common — and most stressful — questions students ask during the college search process: What if I don’t know what I want in a college?

While strong grades and test scores clear the academic bar, they rarely differentiate applicants at highly selective institutions; qualitative components play a central role.

Navigating the rising costs of higher education can be daunting, but college grants offer a way to secure “gift aid” that never has to be repaid.

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. 

The Common Application has announced the personal statement essay prompts for the 2026-27 admissions season.

The college admissions season is flying by, and early admission decisions are already being released. Here’s our annual list of early admission decision notification dates!

An impactful summer is not about a specific title or program; it is any experience that allows you to grow, learn, reflect, and apply new knowledge to future goals.