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IvyWise Blog

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Stanford University Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide 2026-27

If Stanford is one of your top-choice schools, you may be wondering how you can make your application stand out. Your responses to Stanford’s supplemental essay questions are a significant way to set yourself apart from other applicants. However, these essay prompts require you to be both concise and creative, which is not an easy task.

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College counselor smiles during a meeting with a prospective student.

What to Expect During Your Dartmouth College Interview

Dartmouth, like many colleges and universities, invites applicants to interview. However, these interviews are not conducted by the admissions committee but alumni volunteers. The college does not offer campus interviews. 

If you’re invited to an interview, it’s perfectly normal to be nervous. Being prepared can help boost your confidence, so keep reading to learn what to expect and for tips on acing the interview. 

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aerial view of Vanderbilt University campus

How to Get into Vanderbilt: All You Need to Know

A highly selective institution that’s known for its engineering, education, music, and humanities programs, Vanderbilt University is a top choice for many students. The institution attracts applicants from around the world due to its stellar academic reputation, beautiful campus, and location in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee.

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Drone view of Harvard yard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

How to Get into Harvard: All You Need to Know

When it comes to college acceptances, many applicants view Harvard University as the gold standard for admissions success. While the Ivy League college may not be a best-fit option for every student, there’s no doubt that plenty of future applicants are eager to gain a seat in Harvard’s next class of admitted students. So, what does it really take to get in? 

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teenage caucasian male waving to a computer screen during virtual interview

The MIT Interview: What It Is Like and How to Ace It

Most STEM students already know that MIT is one of the most reputable names, not to mention an exceptionally academically rigorous college. However, there is still a lot of uncertainty about their admissions process, including the MIT interview. There’s a lot you can do to stand out in this part of the process.

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aerial view of Princeton University campus

How to Get into Princeton: All You Need to Know

Princeton tops is a dream school for many students. Like most other Ivy League colleges, the university is known for its rigor and increasingly competitive applicant pool.

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Bovard Auditorium, USC campus

How to Get into USC: All You Need to Know

The University of Southern California — or USC, as it’s best known — is a top research university and one of the most selective schools in the country. Located in sunny Los Angeles, California, it’s been a pioneer in academic and research initiatives since its beginnings in 1880.

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Buildings of University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States.

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.

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Buildings at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.

How to Get into Penn: All You Need to Know

The University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy League university located in Philadelphia. “Penn,” as it’s colloquially known, was the first university in the U.S. to offer both undergraduate and graduate studies. Originally founded in 1740 as a charity school and church, Benjamin Franklin proposed in 1749 to turn it into an institution of higher education after publishing his famous essay, Proposal Relating to the Education of Youth. The university has come a long way since then, becoming one of the most prestigious universities in the country.  

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student reviews GPA with teacher

What Is a Good GPA? Calculation, Scores, and Importance

Achieving a “good” GPA is a common goal for many high school students, but what does that really mean? How are GPAs calculated, and why is this number so important for college applications and future opportunities? We’ll explore the factors that contribute to a strong academic record to help you understand how to put your best foot forward.

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