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IvyWise Blog

The Role of a High School Counselor

Amidst the whirlwind of classes, extracurricular activities, and social dynamics, high school counselors play a crucial role in supporting students. They are not just there to help with academic planning and college applications — they also provide guidance on personal and social issues, helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in school and life.

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7 Tips to Beat Senioritis

With senior trips, prom, and other year-end festivities on the horizon, a general lackadaisical attitude can spread, lengthening social time and shortening study time. Many know this phenomenon as “senioritis.” Students work less, play more, and — if they’re not careful — can risk their academic futures.

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Community Colleges vs. Four-Year Colleges

If you have started researching schools for your college list, you may wonder about the pros and cons of community colleges versus four-year colleges. Both types of colleges offer unique benefits and challenges that can shape your educational journey and future career. Learning the advantages and disadvantages of these options can help you decide which path is right for you.

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ACT and SAT Test Prep

ACT and SAT scores are a critical factor in college admissions for several reasons. Because grading systems can vary widely, standardized tests are a common metric colleges can use to compare students from different high schools and educational backgrounds.

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Beat College Application Deadline Anxiety

Stressed about college application deadlines? Here are 5 tips to help you finish your applications strong.

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What to Do While Waiting for College Admissions Decisions

This time of year makes for very anxious high school seniors as many wait to hear back from colleges about their admissions decisions. The period between submitting applications and receiving decisions can feel like an eternity and often leaves students in an academic limbo with many thinking, “I’ve done all I can and the decision is in the hands of the admissions committee — what else can I do?”

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Grades: How to Identify Problems and when to Ask for Help

Grades are the most important factor that admissions officers consider when evaluating applications, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling. So, if you come home with a bad grade, it’s important to know how to address it. 

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6 Tips for Recording a College Application Video

Many colleges are known for getting creative with their essay prompts, sometimes asking weird and wacky questions to encourage students to dig for thoughtful, creative responses. Another way some colleges are shaking up the college admissions process is with college application videos.

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How to Pace Yourself on the ACT and SAT

The SAT and ACT are the most often used exams for college admissions in the U.S., and given that they are standardized, they must be taken under strict time constraints. Students can struggle with the limited amount of time per question, leaving points on the table when they’re unable to finish certain sections. Simple pacing strategies, however, can help students improve their test performance and overall scores.

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Young african american woman sitting at a table using laptop serious face thinking about question

5 FAQs I Get About College Admissions

In a recent interview on the Smartless podcast, renowned scientist and MIT professor Max Tegmark was asked how he explains his job to people he just met. If he doesn’t feel like talking to the person asking, he explained, he simply says he works in physics, which is boring and confusing enough that there are typically no follow-up questions.

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