College Campus Life: Wacky Student Clubs and Organizations
Campus Life Considerations: Student Clubs and Organizations
Making new friends and getting involved on campus starts with exploring your interests. Student clubs and organizations are a great way to meet new people and build on the skills and interests that you already have.
Early Application Deadlines Extended
Early Application Deadlines are Extended for Some Schools Due to Hurricane Sandy
As Hurricane Sandy pounds the East Coast just days before the Nov. 1 deadline for early applications, many colleges and universities are opting to extend their early application deadlines into the week of Nov. 5 for those affected by the storm.
Demonstrated Interest and College Admissions
The Dating Game: Letting Colleges Know You’re Really Ready to Commit
In this month’s newsletter, we highlight the importance of the college visit and how to prepare for and what students can expect during their tour. While the college visit is very important in deciding where you want to apply, it’s also a part of helping you get in.
Applying to US Colleges as an International Student
High school students across the US aren’t the only ones trying to navigate the often-confusing college application process; students across the WORLD are, too. And many are thinking about coming to the US for their higher education.
College Campus Life Considerations: Dorm Life
Finding the Best-Fit Housing in Your Best-Fit School
For high school sophomores and juniors, fall marks the first steps in the college search process. Many schools have a mid-October fall break, and students and families often use this time to go on college visits. At IvyWise, our team of expert counselors always stress the importance of the college visit. Not only does it give you the opportunity to show demonstrated interest, a factor that admissions officers take into consideration when reading applications, but it also gives you the chance to get a feel for campus life first-hand.
Test-Optional Colleges and Universities
The October SAT is this weekend, and high school students across the country are squeezing in every last bit of knowledge they can before heading to their testing centers on Saturday.
The Value of Community Service in Your College Application
Giving Back is Just as Important as Getting In
When discussing the different elements of a college application, we often bring up the significance of the “brag sheet.” At IvyWise, we can’t stress enough how important a complete and comprehensive brag sheet is to the admissions process. Your brag sheet lists all of your extracurriculars, employment, summer experiences, honors, awards, interests, hobbies, and, very notably, community service.
College Recommendation Letter Tips from Freshman to Senior Year
One of the most critical elements of a stellar college application is a collection of glowing recommendation letters from counselors, teachers and other administrators you have interacted with during your four years of high school. Recommendation letters play a critical role in painting a picture of how you relate to and interact within your academic and extracurricular activities.
Staying Up Late to Study Hurts Students More Than It Helps
School is back in session! And the ne
w school year is kicking off with the first ACT testing of the fall this Saturday, Sept. 8.
5 Essentials for College Freshmen Move-In Day
Check Your List and Check It Twice!
The fall semester is here, and with it comes the day new students look forward to the most, and the day some parents dread the most: college move-in day! For many incoming freshmen, this is the first time they will be living away from home, and the task of getting everything they need to survive in only a few boxes can be a tricky one.
Finding Your Best Fit School: Spotlight on University of South Carolina
It may sound very arbitrary, but I knew when I was applying to colleges that I wanted to go to a “big football” school. Of course a university with an exceptional journalism and communications program (my major) was the most important factor, but I have lived and breathed college football since before I could remember and I wanted to go to a school with a deep-rooted sports culture. One of my favorite things about the University of South Carolina was the football games.
2012-2013 College Application Essays
It’s that time again! With the Common Application and Universal Application releasing their 2012-2013 editions on August 1st, along with several schools releasing updated supplements, the college application season has officially kicked off. College admissions officers may read hundreds of applications and while a student’s “hard factors” including grades, transcripts, and standardized test scores, don’t leave much room for interpretation, a student’s “soft factors,” such as letters of recommendation, interviews, and resume give each applicant an opportunity to let their personality shine through.
College Admissions Terminology
With the release of the Common Application earlier this week, many rising high school seniors have officially embarked on the college application process. The application process, while exciting, can also be confusing and overwhelming. To help start your application process out on the right foot, the expert counselors at IvyWise have compiled the following guide to common college admissions terminology:
Choosing a College Location
Recently, Dr. Kat spoke with the Los Angeles Times about the benefits and shortcomings of virtual campus tours. Virtual tours are a great (and free!) way to gain an overview of a campus’ main attractions, but even with technological advancements, nothing beats the impression you gain from stepping onto a college campus. At IvyWise, we advise that whenever possible, students should visit a college in-person to get a sense of the three Cs – campus, classroom, and community.
Finding Your Best-Fit School: Spotlight on Wesleyan
With more than 3,000 colleges and universities in the US, students need to conduct extensive research on several schools to find the colleges that will be the best academic and social fits for them. The newest member of our Research Team, RJ, loves helping students identify the schools where they will be happy and successful. This week, we offered him a turn to share what made Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut his best-fit school:
Finding Your Best Fit School: Spotlight on NYU
This week, our Executive Assistant, Amanda, shares what she loved about attending New York University in New York City, New York:
Finding Your Best Fit School: Spotlight on Skidmore College
This week one of our new interns, Sara, shares why she chose Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. Sara will be a freshman at Skidmore this fall:
College Acceptance Rates, Then and Now
This summer, as many rising seniors create their college list, we remind our students that there are no guarantees when it comes to college admissions. Admission at the nation’s most selective schools has become much more competitive over the past decade. To add some perspective, keep in mind that parents of today’s high school students likely applied to college 20 or more years ago.
IvyWise Experts’ College Application Tips
IvyWise students often begin working on the college admissions process in the spring of 11th grade, and many of our rising seniors complete the bulk of their college application work before even starting senior year! Once school ends, many students begin intensively researching colleges, creating a college list, and drafting essays. We’ve asked some of our college admissions counselors, advisers, and friends to share their best advice for students embarking on the college admissions process: