As high school seniors across the U.S., and the world, await college admission decisions for the class of 2021, it’s important to remember the focus of this process at the end of the day: the student. At IvyWise we have the honor of working with some amazing students, and we’d like to take the time to feature some of them.
Colleges Continue to Report Record-Low Admission Rates, Stanford Admits 4.69% of Applicants for the Class of 2020
It was another competitive admission season for the class of 2020, with admission rates for the incoming freshman class remaining low and even dropping from the 2014-15 cycle.
It’s only natural for teens to feel pressure when navigating the college admissions process — it is, after all, one of the biggest decisions many teens will have made up until this point. In the January newsletter we covered how to manage test anxiety, which is common among many teens taking the ACT or SAT in hopes of getting into their dream school. While testing anxiety can be crippling, the college preparation process extends beyond one Saturday morning test. Many students can feel overwhelmed going into the process, and the stress can cause problems with grades, family, friends, health, and more.
IvyWise Expert Counselor Nat Shares Tips and Advice for What to Do Before, During, and After Information Sessions
When preparing for college visits, it’s important for families to plan ahead and register for official information sessions and campus tours. In some cases, families can overlook the information session by assuming it’s a general presentation with little impact as to whether a student will choose to apply there or not. This is a huge misconception, as the information session is a critical part of the college visit and gives families the best opportunity to get face time with the admissions office and have their questions answered by an actual admissions officer.
Three years of high school have made you an expert on all things secondary education, but you may not know what to expect on that first day of senior year. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list for you.
School reevaluates awarding college credit for high school courses
Students take Advanced Placement (AP) courses throughout high school, in a variety of subjects, for many different reasons. AP courses can positively weight a student’s GPA, are challenging and are viewed favorably by college admissions counselors on transcripts, and they offer a student with a particular academic curiosity more knowledge and work in that interest. Additionally, most colleges award students who have earned a particular score on the AP exam, usually a 4 or 5, college credit or exemption from core requirements. Gaining credit before enrolling in college courses can lighten students’ workloads, give them the option of graduating early, and may save them money on tuition.
This week, our IvyWise intern, Becca, shares what she loved about attending Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
I have always believed that attending college in New Orleans is like studying abroad for four years. The food, music, and Mardi Gras make living in the “Big Easy” an experience unlike any other. “Lessez les bon temps roulez” (let the good times roll) is a city mantra ever apparent throughout NOLA, including on the campus of Tulane University.
This week, one of our awesome interns shares what she loves about attending Washington University in St. Louis. Though she (and her parents) were originally considering mostly Ivy League schools, extensive research and campus visits proved that this Missouri university was her best fit school:
At IvyWise, we love helping students discover the schools that will be a great academic and social fit for them, where they will be happy and successful. That said, when given the chance, we never hesitate to give a shout out to our own alma maters and share what made that school a great match for us. Previously, members of our team told tales of Turkey Trotting at Lehigh, classes in the Commons at Emerson, and following in the footsteps of strong women at Barnard. This week, the newest member of the IvyWise team, our Executive Assistant Ashley, tells us about her experiences at American University in Washington, DC:
