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IvyWise Blog

2025-26 Common App Supplements

Many schools utilize the Common App as their primary application form, and school-specific supplements allow every institution to customize this universal application in order to build a well-rounded first-year class. From asking about a student’s favorite snack to designing their dream seminars, many colleges are getting creative with their supplement questions so that admissions officers can learn as much about applicants as possible.

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How to Get into Tufts: All You Need to Know

Tufts University is a private, highly competitive research university in the Greater Boston area in Massachusetts, just minutes from downtown Boston. Focusing on building a one-of-a-kind, diverse community and emphasizing student and faculty collaboration, Tufts is an exciting place to live, learn, and grow.

Tufts is highly selective and only admits a small percentage of applicants every year. To increase their chances of admission to Tufts, prospective students should start to prepare early by building their profile, doing their research, and gathering their application materials. To learn more about what it takes to get into Tufts University, read on.

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Emory University quad

Emory University Guide: Admissions and Acceptance Rates

Emory University, a highly selective institution often called a “Southern Ivy,” attracts thousands of bright minds each year. Students who hope to be accepted need to understand the admissions process and start early so they can build a competitive profile that will help them stand out. Keep reading to learn how to apply to Emory University.

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aerial view of Cornell University campus

How to Get into Cornell: All You Need to Know

Cornell University is an Ivy League institution nestled in the natural beauty of upstate New York. Its world-renowned programs in engineering, architecture, and hospitality, among others, are just a few reasons that many prospective students dream of attending Cornell. 

Like every other highly selective university and Ivy League member, Cornell has become increasingly competitive through the years. It’s important to understand what Cornell is looking for and what you can do to increase your chances of admission. Read on to learn more about Cornell and about what it takes to get in.

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Boston College campus

How to Get into Boston College: All You Need to Know

As a premier Jesuit research university, Boston College (BC) offers a diverse array of programs, attracting intellectually curious students from around the world. From its picturesque campus in Chestnut Hill — a neighborhood in suburban Newton — to its distinguished faculty, Boston College embodies a commitment to excellence in both scholarship and service.

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How to Get into UC Berkeley: All You Need to Know

The University of California at Berkeley, or Cal, as it’s lovingly called, is a legendary institution of higher learning located in charming Berkeley, California, on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. Read on to find out more about UC Berkeley, how to get in, and how to improve your applicant profile to increase your chances of admission.

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How to Get into UCLA: All You Need to Know

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), is one of the most selective universities in the prestigious public University of California system. Located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, UCLA offers the best of both worlds: an urban campus with access to all the nature the great state of California has to offer. 

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Main building at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta

How to Get into Georgia Tech: All You Need to Know

Known for its rigorous academic programs, particularly in engineering and technology, the Georgia Institute of Technology — better known as Georgia Tech — attracts applicants from around the globe. Located in the bustling city of Atlanta, Georgia Tech is one of the top public research universities in the U.S. Admission is highly competitive, so prospective students need to start early to build a strong applicant profile.  

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do you need national awards for ivy league

Do You Need National Awards to Get into Ivy League Schools?

The mystique surrounding Ivy League institutions often leads to the belief that only students with top accolades stand a chance of admission. And while achieving a national award or two can certainly impress an admissions committee, it is not a requirement. Understanding the Ivy League requirements for admission can help you focus on building both a strong academic and extracurricular profile.

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Smiling students looking at good ACT scores

What Is a Good ACT Score?

Why are ACT scores important for college admissions? For starters, they provide a standardized measure to compare students from different schools and backgrounds. Your scores also help admissions committees determine your academic readiness for college and are often used for course placement and awarding merit scholarships. Standardized test scores also help with institutional rankings.

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