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IvyWise KnowledgeBase

Dr. Kat’s List: Five Colleges for Future Veterinarians

Admission to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs has become increasingly competitive, so it’s important to do your homework when it comes to identifying programs that meet your academic and career goals. We’ve covered other schools for various STEM programs previously, but one STEM major or track that frequently flies under students’ radars is veterinary medicine.

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African-American father standing between a boy and a girl with laptops, looking at the girl's laptop

College Admissions: Sibling Dynamics for Parents

Every child is unique — even if you have twins and sextuplets! As the fall provides you with an opportunity to reflect on how much your children have grown and developed into young adults, you may be dealing with the dynamic of sibling rivalry. We hope the following provides a quick guide to help you manage your role as parent when your children apply to college.

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Greek Life: To Rush or Not to Rush?

When it comes to Greek life, students are pretty divided about joining a fraternity or sorority. Some students know they’re going to pledge, others are sure they want to skip it, and the rest haven’t made up their minds yet.

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IvyWise Summer Reading List

When it comes to your college application, colleges will look to see how you spent your time outside of school. In addition to your extracurricular activities, you may also want to list hobbies and interests that you commit a significant amount of time to. Reading is probably one of the best hobbies you can have – it can deepen your interests in a particular subject, help you become a better writer, and will prepare you for the often grueling reading lists in college-level courses. Not only will many colleges appreciate a reading list, some will ask you to list your favorite books on their application supplements.

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Do I Need to Go to Grad School?

Graduate school is becoming an increasingly attractive option for many students, if only because it provides a sense of security and purpose in an economic climate that does not. Still, applying to grad school on a whim is ill-advised. So, how do you know when grad school is right for you?

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Selecting Teachers to Write Letters of Recommendation

Many colleges require letters of recommendation from teachers as part of the college application. Colleges recognize that your teachers spend significant time with you and, therefore, trust them to provide a candid picture of who you are as a scholar and a person.

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The Truth About Recommendation Letters

Grades and test scores are important factors when evaluating college applications, but they don’t tell the whole story. When admissions officers evaluate applicants, they review both “hard factors” (quantitative measures like GPA) as well as “soft factors,” such as essays, extracurricular activities, demonstrated interest, and recommendation letters. 

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The Benefits of Honors Programs

It is fairly common knowledge that most high schools offer honors and advanced placement courses for students looking to be challenged in their coursework. But did you know that colleges and universities also offer similar programs for undergraduate students through honors colleges?

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IvyWise Dr. Kat’s List: Top Colleges for Saving the Environment

Dr. Kat’s List: Top Colleges for Saving the Environment

Sustainability is a hot topic, and everyone is talking about reducing their carbon footprint. If this topic interests you, we compiled a list of schools that strive to be environmentally friendly, facilitate “green” volunteer opportunities, and provide an academic setting focused on sustainability.

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Dr. Kat’s List: Five Colleges for Equestrians

Every year in May, the most famous jockeys and racehorses saddle up for one of the biggest racing events in the U.S., the Kentucky Derby. While the races are an exciting time of year and allow horse lovers of all ages the chance to cheer for their favorites, there’s more to equestrianism than fancy hats and race day fun. There are many facets of the horse business that require extensive education and experience.

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