College Lists

By Carolyn, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor Welcome to the first real, concrete step you will take toward deciding which college you will be calling home for the next few years of your life! The process of building your college application list should begin in fall or spring of your junior year, though you may have begun visiting schools, attending events, and reflecting on your preferences before then. Your goal is to have a strong list of schools you plan to apply to by early fall of your senior year, ideally before the school year begins.

By Carolyn, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor If you are a high school 9th or 10th grader reading this article, chances are you are very excited about starting the college process. If that is the case, give yourself a big pat on the back for being proactive! Keep in mind, however, that the college search process will look different for underclassmen than it might for juniors and seniors.

By Tasha, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor When international students think about applying to college in the US, they may be surprised to find that there are over 3,000 four-year colleges and universities to which they can apply. When building their college list for U.S.

Students must weigh many considerations when compiling their list of best-fit colleges, including application fees. Many universities include a fee that applicants must pay when applying unless the student qualifies for fee waivers. However, there are a number of colleges without an accompanying application fee.

There are so many factors to consider when choosing a college. Students are thinking about everything from, “does this school offer the major I want to pursue?” to “will there be pick-up games of ultimate Frisbee on the quad?

Building your college list is one of the most exciting parts of the admissions process. Although creating a college list can seem big and daunting, learning about yourself and where you’re going to thrive as a student and individual can be a lot of fun. But building a college list isn’t just about filling it up with “good schools.

I’ve spent a lot of time over the past 15 years thinking about the answer to one (admittedly nerdy, very college counselor-y) question: if I could go to college all over again, which school would I choose? A decade and a half ago, I attended a medium-sized research institution in a major city in the southern U.S.

The balanced college list is arguably one of the most important college prep tasks that students will complete within the college admissions process. The college list not only guides where students will apply, but it also factors into students’ application strategy – which can help maximize their admission chances to their top-choice schools. Building a balanced college list, however, is not as simple as creating a laundry list of familiar schools to which a student will apply.

College rankings are often the first exposure that many students have to the concept of a “college list.” It’s easy to become familiar with a few “name brand” schools after seeing them at the top of a list, but what does that number actually mean? And should college rankings play a part in your college list research?

I hope you’re excited to see the latest installment of how Hollywood brings J.K. Rowling’s words to the big screen in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

If you’re passionate about learning, colleges will not only want to accept you—they’ll want to hire you! A career as a college professor means flexible hours, sharing your discoveries with eager young minds, and opportunities to study, research, and become an expert in your field. Not to mention those four special syllables: sabbatical.

There is a definite hierarchy to America’s universities. It’s a pecking order where only a handful of “elite” schools lead the pack in being the most selective, having top faculty, large financial resources and pristine campus facilities. While this hierarchy has, to some extent, remained fairly stable over the last century, there have been a few institutions that, with the help of smart leadership and some unique opportunities, have recently risen to prominence (and experienced a great increase of applications).

Picture this: you’re watching the Super Bowl on your big-screen TV. A player from your favorite team scores the winning touchdown. When he rips off his helmet, you say: “Hey, that guy was in my Russian Lit class!

Students all over the country are singing the praises of , FOX's smash-hit comedy-drama that chronicles the lives of high school glee club members. The first show of its kind, has awakened the musical interests of students across the country. Whether you've been belting out notes for years or are just discovering your vocal talents, there are many colleges where you can get a degree in any field you choose while also channeling your inner Rachel, Finn, or Kurt.

October brings the smells of pumpkins and apples, the sound of crunching leaves, and spookiness galore! For students who love a good scare, there are many schools that combine a great educational and social experience, and also have a haunting history. Whether you're just in the Halloween spirit or want to study among the spirits, here are five schools for a good haunting from the expert counselors at IvyWise: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN "Win one for the Gipper!

In the US and in many countries around the world, this month kicked off with April Fools Day on April 1st. For students who enjoy a good laugh, there are many colleges with students who like to get in on the fun. In the spirit of jokes, shenanigans, and hoaxes, the counselors at IvyWise have identified five schools that are home to legendary pranks.

The election results are in and whether or not your preferred candidate won the race, it's easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of campaigns and politics. Students can discover or pursue their political interests in college by taking political science courses, government courses, and volunteering on local politicians' campaigns. Political science is one of the 10 most popular majors in the US, according to Careerbuilder.

Most commencement exercises are rooted in tradition: wearing school colors, singing the alma mater, flying the campus flag, listening to the valedictorian's speech, and marching in the staff-led procession. While these historic marks are part of many graduation ceremonies throughout the country, some colleges have their own quirky commencement traditions. Many schools have added a modern-day element, including East Carolina University, Hampton University, and the University of Pennsylvania, which encourage students to Tweet and follow updates on their mobile devices during the actual event.

Tis' the season! For college students around the US, December often brings final papers, presentations, and exams, as many students enter the home stretch before winter break. Luckily, at many colleges, this end-of-semester stress is lightened by snowy celebrations and holiday cheer.

If you're interested in problem solving and finding creative approaches to common dilemmas, you might want to consider pursuing an undergraduate degree in engineering. Engineers tackle real-world problems (like the BP oil spill!) and are responsible for finding answers as varied as the dimensions of a bridge, the density of traffic, the depth of waterways, or the complexity of cell growth.

Writing is an important skill for students and professionals to develop in order to succeed in the professional world. While aspiring writers may have a natural talent for the written word, it never hurts to expand one's knowledge and skills through an English or creative writing program in college. In honor of National Novel Writing Month, here are Dr.