College Planning

Events College Admissions 101 Series: Decision Rounds and Application Strategies DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT With many colleges offering a variety of application rounds, including Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Decision, it can be difficult for students to develop the right application strategy for them.  In this talk, IvyWise college admissions counselors shed light on why colleges offer different application rounds so students can understand how they can use a smart strategy to best optimize success in the college application process. Attendees will learn the differences between the various application rounds, how to identify the best round to apply during for each college on their list, and what steps to take if deferred during an early application round.

Events A Look Inside Historically Women's Colleges with Former Admissions Directors DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Join IvyWise College Admissions Counselors Alecia and Robin for a deep dive into Historically Women's Colleges. With over 3,000 four-year institutions in the U.S.

Events A Look Inside Liberal Arts Colleges with a Former Admissions Director DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Join IvyWise college admissions counselor Eric for a deep dive into liberal arts colleges. With over 3,000 four-year institutions in the U.S.

Events Class of 2028 College Application Primer With Former Admissions Directors DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT As the Class of 2028 finishes up eighth grade and looks ahead to beginning high school, now is the perfect time to start thinking about how to make the most of their next few years. Join IvyWise college admissions counselors for a deep dive into the college application process and how you can set yourself up for success in high school. Attendees learn about selecting the right courses, developing their personal profile, and identifying the best-fit extracurricular activities and summer plans.

Events Class of 2027 College Application Primer With Former Admissions Directors DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT As the Class of 2027 finishes up their first year of high school, now is a great time to regroup on the past few months and plan ahead for the rest of high school. Join IvyWise college admissions counselors for a deep dive into the college application process and how you can set yourself up for success over the next few years of high school. Attendees learn about selecting the right courses, developing their personal profile, and identifying the best-fit extracurricular activities and summer plans.

Events A Look Inside Political Science and Pre-Law Colleges with Former Admissions Directors DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Join IvyWise college admissions counselors Christine and Robin for a deep dive into colleges where you can study political science and pre-law. With over 3,000 four-year institutions in the U.S.

Events A Look Inside HBCUs with Former Admissions Directors DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Join IvyWise college admissions counselors Danielle and Kayon for a deep dive into Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). With over 3,000 four-year institutions in the U.S.

Events How to Build Your College List and Find Hidden Gems DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT With over 3,000 four-year colleges and universities in the United States, it can be a daunting process for students to identify the 12-15 best-fit schools for their college list. In this talk, IvyWise college admissions counselors explain how students should consider their interests, goals, and preferences to begin the college search process. Attendees learn how to build a balanced college list of target, reach, and likely schools and go beyond the most well-known institutions to find hidden gems.

Events Extracurricular Activities Brainstorming DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Are you participating in the right extracurricular activities? Gaining admission to top colleges and universities is incredibly difficult for even the most academically qualified applicants, and soft factors, like activities, are often the dealmakers today. Join IvyWise college admissions counselors as they demystify what admissions officers are looking for when evaluating activities and how they factor into your overall student profile.

Events Making the Most of College Visits DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT Spring is traditionally a popular time for students to visit colleges. Whether you are a rising senior finalizing the schools on your college list or are just beginning the research process, it is important to consider your interests, goals, and preferences when evaluating schools. Join IvyWise college admissions counselors to learn how to make the most of virtual and/or in-person college visits to get an informed view of a college, stand out to admissions officers, and build a balanced college list of target, reach, and likely schools.

The college admissions process has long been a rite of passage but has arguably become more stressful in recent years as admission rates at selective institutions continue to drop. Plus, more students are continuing on to college, and each student, on average, is applying to more colleges than ever before. There are thousands of wonderful colleges and universities for students to consider, but many applicants are drawn toward a smaller number of schools considered “top schools” based on various rankings, adding to the already competitive nature of college admissions.

  Are you a high school student eagerly eyeing your dream college? Perhaps you're anxious about your college application and wondering whether it's a good idea to reach out to the admissions office. You're not alone in having these questions, and we're here to provide clarity with some frequently asked questions about high school students contacting college admissions staff.

Early Decision, Early Action, Early Decision II, Restrictive Early Action — believe it or not, the list goes on. There is no shortage of early application options for college admissions these days, and some hold a significant statistical advantage to students. Yes, this means that in some early processes, most students are significantly more likely to receive offers of admissions than if they applied Regular Decision.

The college application process is stacked with buzzwords, including the often-used “holistic review” and “hook.” Right now, more and more families are trying to decipher terms like “profile building,” “applicant profile,” and “telling your story.” What do these terms mean, and how do they differ?

By Carolyn, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor Welcome to the first real, concrete step you will take toward deciding which college you will call home for the next few years of your life! The process of building your college application list should begin in the 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 Kelly, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor Are you a homeschooler? A distance learner? A non-traditional student?

By Chris, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor The cost of attending a four-year college continues to grow and is already one of the largest investments a family can make, with many private colleges and universities charging upwards of $70,000 a year in tuition, room, and board.  Given the scale of that investment and the potential stakes of a poor choice, many students and parents focus on post-college prospects for employment and want their investment to pay off in the form of solid, and hopefully lucrative, career options. For some students, this means trying to decide what careers they are interested in while still in high school and engaging in a college search they believe will propel them to success in that field.

Are you a natural linguist? Do you thrive on exchanging cultures? Did you grow up speaking multiple languages in your household?

By Mike, IvyWise Academic Advisor As a former academic advisor and faculty member at a public college, I often found that this question struck fear in the hearts of first-year college students, turning a conversation about potential majors into an existential identity crisis. In high school, the conversation around college majors and career paths is typically held within the lens of graduation or college admission requirements and fails to give the requisite time to answer such a big question in a thoughtful and informed manner. If students are lucky, their high school might have one or two courses related to career exploration.

Spring heralds the arrival of the campus visit season when colleges welcome students to take a tour and attend an information session. After limiting in-person visits due to the pandemic, many colleges are once again offering tours regularly. At IvyWise, we encourage students to attend virtual and on-campus tours when possible because the benefits of college tours — whether in-person or via a computer — are plentiful!

By Robin, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor Enter any conversation about college admissions, and you will inevitably hear the word “transcript.” This all-important document presents an academic narrative of the applicant, showcasing the grades and courses the student has taken throughout their high school career. When college admissions officers read a student’s application, they not only review what grades the student has earned but also the rigor of the student’s course selection.