Course Planning

Events The Role of High School Transcripts in College Admissions DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT A student's high school transcript is the single most important qualifying or disqualifying element of their application, allowing colleges to assess whether they are academically prepared for the rigor of their curriculum.  But how exactly do college admissions officers evaluate a student's transcript? Join IvyWise college admissions counselors as they share insights on how college admissions officers take a student's grades, course load, and strength of school into consideration when reading their application.

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.

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

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.

By Indhika, IvyWise Academic Advisor Your first year of college is critical in establishing a strong foundation that sets you up for academic, professional, and personal success. As you prepare for your first semester on campus this fall, embrace the changes of this new journey and lean into some advanced planning and self-directed goal setting to help you smoothly transition to campus life. Below are some tips to help you get ready for college and make the most of your first year.

As students begin a new school semester, they will soon be meeting with their college counselors to begin planning for the summer and the next school year. One important part of the counseling process is ensuring that students are taking the proper courses that match their academic ability, interests, and ultimately their college admissions goals. For many students and parents, course selection can be an afterthought.

With an increasing number of new technologies and an expanding global population, self-studying is on the rise. Education is no longer confined to just the classroom, and some would argue that the classroom model is outdated and does not meet the intellectual needs of individuals in such an interconnected society. Being an autodidact, or self-teacher, has become increasingly feasible due to MOOCs (massive open online courses), Internet encyclopedias, and more colleges and universities offering courses online.

The most important document in a college application, as I tell all my students, is the transcript. Admissions committees are keen on applicants who have challenged themselves and excelled academically throughout high school, not just in junior or senior year when they think it “counts.”  Given the transcript’s importance, you should thoughtfully consider what college prep courses to take each year and plan for subsequent years.

If you’re not already preparing for the SAT or ACT, now’s the time to get started! The spring semester is a popular testing time, and high school sophomores and juniors need to have a plan to prepare for these important college admission exams. An excellent SAT or ACT score is not a guarantee of admission, but it can be the difference between the “maybe” and the “no” pile when admissions officers are reviewing applications.

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? In some cases, high-achieving students are invited to enroll in a university's honors college upon acceptance, while other students seek out the honors track and apply to the honors college as part of their undergraduate admission.

Let's pretend you're a couch potato who wants to train for a marathon. You're going to want to set goals to help increase your chances of success, right? For instance, you may decide to increase your mileage or speed slowly each week.