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Start preparing for the SAT exam, which is an important factor in determining Ivy League admission success. Test Dates Location & Format Services & Fees Subjects Tested Scoring When to First Take the SAT PSAT The precursor to the modern SAT was developed from a U.S. Army intelligence test and was first administered in 1926...

In the first blog post of this two-part series, we defined underrepresented minorities in the context of college admissions. This group of applicants is usually made up of black, Hispanic, and Native American applicants, who have historically experienced low admission rates. Other ethnic minorities, such as Asian-American applicants, are not included in this group because...

The eight Ivy League schools use a numerical ranking system known as the Academic Index (AI) to rank students. The Ivy League originally developed the AI to ensure athletic recruits met a minimum academic standard that was relatively uniform across the eight schools. In this article, we briefly discuss the AI—what it is and why...

As you prepare to apply for college, you’ll likely be considering your academic record, extracurricular activities, and other factors that will make you a strong candidate. However, your geographic region, an often-overlooked component of admissions profiles, may also give you an edge. Top colleges generally do not release statistics on how many students apply from...

At top colleges, the term underrepresented minority (URM) is used narrowly to refer to black, Native American, and Hispanic applicants; admissions rates among these groups have been historically low. Top colleges strive to create racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse classes, so URM applicants tend to have improved chances of being admitted. Of course, the pursuit...

In our previous blog post, we examined the differences between applying regular decision, early decision, and early action. These three ways to submit college applications can, if used strategically, increase your chances of being admitted to a top school. Of course, every applicant’s situation differs, and you’ll have to evaluate the benefits and disadvantages of...

When the time finally comes to send in your college applications, you’ll have to choose when and how to apply. Usually, high school students can choose between applying regular decision, early decision, and early action. It is important to be aware of the differences between these college application types and use them to your advantage...

One of the foremost characteristics college admissions officers look for in applicants is the ability to innovate. Top colleges want students who know how to identify problems or opportunities and formulate solutions. As a high school student, you have many opportunities to show your ability to innovate, and entrepreneurism is an ideal way to accomplish...

The personal essay is one of the most important components of the Common Application—it gives you a chance to show the admissions officers who you are and how you will add value to their schools. Your personal essay should tie in with your overarching admissions theme and narrative, showcasing your unique story. Certain content, however...

Most high school students are aware that their academic performance will be one of the decisive factors in the college admission process. As a result, some college applicants try to achieve the highest GPA possible and pay little attention to the quality of their course load, thus ignoring this important component of their high school...

A competitive transcript is one of the most important elements of an outstanding college admissions profile. If your grades are excellent and reflect your academic interests and goals, the admissions officers at top colleges will likely be impressed. As with every other aspect of your admissions profile, the key is to make sure your transcript...

Preparing for the SAT or the ACT can be intimidating—your performance on the standardized test you choose will be an important part of your college admissions profile. You’ll have to prepare well, get acquainted with each exam’s general layout and content, and develop test-taking skills that will help you perform your best. We’ve noticed that...

The college admissions landscape in the United States has never been more competitive; the most selective colleges and universities have very high expectations for their applicants. Therefore, crafting a strong college admissions profile can be challenging, especially without proper guidance. Ivy League Prep’s mission is to fulfill this need and provide students with personalized, specific...

As we explored in our previous post, financial aid may be one of the most important factors to consider when making your list of potential colleges. The financial aid opportunities in U.S. colleges and universities vary greatly, so you need to take the time to learn about each school’s offerings. These Ivy League admission tips...

The costs of an education at a top college can be sizeable. For many families, paying a quarter of a million dollars for their child’s education is an insurmountable obstacle. However, it is important to note that some of the most selective schools are also very generous toward their students. Even though each school is...

Athletic ability can make a powerful difference in the college admissions process. If a college or university recruits you as an athlete, you will automatically gain admission to the school. Even if you are an exceptional athlete, however, you must still develop a compelling transcript and a unique application theme and narrative. In this article...

The Ivy League admission process is certainly complex—students can take a myriad of different approaches toward crafting an outstanding applicant profile. Each student’s academic interests, talents, and extracurricular activities will vary, but all college applicants should work hard to develop a compelling theme and narrative. Your unique circumstances and goals will constitute an important part...

As the deadlines for college applications approach, it may be tempting to apply to every school possible. On the other hand, you may only have one or two schools you’d like to attend. However, these two extremes—making an overly long list of potential colleges or crafting a very short one—can be dangerous. If you don’t...

In the current college admissions landscape, it takes much more than good grades to build an outstanding applicant profile. If you want to impress the admissions officers, you’ll have to craft a unique admissions theme and narrative. The key is to use your personal experiences, extracurricular activities, and academics to prove that you will be...

As explained in our previous blog post, many college applicants make mistakes that lower their chances of gaining admission; unfortunately, there is a plethora of bad advice on how to craft a strong admissions profile. Every year, admission officers from the best colleges and universities deny thousands of applications from students who make common mistakes...

The admissions landscape for the top colleges and universities in the United States has never been more competitive. Every year, thousands of high school students apply to the Ivy League schools with little chance of being admitted, which is understandable considering the abundance of conflicting information on how to craft a strong college admissions profile...

Given the remarkable competitiveness of the college admissions landscape, many students believe that they have to engage in all sorts of extracurricular activities to make their college applications stand out. As a result, many applicants strive to play an instrument, excel at a sport, join after-school clubs, participate in science competitions, and the like. However...

Soon it will be time to send in your college applications, and you’re trying to identify the schools that will work best for you. Making a list of target colleges certainly requires a lot of time and research, but how can you narrow down that list to a few realistic options? One of the best...

performing well on your interviews could ultimately get you accepted into your target schools. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to anticipate all of the questions the interviewer will ask. Questions will vary from one interviewer to another, so planning your answers word-for-word is not the best use of your time. Rather than...

You’ll want to make the best possible impression during your college interviews, so you need to conduct yourself in an engaging, professional way. The following Ivy League admission strategies will help you impress your interviewers and gain admission to your top-choice schools. Be Engaged You need to show engagement throughout the entire interview. This means...

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during high school. If you find a college that suits your academic, career, and personal goals, it will be much easier to succeed after graduation. When assessing potential schools, you should consider the following factors to determine if the college works for you...

Making a list of potential colleges and later narrowing it down to a select few may seem like a daunting task; after all, you must consider numerous factors such as your academic preferences and financial situation. Before determining whether a particular college is a good fit, you should give some thought to your personal preferences...

Once you have graduated from high school and been accepted into college, the hard work involved in crafting an outstanding application theme and a compelling narrative will be behind you. Still, that doesn’t mean you should just relax during the summer before college. Instead, you should make the most of your summer by spending extra...

Senior year is one of the most demanding stages of high school, but it is also one of the most exciting and rewarding. Your main responsibilities during senior year will be to keep your grades high and submit your college applications on time. Eventually, you will receive each college’s response. If you are accepted through...

Your junior year of high school is a great time to boost your admissions profile’s competitiveness, both in terms of academics and extracurricular pursuits. In addition to taking on a heavy course load, you will have to prepare for and take college entrance exams. Demonstrating leadership and innovation should also be a high priority during...

Your sophomore year of high school is a valuable opportunity to develop strong academics and engage in activities that will strengthen your admissions profile. At this stage, you should determine what subjects and activities you excel at and enjoy. This will help you develop a compelling application theme. The longer you wait to develop your...

As a high school freshman, you may be wondering what you can do to prepare for the competitive college admissions process. Even though graduation is still a few years away, there is much you can do to start crafting an exceptional admissions profile that will make you stand out. At this stage, focus on early...

When should you start preparing your child for college admissions? Is it ever too early? Some parents start preparing their children for college before the latter even start school. Once their children reach elementary school, these parents may even have them visit campuses, practice for entrance exams, and receive tutoring. Even though this approach may...

The end of high school is drawing near, and you’re eager to get started with the college admissions process. Perhaps you have a list of ideal schools, and you certainly want to make sure your college applications stand out. But just how hard is it to get accepted into a top college? The admission process...

College admissions have never been so competitive, and top schools are becoming increasingly selective. Therefore, you need to craft a memorable admissions profile that will make you stand out. Perhaps the two most important elements of an outstanding college application are the theme and the narrative. The theme is the recurring topic that unites the...

The Common Application, also known as the Common App, is a standardized college application that is accepted by over 900 schools. It can save you significant time and effort if you are applying to multiple colleges. In this article, we’ll provide a few Ivy League admission tips on how to fill out each section of...

The time has finally come to apply to college. No doubt you’ve been anticipating this moment for years. Perhaps you have a list of dream schools you’d like to study at, but you know that the competition will be intense—thousands of students apply to the top schools each year. For instance, the Ivy League colleges...

Holders of U.S. green cards are granted permanent residency in the United States, making their dreams of a life in America possible. Permanent residency status comes with a myriad of advantages, including in college admissions. U.S. universities are known for their quality and prestige, and holding a green card boosts your chances of enrolling in...

For many college applicants, spring is the culmination of months or years of hard work. This is when they find out if they will be attending their top-choice school in the fall. However, thousands of applicants find themselves on the waitlists for their favorite schools, which confuses and frustrates them. While some waitlisted students hold...

The college admissions planning process can be overwhelming. Important tasks can sometimes be missed as you work to stay on top of your homework, prepare for standardized tests, take part in all-important extracurricular activities, and enjoy some much-deserved down time. Don’t fret. There are ways to ensure critical details do not slip through the cracks...

You’ve completed your college applications and sent them in. Now, your next step is the college interview. You should prepare well for the interview, so we’ve gathered some Ivy League admission tips to help you get ready for this important event. Why a College Interview? College interviews are not always required, and many large universities...

Choosing among the thousands of U.S. colleges available to students today is no small feat, and it can seem daunting without a plan. On the other hand, having a road map to follow can make this difficult decision much easier. These Ivy League admission strategies can help you navigate the college application process and decide...

The Common Application, also known as the Common App, is going to be your best friend during the college application process. This online tool offers a standardized application, including one set of essay questions, accepted by more than 700 colleges and universities. If you are applying to more than one college, the Common App will save you time and effort, and what busy high school student...

When it comes time to apply to your dream college, there’s a lot to prepare. But you’re on top of it. You’ve ordered your transcript to showcase your academic prowess, you’ve collected raving letters of references from prominent figures in your academic and professional life, and you’ve penned a brilliantly convincing personal statement. If you’re an international student, you may have even...

Getting accepted to an elite college has never been more difficult, especially for women. To all the young women who got admitted last year, Great job! You really earned it. Why? Because one of academia’s little-known secrets is that private college admissions are exempt from Title IX’s ban on sex discrimination—a shameful loophole that allows some of...

The new SAT to be administered in March for the first time won’t penalize students for wrong answers, will offer them the option of writing an essay and will no longer test for vocabulary words they likely haven’t heard, according to the College Board and a local education official. The College Board presented changes to...

Stanford University is letting in a record low 5 percent of freshman applicants as it vies to be named the most-selective U.S. school for the second year in a row. Stanford’s admit rate is slightly below last year’s 5.1 percent. The school, near Palo Alto, California, received 42,487 applications, up from more than 42,000 last...

DURHAM, NC – There are many traits needed to be a successful admissions officer at Duke, all with unique dualities of their own. BUILDING THE CLASS OF 2019 By the Numbers 31,178 – Applications for admission in Class of 2019 3,106 – Students who applied Early Decision for Class of 2019 3,558 – Accepted applications for...