IVY OPTIONS

“Thank you for your application. After careful consideration, our selection committee is unable to make you an offer of admission at this time, but we would like to offer you a place on our Waitlist.” Ahh, the dreaded waitlist! After months of anticipation, eagerly waiting to hear back from your dream school, you’re still in limbo. While you may feel frustrated and disappointed, don’t be disheartened! Contrary to popular belief, the waitlist is not just a “nice” rejection – c

US universities care about recommendation letters, ranking them just behind grades, test scores, and essays. These letters should highlight both your academic strengths and your character. You’ll undoubtedly get better letters if you choose the right people to write for you and give them smart, targeted information. WHO WILL WRITE FOR YOU? There are three categories of references requested on Common App (and most other applications): Counselor (mandatory) Teachers (mandatory)

With the start of each new year, students and parents approach the college admissions process with renewed energy. New calendars, new goals, and a sense of urgency often fuel motivation, but also misconceptions. While understandable, they can detract from what’s truly important during this critical period. Here are three common college admissions myths we’ve encountered: Myth #1: “We’ll fix everything in Grade 12.” This is one of the most persistent and harmful assumptions in

Early university admissions decisions are starting to reach our hard-working and expectant students. We’ve been thrilled to see many acceptances already and know more good news is on the way! However, some students have already or will be deferred, and others receiving a frustrating rejection. To help everyone stay calm, optimistic, and well-informed, here is a brief summary of what to do in all three cases. Accepted Congratulations! If you applied under the binding early d

For juniors /grade 12 students, maximizing your important second semester is critical. We hope that you're focused on your academics, and are beginning to think seriously about college selection, applications, summer plans, and test prep. To keep you organized and ease the process, we have created tasks for you to complete over the next few months and into the summer. We hope this helps you manage your time and priorities. JANUARY Meet with your Ivy Options counselor to disc

You’ve hit the “submit” button on your early applications. There are mixed emotions: relief that one phase is complete and nervousness as you await decisions. You’re not alone. Nearly 60 percent of high school 12th graders now use Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) in the application process, according to Common App data. While early applications can boost students’ chances at some schools, they don’t guarantee acceptance. Many students are deferred or denied. During th

Every year, students from around the world who aspire to attend UK universities apply to up to five programs through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Most applications to UK universities are made through this system, which provides a fair and straightforward process for prospective students. UCAS opens in mid-May and Grade 12/Year 13 students must submit their applications by mid-January in the year they will complete secondary school; however, Oxbridge

With the increase in international students worldwide, some of the most popular countries for study are trying to juggle the positive aspects of these enrollments with the strains on housing, immigration, and other social services. Recently, nations with the highest international student populations have implemented stricter study visa criteria and raised their financial proof requirements. Among them, Canada, the UK, and Australia have increased the monetary thresholds the m

It's application season! While high school students in grade 12/year 13 are busy writing essays, parents shouldn't overlook an important component of the application to some U.S. universities: non-US citizen applicants are required to provide financial proof that their families have sufficient liquid funds to pay for tuition, fees, and living expenses during the first year of studies. It is important for students to review the international applicant section of each of their

University admissions officers are returning in full force to high school campuses around the world to meet potential students. By taking advantage of these visits, students not only learn specifics about universities but, more importantly, engage personally with the admissions officers – the ultimate form of demonstrated interest. Demonstrated interest is one of the easiest and most effective ways to show universities that you are an enthusiastic and engaged college applican

Students can easily overlook supplemental essays; however, admissions officers consider them one of the most important parts of the application. It’s here they look for evidence of academic potential and the student's fit with their university. These essays also show whether the applicant is genuinely excited and serious about attending. For admissions success, it’s vital to write them well. Most supplemental essays fall into the following categories: Why This University?: W

Summer is an important time to relax and reset, but it is also a crucial time for high school students of all grades to plan and power ahead. Unless you use your summer wisely, you may find yourself time-poor and less effective in the school year ahead. What if you haven’t had time to make a plan? We have you covered. Follow the steps below to optimize your summer: Get a jump start on challenging subjects Summer is a great time to prepare for the rigors of the upcoming schoo

Congratulations to all our students on their university acceptances! You’ve worked hard, schools have rendered their decisions, and it’s now time for you to make a choice. As you sort through your options, here are some helpful tips: Review Your Acceptances: Carefully read through your acceptance letters and any accompanying information. Review and compare the different schools and the offers. Pay close attention to any deadlines and instructions. Decline Unwanted College Of

When applying to college, everyone wants to know, “How can I stand out from the crowd and get admitted to my dream school?” While good grades and standardized test scores are key, a strong profile also matters. Motivated students can enhance their resumes and profiles through ‘super-curricular’ activities – pursuits that help you test your interest in a planned major or course at university. For example, if you’re interested in biology, you can intern in a lab or hospital, re

After declining during the pandemic, international student enrollments at US universities are at their highest year-on-year growth in 40 years according to The Institute of International Education’s latest Open Doors report. The annual research results, which highlight trends and forecasts in higher education, reveal that for the 2022-23 school year, just over 1,057,000 international students from 210 places of origin enrolled in 3,800 institutions. This 12% increase creates

It's December and the perfect time for 9th-11th graders to start thinking about the meaningful ways that they can spend their upcoming summer break: a program at a university, doing research, taking online courses, working at an internship, and/or visiting colleges. Already, applications for many programs are open and some deadlines are just a month or two away. Use the list below as a reference, and work with your Ivy Options counselor to find and facilitate your plans. Yale

After a hectic year, the holidays are a great time to expand your knowledge by reading a new book. Here are Ivy Options recommendations: Non-fiction Boo, Katherine - Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity Brown, Daniel - The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics Harari, Yuval Noah - Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind • Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow • 21 Lessons for the 21st

The earlier, the better is the mantra at Ivy Options when advising families on the best timing for students to start working with us. Many clients join us in 11th grade, but by then, half of their high school career is over – and unchangeable. By actively engaging in preparation for the college application process as early as middle school, ideally 7th or 8th grades, students and their families have much greater scope to shape and strengthen their profile, thereby making thei

“Normalizing experiences of stress and pushing past obstacles can help kids understand that they can do hard things.” – Researchers at the University of Rochester It will surprise no one that many students of all ages are reporting increased stress and mental health struggles. When seeking to identify causes, the pandemic and social media are two of the usual suspects – undoubtedly, both have impacted students' habits, self-esteem, learning opportunities, and social interacti

Here are Ivy Options’ quick takes on the trends that have impacted the past admissions cycle. The recent US Supreme Court decision to eliminate race as a consideration in admissions has already impacted university practices, and legacy admissions will likely be the next target. However, the admissions landscape continues to evolve on multiple fronts. Falling acceptance rates, high application volumes, and Early Decision plans have impacted this past year’s students and are l