Ivy Options

“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

With lightning speed, artificial intelligence (AI) technology is being embraced and utilized by aspiring students to shape impactful college application essays. In the United States and the United Kingdom, the question of when and how AI should be employed in crafting these essays has ignited discussions within the academic community. The insights offered by UCAS (the British application portal) and the Georgia Institute of Technology highlight the nuances of AI integration i

What’s your ED? Don’t be surprised if you hear students asking each other this question as autumn approaches. It has become common knowledge among US-bound students that applying under an EarlyDecision (ED) application plan can increase their likelihood of gaining admission. With university acceptance rates low and continuing to fall, this powerful strategy should be considered by students who have a clear favorite destination for their university studies. In this article, we

When the College Board announced that the SAT would be administered digitally for the first time in March 2023, many students and educators were anxious about how the new format would affect test-taking and scoring. But now that the scores are in and the feedback has been gathered, it seems that the digital interface was smooth and experienced almost no reported glitches, save for a few minor server or connectivity related issues at a handful of testing sites. The mean score

Have you been thinking about alternate paths to university or maybe taking some time to think about the next steps? A gap year gives students the opportunity to take a break from their studies to focus on personal growth, new experiences, work, and travel. There are often particular reasons for taking a break, which we list below. We’ve also highlighted two very different gap year experiences in our Students in the Spotlight section. Taking a sabbatical After you have been ac

● Despite some universities remaining test-optional, SAT and ACT scores do make a difference. Keep studying, preparing, and trying your very best. This advice also applies to Advanced Placement exams and any others like IGCSE’s, IB Exams, or A-levels. Ask your counselor about online and in-person tutoring to help you ace your exams. ● Review your academic work and finish strong. Think about next year’s classes because your junior and senior year schedule matters a lot. Prove

Decision Time! You’ve applied and you have choices! How do you decide where to attend? Now more than ever, you need to think about fit. This little word is so significant; it is important to analyze what matters to you when you envision your ideal university experience. Here are our tips for finding your perfect home for the next four years. First – Ask Questions When you are holding an offer, you are in the driver’s seat. The universities that have offered you a place want y