Ivy Options

Lyndon lived most of his life abroad in Asia and the Middle East, and attended the American School of Dubai for three years. But when it came to college, Lyndon returned to his home country, landing in the heart of the U.S. Midwest. The Grinnell College freshman explains what attracted him to a classical liberal arts education and shares its distinct advantages. IO: Hi Lyndon. What initially drew you to apply to Grinnell? Was it always on your radar, or did you discover it

As summer approaches, students and parents feel pressured to fill summer schedules with prestigious programs, big-name internships, and extra academics. The assumption: more is always better. But the truth is, summer isn’t about doing everything—it’s about opting for carefully selected activities. Recently, our Career Specialist Anna Manafova and Senior Advisor Laura Waft hosted a parent webinar with a fresh approach to summer planning. Instead of treating activities like a c

When asked where they plan to apply to college, students frequently say something like this: Penn, Cornell, Tufts, Boston University, Berkeley, and USC. These universities have excellent qualities and opportunities; however, given their well-known names and geographic locations, they’re also incredibly popular. With so many applying, these universities have frustratingly low acceptance rates and many disappointed applicants. We’d love more students to dare to be different. He

With spring break upon us and summer fast approaching, many families are planning college tours. This is an excellent move! Brochures and websites only go so far. Nothing beats seeing a campus in-person to get a real sense of the academics, student life, and atmosphere. Here are tips on how to make the most of your school visits: Early Preparation and Research A successful college visit begins before you step foot on campus. Start by researching the school’s academic program

Working toward a Master's in International Relations and International Law at the University of Edinburgh, Noor Al Kharusi is currently doing an exchange program at American University in Washington, DC. The Omani student has created an exceptional LinkedIn account, meaning a strong, professional online presence. She shares her insights on the importance of the platform and tips on building a strong profile. IO: At what point did LinkedIn start to feel like more than just an

From a young age, Mishka loved art. But this evolved in 10th grade when she began working on a project to design a residential space for the virtually impaired. She gained an understanding of how art and design intersect, and her passion for architecture was born. Throughout high school, she nurtured this interest through her academics, creative endeavors, leadership positions, and international competitions. Her efforts paid off recently when she was accepted Early Decisio

For middle school students, one of the biggest milestones in life–attending university–may seem like a distant prospect. However, it’s never too early to set yourself up for admissions success. By preparing now, you can hit the ground running from the start of high school. Ivy Option's 10 tips: Organized study habits: This is something you will value your entire life. Establishing effective study habits allows you to stay on top of your schoolwork while also having enough ti

As an American citizen who attended university in the US, trained in US holistic admissions, and has had three children pursue higher education in private US universities, I deeply appreciate the power of the US university system. Although studying in America is not for everyone, there are particular aspects of the US approach to education that set it apart from highly competitive universities in the UK and Europe. Perhaps its most distinctive advantage is the idea that stude

As early university decisions continue to trickle in and you await your Regular Decisions in March and April, here are some key considerations for college-bound Grade 12 and Year 13 students. Remember that Grades and Exam Results Matter. With nearly all applications submitted and graduation only a few months away, it can be tempting to relax and look forward to the future. However, your academic performance this semester is critical. Universities expect you to maintain the s