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IVY OPTIONS BLOG


Canada Caps Study Permits
Starting this year, Canada is cutting the acceptance of new international students by at least 35 percent. The country, grappling with a shortage of housing and other social services tied to the surge in the international student population, is limiting the number of study permits issued. Additionally, the financial proof requirement from international applicants will increase from CAN$10,000 to $21,000; however, Quebec will remain at $7,500. British Columbia, Ontario, and No
Mar 1, 2024


Write a Winning CAPS Essay
The greatest shawarma in Dubai. Lasting lessons learned on a “cursed” bus. A bold vision for the future of biotechnology. The joy of pairing different types of literature with particular drinks. What do these strange and interesting topics have in common? Ivy Options students wrote about them in their Common Application Personal Statements (CAPS) and used these stories to get into some of their top choice schools. The personal essay required by more than 1,000 US universities
Jan 31, 2024


Cecilia Reichert, Northeastern University
Starting at Northeastern University in the fall of 2022, Cecilia was convinced that she wanted to study neuroscience. However, by attending a school that encourages academic exploration and offers a built-in internship program (the co-op), she discovered her true interest: international business. She's committing to the major this semester, but she's relished her "undecided" status, varied classes, and sorority life. She's already done a study abroad in Greece; next up, South
Jan 31, 2024


IO Accredited as a Testing Site
Ivy Options has recently received accreditation as a testing center for the University of Waterloo’s prestigious and globally recognized computer programming and math competitions for high school students in grades 9-11. Interested participants must register by the February 1 deadline. Once signed up, students will receive materials and coaching from an Ivy Options counselor. All tests will be taken on computers – similar to the SAT format – at our Al Barsha office. The Can
Jan 3, 2024


Upturn in International Applications
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
Jan 3, 2024


Reema Al Mahruqi, Columbia
Reema is bound for Columbia University this fall! The Omani student recently received Early Decision acceptance to the New York school. She credits her application success to effectively conveying her unique story: a traditional Middle Eastern upbringing and her passion for AI/data science – her intended major. IO: Congratulations on your ED acceptance to Columbia University! First of all, how are you feeling? Reema: I am absolutely thrilled and grateful to attend Columbia! I
Jan 3, 2024


Summer Programs
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
Dec 1, 2023


Holiday Reading List
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
Dec 1, 2023


Solving the Testing Quandary
To test, or not to test? To submit, or not to submit? These are the SAT/ACT questions confronting 11th and 12th graders as they dive into USA college applications. In the wake of the pandemic and increasing criticism about the fairness of testing, approximately 80% of American undergraduate schools are now test optional – a dramatic increase from 45% in 2019. As a result, students need to carefully assess their individual situation and determine how to strategically utilize t
Nov 3, 2023


"Test Drive" Bocconi and IE Universities
Finding your right fit is so important when researching the universities on your list. You need to determine whether the course or program offers what you seek in your degree studies. One of the best ways to test if a program suits you is by interactive engagement with the university. Meeting admissions officers gives you the added benefit of making sure you are a known applicant, a helpful advantage in the admissions process. Here are two great ways to "test drive" Bocconi a
Nov 2, 2023
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