● 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 you are serious about your academic interests.
● Use social media to find out information about university clubs, organizations, student life, and more – you’ll gain a more authentic perspective than from glossy admissions marketing brochures. Don’t forget to check out Campus Tours, YouVisit, and CollegeWeek Live.
● Visit the universities you have on your list. Touring a campus and meeting admissions officers in person is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your top choices. If you can’t visit, colleges have made everything accessible in the virtual environment, so students should make good use of it. Make sure to check out the virtual tours, online information sessions, and interviews being offered. You can even drop in on classes and talks that were once only available in person.
● Communicate! Some universities are offering live chats and opportunities to speak to admissions officers, professors, alumni, and students. Let us help you seek these out, write the perfect email, and connect! Demonstrated interest is VERY important to many universities.
● Want to find out more about setting up your LinkedIn account?Need some advice on your Common App Personal statement? Ask your counselor to send you the link to the Ivy Options webinar library and binge-watch all our videos!
● For those of you in the process of writing your university personal statements, remember to own the process. This will help you write better essays and understand what you are really interested in studying and doing in the future. Students should research careers and colleges and think about what they really want. To get a head start on your writing before summer break, sign up for our Friday essay writing sessions from 2-4pm to help you perfect your statements!
● Internships, research, and personal projects are valuable means of developing your interests and gaining some experience. Show initiative and be creative about how you fill your time. Start a personal project (see our article in this newsletter with ideas from past students), create experimental work for your portfolio, and do something meaningful – volunteer or take a course online. Let us help you plan your summer
wisely and make sure to check out our Summer 2023 Resources guide.
Please reach out to your counselor for help, advice, and guidance now and throughout the summer. We are here to help.