Grades 8-10 (Years 9-11) might feel too early to start thinking about college majors, standardized testing, and university lists. Undoubtedly, it is important for students to enjoy these years and ‘just be kids’. However, as counselors who have helped thousands of students find their purpose and gain acceptances at top universities worldwide, we know these years matter. In fact, this period provides a unique opportunity to build a strong foundation for success not only in uni

Elissar has wholeheartedly jumped into her first semester at Duke University, her first-choice school. But it wasn’t a sure thing: she was initially deferred when she applied Early Decision. The Lebanese-American, who has lived most of her life in Dubai, shares her first impressions of the North Carolina campus and how she stayed positive during the exhausting application process. IO: Congratulations on starting your first semester at Duke University! How was your summer as y

When it comes to Canadian university applications, there is no single centralized platform like the Common App in the U.S. or UCAS in the U.K. Instead, application processes vary by province and university. Here’s a guide to navigating the Canadian systems. How to Apply Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta have their own application systems. In Ontario, most students apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). In British Columbia, students can use Edu

It's UCAS personal statement season again! Many rising Year 13s and Grade 12s have already started putting their thoughts on paper. Whether you are writing your first draft or feel you are nearly done, read on to learn our four-part test to determine if your UCAS statement measures up in terms of content. After that, our short checklist will help you upgrade your essay even further. The test: Have you... Organized according to the prompts? Provided specific examples? Shown co

Imagine an admissions environment in which you are the prize and universities compete for you. Such a platform exists! Over the past three years, Ivy Options has piloted Concourse Match applications with selected students. During that time, our students have received admissions offers from a wide variety of universities in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Europe such as Tulane, Purdue, Parsons, Simon Fraser, Western University (Canada), University of York, American University of

William got his wish! He’s headed to the University of California, Berkeley for academic rigor and sunshine. The bilingual British student, who is half Polish, successfully juggled 10 years of boarding school in Hampshire while playing tennis at the national and international level. Read on to learn about the key factors he thinks helped him unlock his multiple, top-tier admissions results. IO: Congratulations on getting into so many great universities: Vanderbilt with schol

You’ve probably heard the term ‘foundation’ course, but what exactly is it? It’s a one-year academic bridge, usually offered by a university, for high school graduates that prepares them for entry into an undergraduate degree. It is designed to develop subject knowledge, study skills, and to strengthen English language proficiency, enabling students to transition smoothly into higher education. An international foundation year (IFY) is similar, but specifically targets intern