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IVY OPTIONS BLOG


The New Digital SAT: A Smooth Experience, But Opaque Scoring Raises Concerns
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
May 3, 2023


Taking a Gap Year
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
May 2, 2023


How to Make Your Summer Work for You
● 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
May 1, 2023


Find Your Fit
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
Apr 5, 2023


2023 Admissions Trends
Here are our quick takes on the trends that have impacted the past admissions cycle. Read on to learn how falling acceptance rates, high application volumes, and Early Decision plans have impacted this year’s students. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)remain a priority while high application volumes persist According to a November article in Forbes.com, the Common App reported an increase in total applications to nearly 750,000, a 26% rise from 2019-20. A large part of t
Apr 3, 2023


Tackling the Common Application Activities Section
Each element of your college application (your personal statement, your activities, your supplemental essays, your course selection, and...
Apr 1, 2023


Want to Excel in Admissions?
Calling all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors…this article is for you! When applying to college, your grades and the rigor of your...
Mar 14, 2023


Attention Juniors: Make Your Recommendations Stand Out
It’s never too early to ask for a recommendation letter! Right after spring break, juniors will need to start asking teachers to write these key letters for you. So now is the time to start thinking about who will advocate for you as strongly as they possibly can. It’s also important to know how you can make your recommendation letters stand out. Teacher recommendations are more valuable than ever, as they are the one aspect of the application that is untouched by students or
Mar 6, 2023


UCAS Makes a Statement – Upcoming Changes
Newsflash! On January 12th, newspapers across the UK reported that the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, better known as UCAS, was ‘scrapping’ the UCAS personal statement. However, this change is not the only news in UK admissions. Read on to learn what to expect. UCAS has managed UK university applications since 1993, and the personal statement has been an integral part of the application. In this 4,000-character essay, applicants express their motivation for pur
Feb 8, 2023


Navigating the Digital SAT
2023 marks the end of the paper SAT and a new era of technology with the launch of the digital SAT (DSAT). Our team has spent the last few months reviewing the information provided by the College Board and reliable partners who specialize in test preparation, and we have identified several key principles for students to follow in order to maximize their performance on the exam. Structure and Format The DSAT has two sections: Reading/Writing and Math. The Reading/Writing sect
Feb 6, 2023
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