We are thrilled to announce the new Ivy Options & Lumiere Education Mentored Project Program. University campuses around the world are filled with academics and students who conduct compelling research and complete groundbreaking projects. In diverse academic disciplines ranging from psychology to engineering and history to marketing, these leaders are making discoveries and devising effective strategies that change our world. At Ivy Options, we have seen that amazing insight

You’ve been accepted to your dream school and can’t wait to begin planning the big move. If you are going to a country like the US that...

Students who have worked on a significant research project outside of high school classes, performing artists, visual artists, and makers may often be invited to submit portfolios as a supplement to their applications. Even if you are not applying for a visual or performing arts degree but you have a special talent you want universities to see, consider putting a well-prepared portfolio together to showcase your interests and skills. It will present admissions officers with a

The university application process can be stressful for everyone involved. Here are some tips to help you navigate through this...

For the fourth time in its history, the SAT is changing again! The test as we currently know it will be phased out for international students after the December 2022 exam, and starting March 2023, the new SAT will replace it. Although the aims of the SAT remain the same, there are significant differences with the new test that parents and students must be aware of in order to prepare for the 2023 test dates. The major change to the exam is that it will be computer based inste

Two years of test-optional admissions cycles have raised many questions in students’ and parents’ minds about which, when, and even why standardized tests are important. We have seen that testing is still required by some universities and can certainly make an application more competitive. Therefore, the earlier you start, the better. Properly preparing for the SAT or ACT will not happen in one sitting. So when to begin? Is there a time that’s too early to begin prepping? To

One important decision to make in the application process is whether or not to include your standardized test scores. As a result of decades of criticism about the fairness of the exams and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, almost 75% of universities in the US and Canada have adopted a “test-optional” policy in evaluating candidate admissions. This means that universities will not require you to submit scores and will consider your application complete without them. It’s also im

What do you do when you aren’t sleeping, doing schoolwork, or enjoying life with family and friends? Universities want to know! Whether you are applying to the US, Canada, Europe, or the UK, it is helpful to develop an extracurricular profile that reflects your values and intellectual curiosity. University life involves so much more than attending classes; undergraduates contribute to an environment that is rich in culture, innovation, and service to others. Your application

At Ivy Options, we offer several tools to help our students identify their optimal career paths. One such tool is the Strong Interest Inventory, an online career interest assessment. In this article, we will discuss how Strong can help you identify career preferences and pick a university major. About Strong The Strong Interest Inventory was developed by the Myers-Briggs Company, a pioneer in personality research. This assessment consists of over 300 questions, asking you abo

Writing a great university essay can feel quite challenging. Whether you are applying to the US, UK, Canada, or Europe, you need to understand what universities are looking for and display excellent writing skills. Here, we discuss some strategies to help you craft the perfect essay. The Common App Personal Statement Students applying to colleges in the USA will write the Common Application Personal Statement (CAPS), a 650-word essay that showcases the student’s personality a