You’ve worked hard on your early applications, collected recommendation letters, proofread your essays numerous times, and then finally apply to your dream school, only to hear that your application has been deferred. Often, this comes in the form of a letter from the university where you applied saying they were not able to offer you…
The Common Application and Coalition Application have helped mainstream and simplify the application process for students allowing them to apply to multiple schools using the same form versus decades past when students filled out single paper applications for each college. Despite using one (or only a few) platforms to submit your college applications, you still…
There is a great deal of confusion about the “Academic Index” used in the Ivy League, what it means and how it’s applied. We asked our admissions consultants to shed some light on this important matter in Ivy League admissions. Key Facts About the Ivy League Academic Index Exclusively for Athletes Within the Ivy League,…
The College Board transitioned to the fully digital SAT format in 2024, making it the standard for students worldwide. You’ll find that the structure and content of the new test is different than the paper-based version that most people are familiar with. No longer will the test be the same for all students on a…
As a high school freshman, you may be wondering how much your grades from this year will impact your chances of getting into college. It’s a common concern and one that deserves a thoughtful answer. In this blog post, we’ll explore the role of freshman-year grades in the college admissions process and provide you with…
One of the most common questions higher education professionals receive is, “How can I improve my college application in a very competitive and saturated academic environment?” The application process can often seem overwhelming and clouded in mystery but there are some very clear steps you can take to show yourself in the best light during…
Supplemental college essays are university-specific, meaning that they are something you will write in addition to the Common Application Personal Statement, but they will only be sent to the specific institution that is asking the prompt. As such, these essays pack a lot of power: these are the college and universities’ best chance to really…
The college admission process is filled with uncertainty. With so many colleges to pick from and multiple ways to apply, it’s no wonder that students and families become stressed during the process. One way to reduce uncertainty and anxiety is to apply early decision to your first-choice college. Why submit an early decision application? Here…
For many students, the goal of college admissions is to gain entrance into the Ivy League – a group of eight universities that many believe are the most prestigious institutions in the United States. While there are many other schools alongside the Ivy League (like Stanford, MIT, University of Chicago, Northwestern, Caltech, Duke, etc.) that fill…
What are the top reasons students choose a specific school? According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are roughly 4,000 degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the United States [1]. That means, there are upwards of 4,000 choices out there for students when deciding on a college in the US (yikes!). Regardless of if you…