IvyWise Pro Bono Student Jennifer Shares Some Insight into the College Admissions Process

As college-bound high school seniors head into their last year of school, there’s a lot to think about. The college application process is in full swing, and in addition to applying to a balanced list of best fit schools, students need to maintain good grades, improve test scores if they’re retaking the SAT or ACT this fall, and keep up with their extracurricular activities. It can be hard to keep an open mind during this process, especially when students have such definite goals, but it’s important to explore all options when applying to college this fall.

Figure Out if This Popular Early Application Plan Will Work for You

Once you’ve put the finishing touches on your list of best-fit colleges, it’s time to consider application strategy. More specifically, rising seniors need to decide when they will apply to the schools on their list.

Learn How Rolling Admissions Work and How to Use Them in Your Application Strategy

When it comes to preparing college applications, there are many factors to consider. In addition to crafting a personal statement and narrowing down your best-fit list, students need to decide if they will apply early, in the regular rounds, and/or to colleges with rolling admission.

Learn What to Ask (and Avoid) On College Tours

College tours are an exciting opportunity for students to get a feel for life on campus, narrow down their list of best-fit schools, and explore a variety of academic options. Asking questions can help students gain more specific information about each institution and walk away with a nuanced understanding of the school.

When it Comes to College Applications, Students Get to Give the Final Rose

What does the ultimate guilty-pleasure reality television show The Bachelor and the college admissions process have in common? It may feel like students are competing for their own "rose" from their top-choice schools, but, while there may not be romantic beachside getaways or dramatic tell-alls, a student’s quest to find their best-fit college is pretty similar to The Bachelor’s mission to find a future partner.

Stay Calm While Waiting for Application Results with These Tips

Many college-bound students who applied in the regular round are holding their breath for their admissions decisions from their list of best-fit schools. After months of test preparation, studying, essay writing, and visiting schools, sometimes waiting for the results of this hard work can feel like the most difficult part of the entire process.

Here are Some Top Tips from Our Team of Expert Counselors

Regular application deadlines are just days away! Are you ready to hit “submit” on your final few college applications?

Former Admissions Officers Reveal Common College Application Missteps

It’s important to stand out when applying to college, but all too often applicants can draw attention to themselves for the wrong reasons. Common application mistakes may not completely derail your chances of admission, but they can give admissions officers pause when making decisions.

Don’t “Resume Pad” In Order to Look More Appealing to Admissions Officers

Many college-bound students struggle with what or how much to put on their college application activity list. Often, many students will add a number of extra activities in order to make it look like they’ve done a lot more initiatives in high school, but this resume padding can actually hurt more than it helps. 

Students Applying to College Should Seek Help From a Number of Different Resources

For students just starting the college admissions process, it can be intimidating and overwhelming, so some perspective from peers going through the same process can be helpful and welcome. We caught up with one of our pro bono students, Oladunni, to get her advice on what students should know when applying to college this fall.