If you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you’re looking to apply and be accepted to the Ivy League. You’re in luck! We’ve worked with 100,000+ students and have seen time and time again what works. We’ll split this article into two sections: how to prepare if you’re in middle school and how to prepare if you’re in high school.
Advice for Middle School Students:
With acceptance rates hovering at 5%, applying successfully to Ivy League schools takes deliberate planning. With each year that passes, the competition increases, and stakes rise. The reality is that students who begin preparing their academic foundation early are FAR more likely to position themselves for Ivy League readiness than those who wait to prepare until entering high school. It’s just a different game now.
One of the best things you can do for your child is help them build a robust foundation in Mathematics, since this is the base for all tests like the SAT and rigorous classes such as AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics, all classes you’ll want your child to take and excel at if you’re serious about the Ivies. Building a foundation in math however does not mean grabbing a book from Barnes & Nobles and assigning your student homework, nor does it mean signing them up for a class that all their friends are enrolling into. Here are a few things to consider instead:
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Tip #1:
- One of the biggest mistakes other providers make is relying too heavily on amount homework without regard for what students need individually. Enrolling in classes without 1:1 instruction is often a waste of time and money, because there is no work targeting areas where your child actually needs help.
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Tip #2:
- Prioritize instruction before repetition. Students absolutely need practice to build confidence and skill. But practice must be guided and focused. A highly qualified tutor will teach students what they need to know to make practices more productive and effective.
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Tip #3:
- Practicing a mistake reinforces that mistake. This is why it’s critical to consider the first two tips. When you’re building a math foundation, any errors early on will have a domino effect later down the line and actually hurt rather than help.
Advice for High School Students:
Of course, your grades and standardized test scores are of paramount importance when it comes to succeeding in the application process. However, in this day and age, the majority of students have the academic qualification – it’s in the rest of the intangibles that they fail to separate themselves. Let’s take a look at how YOU can stand out in the process:
Tip #1: Develop Your Story
The most important thing you could do to improve your college application is to develop an authentic personal story. Are you the theatre kid? A writer? An athlete? If you’re unsure, try thinking about areas in your life where you spend most of your time. It may just be one activity, or it could be a couple. You may include the things you do at school. It could very well be things outside of school (babysitting, jobs, activism, etc.). String together things that you enjoy doing in your free time. This will be essential to writing an effective essay.
Tip #2: Leverage the Thematic-Based Approach
One of the biggest mistakes students make when putting together an extracurricular activity list is focusing on quantity instead of writing tailored descriptions for their personal story. Successful applications don’t mention miscellaneous activities. They utilize a very deliberate, proven method to highlight activities that matter.
Tip #3: Use the Additional Information Section
This section allows up to 650 words to discuss anything that the rest of the application didn’t previously allow the student to discuss. This could include additional essays that discuss extenuating family circumstances. It might be a link that the admissions officer could click on to view a student’s portfolio of work. You may include a thorough explanation of certain extracurricular activities.
Hopefully this puts you on the right path to preparing yourself for the Ivy League no matter where you stand today!