We’ve covered what colleges are looking for in Why This College essays in a podcast a few weeks ago. But given how many of the Ivies have different versions of this essay, we are dedicating another segment to these supplemental pieces. We also have advice as you finalize your college lists, from determining whether it is balanced to considering it in conjunction with your expected family contribution.

Students often wonder if their involvements outside of the classroom are impressive enough to help them get into a highly selective college. Is the boy who spends his weekends at yo-yo competitions more striking to the admissions committee than the girl who sits by a tree and writes poetry on Sunday afternoons? It’s all about the ways in which these students choose to present themselves. So, let’s think about the question this way: What do the Ivies and other highly selective colleges want to learn from a student’s extracurricular activities? What kind of people do these colleges seek?

The Princeton supplement is one of the most varied in terms of tone. One prompt asks for a long, thoughtful response, while the others are brief and informational rather than introspective. Let’s start with those short ones!

On the latest episode of Getting In: A College Coach Conversation, host Sally Ganga unpacks how to pick courses for your first semester of college, everything you need to know about SAT Subject Tests, and financial aid at the Ivies.

Sure, you’ve got the grades and test scores, but so do lots of other students—and most of them get rejected from Ivy League universities. What, then, is the secret recipe to gain Ivy League acceptance? College Coach consultant, and former Babson and Holy Cross admissions officer, Kimberly Asselta explains in this installment of the video series, Ask the College Admissions Expert.

On this week’s episode of Getting In: A College Coach Conversation, host Ian Fisher unpacks how to think about your college major, athletic recruitment at highly-selective institutions, and income-driven student loan repayment plans.

International students, just like their domestic counterparts, should strive for a college list that encompasses a range of admission selectivity. While it’s fine to aim high and dream big, it’s smart to have a safety net and multiple options. To better understand how to build a balanced list and why rankings aren’t everything when it comes to the college search, see Emily Toffelmire’s recent article on www.wes.org, home of World Education Services, a non-profit organization advocating for international education since 1974.

In the final installment of her Huffington Post series, “Who Gets Into Harvard?,” College Coach admissions consultant and former University of Pennsylvania admissions officer Elizabeth Heaton encourages you not to apply to an Ivy League college. “What?,” you may be thinking. Isn’t it at least worth a shot? Maybe not, says Beth. Find out why here.

If you have Ivy League aspirations and have been following Elizabeth Heaton’s Huffington Post series, “Who Gets Into Harvard?,” you know you’ve got your work cut out for you. Gaining admission to one of the world’s most selective universities is (cue understatement of the year…) challenging. Beth has covered what the Ivy League colleges are looking for in terms of academics, test scores, extracurriculars, summer activities, distinguishing excellence, letters of recommendation, and essays, but what else can you do? Find out in the latest installment of “Who Gets Into Harvard?”

How on earth do you make your essay stand out from the crowd at the most selective universities?  What exactly is it that Ivy League admissions officers are looking for in a college application essay?