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The Insider: Your Expert Guide to College Admissions -
College Admissions Consulting

[Video] What Do Ivy League Colleges Look For?

Sure, you’ve got the grades and test scores, but so do lots of other students—and most of them are denied admission 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.

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January 7, 2021by Kimberly Asselta
College Admissions Consulting

Is Bribery the Only Way In to an Ivy?; Early Round Results; Preparing for Student Loan Payments

With the latest admissions scandal, it might feel like the only way to get into an Ivy or similarly selective university is through bribery. We’re going to discuss the reality of getting into these highly selective institutions. We’ll also help you prepare to start paying off your student loans and discuss how the pandemic might be impacting that process. Finally, as early admissions results start coming in, we’re laying out what students can expect from those decisions.

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December 9, 2020by College Coach
College Admissions Consulting

Why This College Essays for the Ivies; EFC and the College List; Evaluating Your College List

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.

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October 21, 2020by College Coach
College Admissions Consulting

9 Things Ivy League Colleges Look for in Extracurricular Activities

extracurricular activities

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?

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February 13, 2020by Amy Alexander
College Essays

How to Write Princeton’s Supplemental Essays

Princeton essay prompts

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!

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October 4, 2018by Emily Toffelmire
College Admissions Consulting

Choosing College Courses, SAT Subject Tests, and Financial Aid at the Ivies

how financial aid works

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.

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July 25, 2018by Lauren Randle
College Admissions Consulting

Choosing a Major, Ivy League Athletics, and Loan Repayment Plans

How to Choose a Major

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.

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May 10, 2018by Lauren Randle
Choosing the Right College

Advice for International Students: Looking Beyond the Ivy League

applying to universities

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.

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March 3, 2018by Emily Toffelmire
College Admissions Consulting

Seriously, Who Gets Into Harvard? Part 9

don't apply to Harvard

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.

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December 16, 2017by Elizabeth Heaton
College Admissions Consulting

Seriously, Who Gets Into Harvard? Part 8

high school students

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?”

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November 18, 2017by Elizabeth Heaton
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The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts is where College Coach experts weigh in on the latest college admissions topics. We cover everything from application timelines and strategies to tips on financing your child's education.

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Planning Early to Pay for College: A Timeline

Planning Early to Pay for College: A Tim

Is it OK to Write about Death in Your College Application Essay?

Is it OK to Write about Death in Your Co

Repaying Student Loans & Tackling Ivy League Essays

Repaying Student Loans & Tackling I

Comparing Financial Aid Awards, Women’s Programs, & Selective College Interviews

Comparing Financial Aid Awards, Women’

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