Each week, The Ivy Institute selects a student’s profile and questions posted publicly online to provide a detailed admissions review and answer that we believe will be helpful and beneficial to all students.

Reddit User:

“How are my chances of getting into an Ivy League college?”

Summary of my Application

• 3.9 UW GPA

• 7 AP’s

• 1550 SAT Score

• DECA National Competitor

• President of Fed Challenge Club

• President of Investing Club

• Conducted Research @ Local College on Economic Relations Between the US and China

• Publish Articles on the Economy, Investing Techniques, & Really Anything Relating to Business

• Started a Successful E-Commerce Store

• Control Social Media for Family Business

The Ivy Institute’s Predictive Admissions Modeling:

After analyzing the student’s profile using our Predictive Admissions model, The Ivy Institute is pleased to present the insightful results.

• Brown: Denied

• Columbia: Denied

• Cornell: Waitlisted

• Dartmouth: Denied

• Harvard: Denied

• Princeton: Denied

• UPenn: Denied

• Yale: Denied

Please be aware that the results generated by our Predictive Admissions model are based on the information provided. The actual results may vary if additional profile information is taken into consideration. Moreover, the results presented are specific to the student’s current application strategy, as listed above. It is essential to recognize that different application strategies, such as the one we recommend below, could yield different results.

The Ivy Institute’s Review:

The student’s academic achievements and extracurricular involvements certainly make them a strong candidate for Ivy League admission. The 3.9 unweighted GPA and participation in 7 AP courses demonstrate the student’s academic rigor. Scoring a 1550 on the SAT showcases their strong standardized testing performance. The student’s leadership roles as President of the Fed Challenge Club and Investing Club illustrate their commitment to economics and finance, along with their participation in DECA at the national level is also impressive. Additionally, their research on economic relations between the US and China at a local college reflects your dedication to academic exploration.

The student’s passion for business shines through their article publications and their successful E-commerce venture. Taking charge of social media for your family business highlights your practical skills in marketing and entrepreneurship. Overall, the student’s clear focus, passion, and depth of work related to business and finance will be a benefit throughout the process. The student’s profile appears strong, but keep in mind that admission to Ivy League schools is competitive, and other factors, such as essays and recommendation letters, will also play a role. It's essential to emphasize how these experiences have shaped you, your goals, and how you intend to contribute to the Ivy League community.

However, it's important to recognize that these qualities are commonly found among Ivy League applicants, and finance-related interests can be competitive. Thus, the above accomplishments will place this student’s application for competitive consideration, but as is, it will fall far short of an acceptance.

To truly stand out, it's crucial to dig deeper and reflect on what makes the student truly unique. Ivy League schools seek individuals who bring diverse perspectives and experiences. The student should consider how their personal journey, values, or background contribute to their interest in finance. What personal experiences have shaped your outlook? How do you envision using your passion for finance and business to create meaningful change? Do you have any unique, unusual, or unconventional views and frameworks of business that may be a refreshing perspective?

Crafting a compelling narrative that highlights the student’s personal growth and the emotional connection you have to your chosen path will set you apart. Admissions offices are moved by stories that show one’s authentic self and how they can contribute to their campus community in a distinctive way.

While a strong academic and extracurricular profile is essential, the essays and application should go beyond the surface. Delve into the "why" behind your pursuits and demonstrate how the student’s unique experiences make them an ideal candidate. By sharing your genuine motivations, aspirations, and the impact the student hopes to make, the student can elevate their application from a competitive to a truly standout one.

The Ivy Institute’s App Identity Strategy

When aiming to stand out among a sea of applicants with common profiles, it's essential to present a distinctive voice, perspective, and angle that resonate deeply with your experiences and aspirations. This strategy involves not just showcasing your accomplishments, but also weaving a narrative that reflects the student’s genuine passion and commitment to finance and business in a way that sets them apart.

Begin by reflecting on the student’s personal journey and identify pivotal moments that ignited the student’s interest in finance and business. These could be life experiences, challenges the student overcame, or instances that sparked their curiosity. Use storytelling to weave a narrative that reflects their growth, values, and motivations. Rather than approaching finance and business conventionally, the student should delve into a specific area that deeply resonates with them. Explore topics or niches that have been underrepresented in the business and financial narratives. For example, consider how one’s skills and passion can contribute to addressing financial disparities in underserved communities, such as providing entrepreneurial guidance to help community members start businesses or family finance initiatives to improve a community’s financial health and stability.

The student can differentiate themselves by infusing a humanities angle into their business and finance pursuits. They can economic concepts to broader societal issues, such as justice, equality, and social impact, along with how ethical business practices and investments can foster fair and just societies.

The student can demonstrate their commitment through tangible initiatives. Design projects that align with their unique angle, addressing the needs of underserved populations. These could include financial literacy programs, microfinance initiatives, or ethical investment campaigns. The student should also highlight their engagement in interdisciplinary learning by showcasing how they explored economic theories within the context of societal welfare and ethical considerations. Mention relevant books, courses, or seminars that have expanded the student’s horizons.

The student should emphasize an active role in community engagement and leadership, describing instances where they leveraged finance knowledge to create positive change and showcase collaborations with local organizations and the impact of the student’s initiatives.

Crafting thought-provoking essays that narrate the student’s journey, passion, and vision will be key. The student should be authentic and reveal their emotional connection to their pursuits and use these essays to connect their experiences to their aspirations for a better, more equitable world. The student should also seek recommenders who can vouch for their commitment to social impact through finance. Seek out mentors, teachers, or community leaders who have witnessed the dedication to this chosen angle and its positive effects.

By crafting an application that merges the student’s unique angle within finance and business with a more personal connection to their life, experiences, and community, the student can present themselves as a candidate who not only excels academically but also possesses the empathy and innovative thinking needed to make a lasting difference. The student’s narrative, when centered around underserved populations and the pursuit of fair economies, aligned with a humanities perspective, will undoubtedly make the application stand out in the competitive landscape of Ivy League admissions.