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Stay ahead of the competitive admissions landscape with timely news, original analysis, and practical guidance from The Ivy Institute. We move beyond headlines to explain what changed, why it matters, and what students should consider next.
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Explore admissions guides
Find guidance on applications, academic choices, international admissions, and planning for college.
Essays and applications
Testing and academic profile
- What are test-optional college admissions policies? And should you still take the SAT and/or ACT? (2026 Update)
- The “Hidden” Transcripts: Every Academic Record College Applicants May Need to Report (And How to Use Them to Your Advantage!)
- How to Maximize Your Extracurriculars for College Applications (Guest Post)
- AP Exams: Here’s how to study and prepare for AP Exams.
International admissions
College planning
- Juniors, it’s time to start making your college lists. Here is how to build a balanced list of reach, target, and safety colleges.
- Planning a college visit? Here is how to make the most of your time on campus.
- The Significance of Choosing the Right Major: Aligning Interests and Authenticity in College Admissions
- A Beginner's Guide to Navigating Financial Aid for College (Guest Post)
- Budget for College Now: Start Planning Your Finances Early
From B’s and C’s to the Ivy League: How The Ivy Institute Helped This Student Get into Columbia!
Daniel wasn't your typical Ivy League applicant. He had a 3.2 GPA with a few Cs and a so-so 1240 SAT score. And to top it off, his extracurriculars weren't exactly dazzling. It felt like everything was stacked against him in the college admissions game. But guess what? The Ivy Institute's college admissions consultants saw something special in him, something that those numbers couldn't capture.
Google News Adds The Ivy Institute’s Publication, College Admissions Insider, to Its News Platform
Here at The Ivy Institute, we take immense pride in being recognized as one of the leading and most reliable sources of college admissions news, trends, and insights. For years, we have been committed to empowering students and families, guiding them towards their dreams of entering top-tier colleges and universities. And now, we are absolutely thrilled to announce the much-anticipated launch of our publication, College Admissions Insights, on the Google News platform!
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