The Ivy
Insider
Newsroom
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.
Sort by Admissions Topic
Follow Us:
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
UC Put Standardized Tests Back on the Calendar—But Not Before Fall 2029
UC faculty are formally studying whether to restore SAT or ACT requirements. Follow the decision clock and see what current and future applicants should do.
UC Is Redrawing the A–G Map. Here’s What Could Change for Berkeley and UCLA Applicants
The University of California is reviewing its A–G admissions requirements. See the timeline, what could change, and how Berkeley and UCLA applicants should plan now.
Community Colleges Are on the Common App Now. The Question Is Whether Anyone Notices.
Community colleges are expanding on Common App. Explore what application growth can—and cannot—tell families about enrollment, access and transfer routes.
Everyone Is Watching the Wrong Accreditation Fight
Separate institutional accreditation, program approval and licensure. Follow the reform debate and build a checklist for the degree your student wants.
Everything You Wrote in July Is Gone. Here's What Survived and How to Rebuild It.
Recover after the Common App reset: review carried-over answers, FERPA, recommendations and college-specific writing with an interactive rebuild checklist.
Sixty-Four Colleges Joined the Common App This Year. Here's What That Does to Admit Rates.
More Common App members change application counts. Test the admit-rate denominator, distinguish offers from seats, and compare college data responsibly.
The Common App's Adversity Box Is in Its Second Year. Read the Last Sentence.
Understand the optional Common App circumstances question, its 250-word limit and its context-and-support wording. Plan a concise response without oversharing.
The Leadership Title Just Became Optional. Common App's Own Research Explains Why.
What optional leadership titles change—and what ten activity slots do not. Explore the research and draft a precise account of your real contribution.
The Supplement Is Disappearing at Exactly the Wrong Moment
Fewer supplements do not mean fewer decisions. Examine UVA’s application growth, changing college requirements and the evidence your remaining file must carry.
Let’s build the strategy only this student can own.
Begin with a focused conversation about the student’s profile, priorities, opportunities, and next steps.
Schedule a Chat