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 βHiddenβ 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: Hereβs how to study and prepare for AP Exams.
International admissions
College planning
- Juniors, itβs 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
My Early Application Is Submitted, but a Recommendation Is Missing. What Now?
Missing a recommendation, transcript, or score before an early deadline? Check college policies, separate delays from missing documents, and build a follow-up plan.
Iβm Already Burned Out by College Applications. What Should I Do First?
When every task feels urgent, motivation is the wrong first target. This mission-control guide helps you stabilize the application, protect school and health, and sequence the next seven days.
Iβm a Senior With Almost No Extracurriculars. Is My T20 Application Over?
If your activities list looks empty, panic will suggest a last-minute nonprofit. This evidence workshop helps you inventory work that is already real, name the genuine gap and use the time left responsibly.
The Rankings Changed. Should Your College List Change Too?
This weekβs Reddit feeds are crowded with ranking moves. Enter the ranking tower, inspect what the elevator is actually measuring and build a college order that changes only when your priorities do.
Is an Ivy or T20 Worth $160,000 More Than Your State Flagship?
A T20 name can be valuable, but a six-figure price difference is not an abstract investment. Ride both future tracks, test the debt burden and decide what the expensive option must uniquely provide.
My Family Earns Too Much for Aidβbut Canβt Pay. What Do I Do?
Reddit is full of students learning too late that family income and family willingness to pay are not the same. Use this control-room guide to calculate the real gap, build an affordable list and prepare a precise aid conversation.
Which Teacher Should Write My Recommendation? Build a Better Handoff, Not a Script
Choose teachers who know your work, prepare useful reminders, and manage recommendation deadlines without scripting praise. Includes a downloadable planner.
Can I Apply to an Easier Major and Switch Later? Read the Map Before Choosing the Door
Understand admission by university, school, or major before choosing a route. Map program access, internal-transfer rules, and honest academic fit.
Letβs build the strategy only this student can own.
Begin with a focused conversation about the studentβs profile, priorities, opportunities, and next steps.
Schedule a Chat