Member-only story

The Insider Guide to Getting into the Ivy League and Other Top Colleges

Ivan Turner

·13.2k Followers· Follow

Published in Your College Advisors Guide To A Is For Admission By Michele A Hernandez: The Insider S Guide To Getting Into The Ivy League And Other Top Colleges

7 min read

753 View Claps

80 Respond

Save

Listen

Getting into the Ivy League or any other top college is a dream for many students. But the competition is fierce, and the admissions process can be daunting. If you're serious about getting into your dream school, you need to start planning early and put in the work.

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about the college admissions process, from choosing the right schools to writing a standout application. We'll also provide insider tips from admissions officers and students who have successfully navigated the process.

Your College Advisors Guide to… A is for Admission by Michele A. Hernandez: The Insider’s Guide to Getting into the Ivy League and Other Top Colleges

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	169 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	31 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

So if you're ready to take your first step towards getting into the college of your dreams, read on.

Chapter 1: Choosing the Right Schools

The first step in the college admissions process is choosing the right schools. Not all schools are created equal, and some will be a better fit for you than others. When choosing schools, you should consider your academic interests, extracurricular activities, and financial situation.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing schools:

Your academic interests. What do you want to study in college? Make sure the schools you choose offer strong programs in your area of interest.
Your extracurricular activities. What extracurricular activities are you involved in? Make sure the schools you choose have opportunities for you to continue participating in these activities.
Your financial situation. How much can you afford to pay for college? Make sure the schools you choose offer financial aid packages that meet your needs.

Once you've considered these factors, you can start narrowing down your list of schools. You can visit college websites, attend college fairs, and talk to your guidance counselor to learn more about different schools.

Chapter 2: Writing a Standout Application

Once you've chosen your schools, it's time to start writing your applications. The application is your chance to show admissions officers who you are and why you're a good fit for their school.

Here are a few tips for writing a standout application:

Start early. The college admissions process is competitive, so it's important to start working on your application early. This will give you plenty of time to gather all the materials you need and to write a polished essay.
Be yourself.Admissions officers want to get to know the real you. Don't try to be someone you're not. Be honest and authentic in your application.
Proofread carefully. There's nothing worse than submitting an application with errors. Proofread your application carefully before you submit it.

The application is your chance to show admissions officers who you are and why you're a good fit for their school. Make sure you put your best foot forward and write a standout application.

Chapter 3: The Interview

If you're lucky, you'll be invited to interview with an admissions officer. The interview is your chance to make a personal connection with the admissions officer and to show them why you're a good fit for their school.

Here are a few tips for a successful interview:

Be prepared. Do your research on the school and the admissions officer. This will help you answer questions intelligently and show that you're interested in the school.
Be yourself. Just like in your application, be yourself in your interview. Admissions officers want to get to know the real you.
Ask questions. The interview is a two-way street. Ask the admissions officer questions about the school and the admissions process. This shows that you're engaged and interested.

The interview is your chance to make a personal connection with the admissions officer and to show them why you're a good fit for their school. Make sure you prepare for the interview and be yourself.

Chapter 4: The Decision

After you've submitted your applications and gone through the interview process, it's time to wait for the decisions. This can be a stressful time, but it's important to stay positive and keep your options open.

If you don't get into your dream school, don't despair. There are many other great schools out there. Do your research and find a school that's a good fit for you.

The college admissions process is a challenging one, but it's also an exciting one. If you put in the work and follow the tips in this guide, you'll increase your chances of getting into the college of your dreams.

Insider Tips from Admissions Officers

Here are a few insider tips from admissions officers:

Be yourself. Admissions officers want to get to know the real you. Don't try to be someone you're not.
Start early. The college admissions process is competitive, so it's important to start working on your application early. This will give you plenty of time to gather all the materials you need and to write a polished essay.
Proofread carefully. There's nothing worse than submitting an application with errors. Proofread your application carefully before you submit it.
Be genuine. Admissions officers can tell when you're being fake. Be genuine in your application and in your interview.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you need help with your application or the admissions process, don't be afraid to ask for help from your guidance counselor, teachers, or family members.

Insider Tips from Students

Here are a few insider tips from students who have successfully navigated the college admissions process:

Go to class. A strong academic record is one of the most important factors in college admissions. Make sure you're going to class and ng your homework.
Get involved in extracurricular activities. Extracurricular activities show admissions officers that you're well-rounded and that you have interests outside of the classroom.
Get good grades. Your grades are important, but they're not the only thing that matters in college admissions. Admissions officers also look at your extracurricular activities, your essays, and your letters of recommendation.
Don't be afraid to apply to reach schools. It's okay to apply to schools that are out of your reach. You never know, you might just get in.
Don't stress out. The college admissions process is stressful, but it's important to remember that it's not the end of the world if you don't get into your dream school. There are many other great schools out there.

In this guide, we've walked you through everything you need to know about the college admissions process, from choosing the right schools to writing a standout application. We've also provided insider tips from admissions officers and students who have successfully navigated the process.

So if you're ready to take your first step towards getting into the college of your dreams, read on.

Your College Advisors Guide to… A is for Admission by Michele A. Hernandez: The Insider’s Guide to Getting into the Ivy League and Other Top Colleges

5 out of 5