How to Get Into an Ivy League School

Jul 14, 2024

How to Get Into an Ivy League School

Introduction

  • Studying for AP exams and aiming for Ivy League schools.
  • Presenter: Harvard Pre-med student, recognized college admissions counselor.
  • Derived system secures Ivy League acceptances regardless of background.
  • Success stories from various students using the system: Stanford, NYU, UC schools, etc.
  • Aim: Provide comprehensive guidance on Ivy League admissions process.

College Admissions Strategy

  • College admissions is a game of strategy and communication.
  • Importance of highlighting reflective abilities and showcasing future potential.

Common Misconceptions

  1. Admissions Evaluation: Focus on future potential, not just past achievements.
    • Example: Comparison between Student A (Brand-focused, non-reflective) vs. Student B (Small business, reflective).

Showcasing Future Potential

  • Three ways to showcase potential:
    1. Challenge Yourself: High-level classes (IB, AP, honors), intellectual curiosity.
    2. Extracurricular Activities: Projects, community service, internships.
    3. Adopting a Growth Mindset: Viewing failures as growth opportunities.

Academics and Grades

  • Grades and test scores as a preliminary filter.
  • Choosing the right courses: Prioritize rigor, balance schedule, explore interests.
  • Examples of 11th-grade course selection for students interested in medicine.

Contextual Overview

  • Holistic evaluation of achievements and opportunities based on high school context.
  • Example: Student A (under-resourced school) vs. Student B (competitive school).
  • GPA and class rank: Considered within school context, both unweighted and weighted GPA submissions.

Extracurricular Activities

  • Focus on the depth of involvement and sustained commitment.
  • Merge passions with community impact.

Four Tiers of Extracurriculars

  1. Tier 1: Rare, highly impactful (e.g., national awards, significant achievements).
  2. Tier 2: High achievement and leadership positions (e.g., board positions in recognized clubs).
  3. Tier 3: Minor leadership roles, local/distinction awards.
  4. Tier 4: General memberships, basic engagements.
    • Example: Student A and Student B from different backgrounds both succeeding with different levels of resources.

Enhancing Extracurriculars

  • Examples of passion projects: Environmental sustainability, STEM research, community service, artistic expression, entrepreneurship.
  • Step-by-step guide to passion projects: Identify issues, select passion, find unique approach, develop project, execute, evaluate impact.
  • Advice on internships: Cold emailing strategy for securing positions, targeting local startups.

Summer Programs

  • Importance of productive summers.
  • Example: Stanford's short-answer prompt relating to summer activities.
  • Applying to selective, credible programs tailored to academic/extracurricular interests.

Standardized Tests

  • Importance of the digital SAT in college admissions.
  • Adaptive test structure: Reading, writing, math sections.
  • Competitive score benchmarks: 1520 and above for Ivy League.
  • Suggested study timeline:
    • Start in sophomore year, casual practice.
    • Ramp-up in summer between sophomore and junior year.
    • Aim to take the SAT in winter or spring of junior year.

Crafting the Application

  • Developing a central, value-based theme.
  • Applying the past-present-future framework:
    • Extracurricular essay: Involvement history, current leadership, future plans.
    • Personal challenges essay: Challenge context, influence on current actions, future application.
    • Why Us essay: Aligning personal values with school opportunities, future goals.
    • Identity/cultural essay: Background reflection, current influence, future contributions.

Letters of Recommendation

  • Choosing recommenders: Academic (aligned with major), personal character.
  • Preparing a list of notes for recommenders.
  • Example lists for different themes.
  • Providing a structured resume.
  • Email templates for requesting and reminding recommenders.

Interviews

  • The interview as a chance to showcase a personal dimension.
  • Five key areas assessed:
    • Love for learning
    • Extracurricular profile
    • Intellectual curiosity
    • Values
    • Fit and aspirations
  • Storytelling for extracurriculars using past-present-future framework.
  • Practical considerations: Not all applicants get interviews, importance of preparation, sending thank-you notes.

Example Story Outline

  • Context of involvement, current role and impact, future aspirations.

Financial Aid

Need-Based Aid

  • Ivy Leagues offer need-based, not merit-based scholarships.
  • Calculation of financial aid: Cost of attendance minus expected family contribution.
  • Appealing for more aid if initial offer is insufficient.

Financial Aid Package Example

  • Example breakdown of tuition, fees, scholarships, grants, net cost.

Conclusion

  • Encouragement to use the provided resources and take advantage of the material available.