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Preparing for Ivy League admissions can be a daunting journey filled with uncertainty and countless questions. To help demystify the process and provide clear, actionable guidance, we reached out to the experts at Crimson Education.
We are thrilled to have Joanne Gao, the Country Manager of Crimson Education Singapore and Philippines, share her valuable insights. With her extensive experience and proven track record, Joanne offers a comprehensive guide to help your child navigate the path to Ivy League success.
How to prepare for an Ivy League?
The halls of Ivy League universities hold a magnetic pull for many students. The institutions boast a prestigious reputation, offering unparalleled academic rigour and a network of influential alumni. For parents, supporting that dream can be both exciting and daunting. The good news? While acceptance rates are famously low, there are ways to navigate the admissions process and help your child stand out from the crowd.
This guide breaks down Ivy’s, focusing on clear and actionable steps to craft a strong application, all while keeping the journey empowering for your child. Remember, the goal isn’t just about securing a coveted acceptance letter, but about guiding your child on a path of academic excellence and self-discovery.
A look at Ivy League’s Class of 2028 acceptance rates
| Harvard | 3.59% |
| Princeton | ~3.8% |
| Yale | 3.7% |
| Columbia | 3.8% |
| UPenn | ~5.3% |
| Brown | 5.2% |
| Cornell | ~7.5% |
| Dartmouth | 5.3% |
While the “easiest” Ivy League school is a subjective question, acceptance rates can offer a starting point for comparison. Based on the statistics for the Class of 2028, Cornell University boasts the highest acceptance rate, statistically making it the least selective Ivy League school last year.
Choosing the right Ivy League
There are 8 Ivy League schools, all of which have their unique strengths. The first step in deciding which Ivy to apply to is helping your child find a college that aligns well with their interests and goals. Encourage them to research different schools, not just the names they’ve heard. Does a specific program ignite their academic passion? Is there a research opportunity that tugs at their curiosity? Does the campus environment – bustling city, charming town, or sprawling green space – feel like a place they could thrive? Remember, a good fit is important as your child will live in a totally different environment, away from you.
Regular Decision vs Early Decision/Early Action – Is there an advantage?
Deciding between an Early Decision (ED) and a Regular Decision (RD) is a key step. ED might hold the key as historically, acceptance rates are higher for early applicants. However, there’s a catch as ED is binding, meaning students have to attend that school if accepted. Early Action (EA) offers a middle ground – your child can submit their application early to show strong interest, but unlike ED, students have the flexibility to compare offers from other schools.
Remember, your child can still opt for RD if they are not confident about their application and stick to the traditional timeline while enjoying high school. Ultimately, a strong application with a killer personal essay and impressive extracurriculars is crucial for both options.
For Singapore applicants with a clear favourite school, top grades and test scores, and limited financial aid needs, ED is a better choice. It lets students focus their energy on a single application.
If unsure, students can consider EA as it allows them to explore other options while potentially receiving scholarships or financial aid offers that can help them negotiate a better deal with their top choice school.
To navigate these crucial decisions, explore personalised guidance from an expert advisor, with a proven record of success in securing Ivy League admissions.
What early steps can you take to prepare for an Ivy League?
The journey to prepare for an Ivy League school is a marathon, not a sprint. Here’s how to empower your child to build a strong foundation throughout middle and high school:
- Be an academic powerhouse: Ivy League schools love to see a track record of steady academic success. Most of them take into account students’ grades from Secondary 3 or Grade 9 onwards. Encourage your child to take challenging courses, exploring honours, AP, or IB programs if offered. They expect all admitted students to have a strong GPA (or the equivalent in A levels or IB scores), generally near the 4.0 mark or above.
- Enhance their study skills: It has become vital to develop and showcase “soft skills” or “professional skills” for applicants. Help your child develop good study habits early on. This means mastering time management and workplace communication all while creating a dedicated study zone and knowing when to seek help from teachers or mentors.
- Go beyond the books: As Singapore is home to many bright students who excel academically, it’s crucial for them to go beyond the books. Ivy League schools seek well-rounded individuals with a passion for making a difference. Encourage your child to explore extracurricular activities that spark their joy. This could be anything from sports and music to volunteering or student council. The key is to find activities they genuinely love where they can develop leadership skills, take initiative, and contribute to a cause they care about. Focus on the depth of involvement in extracurricular activities rather than the breadth of participation, similar to the concept of being “T-shaped.”
Crafting a stellar application means showcasing your spark
As your child enters high school, the focus shifts towards crafting an application that truly shines to prepare for an Ivy League. Here are some key areas to consider:
- Strong test scores: While some Ivy League schools are moving away from standardised testing, strong SAT or ACT scores can still be a plus – giving admissions officers another way to measure students’ academic competence against thousands of other applicants. If your child scores 1580, it will place them in the top 25% of Ivy League university applicants. Hence, encourage your child to take practice tests early to identify areas for improvement.
- Becoming a storyteller: The personal essay is a chance for your child’s voice to take centre stage. Guide them to write with authenticity, letting their personality shine through. The essay shouldn’t be a boring list of achievements, but rather a story that showcases their motivations, dreams, and the experiences that have shaped them. Advise them to pick a topic that allows them to demonstrate their depth, intellectual curiosity, and the unique value they’d bring to the university community.
- Supporting research: Research is becoming a must-have for college applications, especially abroad! It shows universities that your child can dive deep into a subject, think critically, and contribute impactfully.
- Getting a recommendation: Strong letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, or mentors can significantly boost your child’s application. Encourage them to build positive relationships with educators who can speak to their strengths, potential, and contributions in the classroom or extracurricular activities.
Navigating NS with university applications
For all male Singaporean students who are citizens or permanent residents, compulsory National Service (NS) must be completed (unless exempted) before they can begin their overseas university studies. However, your child can still apply to universities during their final year of high school, even if they haven’t completed NS yet. This allows them to secure a spot in their desired program while fulfilling NS obligations.
There are three application windows your child can opt for. This flexibility allows them to plan their academic journey strategically:
- Option 1: Apply during their final year of high school (JC2 or Grade 12): If accepted, your child’s university enrollment will be deferred for two years to accommodate their NS service.
- Option 2: Apply during their first year of NS: Similar to Option 1, admission would result in a one-year deferment of your child’s university enrollment.
- Option 3: Apply during their last year of NS: This is the most advantageous in terms of timing, as your child can transition directly from NS to university without any deferment.
Your child can opt for any of these options or a combination of them. If your child doesn’t gain admission to their desired schools in one application window, they can re-apply in the next. However, it’s crucial that there are significant changes in their application to increase their chances of success when reapplying.
US universities don’t offer a built-in “deferred entry” option. If students want to postpone their enrollment after being accepted, they’ll need to submit a formal request, typically a letter or a deferral form, to the university’s admissions office.
Standardised tests like the SAT and ACT hold their scores valid for 5 years, allowing students to take them before their application year. However, if your child plans to apply pre-NS, it’s vital they’re capable of balancing between school exams and the SATs/ACTs. As parents, you can help them plan ahead and make sure they stay on top of application deadlines to prepare for an Ivy League.
Each Ivy has its own guidelines regarding deferment. Be sure your child checks their specific policy to understand the process and deadlines, and to strategise when would be the best time to apply.
It’s about the journey, not just the destination
Remember, the admissions process is about more than just numbers and grades. Here are some additional tips to keep in mind to prepare for an Ivy League:
- Showing interest: To prepare for an Ivy League, remember that many of these schools value demonstrated interest. Encourage your child to attend virtual information sessions, connect with alumni mentors online, or even participate in campus tours (when possible). These steps showcase their genuine interest in the specific university.
- Acing the interview: Help your child prepare for an Ivy League interview, practice questions in a relaxed setting. Remind them to research the school (culture, programs, values) to tailor answers and show interest. Additionally, preparing some thoughtful questions for the interviewer about their experience can be a bonus.
- Casting a wider net: Ivy League schools are incredibly competitive. Help your child explore a range of colleges that align with their academic and personal goals. Countless amazing institutions are waiting to be discovered!
Ivy League are looking for change-makers
To prepare for an Ivy League, remember that these institutions actively search for students who demonstrate the potential to be changemakers.
Changemakers are those who translate their passions into tangible achievements. Ivy League admissions committees are impressed by students who have a clear vision for the future and the initiative to take concrete steps towards realising it. This doesn’t require world-altering accomplishments; it’s about taking the initiative and demonstrating a track record of success, even if it involves overcoming challenges or setbacks.
Students who contribute positively to their vibrant campus communities stand out. Ivy’s seek humble leaders who uplift others, not just themselves. Support your child to look for leadership roles in clubs, mentoring, or community service to showcase this.
A supportive team effort to prepare for an Ivy League
The college application process can be stressful, but with open communication and teamwork, you and your child can navigate it successfully. Offer encouragement, celebrate their achievements, and be their cheerleader throughout the journey.
Where to start?
For many, cracking the Ivy League code has become easier with Crimson Education, a leading university admissions consultancy that has guided over 1,000 students to Ivy League acceptance in the past decade, including 94 to Harvard and 73 to Princeton! To prepare for an Ivy League, Crimson Education is an ideal place to start.
For expert guidance on crafting a standout college application, please click here to receive a free, comprehensive evaluation of your academic and extracurricular profile from experienced counsellors at Crimson Education and maximise your chances of success.
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