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Advising 101: How Building a Positive Online Presence Can Impact College Admissions

Recent studies show that between 35 and 50 percent of admissions officers are viewing students’ social media profiles. This doesn’t mean they are looking for anything embarrassing or inappropriate, but it does mean they are using it as one way of gathering more information about applicants. When we talk about a student’s online presence, much … Read more

In Support of Paper Planners and Schools That Utilize Them!

In our Green Ivy offices, we have witnessed firsthand how valuable it is when students write down all their assignments, activities, and appointments in a paper planner. For many students, this simple habit not only helps them stay organized, but also relieves stress, as they can better problem solve around managing their time. For instance, … Read more

Advising 101: How To Handle the Waitlist

It’s spring, and all the admissions decisions are finally rolling in! For most seniors, this is a time full of mixed emotions. It’s exciting and nerve-wracking to sort through your acceptances and rejections, not to mention what happens in one of the most vexing admissions situations: a spot on the waitlist. If you’re no longer … Read more

Advising 101: What Are Admissions Officers Looking for in College Essays?

One rumor that stubbornly reappears concerning the college application process is that the essays don’t really matter. The truth is that they do, especially when considering highly competitive applicant pools or students with borderline GPAs or test scores—in these cases, high-quality, compelling essays can tip things in an applicant’s favor. Moreover, essays are a crucial … Read more

Academic Advising 101: Creative Ways to Spend Your Summer

At Green Ivy, we like to periodically spotlight on some of our favorite summer programs at colleges and other venues, featuring everything from STEM research and creative writing courses to outdoor adventure trips. Those featured programs are great ways to spend part of your summer, but they may not be the right fit for students … Read more

Advising 101: How to Start Generating Ideas for Your College Essays

Depending on the time of year, it might seem too early to start writing your college application essays, but the present moment is always a great time to start generating ideas for those essays by, for example, jotting down experiences that have resonated with you or that you found meaningful. At Green Ivy, we’ve seen … Read more