College Admissions Blog

A panoramic view of Yale University's campus at dusk.

Yale Likely Letters: Everything You Need to Know

Within the arsenal of tools Yale puts into play to secure top applicants to matriculate, Likely Letters are tantamount to pulling out all the stops.

December 5, 2024

Duke Chapel is visible through the trees at Duke University.

Why LinkedIn Shouldn’t Be Part of Your College Application Strategy

Avoid linking your LinkedIn profile to your college application—it’s unnecessary and can make you seem conceited to admissions officers!

December 5, 2024

The circular top of a building is featured at Columbia University.

Is Grammar Important in a College Essay?

College application essays require an appropriate mix of colloquial tone and polished grammar. Simple as that, right? Wrong. Learn more!

December 5, 2024

Students sit on the steps of Widener Library at Harvard University.

Brian Taylor Discusses the Harvard Z-List

Brian Taylor of Ivy Coach recently sat down with acclaimed author Malcolm Gladwell to discuss the precarious place of Harvard’s Z-List in higher education.

December 5, 2024

A brick building is featured atop a set of steps at Harvard University.

The Power of a Great Letter of Continued Interest

Learn the power of a great Letter of Continued Interest. Learn how to best position yourself after a deferral or wait listing.

December 3, 2024

The exterior of Emerson Hall is featured at Harvard University.

How to Help Your Teachers Write Great Recommendation Letters

Learn how to get standout teacher recommendations for your college applications with tips on crafting compelling anecdotes and guiding your recommenders.

December 3, 2024

A red brick building at Harvard University is featured beyond trees.

Discussing Personal Accomplishments in College Admissions Essays

Admissions officers won’t appreciate your essays listing all the accomplishments you also happened to list in the activities and honors sections.

December 3, 2024

A student walks on the sidewalk in front of McNutt Hall at Dartmouth College.

Ivy League Universities

Without further ado, let’s meet the eight world-renowned universities that form the formidable consortium known as the Ivy League.

December 2, 2024

Fenwick Hall is featured atop a hill at the College of the Holy Cross.

Holy Cross Drops the Act on Need-Blind Admissions

Holy Cross’ admissions office recently got caught doing something not so holy. We might suggest that its director of admissions attend confession.

December 2, 2024

An MIT campus map is featured next to a statue.

How to Contact a College Admissions Officer

There’s a right way and a wrong way to go about contacting college admissions officers. Applicants should avoid being a nuisance. Learn more today!

December 2, 2024

Columbia University's library is featured beyond a lawn.

Taking Slots Away from Other Applicants

It frustrates us when the press applauds students who get into their top-choice school Early but still feel the need to collect more “feathers” for their cap.

December 1, 2024

A brick building with a green door is featured beyond a lawn at Harvard University.

Ivy League Deferral

Let’s review the Early Decision/Action acceptance, deferral, and denial rates across the eight Ivy League schools.

December 1, 2024

The exterior of Harvard's museum is featured beyond its front lawn.

A Word on Admissions Development Cases

Development cases are college applicants whose parents donate significant funds to an top tier university.

December 1, 2024

A student walks by a fountain outside a glass building at Harvard University.

Does a Gap Year Effect MBA Admissions?

Gap year policies vary across MBA programs. Discover which schools are flexible and how Ivy Coach can help you navigate admissions post-pandemic.

November 30, 2024

A student sits on the steps of a columned building at MIT.

Colleges with Extended Application Deadlines

Top schools extend deadlines to boost applications and rankings. Discover which schools have later Regular Decision dates and what it means for you.

November 30, 2024

A clocktower juts out of the trees at Harvard University.

Why Our Asian and Asian American Students So Often Earn Admission

We’re well-versed in how Asian and Asian American students can overcome the discrimination that they invariably face in highly selective college admissions.

November 30, 2024