College Admissions

The Summer Before Senior Year: A Fantastic Time to Work on College Applications

loading… The senior year of high school comes with a significant amount of responsibility, especially when it comes to applying for college.  To stay on top of the application process, we recommend working on applications during the summer before senior year. Summer provides the perfect opportunity to lay the groundwork without the added pressure of … Read more

Advising 101: Getting a Jump Start on Your Common App Activities List

loading… Sharing interests, hobbies and extracurricular activities can be nerve-wracking, especially since the Common Application’s ‘Activities’ section offers ten spots with very short descriptions. In our office, we suggest students create a log beforehand so they can work through their descriptions. For those students also applying to the University of California schools, a thoughtful activities … Read more

How to Approach Letters of Appeal for CSUs and UCs

loading… If a student is denied admission to a Cal State University (CSU) or University of California (UC), they can try to persuade the admissions office to reconsider their application by writing a letter of appeal. Each of the UC and CSU campuses offer their own appeals process, and have the exact guidelines on their … Read more

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

loading… When working with students on the college application process, we see personal statements and supplement questions as an *incredible opportunity* for students to showcase their unique background, perspective, and interests. Over the years, we’ve had so many students become excited about their essay topics, and craft compelling statements on why they want to attend … Read more

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

loading… Depending on the time of year, it might seem too early to start writing college application essays, but it can always be a great time to start generating ideas by jotting down experiences that have resonated or have been meaningful. At Green Ivy, we focus on finding ways to support students in their overall … Read more

A Letter To Recent High School Graduates: Tips To Support A Smooth Transition To College

loading… Hello hello! Congratulations on finishing high school! Graduation can be bittersweet, and you’ve worked hard to reach this milestone, so take some time to celebrate. As you head into summer, it’s important to take care of a few tasks to prepare for your next chapter. We want to share five tips to help you … Read more