college admissions

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

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 list … Read more

How to Approach Letters of Appeal for CSUs and UCs

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 respective … Read more

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

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 a … 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 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 writing … Read more

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

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 set … Read more

Tips for Putting Together Strong College Applications

The college application process is in full swing, and many application deadlines are just around the corner, so Green Ivy wanted to offer some tips and best practices for students to keep up their momentum and put together the strongest applications possible! Take charge of the entire college application process. Handling the college application process … Read more