college applications

Advising 101: Tips from the UC Counselor Conference

The University of California (UC) continues to expand access, with a 4.3% increase in California first-year admissions for fall 2024. UC is test-blind, meaning that test scores are not used to evaulate applications. We wanted to provide some insight from the UC Counselor Conference and offer a few helpful tips for students who are applying … Read more

Tips for Admission to the California State University (CSU) System

The California State University (CSU) application is straightforward. Still, consider this list of background information and tips while navigating through the CSU application: Similar to the UC system, the CSU application has a single application system for ALL 23 CSU campuses. Students need the following to apply: In the application portal, scroll down to locate … Read more

Advising 101: How To Handle the Waitlist

It’s spring, and admissions decisions are rolling in! For most seniors, this is an exciting and nerve-wracking time to sort through 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 interested in a school that has put you on … Read more

Letters of Recommendation: A Key Aspect of Your College Applications

Students spend countless hours perfecting every part of their college applications–showcasing grades, test scores, and carefully choosing words in their essays. But there’s one critical piece that feels out of their control: letters of recommendation.  For many private colleges and some public universities, letters of recommendation can be an important outside perspective of a student’s … Read more

Advising 101: How Best to Spend the Summer Before College—Great Ideas for High School Graduates

The summer before college can be a pivotal time for students, in part because finishing high school means they are one step closer to adulthood. At Green Ivy, we believe graduates should relax, see friends, and pursue enjoyable activities. We also see it as an optimal time to think more concretely about the transition to … Read more

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

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 schoolwork. … Read more