Let’s say I want to go to any Ivy school. Anyone have any advice on how to improve my chances, as in things to do during high school or during the admissions process? Any specifics anyone learned from their own experience that will benefit other applicants?
And please don’t say “this is a dumb thread”, I’ve heard that too many times already. Really, I want some good advice before I apply.
<p>this is a dumb thread</p>
<p>start planning early...thats the best/ biggest thing you can do for yourself. make yourself a plan with when you'll take your SATs (leaving time for possible retakes), check all deadlines...etc. it makes the process a lot lot lot easier. you may go "meh, this is common sense", but take it from me a lot of people end up crashing throught everything at the last minute (like me, i learned the hard way)</p>
<p>sorry I have to concur with elcommando</p>
<p>yes, ElCommando, thanks so much for your advice (laughs hysterically). yeh i know this thread's kinda dumb but hey some of us are really desperate, ok?</p>
<p>oh. random question. what does "IMO" stand for or mean? i can't figure it out.</p>
<p>In my opinion = IMO</p>
<p>Write great essays.</p>
<p>lol nilvedxd i was just kidding =) I can understand you dont think you know everything you should but there isnt some magical thing that will get you accepted.</p>
<p>How to get into an Ivy League college: 1. Find your passion and pursue it. 2. Get good grades and test scores. 3. Get lucky.</p>
<p>Personally I would concentrate on #1, because it will serve you well, even if you don't go to an Ivy. (which isn't the end of the world, by the way...)</p>
<p>First you have to get the first line accomplished-top grades, rank and high (1500 plus) SAT score. Combine that with endless hours on your passions which should include a sport, something intellectual and something community oriented. Then, if your choice is HYP or S, the luck comes in. With the others great recs will carry you in.</p>
<p>I myself am relying on the sports part....hopefully they will overlook my grades!</p>
<p>zagat, when you say "which should include a sport", you don't mean it hurts you if you don't have a sport, right? I mean, not that I don't have one (I play travel soccer)...but how much are sports weighed in your application if you're not going to play at the college?</p>
<p>I fully agree with Susantm. Most of the applicants to places like Harvard have excellent grades and test scores. What differentiates those who get in from those who do is luck plus evidence of creatively pursuing passions. The passions can be jobs, clubs, church organizations, service, athletics, music or independent study on one's own. </p>
<p>One also needs results that go beyond what's typical. For instance, just playing the piano for 10 years would not stand out in an Ivy pool. Winning composing contests, winning performance contests, starting musical groups, raising scholarship money so poor kids can take music lessons -- all would help make one stand out in the pool.</p>
<p>right, passions. need to get one of those, haha.</p>
<p>Come one you can think of things yourself</p>
<p>If you can't figure what it takes to get into an ivy league....you're probably not ivy league material...heehee</p>
<p>play the bassoon</p>
<p>don't do things "because they'll get you into an ivy", but because you enjoy them. if you don't get into harvard it probably wasn't a fit for you in the first place. don't try to change yourself, but emphasize what you have and see where that takes you.</p>
<p>Passion and essays. Both of these things, IMO, are the most important. As a recent acceptee to an Ivy, the thing I knew I had going for me was a unique passion in woodwinds (single and double reed) and a very unique essay that no one, but myself, could have written. I did not have a 1500+ SAT and it is not required. Scores are one part, and not nearly the biggest. </p>
<p>Make sure that you just do things you enjoy. Take time in high school do develop your passions and intellectual curiousities. These will not only make you happy, but they will also help you later on. </p>
<p>Best of luck in your college process!!</p>