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Education Library

Where Ivy Experience disentangles college admissions.

Upcoming Webinar
Junior Back to School Webinar

Join Jim Wismer, Alyssa Coltrain, and Kevin Trudel as we provide advice for juniors and their families on how to navigate this pivotal year with an eye toward college admissions. Topics will include: how to get the academic year started on the right foot, and how colleges evaluate grades and academic rigor; a roadmap to test planning, test preparation, and test-optional admissions policies, especially in light of the resurgence in importance of SAT/ACT testing; what juniors can do to boost their resumés in meaningful ways; Letters of recommendation: who to ask, when to ask, and how they contribute to a complete application; planning for visiting colleges and crafting a school list for best fit; and Essays and applications: a timeline of steps and advice, as well as how we can help.

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Upcoming Webinar
Freshman and Sophomore Back to School Webinar

Join Jim Wismer, Jordan Holmes, and Naomi Anhorn as we advise freshmen, sophomores, and their families on back-to-school considerations with an eye toward preparing for eventual college admissions. Topics will include: how to start the school year strong; what colleges look for on a high school transcript; essential information on the SAT and ACT, as well as advice on choosing between them; forming a plan for future prep; understanding test-optional admissions policies; how 10th graders should set goals for extracurricular success and how colleges view activities; Letters of Recommendation: who to ask, when to ask, and how they contribute to a college application; advice on the beginning stages of college research; and Essays and Applications: a timeline of future steps.

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Webinar
Common App Webinar

Join essay and application coaches Alyssa Coltrain, Jordan Holmes, and Kevin Trudel to learn all about the Common Application, which opened for students on August 1st. Topics include: the most impactful sections of the application and how to use them; changes to the Common App in 2026-27; trends in new essay prompts from colleges; the Challenges & Circumstances section; and making an execution plan between now and Early Action/Decision deadlines.

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With college admissions more competitive than ever, students must excel in each of these realms in order to optimize their applications.

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