Crimson Education Ebook - Admissions Secrets of The Ivy League PDF

ADMISSIONS
SECRETS
OF THE IVY LEAGUE
YOUR GUIDE TO THE WORLD'S MOST EXCLUSIVE UNIVERSITIES
A C R I M S O N E D U C AT I O N P U B L I C AT I O N

01
Introduction
02
The Ivy League Advantage
Ivy League Job Statistics
Benefits of Studying in the US
Benefits of Studying in the US for Medicine and Law Students
03
Choosing a US College
The Ivy League
Private Research Universities
Liberal Arts Universities
State (Public) Universities
How to Apply
04
The Common Application
Shared Systems
Individual School Applications
The Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success Application
Ivy League Tips
05
Standardised Tests
SAT
ACT
Ivy League Score Expectations
Other Colleges’ Score Expectations
06
Crafting the Perfect Essay
Recommendations
Timeline
Ivy League Essay Tips
07
Financing Your Education
Are US Colleges Actually Expensive?
Your Financial Aid Dictionary
Ivy League Costs
08
Final Thoughts

01
Introduction

You did it. You’ve decided to apply to an Ivy League.
Congrats!

You’ve talked to your parents. You’ve talked to your school
careers counsellor and you’ve even told your best friend.

You are going to Harvard. No ifs, ands or buts.

A few days later you start to look at the application.
Or rather, applications.

Oh man. Applying looks really difficult.

What in the world is an SAT II? Why are they asking you to write an essay about a list of
books you’ve read in the past 12 months? All you’ve read is Catcher in the Rye for
school. Clearly, they want you to read all the time, otherwise they wouldn’t ask for a list
of books.

Not to mention, it looks so expensive. How on earth can I afford it?!

Are you confused yet?

We were too, until we got a bunch of in-depth information from ex-admissions officers,
academic experts, Ivy League and US college graduates... And now, we're bringing all
that info to you!

You're about to get answers to every minute detail about getting into a US college and
how to score admission to an Ivy League.

1

We'll answer questions such as:

1. How many different ways you can apply to US colleges (There are four different
applications you can use, but Harvard only accepts two of them. Keep reading
to learn the ones you need to know about!)
2. What the SAT IIs are (Some colleges, such as Harvard, require the SAT II for
admission. We’ve got your study tips sorted.)
3. How to write a great essay (US universities want your essays to be creative and
unique. More on that later.)
4. How to finance your education (Grants, loans, scholarships, even your home
country… there are lots of ways! This is the least of your worries.)

If you don't feel like you can apply to Harvard after this eBook, then we haven't done
our job.

But, let’s face it, Ivy Leagues are very selective, so you need to hedge your bets and
apply to some other ‘colleges’, as the Americans call them.

And there are some AMAZING ones outside of the Ivy League, like Stanford, NYU, UCLA,
Vanderbilt... the list goes on.

After reading this eBook, you’ll have the tools and the know-how to help you get into
any of them.

2

02
The Ivy League Advantage

The Ivy League is recognised worldwide and its
reputation is bar none.

Wanting to go to Harvard because it’s, well, Harvard, is a
totally acceptable reason to apply! Obviously, you have
more serious reasons to apply than that, but you can’t
deny the allure of attending a globally recognised
university. You’re probably wondering what the Ivy
League can do for you outside of college, aside from
simply looking awesome on your resume.

One word: opportunity.

Studying at an Ivy League university can make your dreams come true, no matter how
big (or small) they are.

If you want to be a teacher, a social worker, or work in the government, that’s great! You
can absolutely do that with an Ivy League education.

However, where an Ivy League education really shows value is in its ability to open
doors.

An Ivy degree can be a one-way ticket to a great job at a top global firm!

Some of the biggest corporations around the world are so impressed by the Ivy League
brand that, in some cases, they don’t even wait for students to finish their degrees
before recruiting them.

Basically, investment banks, big technology companies and consulting firms send
around representatives to all the Ivies to talk to students and encourage them to apply
to their summer internship programs.

For example, at University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League college known for its strong
focus on financial services careers, around 25 seniors are hired by Goldman Sachs each
year!

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These companies know the Ivy Leagues are home to some of the best talent, and that’s
why they go straight to the source.

You get to fast-track your career without ever having to leave campus for an
introductory interview. Win-win.

The Ivy League is starting to look even better now, huh!

Ivy League Job Statistics

A study conducted by the US Department of Education in 2015 proved just how
valuable an Ivy League degree is.

The study revealed that a decade after enrolling in a four-year college, the average
income of a typical student is $40,500 USD a year.

Can you guess what the average is for Ivy League graduates?

If you guessed “much higher”, you’re absolutely right!

Take a look at these crazy numbers:

Harvard University: $87,000 USD a year
Princeton University: $77,900 USD a year
University of Pennsylvania: $79,700 USD a year
Yale University: $74,200 USD a year
Columbia University: $75,200 USD a year
Cornell University: $72,100 USD a year
Dartmouth College: $67,800 USD a year
Brown University: $59,700 USD a year

Every Ivy League leads to a way above average salary. In fact, Harvard graduates make
more money than graduates from any other college (with the exception of MIT).

If money doesn’t motivate you, take a look at some job statistics:

4

＋ Of the 113 Supreme Court Justices, 40% of them attended an Ivy League University.
Currently, all nine of the Justices went to an Ivy League.
＋ In CNN’s top 100 startups list, 34 of the CEOs went to Harvard.
＋ UPenn is the top feeder school to finance companies such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan
Stanley and Citigroup.

Of course, we can’t forget about successful alumni who dropped out of an Ivy!

1. Matt Damon, actor, dropped out of Harvard.
2. Ted Turner, founder of CNN and TBS, was kicked out of Brown.
3. Robert Frost, poet, dropped out of Dartmouth.
4. F. Scott Fitzgerald, author, dropped out of Princeton.
5. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder, dropped out of Harvard.
6. Bill Gates, Microsoft founder, dropped out of Harvard.

Aside from being famous and hugely successful, all of these people got accepted into
an Ivy. A huge feat, in and of itself.

But hey, their time at these respective schools obviously played a huge role in getting
them to where they are today… even if they didn’t end up graduating! That’s because
it’s not just about what you learn at an Ivy League college, but the people you meet
and the networks you build.

If Mark Zuckerberg hadn’t attended Harvard and launched what started as a college
social network with his roommates, there’d be no Facebook... (Imagine a world where
we still MySpace each other.)

Benefits of studying in the US

The US university system is world renowned, and not just for the Ivy Leagues!

Harvard aside, do you know what else makes studying in the US so unique?

If not, keep reading – especially if you’re going to need to convince your parents that
this studying abroad thing is a good idea!

＋ World Class Education: First and foremost, universities in the US are top notch.
These universities have world class programs in pretty much every field you can
imagine. Plus, regardless of where you end up in the world, having a US
university on your resume is sure to lead to great opportunities.

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＋ Facilites, Technology and Research Opportunities: Most of these universities
also have top-of-the-line facilities and classroom technology. Due to the large
amount of funding US colleges receive, they are able to constantly update their
buildings and make use of the latest technology, both in the classrooms and
outside of it. As a science or engineering student, you will have a plethora of
research opportunities, which will allow you to have hands on experiences with
technology that no one else knows exists yet. It’s like you’re living in 2027, while
everyone else is still stuck in 2017.

＋ Flexibility: US universities offer a degree of flexibility that almost no other place
in the world offers. You are not required to commit to a specialisation, or ‘major’,
before you begin your studies, which allows you to experiment and move freely
between different subjects. You can explore a chemistry class, a ceramics class,
and even a class about Beyonce! In fact, at most colleges, you are required to
take General Education classes for your first two years, even if you already know
what you want to study. Don’t even get us started on liberal arts schools. Talk
about flexibility!

＋ Diversity: The US is home to more international students than anywhere else in
the world. Most colleges aren’t just made up of people from around the world,
they are also made up of people from around the US (believe us, each state is
basically a different country). Where else in the world can a girl from California
have a roommate from Hong Kong, a roommate from Denmark, and a
roommate from Texas? The melting pot of cultures is central not only to
universities in the US but to the US in general. You are bound to always be
surrounded by different cultures while in the US.

＋ Alumni Network: One of the greatest things about going to school in the US is
the network you leave with. Most US colleges have at least a handful of notable
alumni from Nobel prize winners to world famous chefs to beloved authors,
each almost always willing to help fellow alumni. Your college will be a
networking tool you will use for the rest of your life. It will help you bond with
strangers around the world, help you find a job, and will give you a global
community to latch on to. No matter where in the world you are, you can almost
always find someone who went to your university.

＋ Campus Life: Have you ever seen a movie about a US university? Ever heard of
red solo cups? How about college football? College life in America is the most
entertaining, bar none. There are activities going on every day, a million clubs
you can join, endless sports teams you can be a part of, and cool societies such
as frats, sororities and final clubs. Students in the US definitely work hard and
play hard. Who wouldn’t want to be part of the fun?

6

Benefits of US study for medicine and law students

Two of the most popular fields of study around the world are law and medicine.

Your parents have probably nagged you your whole life to take on one of these two
highly-respected careers.

However, you’ve always dreamed of going to a US university, which in theory sounds
fantastic but in reality forces you to delay your law (or medicine) studies for four years.

The question is, how do you convince your parents that going to a university in the US,
especially a liberal arts university, actually makes you a better lawyer (or doctor) in the
long run?

The answer is simple:

By busting all of the myths about US universities your parents may think are true and
showing them why going to the US before returning home to study law (or medicine)
is a good thing.

Liberal Arts Education

Although some people believe that an “arts” degree is less valuable than a more
practical degree, such as economics, the fact of the matter is that liberal arts degrees
give you a point of view that will benefit you for the rest of your life.

Liberal arts education is all about expanding your perspective of the world and giving
you a breadth of knowledge you can apply to any field you end up in. It exposes you to
numerous subjects, instead of limiting you to just one subject, such as economics.

This type of degree is unique to the US and really sets the US education system apart
from the rest of the world. Lawyers and doctors benefit heavily from a liberal arts
education because both careers require you to have a large breadth of knowledge and
worldly experience.

As a lawyer, you need to understand your client's’ point of view and figure out how the
opposing side thinks. While a law degree in your home country may offer classes
dedicated to these skills, a liberal arts experience allows you to live and breathe
different ideologies and ways of thinking. This gives you an edge on any student who
simply studied law in your home country directly after high school.

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As a doctor, on the other hand, you must have the ability to relate to your patients and
treat them to the best of your ability. With a liberal arts education, you could take social
science and psychology classes, for example, which can help you develop these skills.
You won’t just be receiving an education in medicine (like you would in your home
country); you will also learn to understand your patients and connect with them. This
gives you an advantage that other students don’t have.

The Four Year Gap

Yes, it’s normal for your parents to want you to begin your law (or medical) training
right away.

No, they probably don’t understand why you want to delay your career studies by four
years just to go to school in the US.

However, you’ll come back ready to specialise in your field with maturity, global
experience, and a better sense of self.

With four extra years of schooling under your belt (whether liberal arts or not), you can
take over the world… or easily be top of your class!

Think about all of the things you’ll learn at a US university that you can bring back
home.

Think of all of the exotic experiences you can draw on to solve problems in a law (or
medicine) degree.

Think of how much more passion for law (or medicine) you will garner.

While your parents may still be hesitant about sending you to school in the US instead
of directly to study law (or medicine), the more you teach them about the benefits of a
US education, the more understanding they may become!

Remind them that a US education isn’t as expensive as you’d think it is (more on this
later) and that they’ll have a reason to visit the US if you are there, and they might just
soften up to the idea a bit more!

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03
Choosing a US College

Alright, so before you start applying, you need to choose
where you’re applying to.

Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten that Harvard is your
first choice! But remember it’s important to keep your
options open.

There are more than 4,000 colleges and universities in
the US, and you can apply to as many as you want, so
don’t limit yourself to just the eight Ivies.

There are four major types of US universities:
1. Ivy League Universities
2. Private Research Universities
3. Liberal Arts Colleges
4. State (Public) Universities

However, theses categories are very broad representations of US colleges. In reality,
every university is very different, regardless of what category it falls into.

Some liberal arts colleges are large, some public schools are small and some private
schools are huge. Make sure to research the schools you want to apply to individually
to get a better feel for the community, size and majors available.

Don’t limit yourself to one type of university when applying. You might fall in love with
a public school and a liberal arts school. That’s okay! Apply to both.

Luckily, you can apply to as many universities you want, but try not to go overboard.
Yes, applying to 30 schools is way too many, and at a cost of around $100 per
application, your parents might think so, too!

Each application takes a lot of time and consideration, so make sure you take that into
account when you pick the number of schools to apply to. 10-15 schools is usually a
good amount.

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Most colleges offer a plethora of extracurricular activities and majors. However, if you
are looking to play a certain sport, make sure you check which universities offer that
sport and at what level.

The best way to pick a school is to visit. If you are limited by geography, there are lots of
resources online, such as Niche, that help you understand what all aspects of a school
are like. Don’t forget to look at pictures.

Let’s get to it!

Ivy League Universities

The Ivy League consists of eight private research universities scattered throughout the
North East. This collection of universities began as a sports league and are now
considered some of the best schools around the world.

While there are many other phenomenal universities around the US, the Ivy League
seem to draw the most attention.

Their academics are top notch. Their sports are Division 1. Their postgraduate
opportunities are unrivalled. Simply having an Ivy League degree can open doors for
you around the world for the rest of your life.

However, these universities are also some of the hardest to get into. Their admissions
rates are incredibly low. Their expectations are ridiculously high. And sometimes it
may seem like the only way to get in is to be a “legacy” (aka your father, grandfather,
and great grandfather went there) or to buy a building for the school.

Don’t get too intimidated by their prestige. If you have Ivy League dreams, you’ll need
to work very hard but getting in is possible. Promise.

10

Ivy League Universities:

Princeton

U.S. News National University Rankings:
# 1

Princeton, 5402
Undergraduate Size
New Jersey
Location
8.2% 5:1
Percent of international students Student-to-teacher ratio
6.1% $67,100USD p.a.
Acceptance rate Total cost (tuition, board, room and other
expenses)

11

Harvard

#2

Cambridge, 6699
Undergraduate Size
Massachusetts
Location
8.4% 7:1
5.2% $63,025 USD p.a.
expenses)

12

Yale

# 3 (Tied with UChicago)

New Haven, 5532
Undergraduate Size
Connecticut
Location
11.0% 6:1
6.9% $70,749 USD p.a.
expenses)

13

Columbia

# 5 (Tied with Stanford)

New York, 6102
Undergraduate Size
New York
Location
17% 6:1
5.8% $71,690 USD p.a.
expenses)

14

UPenn

#8 (Tied with Duke)

Philadelphia, 10,468
Undergraduate Size
Pennsylvania
Location
11.6% 6:1
9.15% $72,584USD p.a.
expenses)

15

Dartmouth

# 11

Hanover, 4310
Undergraduate Size
New Hampshire
Location
8.0% 7:1
10.4% $71,827USD p.a.
expenses)

16

Brown

# 14

Providence, 6580
Undergraduate Size
Rhode Island
Location
8.0% 8:1
8.3% $71,050 USD p.a.
expenses)

17

Cornell

# 14

Ithica, 14,315
Undergraduate Size
New York
Location
21.0% 9:1
12.5% $71,050 USD p.a.
expenses)

18

Private Research Universities

The biggest difference between private and public universities is their funding. Public
universities are mostly funded by the state, while private universities are funded almost
exclusively through tuition and private donations. (Although, regardless of the type of
college you go to, once you graduate they’ll never stop bugging about donating
money!)

Private schools might seem more expensive on the surface, but they tend to be more
generous with their financial aid offers, so you will probably end up paying less than
you would at a public college. But we’ll discuss financial aid more later. Don’t worry just
yet!

Private universities are usually smaller and offer a more selective range of majors than
public universities. In fact, some private universities exclusively specialise in engineering
or computer science as opposed to offering a broad range of programs like many
public universities do.

You are also more likely to have smaller classes at private universities so if you’re not
into 300+ people in your classes, you may find private colleges more your speed.
However, keep in mind that the less people in your class, the more you actually have to
show up… and participate!

One of the highlights of attending a private school is the number of resources available
to you. While it may be difficult to get attention from your professors, counsellors and
advisors at public schools, private schools tend to have less students and therefore can
allocate many more resources to you. Plus, you probably won’t have a problem getting
into the classes you need.

If you have an idea of what you want to major in, love small class sizes, and want to
develop personal relationships with your professors, private universities are for you.

19

Top Private Universities (That Are Not Ivy Leagues):

University of
Chicago

# 3 (Tied with Yale)

Chicago, 5844
Undergraduate Size
Illinois
Location
10.0% 5:1
7.9% $71,559 USD p.a.
expenses)

20

Stanford

# 7

Stanford, 7061
Undergraduate Size
California
Location
11.0% 4:1
4.6% $69,109 USD p.a.
expenses)

21

Massachusetts
Institute of
Technology

# 7

Cambridge, 4524
Undergraduate Size
Massachusetts
Location
9.7% 3:1
7.9% $67,430 USD p.a.
expenses)

22

Duke

# 8 (Tied with UPenn)

Durham, 6638
Undergraduate Size
North Carolina
Location
8.0% 6:1
9.2% $72,710 USD p.a.
expenses)

23

John Hopkins
University

# 10

Baltimore, 5236
Undergraduate Size
Maryland
Location
8.6% 10:1
13.0% $61,502 USD p.a.
expenses)

24

Liberal Arts Universities

Liberal arts colleges were created to provide students with an overview of the arts,
humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences.

The most appealing thing about going to a liberal arts college is that you are exposed
to a variety of subjects throughout your four years. At these colleges, you have more
flexibility within your major and can take more courses outside of your major without it
affecting your graduation status.

Unlike UK universities, which require you to specialise in a certain subject, liberal arts
colleges encourage you to explore as many different subjects as you can. These
schools emphasise foundational knowledge and skills as opposed to vocational
training.

Confused yet? Think of it this way:

At other universities you may major in astronomy but at a liberal arts college your
major would be called “natural science”. You will still take plenty of courses related to
astronomy, but you will also take a majority of other classes that expand your breadth
and knowledge of the natural sciences, as well as other humanities subjects in general.

Since these programs tend to focus more on class discussions, critical thinking and
writing papers, you will be more prepared for graduate school.
It tends to be much easier to get a research position as an undergraduate at a liberal
arts university, due to the low number of postgraduate students (some don’t have
postgraduate students at all).

Your class sizes will usually be very small, which will allow you to develop your
communication and team building skills, both of which are highly valuable to
employers.

Liberal arts schools are great if you are unsure what exactly you want to major in and if
you are looking for a more intimate and well-rounded learning experience. However,
small liberal arts schools are not for everyone. Keep reading to figure out if a liberal arts
education is best for you.

25

Top Liberal Arts Colleges:

Williams College

U.S. News Liberal Arts Rankings:
# 1

Williamstown, 1795
Undergraduate Size
Massachusetts
8.0% 7:1
16.8% $66,980 USD p.a.
expenses)

26

Amherst College

U.S. News Liberal Art Rankings:
# 2

Amherst, 2099
Undergraduates Only
Massachusetts
Location
9.0% 8:1
14.0% $67,620 USD p.a.
expenses)

27

Wellesley College

# 3

Wellesley, 2,356
Women Only
Massachusetts
Location
13.9% 7:1
28.0% $66,984 USD p.a.
expenses)

28

Middlebury College

# 4

Middlebury, 2542
Undergraduates
Vermont
Location
10.0% 8:1
16.0% $67,464 USD p.a.
expenses)

29

Swarthmore
College

# 4

Swarthmore, 1581
Undergraduates Only
Pennsylvania
Location
10.0% 8:1
12.0% $65,774 USD p.a.
expenses)

30

State (Public) Universities

Public universities in the US are often referred to as “state” schools because they receive
a portion of their funding from the government. State schools were originally founded
to offer public education to students from the school’s state.

Thus, two tiers of tuition were created:

1. In-State
2. Out-of-State

If you are an international student, you will most likely pay the out-of-state tuition, but
some schools may have an “international tuition” rate that you will pay instead.

Many public universities are part of a “state system”, such as the University of
California (UC) system or the State University System of New York (SUNY). These
systems have colleges all over the state and operate independently from one another
but share certain policies and upper management. However, each school has its own
campus, acceptance rate, majors, etc.

State schools also tend to be very large and often have world class athletic programs,
yet it can be much more difficult to register for courses due to the large number of
students. But the parties are crazy and the social scene is awesome!

However, given their size, state schools can often offer a wider variety of majors than
private schools can.

While class sizes are large and in general less focused on discussion and participation,
most classes also have smaller discussion sessions in addition to lectures, which allow
you to talk about the class material with your peers and a teacher’s assistant (or
postgraduate student) on a smaller scale.

If you are self-motivated, aren’t afraid of navigating large bureaucracies, and thrive best
in large groups, public universities are your best bet.

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Top Public Universities:

University of
California, Berkeley

U.S. News Public University Rankings:
# 1

Berkeley, 27,496
Undergraduates
California
Location
9.7% 17:1
17.5% $61,702 USD p.a.
expenses for International)
$34,972 USD p.a. $61,654 USD p.a.
In State Cost Out-of-State Cost

32

University of California,
Los Angeles

# 2

Los Angeles, 29,585
Undergraduates
California
Location
8.4% 17:1
18.0% $62,205 USD p.a.
$33,896 USD p.a. $62,205 USD p.a.

33

University of
Virginia

# 2

Charlottesville, 16,736
Undergraduates
Virginia
Location
5.0% 15:1
28.9% $61,202 USD p.a.
$30,572 USD p.a. $61,202 USD p.a.

34

University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor

# 4

Ann Arbor, 28,312
Undergraduates
Michigan
Location
7.0% 15:1
28.6% $62,176 – $65,508 USD p.a.
$29,526 – $31,396 $62,176 – $65,508 USD p.a.
USD p.a. Out-of-State Cost
In State Cost

35

University of North
Carolina, Chapel Hill

# 5

Chapel Hill, 18,415
Undergraduates
North Carolina
Location
2.5% 14:1
26.0% $53,100 USD p.a.
$29,526 USD p.a. $53,100 USD p.a.

36

04
How To Apply

Now that you know how to pick a school, it’s time to
explore the mysteries of applying to colleges in the
US.

Let’s be honest, it’s not easy.

There are at least four ways you can apply to colleges
in the US: the common application, the shared
systems application, the individual school application,
and the coalition application.

First, let’s take a look at a few keywords that will be essential when you are researching
and applying to colleges:

＋ Early Decision (ED): While there is no proof that applying early will tremendously
increase your chances of getting into a Ivy (the stats are often skewed due to
recruited athletes), showing interest early on will definitely help you. As silly as it
may seem, Ivy Leagues want to feel special and one of the only ways to make
them feel special is by applying early. Think of it as flirting. You don’t want to
make them wait too long, otherwise they may lose interest in you. Sad, but true.

If you are certain you want to go to an Ivy League (or any other ED school), apply
early but keep in mind that early decision applications are binding so if you get
in, you have to go. No matter what. (Unless there is a death in the family or you
can’t afford to go there anymore.)

＋ Early Action (EA): Another way of applying to a school early is through EA. EA is
non-binding so if you get in, you don’t have to go.

＋ Deferred: If you apply early and you are deferred, your application will be
assessed again with the pool of regular decision students.

＋ Regular Decision: This is the absolute final deadline to apply to a school.

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Rolling: Some schools offer rolling admissions. This allows you to apply at any time and
not have to wait for a certain deadline to hear from the school.

Now, before we get into the differences between these applications, let’s run through
some of their common elements.

1. Basic Information: All of the applications will ask you for your school history,
classes, grades, exam results and dates (Advanced Placement, SAT, ACT, SAT II,
IB, TOEFL, IELTS, A levels), letters of recommendation, information about your
parents, your high school transcripts, and your extracurricular/club activities.
Make sure you use an appropriate email address (and no,
fluffybunny23@aol.com is not appropriate).

a. A quick note on letters of recommendation: A lot of students tend to
brush off their letters of rec. Don’t be that student. These letters are
important and can sway the admissions officers in your favour (or not).
The best way to secure a glowing letter of recommendations is by
creating real connections with a few of your favourite teachers, your
school counsellors, or perhaps even your principal. Take the time to get to
know them and keep them updated on your progress and achievements
throughout high school. By the time senior year rolls around, you won’t be
struggling to figure out who should write your letters and the teachers
you ask won’t be struggling to come up with nice things to say about you.

b. A quick note on extracurricular activities: One of the best ways to stand
out on your application is by talking about the activities you’re involved in
outside of school. US colleges love students who have a deep passion for
something, whether it be science, dance, or even collecting trash! The
deeper you dig into your passions in high school, the more attractive you
will be to US colleges.

2. Specific College Requirements: Regardless of how you apply, each college will
have its own specific requirements. Some may ask you to write ten- to 20-word
mini “essays”. Some may ask you to write two 500-word essays, and some may
even ask you to send in a video! Aside from supplementary essays, each school
also has its own academic requirements and deadlines so be sure to check each
school you are applying to to make sure you meet their basic requirements and
deadlines.

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1. The Common Application

The common application is an online platform that enables you to apply to up to 20
universities at once by filling out one basic form and writing one 650-word essay.

You will also need to fill out supplementary information and write additional essays for
almost every school you apply to.

However, the common app does prevent you from having to fill out your name, grades,
courses, etc. multiple times.

Not all universities use the common application but chances are at least one of the
colleges you are applying to does, including all Ivies.

Online Application: Yes
Opening Date: April of your Junior Year

2. Shared Systems Application

Some colleges, like California State (CalState) and University of California (UC), operate
in the same “network”. They use their own application that allows you to apply to all of
their sister schools in one hit.

This is great, except for the fact that if you are applying to a shared system school and
a schools on the common app you will need to fill out your basic information for each
application.

Not that big of a deal, just a bit annoying.

Some systems, like State Universities of New York (SUNY), have their own application
but are also on the common application. If you are applying to schools other than
SUNY, it may make the most sense to apply through the common app so you won’t
need to fill out your application twice. It’s totally up to you and SUNY will not
discriminate against you based on how you apply.

Opening Date: Depends on the school

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3. Individual School Applications

Although relatively rare nowadays, a few schools are not on any other application so
you need to fill out a separate application specifically for that college.

Some schools choose not to use the common app or any other application because
the hardware is expensive, they don’t like the essay questions, or they don’t want
students to apply just because it’s easy.

Regardless of their reasoning, if you want to apply to a school that’s not on a larger
application, you’ll need to fill out another separate application.

Some Schools With Their Own Application:

＋ Arizona State University
＋ Auburn University
＋ Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
＋ Clemson University
＋ Elon University
＋ Georgetown University
＋ Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)


4. The Coalition For Access, Affordability and Success Application

Say hello to the newest kid on the block, the coalition app!

This application is by far the most exclusive but not for its students, for its member
schools!

Here’s why.

In order to be a member of the coalition app a school must meet two out of three
requirements and no school can be under a certain threshold of “success” (from the
Coalition website):

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1. Access: Open to students of all backgrounds (cultural, socioeconomic and
geographic) and engage significant underserved and under-resourced
populations.
＋ Percentage of enrolled low income students (Pell Grant) equal to or
above 20%
＋ Percentage of enrolled under–represented students equal to or above
20%

2. Affordability: Offer in-state tuition or meet full demonstrated needs or have low
to no debt for their students and low loan default rates.
＋ Meet full need (stated on school website)
＋ Have affordable in–state tuition
＋ Median Title IV debt equal to or below $25,000
＋ Loan default rate equal to or below 9%

3. Success: Achieve high graduation rates, including strong rates for low income
and underrepresented students.
＋ 70% or greater graduation rate
＋ Low income (Pell) student graduation rate equal to or greater than the
school's overall graduation rate
＋ Underrepresented student graduation rate equal to or greater than the
school's overall graduation rate

The application was created to make it easier for underprivileged kids to apply and to
limit the technical difficulties you may experience with the common app.

Although most of the schools on the coalition app are also on the common app
(including all eight Ivies), you will not be discriminated against based on the way you
choose to apply to a college.

There are two major differences between the coalition app and all other apps.

1. The Locker: Starting in 9th grade, you can access your locker and start adding
examples of your best work throughout high school including: short essays,
descriptions of your extracurricular activities and more. The locker will also
feature multiple resources for you to help you think about applying to college
and how to do so. You can also create a slideshow.com account and share your
performance videos and art portfolios!

2. Interactions: You may opt to share some (or all) of your locker/portfolio at any
time with either colleges or community leaders. Once your share your locker,
people can go in and comment on your process as well as give you advice as to

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how to improve. Hopefully, this open communication will help you stay on track
and improve throughout your high school years.

However, the essay prompts are relatively similar and, like all other applications, each
school will have its own supplementary materials.


Unlike UK admissions, universities in the US will assess your application holistically,
which means that not only do your grades matter but so do your extracurricular
activities and your essay.

Remember, colleges have thousands and thousands of applications to sift through, so
make sure yours is as polished as possible.

While colleges will not discriminate against you based on what application you
choose to use, you may find the common app more straightforward, you may love the
coalition app’s locker feature, you might only want to apply to shared system schools,
or you may apply to a multitude of schools that all require different applications. That’s
okay! The most important thing is that you make a list of schools and figure out how
and where you can apply to them.

Ivy League Tips

The nuts and bolts of the application process don’t differ between Ivy Leagues and
other types of universities.

However, there are some key differences that the Ivy League schools look for within
your application that other universities may not.

As you might expect, the Ivy Leagues tend to have higher score expectations than
other US universities.

If you’re not at the top of your class, you may think that your chances of getting into
Harvard aren’t that high after all.

Well, think again, and keep that Harvard dream alive!

The Ivy League schools receive thousands more applications each year than there are
spots to fill, and most of these candidates are very high academic achievers who
technically qualify for admission.

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However, if these colleges accepted everyone who technically qualified, they’d need to
admit twice or even three times as many people than they can actually admit..

Clearly, basing admissions on academics alone is problematic. When most applicants
look the same on paper, it can be impossible to distinguish one student from another.

Because of this, the Ivy League (and other top universities, such as Duke and Stanford)
came up with another, more subjective way to assess their applicants..

They focus on your academic journey.

Yes, your grades are important, but these colleges also want to know what it took for
you to get those grades. How much did you push yourself? What challenges did you
overcome? How did you improve over time?

You might have an academic transcript that is just as impressive as another
candidate’s, or perhaps not quite as impressive, but if you can show that you pushed
yourself a lot harder to get those marks, by signing up for more difficult classes, taking
on extra subjects, or even doing your exams ahead of schedule, then the odds are
going to be in your favour.

On the other hand, if you breezed through school and managed to get top marks
without challenging yourself too much, you probably won’t get any special treatment.

Ivy League admissions officers are skilled at reading between the lines.

Your application includes your entire academic history, and if you can demonstrate
that you’ve taken every opportunity available to you to improve yourself, and constantly
strived to be better, and you have the marks to show for it, then your dream of going
to Harvard is looking pretty good!

Failing your maths class in year 9 doesn’t actually matter. What matters is that you
worked hard and made sure you never failed a maths class again.

Like most universities, Ivy Leagues want to see your passion. However, unlike other
schools, the Ivies place a heavy emphasis on how deeply you’ve pursued your passion.
The more you are willing to challenge yourself and seize every opportunity, the more
you are likely to make a difference to their university, and go on to achieve great things
once you graduate. The best two things you can do for your Ivy League application are
to challenge yourself and delve deep into your passion. It’s also really important to
believe in yourself. If you believe you have what it takes to go to an Ivy League and you
put in the work, it can happen.

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06
Standardised Tests

All universities require either the Scholastic Aptitude
Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). These
exams give universities a way to compare your
academic ability to other applicants on an even playing
field.

Think about it. It’s hard for colleges to use your GPA to
compare you to other students because it may be easier
to earn an A at your high school than at another
student’s high school; however, if you both sit the same
SAT then the schools can fairly compare your two scores.

Since most colleges accept both exams, you get to decide which one you like better.

The best way to figure out which exam is more your style is to take a few practice tests.
But before you run off and do that, let’s breakdown the key differences between each
exam.

P.S. Most students take their first actual exam in the Spring of their third year and then
again in the summer or fall. Keep in mind that you can take the exams as many times
as you’d like and that some schools allow you to submit a “super score”, which allows
you to combine your best scores from each section. However, taking the exams more
than three times each is not recommended.

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SAT vs. ACT

SAT ACT

Colleges use SAT to assess academic Colleges use ACT to assess academic
Why Take It candidacy and for merit-based candidacy and for merit-based
scholarships. scholarships.
+ English
+ Reading
+ Math
+ Writing & Language
Test Structure + Reading
+ Math
+ Science Reasoning
+ Essay (Optional)
+ Essay (Optional)
+ 2 hours, 55 minutes (without
+ 3 hours (without essay)
Length essay)
+ 3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay)
+ 3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)
Reading 5 reading passages 4 reading passages
1 science section testing your critical
Science None thinking skills (not your specific
science knowledge)
Covers:
Covers:
+ Arithmetic
+ Arithmetic
Math + Algebra I & II
+ Algebra I & II
+ Geometry, Trigonometry
+ Geometry and Trigonometry
and Data Analysis
Calculators are prohibited on some You can use a calculator on all math
Calculator Policy
math questions. questions.
Optional. Tests comprehension of a Optional. Evaluates how you analyse
Essays
source text. complex issues.
How It's Scored Scale: 400 - 1600 Scale: 1–36

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SAT

The SAT consists of three required parts and one optional part.

1. Reading: You are given five passages (500-750 words each) consisting of one
about US or world literature, two about history or social studies, and two about
science. You will have 65 minutes to read the passages and answer 52 questions
about the main idea, vocabulary in context, data reasoning, evidence and more.
2. Writing and Language: You have 35 minutes to read four passages and answer
44 questions about sentence structure, punctuation and usage and expression
of ideas such as organisation, development, and effective use of language.
3. Math: You have 55 minutes to solve 38 problems with a calculator and an
additional 25 minutes to solve 20 problems without a calculator. This section
covers arithmetic, algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, and data analysis.
4. Essay (optional): If you decide to do the essay portion of the SAT, you will have
50 minutes to read and analyse an argument. Keep in mind that the graders are
not looking for your opinion. Instead, they want to see how well read, analyse
and write.

Scoring

As of 2016, each section is scored and then combined to give you a total score
between 400-1600 (previously the highest score you could get was 2400). You are not
penalised for answering a question wrong anymore so feel free to guess! The essay is
given three scores on a scale from two to eight for reading, writing and analysis.

Subject Tests (SAT II)
Some universities, like Harvard, require you to submit SAT subject tests as well as SAT
scores. Usually, if you take the ACT you do not need to submit subject tests but it really
depends on what the school asks for.

There are 20 SAT subject tests in five subjects that you can pick from.

1. English
2. Math
3. Science
4. History
5. Languages

The highest grade you can get on any subject test is 800.

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Tips and Tricks

1. Be Cautious of the “No Change” Answer: The writing section is loaded with
questions that feature "no change" as a possible answer. While it may seem
tempting, don't fall for it. The answer is almost never "no change," so if you find
yourself constantly circling it as the solution, go back and make sure you are
absolutely positive that the question is correct the way it is.
2. Read… A Lot: Browse at least one SAT reading passage daily, by a word-a-day
calendar, maybe start reading the dictionary or the newspaper! The more you
read, the better your comprehension and vocabulary will be.
3. Plug In Your Answers: The math section is all multiple choice so if you are
unsure of an answer, the best thing to do is to plug in all of your options. The
one that correctly solves the problem is your answer.
4. Skip the Hard Questions: Don’t let one question use up all of your time. If you
find yourself stuck on a question, simply circle it and move on. You can always
come back to it later if you have time.
5. Practice Makes Perfect: Practice. All. The. Time. Download a free SAT app, do
online practice tests, put together a study group. You’ll feel more comfortable
on the day of the exam if you are familiar with the format. So practice, practice,
practice!

Key Dates

SAT exams are offered on the same days as subject tests (except there are no subject
tests in March). Usually the exams are offered in March, May, June, August, October,
November and December.

You can take up to three subject tests on one day but you can’t take subject tests and
the SAT on the same day.
English, math, science and history tend to be offered at each exam date but not all
languages are offered every time. Make sure to check with the college board to find
out when your subject is offered.

ACT

The ACT consists of four required parts and one optional part. The exam is notorious
for its time constraints, which make it a lot harder for some people.

Where the SAT’s difficulty comes from its need for in-depth understanding and
analysing, the ACT’s difficulty revolves around the sheer number of questions you need
to answer in an absurdly short amount of time.

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The exam is literally designed for you not to finish so if you are the type of person who
freaks out if you don’t finish an exam in time, the SAT may be better for you. However, If
you like fighting against the clock, the ACT may be your new favourite exam (if there
could ever be such a thing).

1. Reading: You are given four passages consisting of one prose or literary narrative,
one about social science, one about humanities and one about natural science.
You will have 35 minutes to read and answer 40 questions about the main idea,
vocabulary in context, inference and more.
2. English: You have 45 minutes to read five passages and answer 75 questions
about sentence structure, grammar, usage, punctuation, style, organisation and
strategy.
3. Math: You have 60 minutes to solve 60 problems and you may use a calculator
the whole time. The section covers arithmetic, algebra I and II, geometry and
trigonometry.
4. Science: You get 35 minutes to read multiple passages, analyse graphs, charts
and tables and answer 40 questions about data, research and conflicting
viewpoints. You don’t actually need to know any biology, chemical equations or
physics to answer these question but you do need to know how to read and
analyse scientific data.
5. Writing (essay): If you choose to write the essay, you will have 40 minutes to
analyse three perspectives about a particular topic, form your own opinion and
argue for it using specific examples.

Scoring

Each section is scored individually and then combined to give you a total score
between one and 36. The essay is scored by two different readers who give it a one to
six based on four guidelines: ideas and analysis, development and support,
organisation, and language. Your essay scores are added up and you’re given a score
out of 12.

Like the SAT you will not be penalised for guessing.

Subject Tests

Most universities do not require SAT subject tests if you take the ACT.

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Tips and Tricks

1. Start early: It may take you a long time to get used to the questions and the
time constraints so the earlier you start preparing for the ACT, the better. Make a
schedule and stick to it. Even if it’s just 15 minutes a night, your score will
improve out of sight.
2. Take practice tests under real conditions: The time constraints on this exam are
killer. The only way to try to get used to them is by taking timed practice tests.
Map out how much time you have for each question in every section and work
your way towards meeting your time goals. It will suck. But it’s totally worth it.
3. Identify your weaknesses: Is your maths score really low? How about your
science score? Or maybe your pain point is your essay? If you can pinpoint your
weakest section, you can get help and improve your overall score just by
improving your weakest section. However, make sure you work on your
strengths, too. If you think you can get a perfect score in the English section,
work hard and go for it!
4. Answer every question: You are not marked down for wrong answers so there’s
no harm in guessing. Circle the questions that seem to hard and towards the
end of the section go back and make an educated guess. You have nothing to
lose.
5. Set realistic targets: Research what score you need to get into your dream
college and figure out how you can achieve it. Remember, not even a perfect
score will get you into your dream school so don’t beat yourself up too hard if
you don’t get the score you want. If the rest of your application is strong, you will
be fine.

Key Dates

Exams are usually held in February, April, June, July, September, October
and December.

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Ivy League Score Expectations
UNIVERSITY SAT 25th - 75th Percentile ACT 25th - 75th Percentile
Princeton University 1460-1600 32-35
Harvard University 1470-1600 32-35
Yale University 1480-1600 31-35
32-35
Columbia University 1460-1600

The University of 31-34
1450-1580
Pennsylvania
30-34
Dartmouth College 1410-1580

Brown University 1440-1580
31-34

Cornell University 1410-1570 30-34

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Other Colleges’ Score Expectations
UNIVERSITY SAT 25th - 75th Percentile ACT 25th - 75th Percentile
Williams College 1410-1570 31-34
MIddlebury College 1350-1540 29-33
University of California, 29-34
1330-1540
Berkeley
University of Virginia 29-33
1330-1540

University of Michigan, Ann 1370-1530 29-33

Arbor
Stanford University 31-35
1460-1590

Massachusetts Institute 1460-1590
31-35
of Technology
John Hopkins University 1470-1580
32-34

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05
Crafting the Perfect Essay

Writing a college essay can’t be that hard, right?

You’ve written essays your entire life. By now, you should
be an absolute pro!

But when was the last time your wrote a creative essay in
first person?

It has probably been a while…

Your essay is one of the most important aspects of your
application. It is the only time admissions officers get to
see you as an actual person and not a bunch of numbers
and facts.

Writing a fantastic essay could be your ticket into your dream college (along with good
grades, test scores, etc.). However, your essay could make admissions officers fight for
you, even if the rest of your application isn’t very strong.

Remember, you will probably need to write a variety of essays depending on how you
apply and which colleges you are applying to. If you use the common app, you need to
write a common app essay as well as supplementary essays for most colleges. These
essays can range both in topics and in length. In fact, some of your essays may only be
20 words long!

A shorter essay requires a different set of skills than a longer essay. A 350-word essay
about a significant challenge you have faced requires a different skillset than a
20-word essay about your favourite food.

Figuring out what each college is looking for in their essays can be difficult but there
are some requirements that overlap.

If you want to get a deeper look at what makes a phenomenal essay, check out our
eBook on how to write the perfect personal essay featuring loads of case studies and
notes from actual admissions officers!

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For now, here are our favourite tips and tricks for writing your essay.

Recommendations

1. Figuring Out What to Write About

Okay, today’s the day. You are finally going to start writing your college app essays!

Four hours later, you are still staring at the blank Word page in front of you.

The blank page is staring back at you. Mocking you.

But it’s not your fault! You just don’t know where to start.

Let’s take a few steps back. A few days before you sit down to write your essay, start
thinking about what you may want to write about and jot down your ideas as they
come to you.

Think about a moment in your life where you felt vulnerable. It can be as big as your
first UN speech or as small as your last little league game. The more you open up, the
better.

Who knows, your best idea may come to you in a dream! Take the time to let ideas
come together in your head before you begin to write.

Once you have a list of five or so ideas per topic, try to write the beginning of each one.
If you find yourself stuck on one idea, move to another. The idea that seems to write
itself is your winner!

Goodbye blank Word page, hello college!

2. Delve Into Your Why

Now that you have your idea, dig deeper to find your why. Unfortunately, just listing
your accomplishments or how awesome you are isn’t going to make a very good essay.

Dig into your emotions to show the reader why you are passionate about whatever you
are writing about and how your passion changed you.

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3. Don’t Try to Be Funny

Here’s the deal, not everyone is funny. And that’s okay. However, there’s almost nothing
more cringeworthy than reading an essay that is trying too hard to be funny.

Feel free to experiment when writing your essay. Play with different voices, different
perspectives, and different writing tools but stay true to who you are. Let your
personality shine!

Don’t try to write something simply because you think it’s what the admissions officers
want to hear.

4. Details, Details, Details

Be descriptive. Transport the readers into your story. Tell them about the grass. Make
them taste the juicy cherry pie you had last summer.

Allow them to see the world through your eyes and help them believe in you by
showing them you are more than just an application, you are a human just like them.

5. Start Early and Proofread Often

The earlier you start, the more time you will have to think about your topics, pick the
best one and write the best essay!

Remember, even the short essays require a lot of work! None of these essays should be
a one and done deal. You should write them over and over again to make sure they are
the best that they can be.

With every draft you write, check for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. Read
them out loud so you can spot any overlooked mistakes and get a sense of their ebbs
and flows.

Have other people read your essays as well to ensure that your final draft is flawless.
However, be wary of having too many cooks in the kitchen. Pick your proofreaders
carefully. Remember that your essays are a reflection of you and your voice. Don’t let
anyone change that.

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Essay prompts

Essay prompts are basically starting points for your essay, and they change slightly year
to year. For the most part, however, they cover the same topics: challenges,
contributions to your communities, extracurricular activities, and your culture.

Let’s take a look at 2017's prompts!

Sample Essay Prompts

You are given five prompts and need to write about one in 650 words or less.

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so unique
or meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If
this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount
an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and
what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or an idea. What prompted you
to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an
intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of
personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and
what steps you took or you would take to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your
transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or
family.

Sample UC Application Essay Prompts

You are given eight questions to choose from and must answer four in 350 words or
less.

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively
influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over
time.
2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem
solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe
how you express your creative side.

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3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and
demonstrated that talent over time?
4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity
or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have
taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your
academic achievement?
6. Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you.
7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
8. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates
applying to the University of California?

Sample MIT Application Essay Prompts

You must answer all five short essay prompts.

1. We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you.
Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it. (100 words or fewer)
2. Although you may not yet know what you want to major in, which department
or program at MIT appeals to you and why? (100 words or fewer)
3. At MIT, we bring people together to better the lives of others. MIT students work
to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s
biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way in which you have
contributed to your community, whether in your family, the classroom, your
neighborhood, etc. (200-250 words)
4. Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school,
community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and
aspirations? (200-250 words)
5. Tell us about the most significant challenge you’ve faced or something
important that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?
(200-250 words)

Sample Coalition Application Essay Prompts

You are given five questions to choose from and must answer one in 300-350 words.

1. Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates
your character or helped to shape it.
2. Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which
the greater good was your focus. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making
your contribution.

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3. Has there been a time when you’ve had a long-cherished or accepted belief
challenged? How did you respond? How did the challenge affect your beliefs?
4. What is the hardest part of being a teenager now? What’s the best part? What
advice would you give a younger sibling or friend (assuming they would listen to
you)?
5. Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

Ivy League essay tips

All of your basic information is on your application – the admissions officers have seen
your grades, they’ve read about your extracurricular activities, and they know your work
history. However, the real meat of your application is in your essay. It lets the readers
into your world and shows them who you truly are.

This doesn’t mean stuffing all 10 of your extracurricular activities into 500 words. You
need to think strategically about what you want to showcase.

You’re competing with the best of the best, and everyone is vying for a spot at your
chosen college. What is it that is going to differentiate you from these other Ivy
League applicants?

Playing on your school tennis team may be your favourite activity, and the sport you
love most, but it’s not what makes you exceptional in the eyes of Ivy League admissions
officers. Unless of course, you are one of the top ranked players in your country. Now,
that’s exceptional, and definitely a reason they would want you.

When it comes to writing your essay, it’s all about positioning.

It doesn’t matter if tennis is what defines you. Think about your essay from the
admissions officer’s perspective.

The Ivies want students who they feel will impact the community and, in the long run,
the world. The best way for them to assess your potential impact is by reading your
essay and learning what makes you different from everybody else.

While your weekend tennis games may be enough to get you into another US
university, they won’t be enough to get you into an Ivy League (unless your weekend
tennis games are matches you organise to help troubled youth… you get where we are
going with this).

You need to bring something extraordinary to the table. Let’s expand on your
weekend tennis matches for troubled youth.

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Think about what angle you could take to make your incredible initiative stand out
even more. Maybe you write the essay from the point of view of one of the children you
help. Maybe you start your essay in the middle of a really exciting tennis match
between Serena Williams (who you managed to get to volunteer) and one of the most
talented kids in your program! Or maybe you start with your tennis matches and
branch out to include all of the other ways you’ve helped these children strive,
academically and socially.

This is what should define you.

Regardless of what prompt you choose to answer, make sure you are putting your best
foot forward and showing the admissions officers what makes you special.

Sample Ivy League Essay Prompts

Princeton University
1. Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences
that was particularly meaningful to you. (150 words)
2. Tell us how you have spent the last two summers (or vacations between school
years), including any jobs you have held. (150 words)
3. A few details: Your favorite book and its author, favorite website, favorite
recording, favorite source of inspiration, favorite line from a movie or book and
its title, favorite movie, two adjectives your friends would use to describe you,
favorite keepsake or memento and your favorite word (very brief responses).
4. Pick a topic and write an essay of about 500 words:
a. Tell us about a person who has influenced you in a significant way.
b. “One of the great challenges of our time is that the disparities we face
today have more complex causes and point less straightforwardly to
solutions.”Omar Wasow, assistant professor of politics, Princeton
University and co-founder of Blackplanet.com. This quote is taken from
Professor Wasow’s January 2014 speech at the Martin Luther King Day
celebration at Princeton University.
c. “Culture is what presents us with the kinds of valuable things that can fill
a life. And insofar as we can recognize the value in those things and make
them part of our lives, our lives are meaningful.” Gideon Rosen, Stuart
Professor of Philosophy and director of the Behrman Undergraduate
Society of Fellows, Princeton University.
d. Using a favorite quotation from an essay or book you have read in the last
three years as a starting point, tell us about an event or experience that
helped you define one of your values or changed how you approach the
world. Please write the quotation, title and author at the beginning of
your essay.

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5. If you are interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree,
Write a 300-500 word essay describing why you are interested in studying
engineering, any experiences in or exposure to engineering you have had and
how you think the programs in engineering offered at Princeton suit your
particular interests.
Harvard University
1. Write an essay about one of these topics:
a. Unusual circumstances in your life
b. Travel or living experiences in other countries
c. A list of the books you have read during the past twelve months
d. How you hope to use your college education
e. The Harvard College Honor code declares that we "hold honesty as the
foundation of our community." As you consider entering this community
that is committed to honesty, please reflect on a time when you or
someone you observed had to make a choice about whether to act with
integrity and honesty.
f. An intellectual experience (course, project, book, discussion, paper,
poetry, or research topic in engineering, mathematics, science, or other
modes of inquiry) that has meant the most to you
g. What you would want your future college roommate to know about you
h. The mission of Harvard College is to educate our students to be citizens
and citizen-leaders for society. What would you do to contribute to the
lives of your classmates in advancing this mission?
Yale University
1. What academic areas seem to fit your current goals? Please indicate up to three
from our majors.
a. Why do these areas appeal to you? (100 words or fewer)
b. What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? (125 words or fewer)
2. What inspires you? (35 words or fewer)
3. What person, past or present, would you invite to speak? What question would
you ask? (35 words or fewer)
4. You are teaching a Yale course. What is it called? (35 words or fewer)
5. Most first-year Yale students live in suites of four to six people. What would you
contribute to the dynamic of your suite? (35 words or fewer)

Optional Engineering and Computer Science Essay
1. If you selected one of the computer science or engineering majors, please tell us
more about what has led you to an interest in this field of study, what
experiences (if any) you have had in computer science or engineering, and what
it is about Yale’s program in this area that appeals to you. (Please answer in 500
words or fewer.)

59

Essays – Coalition Application
1. In 300 words or fewer, write on one of the two essay topics below. In addition,
upload an audio file, video, image, or document you have created that is
meaningful to you and relates to your essay. Above your essay, include a
one-sentence description of what you have submitted.
a. What do you most enjoy learning?
b. Reflect on your engagement with a community to which you belong.
How do you feel you have contributed to this community?

Essays – Common Application
1. Please choose two of the following topics and respond to each in 250 words or
fewer.
a. What do you most enjoy learning?
b. Reflect on your engagement with a community to which you belong.
How do you feel you have contributed to this community?
c. Write on something you would like us to know about you that you have
not conveyed elsewhere in your application.

Columbia University
1. 150 words or fewer for each question:
a. the titles of the required readings from courses during the school year or
summer that you enjoyed most in the past year
b. the titles of books read for pleasure that you enjoyed most in the past
year
c. the titles of print or electronic publications you read regularly
d. and the titles of the films, concerts, shows, exhibits, lectures and other
entertainments you enjoyed most in the past year
2. 300 words or fewer for each question
a. Please tell us what you value most about Columbia and why.
b. If you are applying to Columbia College, tell us what from your current
and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you
specifically to the field or fields of study that you noted in the Member
Questions section. If you are currently undecided, please write about any
field or fields in which you may have an interest at this time.
c. If you are applying to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and
Applied Science, please tell us what from your current and past
experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the
field or fields of study that you noted in the Member Questions section.

60

University of Pennsylvania
1. How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University
of Pennsylvania? Please answer this question given the specific undergraduate
school to which you are applying. (400-650 words)
2. Huntsman: The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business:
Discuss a current international issue, which demonstrates how international
affairs and business intersect and explain how the Huntsman curriculum might
assist to resolve the issue. (500 words maximum)
3. LSM: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management:
LSM seeks students who are enthusiastic about combining science with
management. What excites you about this combination? What kind of benefits
could an individual trained in both disciplines bring to society? Be as specific
and original as possible in addressing these questions. (400-640 words)
4. M&T: The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology: Please
complete both prompts. Question 1: Explain how you will use this program to
explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. It
is helpful to identify potential engineering and business paths available at Penn.
(400-650 words) Question 2: Please describe a time in which you displayed
leadership. (250 words maximum)
5. NHCM: Nursing and Healthcare Management: Discuss your interest in nursing
and health care management. How might Penn's coordinated dual-degree
program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words)
6. VIPER: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research:
Describe your interests in energy science and technology drawing on your
previous academic, research, and extracurricular experiences that allow you to
appreciate the scientific or engineering challenges related to energy and
sustainability. If you have previous experience with research, describe your
research project (outlining the goals, hypotheses, approach, results, and
conclusions). Describe how your experiences have shaped your research and
interests, and identify how the VIPER program will help you achieve your goals.
Also, please indicate which VIPER majors in both science and engineering are
most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words)
7. NETS: The Rajendra and Neera Singh Program in Networked and Social
Systems Engineering: Describe your interests in modern networked information
systems and technologies, such as the Internet, and their impact on society,
whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial
content for society. Feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as
a user, developer, or student of technology. (400-650 words).
8. Seven-Year Bio-Dental Program: Please list pre-dental or pre-medical
experience. This experience can include but is not limited to observation in a
private practice, dental clinic, or hospital setting; dental assisting; dental
laboratory work; dental or medical research, etc. Please include time allotted to
each activity, dates of attendance, location, and description of your experience. If

61

you do not have any pre-dental or pre-medical experience, please indicate what
you have done that led you to your decision to enter dentistry. • List any activities
which demonstrate your ability to work with your hands. • What activities have
you performed that demonstrate your ability to work cooperatively with people?
• Please explain your reasons for selecting a career in dentistry. Please include
what interests you the most in dentistry as well as what interests you the least. •
Do you have relatives who are dentists or are in dental school? If so, indicate the
name of each relative, his/her relationship to you, the school attended, and the
dates attended.

Dartmouth College
1. Respond in 100 words or less:
a. Oh, The Places You’ll Go is one of the most popular books by “Dr. Seuss,”
Dartmouth Class of 1925. Where do you hope to go? What aspects of
Dartmouth’s curriculum or community might help you get there?
2. Choose one of the following prompts and respond in 250-300 words:
a. Shonda Rhimes, Dartmouth ’91, creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal,
recently documented her Year of Yes; for one year she vowed to say YES
to everything that scared her. Share a moment when you stepped out of
your comfort zone, and describe how it helped you grow into who you
are today.
b. Celebrate an example of excellent teaching and how it illuminated the
subject you were studying. Why did it resonate with you and excite your
intellectual curiosity?
c. In the wake of World War II, Dartmouth President John Sloan Dickey
proclaimed, “The world’s troubles are your troubles…and there is nothing
wrong with the world that better human beings cannot fix.” If you could
tackle any of the world’s “troubles,” which one captures your imagination
and inspires you to act? What would you invent or devise to mitigate it
and how might your coursework at Dartmouth inform your ambitions?
d. “It’s not easy being green” was a frequent lament of Kermit the Frog.
Discuss.
e. “Three things in human life are important,” said the novelist Henry James.
“The first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be
kind.” Share a moment when kindness guided your actions.
f. “Won’t you be my neighbor?” was the signature catchphrase of Fred
Rogers ’50, the creator and host of Mister Rogers Neighborhood. What
kind of neighbor will you be in our undergraduate community at
Dartmouth? What impact have you had on the neighbors in your life?

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Brown University
1. Why are you drawn to the area(s) of study you indicated in our Member Section,
earlier in this application? If you are “undecided” or not sure which Brown
concentrations match your interests, consider describing more generally the
academic topics or modes of thought that engage you currently. (150 word
limit)
2. Why Brown? (150 word limit)
3. Tell us where you have lived – and for how long – since you were born; whether
you’ve always lived in the same place, or perhaps in a variety of places. (100 word
limit)
4. We all exist within communities or groups of various sizes, origins, and purposes;
pick one and tell us why it is important to you, and how it has shaped you. (100
word limit)

Cornell University
1. Find the college you are applying to below and answer the prompt in 650
words or less.
a. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: Why are you drawn to studying
the major you have selected? Please discuss how your interests and
related experiences have influenced your choice. Specifically, how will an
education from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and
Cornell University help you achieve your academic goals? 
b. College of Architecture, Art, and Planning: Describe two or three of your
intellectual interests and why you are excited to pursue them within your
chosen major in AAP. What personal experiences, background, or future
goals will you bring to your scholarly and artistic pursuits at Cornell?
c. College of Arts and Sciences: Describe two or three of your current
intellectual interests and why they are exciting to you. Why will Cornell’s
College of Arts and Sciences be the right environment in which to pursue
your interests?
d. Cornell SC Johnson College of Business: Charles H. Dyson School of
Applied Economics and Management: How have your interests and
experiences influenced your decision to study Applied Economics and
Management? Describe how you would take advantage of the Dyson
School’s unique opportunities, for example, its affiliation with both the
Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and the College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences.
e. Cornell SC Johnson College of Business: School of Hotel Administration:
The global hospitality industry includes hotel and foodservice
management, real estate, finance, entrepreneurship, marketing,
technology, and law. Describe what has influenced your decision to study

63

business through the lens of hospitality. What personal qualities make
you a good fit for SHA?
f. College of Engineering: Cornell Engineering celebrates innovative
problem solving that helps people, communities… the world. Consider
your ideas and aspirations and describe how a Cornell Engineering
education would allow you to leverage technological problem-solving to
improve the world we live in.
g. College of Human Ecology: How have your experiences influenced you to
apply to the College of Human Ecology? How will your choice of major
impact your goals and plans for the future? School of Industrial and Labor
Relations: Tell us about your intellectual interests, how they sprung from
your course, service, work or life experiences, and what makes them
exciting to you. Describe how ILR is the right school for you to pursue
these interests.

64

06
Financing Your Education

Welcome to everyone’s favorite section.
Drumroll please…

The “How in the world am I going to afford going to
college in the US?!?!” section.

By now you’ve learned that picking colleges to apply to is
difficult, actually applying to the colleges you picked is
difficult and that college is expensive – regardless of the
type of college you choose to attend.

Or is it?

Financial aid in the US comes in four forms:

1. Grants
2. Scholarships
3. Loans
4. Work-Study Programs
5. Your Home Country

Due to the plethora of financial aid available, studying in the US is often times cheaper
than studying in your home country.

Shocking, right?

Many colleges do not want money to be a deciding factor for you so they try to create
ways to make their school more affordable, regardless of whether or not your parents
are billionaires.

The amount of aid you receive is usually determined by your Expected Family
Contribution (EFC).

Essentially, the more your family earns, the more you pay.

65

If you are an American student, you need to fill out both the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS). FAFSA
determines the amount of federal aid you are eligible for, while the CSS profile
determines the amount of institutional aid you are eligible for.

If you are an international student, you do not qualify for US federal aid; therefore, you
only need to fill out the CSS profile.

Each college has its own way of analyzing your CSS profile based on your EFC.
However, FAFSA has a formula to determine how much aid you can receive.

FAFSA ranks your EFC on a scale from 0-99,999.

If you're at the lower end of the scale, you'll pay less (a score of zero means you are
expected to contribute nothing).

If you don’t turn your forms on time, you may not receive the aid you are eligible for so
don’t be late!

Before you go running off to share the great news, there are a few terms and
conditions we have to talk about.

You didn’t just think you were getting free money, right?

Are US Colleges Actually Expensive?

Don’t let the sticker prices deter you.

Many private universities actually end up being cheaper than public universities due to
the amount of aid the private universities are able to give away. In fact, even if you are
offered in-state tuition, it may be cheaper for you to attend an Ivy League!

For example, at Stanford, if your family’s income is less than $125,000 USD a year
(which is a lot!) you are not expected to contribute any money towards your tuition.
And if your family’s income is less than $65,000 USD a year, you are not expected to
contribute anything towards tuition, room or board! However, you will need to
contribute about $5,000 USD a year through work study or another form payment. But
still, you’d be getting a top notch education for close to nothing!

On the other hand, if you were a California resident and you got accepted to Berkeley
and your parents’ yearly income was $65,000 USD, the average amount of assistance
you would receive is $19,828. This means that you would still need to cough up about
$15,144 USD per year.

66

Are you convinced yet?

Most universities have a cost calculator on their website so look up your prospective
colleges to see how much your family actually needs to contribute.

Ivy League Costs
Family Annual Average
UNIVERSITY Total Cost What YOU Pay*
Income Cutoff Grant
$140,000 USD
Princeton typically pay no tuition $48,000
$67,100 USD $19,100 USD per
< $65,000 USD USD per
University per year year
typically pay no tuition, year
room or board
$150,000 USD typically
pay 0-10% of tuition
Harvard $71,600 USD $50,000 $21,600 USD per
University per year < $65,000 USD USD year
typically pay no tuition,
room or board
$65,000-$200,000
USD typically pay
1-20% of tuition on a
Yale $47,000
$70,570 USD sliding scale $23,570 USD per
USD

< $65,000 USD
typically pay no tuition,
room or board
$60,000-$100,000
Columbia USD typically
$71,690 USD $52,073 USD $19,617 USD per
contribute a lot less
than other students

University of $72,584 USD N/A $50,171 USD $22,413 USD per

Pennsylvania per year year
Dartmouth $47,833
$71,827 USD ~$100,000 USD $23,994 USD per
USD
College per year typically pay no tuition year

67

Brown $71,050 USD N/A $47,940 $23,110 USD per

University per year USD year
< $60,000 USD
Cornell typically have no
$71,321 USD $31, 524 USD per
parental contribution $39,797 USD

* Based on rough averages and purely illustrative, not indicative of what you will pay if you’re accepted.

Your Financial Aid Dictionary

There are three types of schools when it comes to financial aid: full-need, need-aware,
and need-blind.

1. Full-Need
These colleges will provide enough aid to sufficiently cover your family’s need, based on
your EFC.

2. Need-Aware
These colleges take your financial situation into account when accessing your
application and may reserve some spots only for students who can pay full price. All US
colleges are need-aware for international students (with the exception for the five
listed below).

3. Need-Blind
Need-blind colleges do not take your financial situation into account at all when
assessing your application.

These colleges will not deny you based on whether or not you are able to pay.
However, there are only five colleges in the US that offer need-blind admissions for
international students:
＋ Harvard
＋ Yale
＋ Princeton
＋ Amherst
＋ MIT

As an international student, your best bet is to apply to one of these five schools
because they will not turn you down because of your financial situation. However,

68

these five international need-blind institutions are also some of the hardest to get
into.

There are a few other universities that give out large financial packages to international
students.

No. of intl students
Total Cost Avg aid amount for each
UNIVERSITY who received aid
(17’ - 18’) intl student
15’ - 16’
Williams College 94 $67,700 USD $59,674 USD
Stanford
160 $69,109 USD $59,000 USD
University
Amherst College 159 $73,250–75,700 $58,477 USD

USD
Trinity College $69,020 USD $57,250 USD

163

$72,710 USD
Duke University $55,213 USD
173

Wellesley $66,984 USD
91 $54,873 USD
College

69

Keep in mind that total costs go up slightly every year so most of these students
received pretty close to full aid.

There are many ways universities may give you financial aid and many ways for you to
find additional aid on your own. Some of these options are only available to US
students so make sure you reach out to your prospective school to see what kind of aid
they offer.

1. Grants
Grants are going to be your new favorite thing. They are literally free money! Most
grants come directly from the government and are based on your FAFSA. The most
common grant is the Federal Pell Grant, which is limited to $5,500 USD a year and is
only available for American students. It’s definitely not going to cover your entire tuition
but free money is free money!

2. Scholarships
More free money! Woohoo! Scholarships are a great way of funding your education;
however, they require a lot of time on your end. You’ll need to research, fill out
applications and maybe even write a few essays. Luckily, there are scholarships for just
about anything. Are you left handed? Do you have a twin? Do you play a sport? How’s
your SAT score? There are so many scholarships out there, all you have to do is look!

P.S. If you are an international student, look for scholarships through this website.

3. Loans
Loans are not free money; therefore, taking out loans should be your absolute last
resort. Many places will be willing to lend you money for college but you’ll need to pay
the money back, with interest.

You can get private loans come from banks or credit unions and more often than not,
are terrible. Private companies have strict rules for handing out loans and tend to have
higher interest. Not to mention, you’ll usually have to start paying them back right
away.

Federal loans, on the other hand, have lower interest rates, better repayment options
and a few forgiveness options as well.

For more information, check out this article. Just remember, if you need to take out a
loan, federal loans are the way to go.

70

Unfortunately, international students aren’t eligible for federal loans, but there are a
few international student loans available. Just bear in mind you need a US citizen or
permanent resident to cosign the loan.

4. Work-Study Programs
If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, the federal government may also give
you a work-study. This will allow you to work (usually on campus) to help you earn
money to fund your education. Sometimes your work will relate to your field of study –
sort of like an internship!

5. Your Home Country and International Organisations
The best way to find money as an international student is through your home country
and/or international organisations. Some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, offer multiple
sources of funding for citizens looking to study in the US. Be aware that some of these
funds may require you to return to your home country after your studies are over.

There are also many international organisations (think the UN and the World Health
Organization) that may be able to help you fund your studies. Start looking at these
options early because they tend to be very competitive.

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08
Final Thoughts

Ah my friends, we’ve come to the end.

You are now an expert on all things Ivy League and US
university applications.

Way to go!

If only your application wrote itself.

Now, it is up to you to take what you’ve learned and create
the best application Harvard has ever seen.

You have the tools, you’ve learned the tips and tricks to success, all you need to do is
push forward.

Find your passion, challenge yourself in school, crush your SATs (or ACTs), make a list of
10-15 schools, write a fantastic essay, and get ready to get into your dream college.

We believe in you. Get to work.

72

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ADMISSIONS

Reading 5 reading passages 4 reading passages

How It's Scored Scale: 400 - 1600 Scale: 1–36

Princeton University 1460-1600 32-35

Harvard University 1470-1600 32-35

Yale University 1480-1600 31-35

Cornell University 1410-1570 30-34

Williams College 1410-1570 31-34

MIddlebury College 1350-1540 29-33

University of Michigan, Ann 1370-1530 29-33

University of $72,584 USD N/A $50,171 USD $22,413 USD per

Brown $71,050 USD N/A $47,940 $23,110 USD per

Williams College 94 $67,700 USD $59,674 USD

Amherst College 159 $73,250–75,700 $58,477 USD

Trinity College $69,020 USD $57,250 USD

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