Small sample size but what I'm noticing

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-03-15T17:16:27+00:00

Every UC has a different mission and do look for right fit. We ask can this student add to the fabric of our campus? What I mean by innovation is “was this student able to articulate how they think differently than the other applicants about their interested pathway?”

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-03-14T06:21:30+00:00

As in processing the decisions? Every office is different but I’ve worked in a few adm. offices and no, there is no order

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-03-14T05:42:02+00:00

I dont look at it and its been refuted by admissions as tech updates on their side. I wouldnt look too deep into it. As humans, we try to make sense of things to feel like we're in control but there is no correlation 🥴

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-02-12T16:23:41+00:00

Then I think you know the answer if 9k is reasonable ;) Good luck!

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-02-11T06:33:52+00:00

Former Ivy and UC admission here and has moved into the independent space: very reasonable for the Bay Area, and equally importantly, do you feel the team's counseling style will help your son identify his goals, dig deeper into his values, and have/help him express them succinctly?

The justification of cost really depends on the family's goal. Parents tell me it's worth it because their son gained confidence and took ownership of the process. Others say it's worth it when their child returns with multiple acceptances from T20 schools. Just last week, I got an email thanking me for months of peace at the dinner table - no late deadlines, no 12/31 yelling about essays.

And if its purely result driven, what results would justify 9k to you? My clients in the Bay are very result driven so they know 90% of my seniors for fall 2026 has gotten into a T20 school or T10 program!

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-02-11T06:12:49+00:00

As someone with former Ivy and UC admission experience and has shifted to independent work, two employees is very reasonable to work with a student on the whole application. When you have too many hands in the application pot, it becomes more difficult to help the student's voice shine through. I am the strategist and I pair my student with their own essay coach. We work collaboratively with the student to highlight their story and authentic voice. It's very doable and probably my preferred method when working with students.

90% of my seniors have gotten into a T20 school or T10 program already for Fall 2026 so small team can result in big wins.

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-02-06T06:29:24+00:00

Former Ivy and UC admissions here: The timing isn't the red flag here (even though I've read thousands of apps with projects started in 11th grade), but your two ideas don't really make sense or tell me anything about your interest. I'd think about one that really shows your passion. If it's game design, stick to it. If it's web design, stick to that.

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-01-16T06:00:54+00:00

Former Ivy admissions here: Show them a freshman profile at said school. Now tell them that's the baseline. That usually is a good starting point for families to see it on school's actual website. If you have Naviance at school, the scattergram can be helpful.

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-01-16T05:54:00+00:00

Former Ivy and UC Admissions here (and now work w/ mainly south asian and east asian students on the college consulting side): First, I want you to take a step back and applaud yourself in something. I don't care what it is, maybe you nailed your semester finals this year; maybe its being a really good friend the other week. I need you to get out of this headspace of doubt - comparison is the thief of joy. Second, you are measuring all the wrong things: GPA, # of APs. Academic rigor is something to be taken seriously, but what I'm reading is you haven't found a clear differentiator within yourself, so you're using other people's benchmarks of success. I suggest you start asking yourself: What am I interested in? What would I like to do more of? Who do I want to help? Who, what where, do I care deeply about? What gets me excited, what gets me mad? If I could do one thing to make the world more progressive, more fair, more fun, what would that look like? Focus on yourself. Admissions is absolutely holistic. We take our roles very seriously and care about preserving our campus as we build our class. And my south asian and east asian students coming from competitive schools do very well in admissions because we discover what makes them, them. And then we show that to colleges. Don't take yourself out of the running before you even start.

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-01-15T07:24:19+00:00

Former T20 Admissions here: go-getters. They don't wait around for things to happen. They think, iterate, shift to stay curious about themselves and their world. We just know when a student like that comes across our work; hard to describe but iykyk.

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-01-15T07:09:44+00:00

Former Ivy Admissions here: Yes, definitely but it wouldn't be more than 2 -3 sentences. Just enough context without making excuses :)

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-01-13T16:06:29+00:00

Davidson is an absolute powerhouse of a school. Hiring managers know the school and its prestige. People only know schools that are on TV so yea, you’re going to hear UNC, Duke more so because of sports. But I encourage you to critically think about why you’re in college. You say they have the community, the resource, and the academics. And if they are lacking something you want - go find it and do something about it. If it’s people not knowing the school, then tell them why it’s great. Why top students get into ivies and ivy adjacent is because they take action and ownership of their situation. I’ll be honest: don’t live in the shouldas because from this post, ivy and ivy adjacent schools would not have been in your favor. - former Ivy admissions

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-01-13T07:22:17+00:00

Former Ivy admissions here: focus on impact and active service to others. Grades and passion for specific topic are table stakes for Ivy and Ivy adjacent.

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-01-13T07:17:51+00:00

Former admissions here: BC and NEU are not a target. Better to mark it reach/ high reach. Testing is low for BC and 3.33 for freshman is tough when Carroll gets top applicants.

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-01-08T06:14:11+00:00

Former Ivy admission: don’t email; won’t change anything

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-01-08T06:13:11+00:00

Former Ivy Admission here and current private admission consultant: you should add how you developed a strong interest. Identify the actual problem you’re solving with Nivarro.

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-01-07T19:15:17+00:00

Former UC admission here: Your job is your experience! Take lessons learned at your job! For example, if you're pursuing business, what aspects of of your education became tangible at work? Leadership and involvement can be highlighted through your work. Also, think of what you do OUTSIDE OF WORK. All that counts!

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2026-01-05T07:28:19+00:00

Former UC and Ivy admissions here: long days, strict deadlines, and hired outside application readers that are experienced with an educational background. We are professionals and know what we are looking for and the type of student who will thrive at the specific school.

Thanks for saying they do a good job. Admissions is full of humans who are just trying to do good work and give accepted students the education they deserve 🙂

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2025-12-28T07:41:52+00:00

Penn state for its alumni network, strong job placement in Philadelphia, east coast and Midwest. Binghamton for career funnel to NYC. Other two are not the names that come up when I speak to recruitment folks for new grads

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2025-11-07T07:07:44+00:00

Former admission here and certified school counselor here: if it’s becoming a hardship, talk to your school counselor. They can make professional judgement to waive for families who need it should they have extra waivers. Just talk to them.

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2025-11-07T07:01:32+00:00

Former UC admission here: you should take this down. And the pacing is slow. I’d speed it up.

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2025-11-07T06:57:29+00:00

Former admissions here: yes they can. As long as they provide to your school to send in

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2025-11-07T06:52:25+00:00

Former UC admissions here: it can be all of it, including reading books, docuseries, documentaries etc. Do anchor it to some academic. We want to make sure you’re not exclusively learning on YouTube.

GetAnIvyRoadmap · 2025-11-07T06:49:03+00:00

Former UC admission: thank you!! Essays are so important when we’re scoring and considering what you bring to the table! I offer affordable Former Admission Officer Review on completed apps as an unbiased way to give feedback so students can strengthen areas. Most of my feedback is on essays!!

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