Could anyone say what is best to prepare for high school, and how to do well in high school - beginning with Grade 9- to attend an Ivy? What if you have no AP/IB courses? Thx so much!
one thing i was lacking my freshman year that you need is some strong motivation, because its a long road ahead to the ivies. and just getting into a good school usually isnt enough motivation, because you can always make excuses like “oh ill just get into a good grad school” you have to find some strong motivation early, whether it be to make yourself smarter or to rub your harvard acceptance letter in your friends face
Lol thx i think im motivated, cuz i studied for the sats in gr7 for a summer camp
As for rubbing the letter in my friend’s face, hahaha my friends arent exactly … Motivated
Hi twink1e,
Assuming you have no hooks and are not from URM, aiming for US Ivy league freshmen admission is extremely competitive. You do need to prepare for high probability of disappointment. That said, your application package should differentiate among many academic superstars; adcoms are always looking for something different to fill the next class. Note that there is nothing special about having the highest GPA or perfect SAT/ACT, loads of ECs, the national awards from competitions and the special music or art talents…those are dime in dozen and do not impress adcoms any more. (unless you have a very compelling story behind them)
The latest theme is what you have done to better your community (in particular, poor community), the actions that you may have taken to the change the world and the volunteering that you may have done…etc.etc.
Do you have a sob story? Are you from broken home and the hardship you had to endure to thrive? Perhaps you have to work during HS and your story…
In short, anything different than the crowd will give you a slight edge.
(My older son got in several Ivies and my younger one decided not to apply to any Ivy.)
Lol thx! I probably dont stand out too much academically, but what if i was in a movie or something? Idk…
And congrats to your sons! xD
Let me elaborate - My older son didn’t enroll any of those Ivies, he opted for a mid-west school that gave him full-ride 3 years ago.
My younger son actually is better academically (highest GPA, top SATs, all 5 on APs) with much more academic (Olympiad maths) and competitive awards, and he also is a talented soloist who won national and state titles…Although he didn’t apply any Ivies, he did apply for one elite school (his dream school) MIT and finally after EA-RA-waitlist cycle got turned down 2 days ago. So my point is that applying for Ivies is like lottery in this competitive environment, one would never know until one tries.