Ivy Talent Education

University of Southern California, USC

From “Where Do I Belong?” to USC: A Student’s Journey to Self-Discovery 

College / By

Student Profile Student Name: Aloha Current School: Canadian Public High School Admitted to: University of Southern California (USC) Overview Aloha’s childhood unfolded across different places: from Beijing to Canada, then to Yunnan, and back to Canada again. It’s a path that left her feeling both familiar and out of place everywhere she lived. This fall, […]

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SAT, Test-Optional

The Test-Optional Era Is Over: All 8 Ivy League Schools Now Require SAT/ACT Scores 

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In June 2026, Columbia University announced that it will require SAT or ACT scores from undergraduate applicants beginning with the 2027-2028 application cycle, making it the final Ivy League institution to move away from test-optional admissions. The other Ivies schools had already reinstated standardized testing requirements over the past two years, and Columbia’s decision means

The Test-Optional Era Is Over: All 8 Ivy League Schools Now Require SAT/ACT Scores  Read More »

Do Campus Visits Increase Your Chances of Acceptance? Here’s What Admissions Offices Actually Think

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When it comes to building a college list, most students focus on rankings, acceptance rates, and academic programs. However, there is one step that often gets overlooked; it can make a real difference in both your decision-making and your college applications: the campus visits. A campus visit isn’t just about sightseeing the different campus buildings.

Do Campus Visits Increase Your Chances of Acceptance? Here’s What Admissions Offices Actually Think Read More »

Six Weeks, Four Offers: How She Secured a Spot at Fay School Under a Tight Deadline

K-8 School / By

Student Profile Student Name: Iris Current School: Harrow International School Hong Kong Admitted to: Fay School, Rumsey Hall School, Rectory School, The Bement School Overview Most families spend at least a year preparing for U.S. private middle school applications. This family, however, only had six weeks. Starting in early November and beating a hard December

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GPA, STARS

What is STARS? The U.S. College Application Self-Reported Transcript System Explained

College / By

If you’ve recently submitted your Common App Activities and received a follow-up request to complete something called STARS, you are not alone. In college applications, many students and families encounter this system for the first time; they are usually unsure of what it is, whether it’s required, or how it even affects their application. Here’s

What is STARS? The U.S. College Application Self-Reported Transcript System Explained Read More »

nobles

From Shanghai to Fessenden to Nobles: How a Non-Traditional Student Profile Won Over Top Boston Boarding Schools

K-8 School / By

Student Profile Student Name: Warren Current School: Fessenden School Admitted to: Noble & Greenough School, Belmont Hill School Overview Warren is the kind of student whose achievements shine through without much fanfare. He is a self-taught programmer who learned C++, Python, and Java by dissecting problems and understanding them from the core. In third grade,

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private school interview

Your Complete Guide to U.S. Private School Interviews: Common Questions and Examples

High School / By

Interviews are one of the most critical parts of the private school admissions process. It gives you a chance to show the school who you are beyond your grades and test scores. More importantly, it’s how admissions officers evaluate whether you’d be a strong fit for their community. To help you feel prepared and confident,

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ivy-talent-school-thumbnail-concord-academy

10 Years at the Piano Across 3 Countries: How Hankin Earned His Place at Concord Academy

High School / By

Student Profile Student Name: Hankin Current School: The Bement School Admitted to: Concord Academy Overview When Concord Academy’s admissions officer finished interviewing Hankin, he told his mother how he loved Bement students because they were kind, genuine, and warm. Hankin walked in slightly nervous and walked out with a new friend. Still, the result was

10 Years at the Piano Across 3 Countries: How Hankin Earned His Place at Concord Academy Read More »

ivy-talent-school-thumbnail-harvard-westlake-school

Rejected Once, Admitted the Second Time: How Austin Secured His Place At Harvard-Westlake School

High School / By

Student Profile Student Name: Austin Current School: Private Day School Admitted to: Harvard-Westlake School Quick Overview Austin received admission from Harvard-Westlake School and several other prestigious day schools in Los Angeles this admissions cycle. However, the path to that result was arduous. Two years prior, he and his family applied independently without professional guidance but

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stem

10 Prestigious STEM Competitions That Can Strengthen Your College Application

College / By

Each year, thousands of high school students across the United States compete in STEM competitions that go beyond anything a standard curriculum offers. For students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, these academic competitions are often where intellectual development happens, not just where achievements get listed. While no competition guarantees admission to a highly

10 Prestigious STEM Competitions That Can Strengthen Your College Application Read More »

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