Ivy Planners' insider tips on getting into your dream school! This is a sample presentation. To get the full presentation, contact thenextstep@ivyplanners.com.

1. Insider Tips on Getting into Your Dream School A part of the Next Step Series

2. Ivy Planners: Candy Question What was the acceptance rate at Harvard for the Class of 2014 (2010 HS graduates)? 6.9% About 2,000 students were accepted out of 30,000 applicants!

3. Comic property of Jim Borgman (Cincinnati Enquirer) : http://borgman.enquirer.com/

4. X What you have been told Get good grades Participate in extracurricular activities Clubs / organizations, volunteering, sports Be sure to get a job and volunteer during the summer

5. This is all common knowledge We’re here to give you uncommon knowledge

6. Part I Setting the Stage Photo courtesy of Rich Anderson: http://www.flickr.com/photos/memestate/11231404/

7. Academics: Insider Tip #1 Myth: It is better to get an A in a regular class than a B in an AP/honors class Fact: Colleges are looking for students who challenge themselves.

8. Extracurriculars: Insider Tip #3 Myth: I should join as many extracurricular activities as possible and have 1,000 community service hours. Fact: You should only participate in activities you are passionate about. This way you can communicate that passion in the admissions process. People go to college; numbers don’t

9. Tests: Insider Tip #7 Myth: If I do poorly on the SAT, I will also do poorly on the ACT. Fact: These are two different tests with different sections, timing, and grading policies.

10. Part II The Application Picture property of The Common Application : www.commonapp.org

11. Personal Essays Allows the school to see who you are as a person Develop a defining feature Prompt: Why do you want to apply to this school? Schools can tell when you know nothing about them People go to college; numbers don’t

12. Essay: Insider Tip #11 Myth: I should put a positive spin on everything. Fact: Describing your setbacks and how you overcame them is more powerful. People go to college; numbers don’t

13. Part III Choosing the Right School Picture property of Thomas Angermann: www.flickr.com/photos/angermann/1948649318/sizes/o/in/photostream/

14. Choosing: Insider Tip #14 Myth: I should apply to only Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Rice. Fact: You need to have a range of schools. Safeties, reaches, and matches

15. Visit the Campus Schools keep track of student’s demonstrated interest Factors Location Climate Culture Atmosphere Size Academic Programs Extracurricular possibilities

16. Financial Aid Search for scholarships and apply QuestBridge and Gates Millennium Scholarship Don’t ignore small scholarships They add up CSS Profile and FAFSA for FINANCIAL AID

17. Want more insider tips and one-on-one college planning and advice from Rice and Ivy League students? www.ivyplanners.com

18. What we do… Admissions Counseling High school course selection Standardized test guidance College matching Developing a defining feature Interview Preparation Resume Advice Holistic Essay Coaching Final Application Review

19. What we do… Poor Description Strong Description Spanish Club President Had weekly meetings with members Planned cultural events Fundraised for cultural outings Competed in regional language competitions Had correspondences with other Spanish students Spanish Club President Developed agenda and led meetings of 20+ members covering everything from finances to club strategy Tripled membership through innovative advertising and outreach methods Hosted Spanish food exhibition with 10 vendors Raised $1,000 to support local charities and outings Led team to victories in Spanish competitions Developed relationships with schools to promote Spanish and idea exchange

20. The bottom line… The college application process starts NOW People go to college; numbers don’t Good Luck! We’re here to help.