Get Accepted to Your Dream College

For more than a decade, Ivy Link has helped hundreds of students
make that happen.
Why settle for anything less?

Finding the Best-Fit College for a Strong STEM Student
Sarah, a student at The Spence School, started working with Ivy Link in the Spring of 10th grade. Sarah’s mom was concerned because Sarah’s grades had been slipping from nearly all A’s to mostly B’s, and Sarah was not engaging in any meaningful extracurricular activities apart from her long-standing piano lessons. During the initial meeting, an Ivy Link advisor identified Sarah’s aptitude and interest in STEM subjects, particularly math and physics. Subsequently, Sarah’s advisor researched and recommended activities that sparked enthusiasm from Sarah and got her to start engaging in her classes and outside activities. The Ivy Link advisor also crafted a comprehensive strategy for Sarah and her family for remaining years of high school, including plans for extracurricular activities and summer programs, as well as a complete testing schedule. Consistent meetings with Ivy Link academic tutors brought Sarah’s grades back to the A range. Sarah also worked with an Ivy Link tutor for five months on the ACT and scored a 35 on the official exam. Given that Sarah also was uncertain if she wanted to pursue academia, graduate school, or a business career in the long term, her Ivy Link advisor made sure that Sarah would have a successful four years in college and find a place where she would thrive both socially and academically. Sarah decided on University of Michigan as her first-choice school because she wanted a large-campus experience and balance between strong academics and a vibrant social life. Sarah was accepted in the Early Action round. 

Addressing Major Area of Weakness to Achieve Ivy League Goals
Luke, whose family had worked with Ivy Link on his ISEE preparation when he was applying to 5th grade private schools, met with his Ivy Link college advisor just as he was finishing 8th grade at Horace Mann. Luke was a strong student academically, both in the classroom and on standardized tests. Luke and his family’s goal was to attend an Ivy League college, including Dartmouth, where his parents had graduated. During the initial meeting, Ivy Link identified Luke’s biggest weakness: he was just unmotivated and didn’t have any developed interests in any particular subject, sport, or extracurricular activity. Luke needed a hook or his admissions chances would be doomed. With a blank slate and all four years of high school to work with, the initial meetings between Luke and his Ivy Link advisor were focused on brainstorming for activities and areas that would excite and motivate Luke. Eventually, they came up with a short-list of possible extracurricular activities, including outside of school programs, that Luke was willing to try during his first year. With an eye on the long-term, Ivy Link also identified ways that Luke’s involvement in those activities and clubs could grow into leadership positions and demonstrate achievement. By the time Luke applied to colleges in November of his 12th grade, Luke’s robust extracurricular profile and complemented his stellar grades and test scores. Ivy Link worked with Luke to make sure that his application showed Luke’s achievements in a compelling manner. Luke gained admissions to Yale during the Early Action round.

Initial Consultation

The first step in our process is a candid assessment of your background and qualifications. We will analyze issues that are particular to your candidacy, including your standardized test score(s), coursework, extracurricular activities, work experience and goals, in order to proactively address any weaknesses in your candidacy and assess your compatibility with different colleges.

Strategic Planning

Many candidates underestimate the importance of communicating their unique stories through their application. This is where Ivy Link consultants prove invaluable. From the information garnered during the initial consultation and evaluation, we begin to plan ways for you to showcase your talents and story through intensive one-on-one brainstorming sessions. The goal is to make your candidacy stand out from the many other qualified applicants. Additionally, we will work with you to plan out your high school career to best exemplify your intellect and interests through your courses, tests, and much more.

Profile Development

Colleges value committed candidates. We aim to transform your interests into measurable accomplishments by cultivating your talents. Utilizing the strategies outlined early in the program, we help you develop your extracurriculars through leadership and research opportunities, summer programs, and whatever else that may highlight your specific passions. The goal here is to make you both competitive and compelling.

Application Outlining

Each college applicant has their own story to tell. The untold difficulty, however, is using your history and accomplishments from the last three years to present a personal and compelling narrative. Based on the information we gather from one-on-one brainstorming sessions, we will work with you to develop detailed outlines to guide your completion of each personal statement. These outlines will provide clear frameworks for your unique narratives and precise roadmaps toward the completion of winning personal statements with minimal stress.

Unlimited Personal Statement Revisions

Our experts will thoroughly review, comment on and edit your drafts, not only to catch technical mistakes, but also to ensure that the narratives carry the authenticity of your voice and are told in the most compelling manner, all while staying within the mandated word count. There is no limit on the number of revisions we will provide. Our work is not complete until you are satisfied.

Post-Acceptance Strategy

Our work does not end after your applications are submitted. Following your acceptance, we will advise you on the suitability of different schools in light of your background, interests and aspirations. Further, we will continue to assist you with any remaining awards, scholarships, or additional measurable accomplishments you may still be pursuing through the end of the school year.