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How to Get Into An Ivy League School in 2024 (FULL COURSE)

Elise Pham・51 minutes read

A Harvard Premed student offers strategies to get into Ivy League schools, highlighting the importance of showcasing future potential and engaging in tier one or two extracurricular activities. The digital SAT, passion projects, interviews, financial aid, and strong letters of recommendation are key components for successful college admissions.

Insights

  • College admissions are viewed as a strategic game by the speaker, emphasizing the showcasing of future potential through challenging oneself, pursuing passions, and adopting a growth mindset rather than focusing solely on past achievements.
  • Extracurricular activities play a crucial role in college applications, with a focus on depth of involvement and sustained commitment, categorized into four tiers based on impact and leadership, where tier one and tier two activities are seen as ideal by admission officers.

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Recent questions

  • What are tier four extracurricular activities?

    Tier four activities include general memberships in clubs.

  • How can one initiate a passion project?

    Start by identifying a community issue and passion.

  • What is the digital SAT?

    A standardized test for academic ability.

  • How should supplemental essays be structured?

    Follow a past-present-future framework.

  • What is the importance of interviews in the college admissions process?

    Showcases interest and clarifies application details.

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Summary

00:00

Guide to Ivy League Admissions Strategies

  • The speaker, a Harvard Premed student and college admissions counselor, offers a comprehensive guide on getting into Ivy League schools.
  • The course covers strategies and tips that have led to successful admissions for many students, including securing scholarships and acceptances into prestigious universities.
  • The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the college admissions process as a game of strategy and communication.
  • Common misconceptions about college admissions are addressed, focusing on the need to highlight potential for future success rather than past achievements.
  • Future potential should be showcased through challenging oneself, pursuing passions, and adopting a growth mindset.
  • Academics and grades are discussed, with advice on prioritizing rigor, balancing schedules, and exploring interests to demonstrate academic commitment.
  • Admission officers evaluate applications holistically, considering achievements and circumstances within the context of the applicant's high school.
  • GPA and class rank are evaluated within the context of the school's curriculum and academic environment.
  • Extracurricular activities should prioritize depth of involvement, sustained commitment, and merging passions with community impact.
  • Extracurricular activities are classified into four tiers based on impact and level of achievement, with examples provided for each tier.

16:56

Maximizing College Admissions with Passion Projects

  • Tier four extracurricular activities showcase engagement and responsibility outside the classroom, including general memberships in school clubs, sports participation, or learning activities like playing an instrument or volunteering.
  • College admission officers do not look down on tier four extracurricular activities, but they are categorized based on impact and leadership, with tier one and tier two activities being ideal.
  • Reflecting on extracurricular activities is crucial for college applications, emphasizing personal growth and values in essays.
  • Passion projects are self-driven endeavors that demonstrate initiative, leadership, and commitment, showcasing personal growth, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
  • Examples of passion projects include environmental sustainability initiatives, STEM research projects, community service endeavors, artistic expressions, and business or entrepreneurship ventures.
  • Initiating a passion project involves identifying a community issue, selecting a passion, finding a unique approach, developing the project, executing it, evaluating its impact, and reflecting on the experience for college applications.
  • Research internship opportunities can be pursued through structured programs or cold emailing, with a strategic approach to increase chances of securing a position.
  • Cold emailing for internships involves personalizing emails, asking for a brief call to discuss career paths, showing genuine interest, asking for incremental opportunities, sending follow-ups, and building networks.
  • Summer programs are essential for networking, securing internships, and obtaining letters of recommendation, with applications typically opening in the fall for upcoming juniors and seniors.
  • Selective summer programs tailored to academic or extracurricular interests, like the Research Science Institute, offer prestigious opportunities with low acceptance rates.

33:52

Enhancing College Applications: Summer Programs and SAT

  • There are credible summer programs like Carnegie Mellon's SAMS and MIT Mites/I that can enhance college applications.
  • Avoid summer programs that charge exorbitant fees, around $10,000, and opt for selective or free programs.
  • The digital SAT is crucial for college admissions, as it provides a standardized measure of academic ability.
  • Many Ivy League schools, including Harvard, require standardized test scores like the SAT or ACT for admissions.
  • The digital SAT is shorter, adaptive, and consists of reading/writing and math modules with the use of a calculator.
  • A competitive SAT score for Ivy League schools is 1520 or above, with around 760 or higher in each section.
  • Start studying for the digital SAT by sophomore year, aiming for National Merit recognition in junior year.
  • Craft a central theme for college applications based on core values, tying together extracurricular activities, personal experiences, and academic interests.
  • Supplemental essays should follow a past-present-future framework, showcasing growth, challenges, and future goals.
  • Choose academic and personal character recommenders carefully, providing specific examples that align with your central theme for strong letters of recommendation.

50:42

College Application Process: Tips for Success

  • Organizing study groups focused on topics like civic responsibility and creating study guides for classmates related to economics and the environment.
  • Starting the first schoolwide recycling program can be highlighted to personal recommenders to enhance letters of recommendation.
  • Providing recommenders with a comprehensive and organized resume template can help in creating concise and organized resumes.
  • Offering additional notes for teacher letters of recommendation can assist in making activity descriptions more specific.
  • Using provided email templates for requesting and sending reminders for letters of recommendation can streamline the process.
  • Interviews in the college admissions process allow for personal interaction, showcasing interest in the institution, and clarifying application details.
  • In interviews, students are analyzed based on their love for learning, extracurricular profile, intellectual curiosity, values, fit, and aspirations.
  • Not all applicants are offered interviews, and preparation is crucial, including familiarizing oneself with the college's programs and personal goals.
  • Making a story for top extracurricular activities and passion projects can help in creating a memorable impression during interviews.
  • Sending thank you notes to interviewers can reinforce a positive impression and show appreciation for their time.
  • Need-based financial aid is predominantly offered by Ivy League schools, assessing financial situations based on FAFSA and CSS profile information.
  • Ivy League schools are committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for international students, calculated based on cost of attendance and expected family contribution.
  • Financial aid letters typically include details on tuition, fees, scholarships, grants, and net cost to the family, with the option to appeal for re-evaluation if needed.
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