Blogs & Latest News

Study Skills

What does it mean to reflect effectively? Why does it matter?

At Ivy Central, we help students look inwards to write essays that showcase the most honest version of themselves. We encourage students to brainstorm ideas for numerous iterations until they are satisfied with the version that represents them the best. In our experience, reflection is key to an outstanding and memorable essay. The best essays are also the ones that are personal and honest.

Read More »
College Counseling

Ultimate Guide to the UC Berkeley M.E.T Program

University of California – MET Program – A Comprehensive Guide In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, innovative programs that bridge disciplines are paving the way for a new breed of professionals. The Berkeley Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (M.E.T.) program combines the power of

Read More »
US Universities

A New Admissions Trend: Dialogue Portfolios

Dialogue Portfolio for College Admissions Beginning this admissions season, colleges like the University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Vanderbilt University, Columbia University, Colby College, Northwestern University, and Washington University will begin accepting “dialogues” portfolios from Schoolhouse. world, a platform co-founded by

Read More »
US Universities

How Ivy Leagues are Using AI in Classroom

Balancing the use of AI in the classroom At the forefront of the changing educational landscape is artificial intelligence, and Ivy League institutions are balancing the integration of this technology into their classrooms without compromising the learning environment these prestigious universities offer while addressing the

Read More »
College Counseling

A Guide to the Types of Colleges and Universities in the US

Now is the time of year when those students who will be applying for college in 2023 should start to think about building their college list. While every college is unique nearly all can be categorised into a type, often offering great advantages to their students. In this article, I will list some of the most popular types of colleges you should get to know as you narrow down the colleges and universities on your college list.

Read More »
Career Counseling

Make Application Season Less Stressful with These 5 Tips

It is not surprising that, with the need to juggle the demands of school, extra-curricular activities alongside applying to college, application season can be highly stressful.

There’s also the worrying: Students worry about missing deadlines or not scoring high enough in their standardised tests. They worry that their peers will receive dazzling scholarship offers and acceptance letters, while they’ll be stuck with a pile of rejections.

They worry that there simply isn’t enough time for everything they need to accomplish.

Fortunately, you can reduce college application stress by following the 5 tips explored in this article.

Read More »
Rankings of 2025-26
US Universities

The U.S. News 2025-2026 Best Global Universities Rankings

U.S. News—A Global Benchmark for Universities- 2025-26 It’s the time of the year that students, educators, and policymakers around the world have been waiting for: the U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings, which is one of the most influential lists in global higher education. At

Read More »
US Universities

Why Your Social Media Now Matters More Than Ever

Your Social Media Now Matters for the U.S. admissions Few would have imagined that the dream of studying in the U.S. would come with a new requirement: transparency across your digital footprint. Last year was a historic year, with students, domestic and international, disrupting classes

Read More »
US Universities

How Long Does It Take to Write College Essays?

  How Long Does It Take to Write College Essays? College applications are about to begin, and a question high school students and their parents ask is: How much time will it take to write the college essays?  The answer is not all that straightforward

Read More »
Standardized Tests

Test Optional: What Does It Mean?

  What Does Test Optional Mean In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of U.S. colleges quickly shifted to test-optional admissions to ensure access and flexibility for students facing canceled or limited SAT and ACT dates. Now, in 2025, the landscape continues to evolve.

Read More »
College Applications

What’s an ‘Extracurricular Spike’?

When I meet with students to review their extracurricular activities for the first time, many are curious about whether or not they should focus on a single activity until they apply to college. I think for anyone considering an application to US universities, this is an important aspect to consider given the ‘holistic’ nature of the admissions processes, that is, thinking about how diverse your ECs should be.

Read More »
College Counseling

The Role of Social Media in College Admissions

The Role of Social Media in College Admissions Social media has transformed the way we connect, communicate, and share our lives with the world. In the realm of higher education, it has also become a powerful tool influencing college admissions and shaping student life. College

Read More »
US Universities

U.S. College Tuition Hikes in 2025-26

  U.S. College Tuition Hikes in 2025-26 We have been reading about the federal cuts imposed on universities by the Trump administration. Universities are unanimously blaming the termination of grants, resulting in a financial crisis, which has led many to make some tough decisions. For

Read More »
College Applications

How to Write the U Chicago Supplemental Essays

How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.

Read More »