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The U.S. Grading System-A Guide for International Students
OVERVIEW OF THE U.S. GRADING SYSTEM Transitioning to the U.S. education system may be challenging for international students unfamiliar with it. Visa bureaucracy, culture shock, time difference, new friends – you will already have a boatload to manage upon landing in the U.S. Understanding the grading system and even taking a look at different university’s…
2025 US News & World Report College Rankings
2025 US News & World Report College Rankings the right university is a pivotal decision for students. Despite some controversy, the US News & World Report’s 2025 rankings remain a valuable source. Nearly 1,500 colleges and universities across the United States were evaluated and the rankings use up to 17 measures of academic quality to…
The Enduring Value of a Humanities Education
Value of a Humanities Education For centuries, scholars have been threatening the downfall of the humanities. James Hankins, a professor of History at Harvard University, argues that a systemic “dehumanizing” of the humanities in favor of science education, promoted through the imperial agenda as the reason behind Britain’s colonial prowess, contributed to their marginalized position…
Misconceptions About Applying to all 8 Ivy League Colleges
Misconceptions About Applying to all 8 Ivy League Colleges Deciding which college to apply to in the U.S. is mired with confusion. The dream of studying at Ivy League colleges is so great that often students make unrealistic decisions without considering the implications. In Spring 2024, a piece of news doing the rounds was how…
Common Data Set- How to Use It for College Search
The Common Data Set- How to use it The Common Data Set results from a joint initiative among data providers in the higher education community. The publishers for the same are College Board, Peterson’s, and U.S. News & World Report. The purpose is to enhance the accuracy and quality of information disseminated to students who…
How to Choose a College Major that is Right for You
Choosing the right college major can impact career paths, personal fulfillment, and education experiences. This post provides actionable steps for selecting a major that aligns with a student’s strengths, passions, and future goals. Assess Your Interests Every academic discipline provides a lens through which to view the world. They all seek to answer different questions…
Extracurricular Activities-How to quantify your work
The college admission landscape has become exceedingly competitive. It is becoming critical for students to stand out in their college application and differentiate themselves from the next candidate. Extracurricular activities thus are important indicators of students’ demonstratable interests, skills, and dedication. But is just doing a gamut of activities enough to impress the admissions officers?…
How to Get Letters of Recommendation that Wow
Strong letters of recommendation are crucial for college applications. Letters of recommendation humanize an applicant. They give admissions officers an understanding of the student they are reviewing behind solely qualitative measures like GPA and SAT scores. Nearly all top- and second-tier colleges require students to submit three recommendation letters from individuals well-acquainted with the student…
Application Trends for 2024-25-Stategies to Stay Ahead
Strategies to Stay Ahead in the Application Process As the 2024 college application is around the corner, Ivy Central has identified significant trends that are shaping the landscape of college admissions. Here is a list of things to look out for and what you can do to stay ahead. Trend #1: Emphasis on the Student’s…
Navigating College Curricula: Open vs. Core Options Explained
You may have heard the words “open curriculum” or “core curriculum” and haven’t a clue what your counselors or the speakers at information sessions are going on about. It’s important to clarify these concepts for you, a potential applicant because they encourage you to think about a) the different approaches to education and b) your…