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Tips on Your Early Application to U.S. Colleges
Early Decision deadlines for U.S. colleges are around the corner. Students who have decided to apply early are having sleepless nights regarding their application. There is a niggling feeling that perhaps some aspects of the application might not be complete. Do not worry! Ivy Central, with its years of experience in helping students with their…
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Navigating College Discussions with Friends
One of the most challenging times for graduating high schoolers is juggling their college application and maintaining a balance in their conversation with their friends who could be potential competitors. Having spent considerable time with your classmates in the growing-up years, you are confronted with a situation—the crossroads of the application process. During college discussions,…
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ACT or SAT- Which One Should You Consider
Which test to take- SAT or ACT We have received many questions about which standardized test students should focus on the SAT or the ACT. This comes with the recent news that many top-tier colleges have reversed their test-optional policies from COVID-19. Both these tests are standardized tests that are considered equally by U.S.…
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How International Students Can Embrace Cultural Differences:
Embracing Cultural Differences Traveling to the U.S. on a family holiday is vastly different from being a student in the U.S. There is the dizzying feeling of independence, coupled with nervousness and adventure. Many students are accompanied by their parents, while many students make their journey alone—into the world of higher education. Everything around…
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Need Blind vs Need Aware- Differences in Admission Policies
Need Blind vs Need Aware You may have come across these two terms when looking for colleges that offer financial aid and wondered what exactly they mean. These describe how universities and colleges view the financial needs of students during their admission process. Somehow colleges do not discuss the topic of financial aid explicitly, because…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
