Tag Archives: ivy league

admissions, college guidance, college planning

IvyAlly-Helping in the admissions process

We have talked to many parents, and have heard the same problem expressed repeatedly.  A father of four whose eldest daughter had just finished her freshman year in high school explained, “I don’t know what I don’t know.” 

For some, this sentiment came from an appreciation that the application process has evolved drastically, becoming more competitive and comprehensive.  Others had not gone to college themselves and had no intimate experience to draw upon.  Still others had gone to public universities with different criteria for acceptance and were unsure if their advice would be as applicable and helpful to more selective institutions.

IvyAlly was built around the idea that no one has the insight, experience, or recollection of how to get accepted into elite universities than those students who have just crossed the chasm and are now attending the school of their dreams.

We are a community of over 40 current Ivy League students looking to help others in the admissions process.  More importantly, we are 40 individuals that demonstrate how diverse and unique the path to acceptance can be.  

Our mission is to level the playing field in the college admissions process.  Before, high school students had to rely on their own networks to receive advice.  Worse, professional services priced many families out costing hundreds to thousands of dollars.  We want to change this reality by providing affordable resources.

We have created our resources by talking to current college students and asking them what they wished they had as resources during the college application process.  We have also met with high school students for advice and feedback.  For example, we will be launching a new series titled 500 Words.  Each week, one of our Mentors will upload one of their admissions essays and film a short segment, about 5 minutes long, talking about their individual writing process, how they chose the topic, and what they like and dislike about the essay.  For more information about all of our resources, check out our site: www.ivyally.com.  

Feel free to contact me at stephanserrano@ivyally.com with any questions regarding the college application and selection process. 

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admissions, college costs, college planning, extracurricular activities, parenting, scholarships

Is the Ivy League price really worth it?

When my son was a young boy, he talked often about going to Harvard. Where he got that notion in his head, I will never know. It was so ingrained, that he wanted a Harvard sweatshirt. Funny thing…my daughter still has that sweatshirt today and has grown quite fond of it.

Did my son attend Harvard? No. He opted to join the Marines and attend college later on the GI Bill. Perhaps a wiser and more logical choice in the grand scheme of things. But…I’ve often wondered whether or not the cost of those Ivy League colleges is worth the education you receive.

A recent article from Unigo/WSJ on Campus explored that question in depth. It explored the current economic climate, the state of colleges and universities, and the overall thought process in making those college decisions. The article begins by stating:

Old dreams of adult children earning degrees from elite, door-opening colleges or “legacy” schools attended by relatives are falling away in some families, in favor of a new pragmatism. Other parents and students are doing a tougher cost-benefit analysis of the true value of a pricey undergraduate degree. As parents wrestle privately with such emotional issues, many say they wish they’d begun years earlier to assess their values and priorities, long before their children’s college-decision deadline was upon them.

That’s ALWAYS been my philosophy: START EARLY. Do your research and learn about the college’s financial aid footprint.  Do a benefit-cost analysis and weigh ALL of your options before you make that final decision.

The overall tone of the article is that parents and college-bound teens are opting for the more logical college choices that keep them close to home and ensure they graduate without debt.

But, I would have to add an additional comment: find that “perfect fit” college. It’s not about the rank, or the prestige, or even completely about the cost. It’s about finding a place where your teen feels at home and is valued. And discounting Harvard, or any Ivy League college because of the pricetag might not be the BEST advice. An admissions consultant offers this advice:

Depending on the financial aid package offered, the out-of-pocket cost of attending a private college can often be lower than that of a public university. In a simplistic example, a $25,000 bill at a state college would be reduced to $20,000 with $5,000 of financial aid, but a private liberal arts college with a sticker price of $50,000 would cost $15,000 if the financial aid package totaled $35,000, making it cheaper than the state college. Of course, financial aid is more complicated than this, but private colleges with strong endowments often offer generous merit and need-based scholarships. In the end, award offers must be weighed against each other carefully, taking into account whether the award is made up of loans (which must be paid back) or grants/scholarships (which do not get paid back). The bottom line? Research the possibility of financial aid before eliminating a college from your list just because it sounds too expensive.