March 30 is “Ivy Day,” when many Ivy League schools release those long-awaited admissions decisions.
More than ever, acceptance into the Ivy League is considered highly desirable; however, when it comes to this year’s ultimate dream school, Massachusetts Institute of Technology comes out on top, according to a recent survey of college-bound students and their families by The Princeton Review.
The colleges that ranked the highest on students’ wish lists are “perennial favorites,” according to Robert Franek, The Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief. They are also among the most competitive: MIT’s acceptance rate is just under 4%; at Harvard, it’s about 3%.
Coming out of the pandemic, a small group of universities, including many in the Ivy League, have experienced a record-breaking increase in applications this season, according to a report by the Common Application.
The report found application volume jumped 30% since the 2019-20 school year, even as enrollment has slumped nationwide.
“There’s a subconscious consensus that it’s only worth going to college if you can go to a life-changing college,” said Hafeez Lakhani, founder and president of Lakhani Coaching in New York.
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For students who don’t get in to their top choice, use this opportunity to revisit other schools or consider transferring down the road, advised Eric Greenberg, president of Greenberg Educational Group, a New York-based consulting firm. “Realize that you are really making a one-year commitment.”
This can also serve as an important lesson for future applicants, according to Christopher Rim, president and CEO of Command Education. “It’s not just about having top grades and test scores,” he said.
“Decision letters from top schools are a reminder of the importance of crafting a balanced college list, honing their interests to convey a…
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