So you want your child to be the next Einstein? Or you hope your child will cash in on his or her great intellect (maybe to take care of you in your old age)? Or perhaps you merely want to give your children the best education possible and you dream they can make it to Princeton, Harvard, or Yale. Getting accepted to an Ivy League University is not easy and takes years of work. Here is inside information that can lead your child down the track toward educational success.
Education is a Lifelong Process
Acceptance to an Ivy League University is extremely difficult. Thousands of applicants shop themselves to the each of the eight schools every year and most of the schools accept fewer than 1 in 5 of those applicants. Making it even harder is the fact that almost all those who apply are the top students in the nation. Daunting statistics, but matriculation to one of these universities is not impossible. In fact, with the right planning and perseverance, almost any youngster can make a legitimate effort at getting in.
The first thing a parent needs to realize is that Ivy League students are not made overnight. Education is a lifelong process. No matter how hard you try, you cannot whip your child into a genius in a short period of time. Of course, you do not have to be a genius to go to one of these schools - not even close! Still, it is important to start from the beginning with your children in terms of education (even if the Ivy League is not in your child's future). Studies routinely show that stimulating a child's intelligence and creativity from birth will benefit him or her in the future. Read to your children; encourage them to write from an early age; encourage them to explore the world; music positively affects a brain's capacity at young ages. Start young and you will give your child a greater shot at making it to the university of his or her choice.
High School Course Load
Starting early will prove very helpful when your child reaches high school, perhaps the most important time in terms of getting into an Ivy League school. A common misconception is that only rich or students from affluent schools with the best curricula can make it to the best colleges. In fact, Ivy League schools realize that there is great disparity from school system to school system and do their best not to penalize a student for the place in which their family lives. Sure, students who grow up in private schools might have a greater possibility of becoming an attractive candidate to any school, but the real key is to maximize the education a student can get where he or she lives.
So how can you turn this fact into a positive for your child? Make sure your child takes the best classes available at your school system. Advanced Placement or Enriched classes are always a plus, but if your school does not offer many or any at all your child still needs to take the most advanced courses available. Foreign language classes are a must. Have your child take as many science, math, and English classes as possible. Tackling the toughest load at your school will, above all, show that you are willing to work hard for an education. Ivy League admissions will not admit students who do not have zeal for education and who are not willing to work as hard as possible to maximize their experience.