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.

Standardized Tests (SAT/ACT/AP)

SAT and ACT

Another common fear when applying to an Ivy League college is that a student needs astronomically high test scores. High test scores always help, of course. But not all those admitted have perfect or near-perfect scores. The best advice for taking the SAT and the ACT is to start early. It is a good idea for a student to take his or her first test as early as the junior year of high school. If your child does well, then you have more time to worry about the application and less time to fret about the scores. If attempt one does not go as well as you would like, there is plenty of time to take the test again. A plethora of testing aids and courses are available to improve the a student's performance on these tests. If you are worried that your child might not perform very well on these standardized tests, perhaps it would be useful to sign him or her up for a class or to purchase the books and computer programs that can aid with test taking.

Advanced Placement Tests

If a student takes an Advanced Placement course, a national test is administered at the end of the year in the subject. These tests are very difficult and are meant to tax a student's expertise in the given subject. Taking AP classes is always a good idea if they are available, but another common misconception is that a student must do extremely well on the tests to get into an Ivy League school. Remember, not every student admitted to one of these colleges will even have taken AP classes. Doing well on the tests is a bonus; passing the tests is often a very positive thing in your attempt to get into these schools.

SAT II

Many uper echelon schools require SAT II subject tests for admission. These tests are similar to the SAT but focus only on one subject. These tests, though not as difficult as AP tests, are strenuous, and a mistake many students make is taking the tests when the subjects are not fresh in their minds. Do not have your child take the SAT II Biology test during his or her senior year if he or she took Biology as a junior. Schedule the tests for times close to the end of a course and your child will most likely perform much better. Again, do not place too much emphasis on these test scores. Overall, tests can help your child if they do extremely well, but they are not as likely to doom an applicant as one might be led to believe.

Setting Your Child Apart from the Hordes

If all has gone well your child has become a flourishing student, taken the toughest courses your school systems offers, and hopefully has done well on the standardized tests. Now what? If this is all your child has accomplished then he or she will probably look exactly like thousands of other students across the country. Almost all students who apply to Ivy League universities are intelligent. Your child needs to set himself or herself apart from the rest of the application pool.

A big secret of Ivy League admissions is that they are looking for great all-around people. Yes, an applicant needs to be intelligent, but intelligence without a passion for life is not what they are searching for. Your child needs to distinguish himself or herself from the pack through activities outside of school. As a parent, you should look to involve your child in as many extracurricular activities as possible, from an early age. Diversity is the best policy in this case. Thousands of applicants will attempt to show they were "involved" by becoming part of the Student Government. While Student Government is not a bad activity, admissions can often see through these token additions. Give your child interest in a variety of things. Here are some ideas for ways to show the admissions departments that your child is an active participant in the world:

• Sports teams
• Playing Musical Instruments
• Drama
• Community Service
• Writing for the school newspaper or other publications
• Choir
• Involvement at a Church
• Boy or Girl Scouts
• Any of various clubs at schools (chess, foreign language, quiz team, etc)
• Jobs
• Any intriguing skill that the ordinary person does not possess

The Application

At a certain point you have done everything you can for your child. Hopefully he or she has reached a great potential and all that will be left is the application. Many people think they can fill out a college application very quickly and that their accomplishments will speak for themselves. Well this idea will not fly for an Ivy League application. Much like taking the toughest courses at school shows dedication, an application can show exactly how much you want to make it to a school. Take great care as your child completes the application; guide them to use great care in its completion.

Tips for a well presented application

• use a typewriter if possible to avoid sloppy handwriting
• take great care to make sure your child's personal facts are correct
• carefully read the application to make sure your child fills out all needed information
• start well in advance to give your child time to fix any mistakes
• spelling and grammar matter!

The Application Essays

Many colleges require essays in their applications. These essays are often crucial. Just like the need for activities outside of school to distinguish one student from another, essays can offer a personal look into a student. They offer information on writing skills, which often translates into educational success. Make sure your child uses the essays to his or her advantage! They are a tool that can transform your child from a Grade Point Average on a piece of paper into a living enigma in the imaginations of the admissions officers. The people working in admissions read thousands of essays. They relish an essay that jumps out at them, not only because it is a tedious job, but because it makes an applicant more attractive. Encourage your child to be creative! The tendency for most students is to write a serious essay that answers the question succinctly. A lighthearted or humorous essay that still manages to express serious points will be much more advantageous than a bland, to-the-point article. As with the rest of the application, spelling and grammar are extremely important.

Teacher Recommendations

Another tool for distinguishing your child from the many other students is through teacher recommendations, usually a required portion of the application. A child can tout himself or herself very well, but a teacher can often offer a more objective take. So here is the greatest tip regarding teacher recommendations: encourage your child to build personal relationships with teachers! Teachers like to know what they are giving to their students actually means something. Prompt your child to show zeal toward their teachers, to discuss things with them, to get to know the teacher as a person, not as a detached vial of knowledge. If a teacher likes your child, the teacher is much more likely to write a persuading recommendation for your child.

Early Decision?

Ivy League universities offer an option for students called Early Decision or Early Action. Basically if a student decides to apply Early Decision, he or she must submit an application several months earlier than the normal applicant. Often another stipulation is that if a student is admitted he or she must attend that university (this fact only hold for Early Decision not Early Action). The upside to Early Decision is that the percentage of admittance is higher for those who apply early. Applying early shows a school that a student sincerely wants to attend. The downside is that often competition is much higher. Still, the option is worth considering for your child if he or she really wants to go to a specific school.

Admission to an Ivy League school is very difficult, but extremely rewarding for both child and parent. If you start early with your child and always encourage them to become the best they can, the above tips can help you and your child achieve a dream that few are able to realize.