3 Ways Freshman Can Prepare for Ivy League Admission
The admissions landscape at Ivy League and other top institutions has become ever more competitive in recent years, and newly publicized information indicates that admissions officers at these colleges consider every aspect of a student’s candidacy in their process. Whether quantitative data such as grades and test scores or qualitative data gleaned from student’s letters of recommendation and essays, admissions officers scrutinize every facet of a student’s high school experience when assessing their qualification for admission.
This means that students vying for seats at prestigious schools should not wait until their junior or senior years to start building their admissions profiles. Instead, they should be aware that they begin building their admissions profiles the moment they step foot on campus their freshman year—whether they are doing so intentionally or not. Therefore, it is critical that ambitious students approach their first year of high school with strategy, self-reflection, and clear goals to lay the foundation for a successful application.
If you are wondering what you can do to set yourself up for admissions success as a high school freshman, here are three core strategies you should consider:
1. Build a Strong Academic Foundation
Freshman year is a critical time for students to set the tone for their academic journey. Top grades and test scores lay the groundwork for a successful Ivy League application, and admissions officers are looking for more than just straight As—they want to see that students have challenged themselves and taken advantage of the academic resources available to them. Therefore, in addition to building strong study habits, familiarizing themselves with additional resources available to them at their school, and earning top grades, students should identify the academic subjects that most interest them and plan to pursue increasingly challenging coursework as their high school career progresses. If you find yourself increasingly drawn to engineering, for instance, you should plan to enroll in AP Physics and AP Calc BC. If your school doesn’t offer AP or IB courses, aim to take the highest Honors class available and dual enroll in a college course later in high school.
In addition to your regular coursework, consider getting a head start on standardized test prep, particularly if test-taking is not your strong suit. Given that top colleges are widely reinstating their testing requirements (reversing pandemic-era test-optional policies) and both the ACT and SAT have undergone significant changes in recent years, it is all the more critical for students to start early and approach the testing process strategically.
2. Get Involved in a Variety of Extracurricular Activities
While your academic performance lays the foundation for your application, what you do outside of the classroom will distinguish you from thousands of other applicants. Top schools want to admit students who have hands-on experience in their field of interest; they seek applicants who are specialists with a history of exploring their passion at a high level. Becoming such a student requires that you identify your core passion. To this end, one of the best things you can do in your first years of high school is cast a wide net and explore different clubs and extracurricular activities. Whether it’s joining the debate team, participating in the environmental club, or becoming a stagehand for the school play, engaging in diverse activities will allow you to discover your passions and identify your “hook”—the core interest that will eventually ground your applicant profile.
While freshman year is your time to experiment and explore, you can still approach the process intentionally. As you engage in different activities, set aside time to self-reflect and determine not only what you enjoy but why you enjoy it. What can you uniquely contribute to your school and local community? What clubs or service organizations are lacking? How might you eventually use your passion to meet a need in your community? What special skills do you possess and how might you use them to contribute to the organizations or activities you most enjoy? Perhaps most importantly, note that many Ivy League schools value interdisciplinary approaches to education—as you identify your different areas of interest during your freshman year, you should also begin to think about how you might combine your diverse interests to solve problems or approach your discipline in original and innovative ways.
Once you’ve explored different options, aim to deepen your involvement in a few select areas by serving in leadership or spearheading a new club or organization during your sophomore and junior years.
3. Form Relationships with Teachers and Mentors
The relationships you form in high school are crucial—they not only provide support in and outside of the classroom, but can also lead to standout letters of recommendation when you reach the application process. The most meaningful letters of recommendation are those that reflect a deep, personal knowledge of the applicant, so it is imperative that you intentionally get to know your teachers, school counselor, and potential academic and personal mentors outside of the classroom.
Start by engaging actively in your classes. Show up with a positive attitude, participate in discussions, and take the initiative to ask questions or seek extra help when needed. While being the first to raise your hand, ask a question, or posit an answer can be daunting, know that freshman year is the time to put yourself out there. You aren’t expected to know everything, and having the courage to make your voice heard will impress your teachers. Don’t hesitate to attend office hours or stay after class to discuss assignments, seek feedback, or simply chat about your interests—doing so will help your teachers get to know you on a deeper level and enable them to provide helpful guidance and more detailed recommendations.
Finally, beyond the classroom, look for opportunities to connect with mentors outside of your school. This could be through community organizations, volunteer work, internships, or summer programs. It is incredibly important that you build a network of mentors who can vouch for your character, work ethic, and potential, and provide you with professional guidance as you pursue your goals.
While pressing “submit” on your college applications may seem miles away, the process truly begins the first day of freshman year. The path to a prestigious university is a marathon, not a sprint—students should be intentional about setting manageable goals starting freshman year to ensure that they successfully build an impressive profile throughout their high school career.