How long does the university admissions process take?

Most American and British students begin thinking about applying to universities in the spring of their junior year (première in France). This is when college lists are drawn up and when standardized tests are taken. Over the summer, college essays should begin to be drafted and supplementary applications downloaded. Throughout the fall, applications are completed and any make-up tests completed. This may sound complicated, but we will help you and your student through every step.

Where do tutoring sessions take place?

We like to adapt to you. Our tutors are used to teaching in the calm and comfortable environment of our students' own homes. However, they are also used to offering remote work for extra flexibility on your part, a more advantageous hourly rate, and continuity of service during the holidays or any time you may be traveling.

How long is each session?

Our tutors work with families to tailor sessions to each student. Although typical sessions last 1-2 hours, more or less time can be arranged following a particular student's needs. The goal is always to maximize the time our tutors and students have together and to offer flexibility to accommodate each student’s unique needs. 

How frequent are sessions?

Typically, our tutors meet once to twice a week with their students for standardized test preparation. For university admissions counseling, scheduling is less predictable: students might meet more often with their tutor as they craft their college essays, or less often when deciding upon their college list. For academic tutoring, a tutor might meet once weekly with a student who needs consistent reinforcement in an Algebra II class, or several times weekly to help a student revise for exams.

How much does tutoring cost?

Expertise is expensive. We do our best to make it less so. Ivy Entry offers different rate ranges, depending on the material and level instructed. 

We believe that investing in education is one of the wisest choices one can make to build a successful future. To accommodate students from varied backgrounds, we offer customized pricing packages according to your goals and your means.

Please don’t hesitate to inquire here, we will always be happy to chat about how we can help. 

Can you guarantee admission to any particular school?

In an increasingly competitive environment (Harvard’s acceptance rate was a record-low 3.19% for the class of 2026), we cannot give guarantees of admission to any particular school. You should be skeptical of any tutoring agency that does. 

That being said, we can guarantee that students who work with Ivy Entry will maximize their chances of achieving admission to their top choice schools. Our elite tutoring team provides our students with the individual attention they need to organize and create compelling applications. 

Why should I use a private university counselor?

Most university counselors, even at elite private schools, are responsible for helping hundreds of students during the admissions process. While we recommend that all students utilize the tools offered by their schools’ college counselors, Ivy Entry offers students the individual attention they need to reach their admissions goals. Students who work with Ivy Entry will attend 1-on-1 sessions, enabling tutors to tailor their teaching to meet the personalized needs of their students. 

How many schools can I apply to?

Theoretically, students can apply to as many American schools as they wish. The Common App does not place any restrictions on the number of schools a student can apply to. 

Nevertheless, we recommend that most students apply to between 8 and 12 schools. Due to academic and social commitments, Ivy Entry finds that most students struggle to manage more than 12 applications in an admissions cycle. 

Moreover, many schools require that applicants pay an application fee (usually around $75), which creates a monetary limit on the number of schools families can afford to apply to. 

Outside of the United States, the number of universities a student can apply to varies. In the United Kingdom, for example, students can only apply to five different universities. 

When do I need to submit my applications?

Early Decision (ED) and Early Action One (EA1) applications are typically due on November 1. Early Action Two (EA2) applications are due on November 15. Regular Decision (RD) applications are typically due during the first two weeks of January. 

When do I need to apply for financial aid?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is available between October 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Ivy Entry highly recommends that families file their FAFSA applications as early as possible. 

Who should I ask for a recommendation?

Most schools require that students obtain two academic recommendations for their applications. We suggest that students select teachers who teach subjects that are relevant to their course of study and with whom they have built up a rapport. In our experience, we find that teachers typically prefer to be asked to write a recommendation before summer break.

When should I start my application process?

Ideally, most students should start thinking about the university process at the beginning of high school. Students should tailor their course selection and extracurricular activities to match the colleges and universities that they wish to attend. At a minimum, we encourage our students to complete a workable draft of their personal statement by the end of the summer before their senior year. 

What scholarships should I target?

Every year thousands of scholarships are available to students. These scholarships can be divided into two groups: internal and external. Internal scholarships are handed out by nearly every college or university. Students typically do not apply directly to these scholarships; rather, they are given out by the school based on the merits (usually GPA or test scores) of the student’s application. On the other hand, students need to apply to external scholarships directly. These scholarships are typically need-based (e.g. low income), subject-based (e.g. Engineering scholarships), or ethnic (e.g. Order of the Sons of Italy).

Can I work while studying in the United States (foreign students only)?

According to the State Department, foreigners with a student visa can work up to 20 hours a week (part-time) while they attend school in the United States. 

What metrics should I use to compile my list of schools?

Schools should be selected based on a student’s financial, social, and academic needs. For example, we do not recommend that a student who wants to study engineering attend a small, liberal arts college. Likewise, we do not recommend that a low-income student take out loans to attend an overpriced institution or that a student who wants to attend school in a city attend college in a small town. 

When will I receive my admissions decision? 

Outcome dates vary by school, but Early Decision and Early Action outcomes are typically announced at the beginning of December. Regular Decision outcomes are announced in March or April. Students usually need to enroll in school by the beginning of May.

I applied to a school early decision (ED) and no longer wish to attend. What can I do?

ED decisions are binding, so once accepted a student is legally obliged to attend. However, very rarely schools will agree to revoke an ED acceptance, so contact the school’s Enrollment Office as soon as possible.

Please feel free to contact us with any further questions you might have.