By now, you’ve seen the mock personal statements I built from student replies (check "One-Stop-Hub" pinned post for links). No drama or resume dumps. Just specific, grounded details reframed with intention. I want to show you a few more essay topics or “hooks” I’ve seen — real ones — that worked exceptionally well. Not because they were flashy, but because they revealed something real and thoughtful about the student. 🔍 Real topics that led to strong personal statements: - A student who always took the longest route home just to look at the same tree - A girl who only felt confident when teaching her little brother how to draw - A boy who panicked every time he had to improvise — but crushed chess because of it - Someone whose dream life was to be a goat farmer… and actually meant it - Someone who took 15 minutes to choose a cookie at lunch — and what that said about decision-making under pressure And some of the weirder ones that still worked beautifully: - A student who became obsessed with label makers - Someone who hoarded email drafts instead of hitting send - A girl who built tiny cardboard cities to calm down - A kid who kept failing at magic tricks - Someone who loved writing fake Yelp reviews None of these stories were “finished.” But the struggle or experience helped develop your character traits (or helped discover them), leading up to who you are today and how it's shaping your future. A personal statement isn’t about telling a perfect story. It’s about selecting something real — then showing how you think, how you process, how you’re evolving. If you’re stuck: Think less about what happened and think more about how it shaped the way you see things. That’s where the essay is. 💬 Got a topic idea you’re playing with? Let me know in the comments! (Or scroll up to the “One-Stop Hub” pinned post to read the full mock essays.)

Hi everyone! Instead of the regular bi-weekly challenge here, I’m doing something a little different… 🎁 I’ve opened up 1 full 1:1 strategy session ($499 value) — plus 2 feedback call spots — to help students map out their college app game plan. As you know, these sessions are normally reserved for students in the MasterPath program — with the exception of the occasional challenge here in our free group. But this time, I wanted to open it up more widely and connect with a few students who haven’t found this group (yet). The more I learn about you, the better support I can offer. 🗓️ The challenge is happening on Instagram — and it closes Monday, July 8, midnight PDT. 👉 Join challenge on Instagram here The instructions are in the post, but here's a recap: 1️⃣ Follow me on IG @theivywizard 2️⃣ Comment BONUS on the latest post 3️⃣ I’ll DM you a short form on Insta — 5 thoughtful (not perfect!) answers about yourself ✨ You can also share the post to your story + tag me for extra visibility. This will replace the next bi-weekly challenge in the group. Can’t wait to read your entries 🤍 Let me know below if you have any questions!

💬 Share which AP exams you're taking in the comments — and if you want me to cover anything (prep, strategy, etc) before exam week! 📚✨

Honors & awards can be one of the most overlooked yet powerful parts of your application. They provide an objective benchmark for your achievements, helping admissions officers assess your impact beyond grades. This is especially valuable for international students, where school context or local grading systems may be difficult for colleges to evaluate. But with only 5 spots on the Common App, you need to be strategic about what you include and how you present it. 💡 What Counts as an "Honor"? Colleges care about external validation, but not all awards carry the same weight: 🏅 National & International: Olympiads, Intel ISEF, National Merit, Scholastic Art & Writing, global research or leadership awards. 🏅 State & Regional: State Science Fair, All-State Music, regional debate/math competitions, state-level championships. 🏅 Local & School: Valedictorian, district sports awards, school-based academic competitions, top leadership recognitions. ‼️ Context Matters! Always add details like acceptance rate, number of competitors, or how selective it was—otherwise, admissions officers have no way to gauge its significance. A regional competition with 50,000+ participants and a 2% selection rate can be more impressive than an "international" award with only 10 winners. ✨ No Big Awards? Here’s What You Can Do! You can still showcase achievement through highly selective recognitions: 🔹 Publications & Features: Research in peer-reviewed journals, artwork in exhibitions, media coverage in major outlets. 🔹 Competitive Scholarships & Grants: Funding for research, entrepreneurship, or creative work through a selective application process. 🔹 Major Recognitions from Competitions or Organizations: Named to a national leadership list, earning a significant award, or receiving recognition for high-impact work. Even if you don’t have "traditional" awards, official recognition of your work can be valuable. ❓Where to Find Awards & Competitions? If you’re looking to build your honors list, start with:

I’m so glad you’re here! This space is designed to give you access to high-quality admissions insights, tools, and structure — all for free. 🤍 Whether you’re just starting your journey or deep in the process, you’ll find valuable resources here to help you move forward. Here’s how to get started: ✅ Step 1: Introduce Yourself (to gain points & unlock level 2) 👋 Share your name and where you’re from in the “Introductions” tab! Connecting with others on the same path can make the process feel less overwhelming. ✅ Step 2: Explore the One-Stop Hub 📌 Check the pinned One-Stop Hub hub — it links to 70+ strategy posts on topics like essays, activities, transcripts, and more. ✅ Step 3: Watch the Free Module 📚 Head to the Classroom tab and start with Module 1 of the course. It covers the entire admissions process with insider tips, plus a timeline and checklist to help you stay on track. ________________________________________________ 🎓 Want Personalized Help? If you're applying soon and want 1:1 support, you're welcome to book a free strategy call to explore a potential fit with my Ivy Blueprint coaching program. It's a step-by-step system to build a standout application — with personalized feedback and coaching from me throughout the process. Thanks again for being here — and don’t be shy about posting to support one another or share progress! That’s what this space is for. 💜 / The Ivy Wizard