So, you’ve built a balanced school list and researched your best-fit colleges—but what about choosing your major and minor? 💡 Should I list a major on my application? YES! Even though most U.S. colleges allow you to apply as "undecided," I strongly recommend indicating a major. Why? ✔️ Helps admissions evaluate you – Declaring a major ensures you're assessed with students who share your academic interests. ✔️ Strengthens your narrative – Align your major with past experiences and future goals to create a clear, compelling story. ✔️ Shows direction – Even if you switch later, choosing a major now shows you’ve thought critically about your interests. 💡 What about minors? They’re usually not declared in applications, but including them in essays reinforces your academic interests and strengthens your overall story. ‼️ Understanding Majors & Minors in the U.S. 💡 Do I need to have my future “figured out” before applying? Not at all! Unlike in the rest of the world, the U.S. system is designed for flexibility: 📌 Most students don’t officially declare a major until their 2nd year. 📌 Only about ⅓ of your coursework is major-related—the rest includes general education and electives. 📌 Exploration across subject fields is not only encouraged but often required before committing to a field of study. 🔎 Exceptions: Some specialized programs require direct admission, meaning switching in or out later can be difficult. Examples ✔ Wharton (UPenn) ✔ MIT & Stanford Engineering ✔ Nursing & Fine Arts Programs 🤗 Fun fact: I applied as a Math & Psychology major because it fit my story (and what I thought I wanted!). I ended up majoring in Philosophy with a French minor, and after graduation went on to work in finance 🤗 🎯 Step 1: Choosing a Major & Minor That Strengthens Your Application 1️⃣ Align with Your Application Persona – Your major should reflect the story your application tells (past → present → future). 💡 Example: A student with a strong science profile applying as an English major will seem inconsistent and confuse admissions officers.

Happy Sunday, Wizards! ☀️ Loving all the engagement and questions—thank you! 🙏 I’m exploring ways to make this community even more valuable and would love your thoughts. Right now, we have: ✅ This free space for tips, discussions & resources. ✅ The self-paced Ivy Wizard Masterclass (in the classroom) covering the full admissions process. ✅ Ivy Wizard Application Toolkit (worksheets, templates & materials to support the Masterclass) I’m considering adding a cohort-based program where we’d move through the Masterclass together over time—aligned with the real admissions season (now through February next year). This could include the below: 🔹 Structured guidance & accountability 🔹 Q&A resources & essay reviews 🔹 Live group Q&A sessions 🔹 Anything else? Drop your requests in the comments! 💬 Poll: How would you prefer to have your content structured? (I fully understand this will depend on pricing but just for me to understand what your preferences are 🥰) Nothing is set in stone—I’ll shape it around what you find most valuable. I’d love to offer everything, but I also want to bring the most value to as many of you as possible within the time I have 💜.

💡 Applying to U.S. colleges? The process can seem overwhelming, but when broken down step by step, it’s completely manageable! Here’s exactly what goes into your application and where you’ll submit everything. 📝 Where Do You Submit Your Application? Most U.S. colleges use one of these platforms: ✅ Common App (900+ schools) – The most widely used platform. You fill out one application and customize essays for each school. ✅ Coalition App (250+ schools) – Similar to Common App but less common. ✅ UC Application (University of California system) – Separate platform. ✅ Individual School Portals – few schools have their own portals, e g MIT & Georgetown 💡 Most students use Common App + a few school-specific portals. 📝 What Goes Into a U.S. College Application? All applications include 6 key components, which are entered into the platforms above: 1️⃣ Background & Personal Information 📌 Basic details (name, school, citizenship, family info). 2️⃣ Academic Records (Transcripts & Test Scores, if applicable) 📌 Transcripts: Your school counselor submits these directly (you don’t upload them yourself). 📌 Test Scores (if required): Sent via testing agencies (SAT, ACT, AP, IB, A-Levels, TOEFL/IELTS). 📌 Many schools are test-optional—meaning SAT/ACT isn’t required. 3️⃣ Extracurricular Activities & Honors 🏆 📌 Common App Activities Section (10 slots): Clubs, sports, internships, leadership, research, personal projects, family responsibilities. 📌 Common App Honors Section (5 slots): Awards & recognitions (academic, athletic, competitions, etc.). 4️⃣ Essays (Personal & Supplemental) ✍️ 📌 Personal Statement (~650 words): Required by Common App & Coalition App. 📌 Supplemental Essays (none for many State schools, up to 7+ for some Ivy Leagues): School-specific prompts ("Why this college?", "Describe an extracurricular."). 5️⃣ Letters of Recommendation 📩 📌 Who to ask? ✔️ 1 counselor letter (required by most schools). ✔️ 1-2 teacher recommendations (core subjects from your junior year).

💡 The U.S. college application process is unique—and with so many moving parts, it’s easy to feel unsure about where (or when!) to start. Some students rush to write their personal statement before they’ve even explored their story or school list, while others wait until the fall of senior year and scramble to meet deadlines. This timeline breaks it down step-by-step 🎯 ⏰ First: Understand the Timeline If you want to start college in Fall 2026, most applications are due between October 2025 – January 2026. That means you’re applying before your final year ends—often with predicted grades if you’re studying outside the U.S. 🧠 Junior Year (Jan–June) ✅ Reflect on your strengths & build an application narrative (see separate post) ✅ Research colleges, majors & requirements ✅ Finalize your SAT/ACT testing (if you haven't already) ✅ Late spring: Brainstorm essay topics for your personal statement ✅ Late spring: Ask teachers for recommendation letters ☀️ Summer Before Senior Year ✅ Finalize school list & timeline (Early vs Regular applications) ✅ Draft & finalize your Common App personal statement ✅ Organize your activities & honors & finalize your list in CommonApp format ✅ Research supplemental essay prompts ✅ Create your application tracker 🍂 Senior Fall (Aug–Oct) ✅ Finalize personal statement & EA/ED supplements ✅ Fill out CommonApp (or other platforms) ✅ Submit Rolling Admission apps if any ✅ Submit UC Application (due Nov 30) ✅ Retake SAT/ACT if needed ❄️ Senior Winter (Nov–Feb) ✅ Submit Early Action / Early Decision apps ✅ Finalize & submit Regular Decision apps ✅ Submit TOEFL/IELTS if required ✅ Apply for external scholarships (often due Oct–Dec) ✅ Complete CSS Profile / FAFSA if applying for aid 🌸 Senior Spring (Mar–May) ✅ Receive decisions 🎉 ✅ Compare offers & financial aid ✅ Attend admitted student events ✅ Accept one offer by May 1 ✅ International students: Apply for student visa 💡 Your Takeaway 📌 U.S. apps are due almost a year early—plan ahead

Loving all the engagement and great questions in the past weeks! 💜 In addition to my written post series, I’ll now be doing a bi-weekly Q&A video where I answer your top questions. 📌 How it works: ✅ Drop your question in the comments—ANYTHING about college admissions, extracurriculars, essays, financial aid, or beyond! ✅ Upvote (like 👍) the questions you want answered (even if you didn’t ask them). ✅ The 8-10 most-liked questions by Friday at midnight CET will be covered in a Q&A video uploaded on Monday! 🔹 I recommend you to also check out my recent post series! Many of your questions may already be answered in my deep dives on: - Personal Statements - Extracurriculars - Financial Aid - Application Strategy - UK Admissions You can find them all on the community wall 😊 🔹 Prefer written content? Drop those requests in the pinned "Introduce Yourself & Request Your Topic" post and I'll address them bi-weekly (in between video Q&A weeks)! Let’s make this session as valuable as possible—ask away below! 👇