Ivy League Admissions Highlight
When you hear of institutions like Harvard or Yale or Princeton, what comes to mind? Is it their prestigious reputations or their elite programs? Their expensive tuition fees or their competitive acceptance rates? As a Canadian student, an Ivy League education may sound a bit implausible, however, with the proper planning and mindset, anything you desire is achievable!
On April 7th, 2021, the Ontario Youth Medical Society hosted an Ivy League Admissions workshop alongside their partner Juno. In case you missed the awesome event, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a breakdown of all the topics covered in the workshop along with some additional information with regards to post-secondary!
The event was led by Nick Talamelli; the Director of Business Development at Juno. As you may know, Juno is a free student-first initiative that uses group buying power to negotiate student loan rates with lenders. In its essence, Juno aims to help finance people’s education by allowing them to save as much money as possible! Nick was able to provide some valuable insights and advice into various aspects of post-secondary. Keep reading for some of the top highlights.
Financing your Education:
For any post-secondary education, tuition fees are one of the main factors to consider when applying to different college/university institutions. Planning ahead can significantly reduce any overwhelming financial burdens in the future. It’s important to recognize that many post-secondary programs can actually be more expensive than the advertised “sticker price.” When you take into account residence costs, meals, transportation and any other needs, the costs start to add up. You may have overheard your parents talking about an RESP; your Registered Education Savings Plan. This is one way that your parents may be planning ahead to provide some of that educational funding that you may need later on in your life. Maybe you’re working a part-time job to help save up some extra money. These are just a few ways that you can plan ahead. Here are a few other tips for you to consider when financially planning your education.
The first is to start exploring scholarships early on in your high school career. Scholarships are one of the top ways to save money on your education. Scholarships and Bursaries can be awarded for various reasons including high academic performance, extracurricular activities, financial need, minority demographics and more! It is a common misconception that scholarships are only available to senior students in high school when this is not actually the case. You can start applying for scholarships as early as your freshman year. The average student will start looking for scholarships in their early Grade 11 year, but the earlier the better! The more scholarships you apply for, the more chance you have at winning them. There is no harm in applying to scholarships because they typically don’t require any payments.
Some scholarships are easier to apply to than others. While some may ask you to provide a written essay or a video submission, others will simply ask you to put in your contact information. Depending on the institution you apply to in your senior year, you will automatically be considered for some entrance awards! More specific information about such scholarships will be available on the institution’s website.
The second main tip is to always apply for financial aid. Don’t be afraid to ask for financial help if needed. Once you’ve received your acceptance letter, schools will not withdraw their offer of admission if you tell them you are in need of financial aid. The financial aid programs that are offered will vary depending on the type you are looking for. You can apply for financial aid federally, provincially or directly through your institution’s website. For example, OSAP is a provincial service that is provided for students in Ontario who may need to apply for help. Another example would be UTAPS funding which is offered directly to students who would be attending the University of Toronto and who meet eligibility requirements.
If you still find yourself struggling to fund your education, your third and final consideration would be to apply for student loans. Now, notoriously, student loans will usually have some strings attached such as higher interest rates or different variable rates. This is where Juno comes in! As mentioned earlier, Juno strives to provide the best loan rates for students. There are different types of loans that you should be aware of. See the image below for more information.
Some students end up needing to refinance their education by applying for a new loan to pay off their old loan. This may seem like a slippery slope but often, when applying for a second loan, you get a lower rate with better terms ultimately allowing you to pay off your first loan sooner. Once again, when applying for student loans, make sure that you’re getting a good interest rate and you know what you’re getting into!
Standardized Testing: The SAT and the ACT
You may have heard of the reputable SAT or the ACT. While these tests aren’t as prominent in the Canadian education system, many American institutions will want to take a look at your SAT or ACT score to make college admissions decisions. While one test isn’t necessarily more difficult than the other, different students will perform differently on either test. People can take the SAT/ACT multiple times until they get the score they desire. However, institutions can see how many times you’ve taken the test and the scores you previously received.
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is one of the most important exams you will ever take if you’re looking to get into an American university, especially the competitive Ivey League Schools. First introduced in 1926, the SAT is offered up to seven times per year. The test takes three hours to write; with an additional 50 minutes added for the written essay portion. People study for the SAT anywhere from 5 to 20 hours per week! The overall test is scored out of 1600, where each section is graded on a 200 to 800 point scale for a total of 154 questions. A competitive score for Ivy League candidates is north of 1500. Each exam will cost either $46 or $60 to take depending on your choice to write the essay.
While the SAT is certainly more popular and well-known, the ACT is another similar exam that students may choose to write. The ACT is split into different sections including English, Math, Science, Reading and an optional writing section. The overall test consists of 215 multiple choice questions where you can achieve a maximum score of 36. The average student scores around 21, however, a competitive score for college admissions would be a score over 30. The cost can range from $50 to $170 USD depending on where you would like to write from. The exam is two hours and 55 minutes in length with an additional 40 minutes for those who choose to answer the writing prompt.
It’s smart to take both tests because most colleges will take either score. Some colleges require you to take one or the other but by taking both tests, you can use whichever you scored better on. Before writing any exam, you want to be as prepared as possible. There are a few great preparation resources available to you including Khan Academy, Kaplan Prep Courses and the Princeton Review.
Admissions Advice
The best way to prepare yourself when applying to post-secondary is to put your best foot forward. Don’t be intimidated by big names or competitive programs. Remember that admissions councils look at each applicant from a holistic perspective. They not only consider your grades and the courses you’ve taken but also your application essays, testing, extracurriculars, community service and most importantly your story!
A strong piece of advice that Nick provided at the end of the workshop is to always challenge yourself throughout high school, academically and beyond. Maybe you’re taking a few AP courses for some deeper knowledge. Outside of your day-to-day schooling, take on a range of extracurriculars to make yourself stand out! Perhaps you attended a Service Learning Trip or started your own non-profit. Always lookout for opportunities that are going to provide you with valuable experiences, and who knows maybe that Harvard acceptance letter isn’t so far-fetched ;)
About the Writer: Saif Andani is a grade 10 pre-IB student at Erindale Secondary School. He is a passionate learner who enjoys all things STEM. Outside of school, he works as an Assistant Teacher for the Spirit of Math program where he assists in eighth-grade classes. He has taken on leadership roles by getting involved in his school’s DECA club and by starting a successful MEDLIFE chapter at his school. In his free time, he enjoys swimming and biking with his brother and binge-watching TV shows on Netflix! You can follow him on Instagram @saifaandani or connect with him on LinkedIn.
