All too often high school students hope they will shine if they can show they are good at everything. Being well-rounded is great – but this approach can also take our bright young stars away from concentrating on the gifts, skills and passion that makes them truly stand out.
During our 14 years in business, we have helped more than 75% of our students gain admission to their first choice college and over 80% of our students gain admission to the Top 20 schools. Don’t take it from us – get it straight from the horse’s mouth. Read our success stories below.

A Columbia Success Story: How to Create a Creative Writing Theme for Your College Application
[Wow-Modal-Windows id=4] The Story Charles came to us a gifted student who was doing well at school. Starting his 10th grade at an academically rigorous boarding school, Charles was a good student with a 3.7 GPA (unweighted) and working towards strong SAT...

How to Create a Political Activism Theme: A Columbia, UPenn, Brown, UChicago Success Story
[Wow-Modal-Windows id=4] Brian is a student that is hard not to love. He’s very well spoken, confident, and knowledgeable about many political issues.When he told me that he was both Model United Nations and student council president at his school, I wasn’t surprised;...

A Caltech Success Story: How to Create a Number Theory Theme
[Wow-Modal-Windows id=4] I met Matthew through a referral from a previous student’s mother, and from the first time I met him, I knew that he was a math guy. In my initial consultation with him, I noticed how each of his answers were calculated and rational, and...

How to Create a Computational Biology Theme: A Stanford, Caltech Success Story
[Wow-Modal-Windows id=4] The Story Richard was a biology super star at his school. He was the top student in the Biology Olympiad since the 9th grade at his school and recently qualified as a USABO finalist. He had attended a Catholic boarding school on the East Coast...

How to Create a Research Leader Theme: A Stanford Success Story
[Wow-Modal-Windows id=4] I reluctantly took the meeting with David’s mom. While many consultants try to take 20-30 students a year, I focus on taking 8-9 of the very best students I can find. Students whom I can help and that will work hard towards goals we both...

Why being Well-Balanced is a Negative Approach: A University of Pennsylvania Success Story
[Wow-Modal-Windows id=4] Theme vs. Well-Balanced Many consultants, high school teachers, counselors and parents think that because happiness in life requires a well-balanced approach, so success in college admissions does as well. Not so. This philosophy has been...

A Columbia Success Story: Creating a Unique and Compelling Theme
[Wow-Modal-Windows id=28] Creating a Unique & Compelling Theme for Ivy League Admissions Success + Columbia U Success Story If you have read our article about the Hedgehog concept for Ivy League admissions, then you already know what makes the IvyZen approach...

Amnesty Int’l Rocks! (a Columbia University Success Story)
We’re big supporters of Amnesty International at IvyZen. Our students have started over 50 student chapters across the globe over the past 10 years and have collectively gathered over 10,000 signatures for more than a hundred political action campaigns! Today's...
Would you like free mentorship from IvyZen?
Get a Free Copy of “IvyZen Success Stories”
Get a Free Copy of “IvyZen’s Complete lvy League Application Checklist”
Still Have Questions?
To get started, we offer free 30 minute consultations to anyone interested in learning more about the college admissions process. Simply fill out the form below and schedule a time, then someone will respond to you within 24 hours to confirm your obligation free session.

Ask us about anything that concerns you about the college admissions process. We’d also like to ask you a few questions about your son/daughter so please be ready with basic information about your student’s academic achievement and extracurricular activities.