US and Ivy League Admissions

Overview

We have extensive experience mentoring for personal essay writing and SAT preparation, and would love to help you explore opportunities across the pond! U2’s mentors supervise each component of the process to ensure that every application is successfully aligned to each college’s institutional priorities and the student’s strengths.

Our Mentors

Our Ivy League mentors support students through college choice, SAT/ ACT preparation and personal/ supplementary essays. We have high-performing mentors who achieved places at Brown, Duke, Stanford, Columbia, Yale and Harvard, majoring in a range of subjects from Computer Science & Neuroscience to Applied Maths and Government.

Our US Programmes

Typically, each student will begin with a preliminary consultation, to gauge what stage of preparation he/ she is at with regards to extracurriculars, crafting personal statements and written essays. We then curate a bespoke programme. Each student is paired with a mentor with specific experience in supporting applications to their chosen schools.

U2’s US application programmes typically include all of the following elements, customised to your particular needs. We recommend students begin thinking about the process 12-18 months prior to application.

STEP 1

Build an extracurricular profile

US/ Ivy League schools place a large emphasis on “personal narrative”. Our mentors work on background enhancement, assimilating subject-specific interests and extracurricular activities to demonstrate personal strengths. In particular, we help with:

  • Building on academic interests through masterclasses, work experience opportunities & research projects, available through our extracurricular platform, Minds Underground™

  • Reading & writing plans: Expanding breadth of reading, improving critical thinking skills, writing ability and overall knowledge

STEP 2

Decide on the right college and course

There are more than 3000 colleges and universities in the US so choosing the right ones can be a mammoth task. U2’s mentors can provide close insight into specific institutions they attended, particularly for Ivy League schools. They will advise on:

  • College: size, life, location - are these suited to your interests and qualities?

  • Specific degree programmes offered - determining the application major

  • Differences in application processes

STEP 3

Prepare for SAT, ACT and Subject Tests

Standardized Tests are used by US Universities to gauge academic standard. Subject Tests are used to decipher which course levels would be appropriate for the student to take. Ivy League schools generally require a SAT/ ACT score and 2 SAT subject tests.

As part of our Ivy League Programme, U2 assigns specialist subject mentors for each test section. Our mentors will work on academic performance enhancement, as well as building critical thinking and analysis skills for the logical element of the tests.

We tailor Standardized Test sessions to students based on their timeline to the test and current performance level. This can include creating a preparation action plan, unlimited hours of test-specific training, tailored mock tests, and detailed feedback sessions/ reporting.

STEP 4

Personal statements & additional essays

Are you inquisitive? Are you a "leader"? What changes will you make, who inspires you, what are your personal, aspirational "big plans", where are you in the world? Now you have built your extracurricular profile, it’s time to show it off. This step involves:

  • Honing essay writing skills to demonstrate academic ability

  • Preliminary planning and content brainstorming, ensuring interests are unique and geared towards the character of each individual application

  • Structuring your personal essays to highlight personal strengths

  • Polishing, reviewing and proof-reading

For support with additional essays, book a free consultation with us to discuss your needs.

Oxbridge Mock Interviews

Step 5

Interview practice with Ivy League tutors

Most Ivy League schools have interviews, though check with your college of choice. Most of these are mid-January, so you’ll need to be incredibly organised if you have mock exams for A Levels. Once again, the interview is designed for the college to learn more about you: What are your academic strengths? What career might you have in mind? Why pick this college?

  • Substantial mock interview practice

  • Teaching vital techniques & strategies to answer commonly asked interview questions

  • Personalised tips and access to comprehensive feedback from senior experts

We encourage signing up to our online mock interview prep course. Here, you will receive a communication skills workshop, and four mock interviews, held by US college / Ivy League Oxbridge experts / graduates.

US and Ivy League Preparation Materials

Frequently Asked Questions for US and Ivy League Applications