“Better to leave your children well educated rather than rich, for the future of the educated is better than the wealth of the ignorant.”

                                                                                                Epictetus

At IvyBound, we:

1. Listen carefully to your desires, your needs and your goals
2. Protect your privacy with confidentially and security
3. Guide you toward improving your credentials and building your edge
4. Assist you tell your story in your own voice to the admissions committees in an interesting and compelling way that helps you stand out among a field of competitive applicants
5. Respect you & are honored that you consider our evidence-based, student-centered and client-specific services
6. Are the only company to offer the expertise of current Harvard, Princeton and Columbia University students as resources for our clients

Your main benefit from employing the services of IvyBound is to help you enroll in the best medical schools possible, not solely based on prestige, but based on the “best fit” institution for you as an individual. This is especially important since medical schools are not alike. They are as varied in character as students vary in personalities.  Elite medical schools, on the other hand, are not always looking for the absolute best students in terms of GPA and standardized test scores, but for the “best students” in terms of the greatest potential to positively impact the class, the institution and the world. Examples of this includes students likely to contribute to global leadership, avant-garde health care, pioneering researcher, once-in-a-generation innovation, Silicon Valley-like entrepreneurship, among other abilities. You benefit from IvyBound guidance because each of our partners are either Ivy League graduates, parents of Ivy League students, Ivy League students or affiliated with an Ivy League university. Most commonly our relationship is with Harvard, Princeton and Columbia. Through our personal experience, research and processes, our student-centered, evidence-based and client-specific methods place talented individuals in a position to reach their greatest potential and gain admission into their “best fit,” top school.

Although we have demonstrated exceptional individual achievement as members of the Ivy League community, what truly sets us apart from most college admissions consultants is our ethics, commitment to our students, our knowledge of the college admissions process, our appreciation of what admission committees look for in their applicants, and our performance. Thus, we are uniquely qualified to evaluate pre-medical students, make specific recommendations that enhance the presentation of their credentials and accomplishments. Finally, we develop both a comprehensive and student-tailored strategy to present your most competitive self among a field of strong medical school candidates. We cannot guarantee success. Only 1 out of 20 applicants are offered acceptance letters to the most prestigious institutions. But, we can assist you in becoming a must stronger candidate than you would on your own. We make the process easier and less stressful.

IvyBound wishes to be your partner in a positive and mutually beneficial relationship in this often complex, stressful and confusing process.

 

Self-Assessment

First, we assist the student to define their personality, interests and abilities in order to match these qualities with medical schools and residencies that complement your profile, values and goals.

 

Vision

Having completed the process of self-reflection, the student looks at a 5-20-year time horizon, considering regions of the country or cities you want to study in, particular medical schools that meet your long-term career goals, specific departments, curriculums, professors and research interests that each align with your ultimate goals.

 

Strategic Plan

Having accomplished this, together we develop a plan with measurable and reachable goals and objectives, in particular those that enhance your pre-medical credentials and create a compelling story to the medical school admissions committees to make you stand out and get noticed.

 

Branding/Marketing

Ever wonder why two seemingly comparable premedical students apply to the same schools, one gets into most of them. The other gets into one or none. Or perhaps, you find that a seemingly less qualified student earns that coveted acceptance, while the ace does not. The difference is likely that the successful medical school candidate marketed him or herself better to the admissions committee. At IvyBound, we assist you in determining and executing your marketing campaign.

 

The Application & the Process

There are things in the application you can control (i.e. your personal effort and your personal statement). There are things that you cannot (i.e. letters of recommendation, deadlines, admissions committee decisions). With acceptance rates hover just above 2% at Stanford and other elite universities, the margin for error is low. While there are no guarantees for admittance, we use student-centered, evidence-based approaches to help students get into the best possible, best fit medical schools and residencies.  

 

The Big Idea: How to Benefit from IvyBound

The reason that admission to the Ivy League, top-ranked universities, and other elite medical schools is so difficult is clear. The value of a degree from an elite medical school and residency can be immeasurable, including greater career choices, better job security, quicker promotions, more interesting work, prestige, greater medical school and career satisfaction, and not to mention increased pay. 

 

“Self-discipline is the key to greatness. With self-discipline, the average person will rise as far as his talent and intelligence will take him.”

                                                                        Brian Tracy

 

At IvyBound, we guide you toward best recognizing the 25 qualities the Ivy League and other premier medical schools look for in student/applicants:

1. Academic Intelligence
2. Intellectual Curiosity (interest in academic research & the creation of knowledge)
3. Success Through Challenging Coursework
4. Sustained Interest and Passion, demonstrated through consistent activities over time
5. Genuine and Authentic Presentation, with resounding conviction
6. Outstanding Moral and Ethical Character, substantiated by letters of recommendation
7. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
8. Good Judgement, Professionalism, Reliability and Selflessness, validated in the letters of reference
9. Compelling Narrative that shows with clarity what matters most to the student, how you think, not just what you did, but why you did what you did, & what you felt, all while clearly articulating your short-term and long-term goals
10. Qualities consistent with the mission of the institution 
11. Social Intelligence: Ability to work well with others, and in teams; engaging personality
12. SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable and Ambitious, Relevant and Time-Limited Career Goals
13. Demonstrated history of taking advantage of and creating opportunities, and high likelihood of maximally utilizing the resources on campus
14. Exceptional Personal Initiative through demonstrated high-impact leadership,  creativity, research, entrepreneurship and community service —  evidence for having left your footprints in your wake
15. National and International Leadership Potential
16. Global World View
17. Foreign Language Proficiency
18. Demonstrated Growth and Progression in regards to Skills and Responsibilities
19. Meaningful, Consistent & Compassionate Service to Humanity
20. Special Talents that differentiate from the crowd
21. Demonstrated, exceptional written and verbal communication Skills
22. Analytical Skills
23. Students that will contribute greatly to and benefit immensely from the entering class, the institution and the profession
24. Applicants that can convey their message in their own voice, without “spin”
25. Compelling applicant so intriguing that the admissions committee member would go out of their way to meet them on campus

 

 

The IvyBound Advantage allows you to self-reflect on who you are, where you stand, are you competitive, and where do you expect your medical education and training to take you. We prompt you to review your preferences, abilities, academic record, extracurricular activities, your strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats to determine where you are competitive and which programs best fit your needs. We guide you as to how to improve your credentials and build your narrative in order to maximize the success of your application. IvyBound helps you improve your credentials in a way that present your entire application in the best light, while addressing the very priorities medical school admissions committees value most. Let IvyBound be your partner in the often complex, stressful and uncertain admissions process.

Let’s talk!  We are here to help!