Ivy Insight

05/21/2025

🚨 Dr. Legatt's new article in Business Insider just dropped.

After decades reviewing applications as an Ivy League admissions officer and consultant, Dr. Legatt has seend a consistent truth: The students who stand out—and succeed long after college—share three essential, human traits:

🔁 Adaptability – the ability to face challenges and bounce forward
🧠 Intellectual vitality – the curiosity that drives real learning and innovation
📅 Executive functioning – the power to plan, prioritize, and follow through

These traits don’t show up in test scores or GPAs—but they do show up in how students live, lead, and tell their stories.

In this piece, Dr. Legatt shares real examples from her book Get Real and Get In—including Aaron Kirman, Raya Bidshahri, and Katlyn Grasso—to show how these qualities shaped not only their college outcomes, but their careers.

🔗 Read the full article here: https://www.businessinsider.com/college-admissions-counselor-looks-for-soft-skills-application-2025-5

If you’re supporting a student through the college process—or rethinking how we define potential—I hope you’ll give it a read.

After reading thousands of college applications, the most successful students almost always have three skills in common.

04/13/2025

02/24/2025

Teen skipping college? It’s normal to worry, but success isn’t one-size-fits-all. Support them by:

Listening without judgment.

Exploring options like apprenticeships or entrepreneurship.

Showing love and belief in their independence.

Their courage could lead to something amazing.

Dr. Legatt's debut article in SUCCESS Magazine discusses exactly this.

Thanks to Jeff Selingo, Kathleen Delaski, and SD Shanti for sharing their insights.

https://www.success.com/what-to-do-when-your-teen-opts-out-of-college/

For decades, college has been seen as the golden ticket—a guaranteed path to a good job and a stable future. But times are changing. Increasingly, | SUCCESS

01/21/2025

🚀 Agentic AI Is Reshaping the Job Market—Are Students Ready? 🎓🤖

For decades, families followed a familiar path: Go to a great university, get a degree, land a stable career. But as agentic AI advances, this once-reliable roadmap is being rewritten in real time.

In my latest Forbes article, I explore how AI systems like Devin (AI software engineer) and Claude 3 (AI research assistant) are not just assisting humans—they’re taking on complex reasoning, executing tasks autonomously, and accelerating industry-wide changes.

🔍 What does this mean for college-bound students?
📌 Repetitive entry-level jobs are disappearing. AI is handling tasks that were once stepping stones for new graduates in finance, law, healthcare, and tech.
📌 Traditional degrees still matter—but they aren’t enough. Universities like MIT, Harvard, and Carnegie Mellon are integrating AI into their curricula, but many institutions are struggling to keep pace.
📌 The key to future success? AI fluency + human expertise. Students who develop critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, and leadership will thrive in an AI-augmented workforce.

Families need to rethink college planning—not by abandoning higher education, but by ensuring students graduate with skills AI can’t replace.

🔹 What do you think? How should students prepare for a world where AI isn’t just assisting—but actively working alongside them? Drop your thoughts in the comments! ⬇️

For students mapping out their futures, the advent of agentic AI presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

10/31/2024

As a college admissions advisor over the last 10+ years, I’ve seen firsthand how the journey to college can strain parent-teen relationships. In my latest Forbes article, How Parents Can Support Teens Through the College Admissions Process, I explore how parents can become a stabilizing influence during this critical time, fostering genuine connection and helping teens feel supported rather than pressured.

Navigating the complexities of high-stakes admissions can be challenging. Many teens feel they have to “brand” themselves to stand out, while parents feel an urge to guide—sometimes a bit too closely. This article offers strategies for parents to balance hands-off encouragement with hands-on support, focusing on well-being and authenticity over perfection.

Together, we can create a college journey that strengthens bonds rather than frays them. Let's empower our teens to find paths that reflect who they are rather than what they’re expected to be.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/avivalegatt/2024/10/28/how-parents-can-support-teens-through-the-college-admissions-process/

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Parents today face the challenge of guiding their children through one of the most high-stakes transitions of their lives: college admissions.

10/23/2024

Let’s be real: Parenting in today’s world can feel more isolating than ever. Even with all the digital tools, many parents find themselves navigating critical milestones—like college admissions and internships—alone. 🏫💔

Here’s the reality:

*66% of parents feel isolated, and 62% report burnout while supporting their children through high-stakes milestones like college admissions.

*The “village” that once existed for parents is disappearing, leaving many overwhelmed and unsure about next steps.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. 👇

In my latest Forbes article, I break down 5 simple strategies to help parents create a supportive network—a “new village” designed to empower you as you guide your child through college admissions and beyond:

1️⃣ Build Micro-Communities: Find local or online parent groups for meaningful support.

2️⃣ Leverage Digital Networks: Tap into webinars and online forums for insights on college prep, internships, and scholarships.

3️⃣ Prioritize Self-Care: You can’t pour from an empty cup—make space for rest and renewal.

4️⃣ Have Family Strategy Sessions: Make planning collaborative and clear, aligning on goals together.

5️⃣ Collaborate With Other Parents: Share experiences, insights, and opportunities to make the journey less daunting.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/avivalegatt/2024/10/23/when-the-village-is-gone-strategies-for-parents-navigating-college-admissions-and-beyond/

How are you building your village?

The modern parenting journey, especially in the context of college admissions and career development, doesn’t have to be lonely.

10/01/2024

College interviews can be a critical opportunity to showcase who you are beyond the application. In my latest Forbes article, I’m sharing 10 Essential College Admissions Interview Questions and tips on how to answer them with confidence and authenticity.

If you or someone you know is preparing for a college interview, this article is packed with actionable insights to help you stand out and make a lasting impression.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/avivalegatt/2024/09/30/top-10-college-admissions-interview-questions/

By approaching each interview question with confidence and authenticity, you can showcase your unique fit for the institution.

09/12/2024

🚀 Cracking the College Admissions Code: It's Not Just About Grades! 🚀

In today’s ultra-competitive college admissions game, top grades and stellar extracurriculars are just the baseline. What truly sets students apart?

🧠 Executive function skills. Think time management, organization, and self-regulation—skills that not only fuel academic success but also show admissions officers how students thrive in life beyond the classroom.

👉 Discover why executive function is the secret weapon for college-bound students and how to build these critical skills to stand out in your applications.

🔗 Dive deeper into this game-changing strategy in my latest in Forbes.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/avivalegatt/2024/09/10/balancing-books-and-beyond-for-college-admissions-success/

In today’s competitive landscape, gaining admission to a top-tier college requires the right balance of academic and non-academic pursuits.

08/06/2024

Six years ago, I discovered the amazing University of the People (UoPeople), which offers affordable degrees (around $200 per course) to students worldwide.

While researching the article for Forbes, I was stunned to learn that Simone Biles was a student there.

Naturally, I had to find out more about her choice.

Simone shared with me her struggle between pursuing her "gymnastics dreams" full-time and studying at UCLA. For her, UoPeople was the perfect fit, allowing her to pursue higher education while chasing Olympic gold.

This GOAT didn't want to give up gymnastics, so she gave up UCLA instead.

Simone's story is a powerful example of what it means to Get Real and Get In when making a college decision.

Take a page from her playbook:

*Don't let college define you; use it to help achieve your life's dreams.

*Choose a college that matches your needs and lifestyle.

*Weigh your options carefully—consider what you gain and what you might sacrifice. Think about your purpose, time, and money.

Read more about why Simone chose online over UCLA.


https://www.forbes.com/sites/avivalegatt/2018/04/03/why-simone-biles-chose-online-over-ucla/

Simone Biles, the Olympic Gold gymnast and UoPeople’s Global Ambassador, chose UoPeople over University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) to earn her degree online and to advocate for UoPeople’s mission.