#compelling theme

If you have read our article about the Hedgehog concept for Ivy League admissions, then you already know what makes the IvyZen approach unique in the field of Ivy League admissions consulting. I’m talking, of course, about the concept of Themes and the way they help answer the question.

Think about how a well-rounded student would answer these questions. In fact, a well-rounded student is unlikely to have compelling answers to them. But a student with a unique and compelling theme will have specific, articulated responses along with four years of high school experience to offer as proof.

The idea behind creating a well-balanced application is to show that the student has no glaring weaknesses—that he can do everything and is good at everything and that he is a balanced individual and a good citizen.

If a student can funnel their activities and pursuits into these four categories, then his or her application will practically speak for itself and the student will be one step closer to gaining Ivy League admissions. Let’s take a closer look at how each of these categories fits into the concept of Theme.