The college admissions landscape is more competitive and complex than ever before, and juggling essays, extracurriculars, standardized test prep, summer planning, internships and coursework can be overwhelming and strain parents’ and teens’ relationships. Many are discovering that the key to eliminating college application stress is seeking expert guidance.
This week, Cristina Cuomo sat down with Christopher Rim, a Yale alumnus and founder and CEO of Command Education, to learn how students can succeed in the admissions process—and what top colleges want today. Here are five insights from the discussion:
Students should explore their genuine passions—not what they think colleges want to see.
Ivy League and other top institutions are looking for applicants who are driven by their authentic interests and engaged in meaningful initiatives that benefit their communities—and admissions officers can detect inauthenticity from a mile away. This means that students should not sign up for the debate team or the school newspaper simply because they believe admissions officers value those activities. Instead, they should get creative and think earnestly about what inspires them, brings them joy and ignites their passion. Sometimes, the most innocuous or seemingly nonacademic interests can become the most compelling and original “hooks” in the admissions process. Interested in sports stats? High-end sneakers? Video games? Makeup? According to Rim, with the right strategy, you can turn it into an anchoring point for a unique application.
Harvard isn’t the right school for every student—and it’s critical to identify your best fit college, not apply to the most prestigious schools.
Rim emphasized the importance of finding the right college fit, not just aiming for the most prestigious school. Many students and parents assume that any Ivy League school would be a great option, but it is critical to note that every Ivy League school has a unique culture, signature programs and specific locale. While Harvard has a very traditional, academically rigorous environment, Brown encourages multidisciplinary exploration through its Open Curriculum, UPenn is more professionally focused and has an urban environment, and Dartmouth offers a small, liberal arts community with a rural, small-town feel. Students should think critically about what they want from their college experience, rather than assuming that Harvard or Yale is their best option by virtue of their rankings and reputations. Beyond the Ivy League, students should research the numerous other high-caliber universities that may better align with their disciplinary interests and personal goals.
Students should focus on crafting a balanced college list with an array of reach, match, and safety schools that they would be happy to attend. Rim recommended applying to approximately 15 schools—though some students choose to apply to 20 or more!
Get creative with the college essay.
The college essay is a critical opportunity for students to showcase their unique voice, perspective and personality to admissions committees. Rim emphasized that creativity, honesty, and authenticity are the key components of a standout essay. Students should avoid using overly formal, SAT-like language or writing about cliche topics, like the death of a grandparent, a championship sports game, or a service trip overseas. Instead, admissions officers want to see that students have taken initiative to positively impact their own local community and they have self-reflected about their worldview and growth.
Standardized tests are making a comeback—and students proactively plan for success.
While essays, extracurriculars and passion projects are critical components of a successful application, grades and test scores remain foundational to a strong application. Rim noted that in the last few years, top schools such as Dartmouth, Brown, Georgetown and MIT have reinstated their standardized testing requirements following the adoption of test-optional policies during the pandemic. While many students struggle with test-taking anxiety or experience the sting of disappointment after receiving their first test scores, Rim noted that standardized tests are coachable—if students start preparing as early as their sophomore years, they can build a testing strategy that will boost their odds of success.
Early action and early decision plans can increase your odds of admission.
Finally, Chris shared that applying Early Action or Early Decision can significantly boost your odds of admission—for instance, Harvard University reported an early acceptance rate of 8.74 percent to the class of 2028, compared to 3.59 percent overall; Emory’s early acceptance rate was 32 percent, compared to the school’s overall admissions rate of 14.5 percent; meanwhile, Northwestern announced that about half of the students admitted to the school’s class of 2028 were admitted in the early application cycle. Command Education recommends that students apply early to at least one of their top schools in order to maximize their chances of success. Even in the early round, the strength of a student’s application materials is paramount, as students are competing against a generally more qualified (though smaller) applicant pool.
Get motivated by visiting commandeducation.com and sign up for a consultation by November 1 to get a free 45-minute strategy session from a Command Education expert. This session will provide recommendations tailored to your students’ interests, goals and background to build a standout applicant profile. commandeducation.com