Applying to schools is a different ball game than it was 20, 10 or even 5 years ago. Now, more than ever, it’s important for prospective students to present the most well-rounded, unique applications they can to Admissions in order to stand out and earn a spot in an incoming class. Here’s some data to illustrate…
College acceptance rates are declining. For elite universities, acceptance rates are in the single digits… and as more students apply each year, the competition for each spot increases
2015-2019 Ivy League Acceptance Rates (%)
The application process is complex: it’s unique to each school regarding material to be submitted and what they’re looking for in a student…
Applications require multiple components, among them: SAT/ACT scores, a slew of AP/IB tests, the Common Application essay, multiple supplemental essays, several short answer questions, a resume and activity list, not to mention Financial Aid material and scholarship applications.
Colleges are looking for well-rounded students who are motivated to join their incoming class - all application components need to be tailored to each school and work together to tell a consistent story…
“Students and parents [complain] about the lack of transparency in the process, the confusing nature of the application process, how difficult it [is] to secure good information about college choice, and how the admission outcomes [are] unpredictable and sometimes [appear] to defy logic.” - Complexity in College Admission, 2011, College Board
High school students have increasingly large academic workloads and extra-curricular responsibilities, making task management challenging…
High school counselors don’t have the time to assist each student in depth: according to US Department of Education data, in 2015-16 each public school counselor was, on average, responsible for 470 students. And parents who are juggling jobs and other siblings don’t always have the leisure or expertise to help.