Application Strategy

Formulating a School List: What You Should Consider.

By Kelly Connors / 12/19/2025

It’s your junior year of high school, and you’ve probably been told to start looking at colleges. But what does that mean? It’s an overwhelming task with very little guidance on where to start. In the US, the choices are enormous. There are more than 4,000 colleges and universities, ranging from public and private institutions,…

The College Personal Statement and Perfecting Your Narrative (Video Guide)

By Solomon Team / 09/12/2025

The personal statement is the most important part of the college application, and yet many applicants today continue to make mistakes in tone, content, or even topic. The video guide below covers the key components of a perfect essay, the common mistakes in content and style made by applicants, and how to craft a unique…

Critical Components of the College Application

By Shayla Lebeck / 08/22/2025

According to NCES (IPEDS), about 16.2 million undergraduates were enrolled at Title IV degree-granting U.S. institutions in fall 2023 (provisional), 19.4 million students total. (Source) For rising seniors who aspire to become college students, the journey–the process of applying to colleges– is about to begin. So, whether you’re a first or fourth generation college-bound student,…

How to Get Accepted by Stanford and Ivy League Universities in 2025 (Webinar)

By Solomon Team / 08/13/2025

Being accepted by Stanford or an Ivy League University is becoming more and more difficult every year. Admission rates at these top colleges have collapsed by on average 50%. Watch the webinar to learn how to navigate the Stanford and Ivy League admissions process, position your application, and market your candidacy. Read below for an abbreviated transcript,…

How to Get Accepted to Duke University

By Solomon Team / 08/12/2025

Applying to Duke is more competitive than ever. The overall acceptance rate dropped to 4.8% for the Class of 2029. Still, Early Decision offers a relative advantage: applicants admitted through ED saw an acceptance rate of 12.8%, compared to 3.67% for Regular Decision. Below is a video breakdown of how Duke evaluates applicants. We recorded…

What Kind of College Essay Should I Write?

By Solomon Team / 05/29/2025

Resources for essay writing can help you put together a structurally sound essay with polished grammar and vocabulary. Unfortunately, they aren’t always the most helpful in deciding what to write about and how to write about it. Is it better to be serious, light, funny, or controversial? Any of those may be appropriate, or not,…

What Is Demonstrated Interest in College Admissions?

By Haley Artime / 05/09/2025

When applying to colleges, students often focus on writing great essays, getting strong recommendation letters, and achieving high test scores. However, one less obvious factor in the admissions process is demonstrated interest. Many colleges, particularly private and smaller institutions, take demonstrated interest into account when making admissions decisions. But you may be asking, “What exactly…

What Can I Do To Improve My College Application?

By Solomon Team / 12/13/2024

One of the most common questions higher education professionals receive is, “How can I improve my college application in a very competitive and saturated academic environment?” The application process can often seem overwhelming and clouded in mystery but there are some very clear steps you can take to show yourself in the best light during…

Why Do Colleges Reject Good Students?

By Jessica Sibbing / 10/04/2024

“Dear Student, The Admissions Committee has carefully reviewed your application to [College], and after thoughtful consideration, we regret to inform you that we were unable to offer you a place in the Class of [Year].” This sentence is likely one of the most devastating for a young student to read. They put in years of…

How early should I start preparing my child for the Ivy League?

By Philana Tenhoff / 07/05/2024

There is no set age to prepare your child for the Ivy League or Ivy-like schools. However, there are many habits we can foster from a young age. Academic prowess, a high level of personal development, along with a strategic approach are all necessary while positioning your child to apply to an Ivy League or…