Highly Selective Colleges Presentation

New Rules, New Reality: Navigating Highly Selective College Admissions in 2025 

Tuesday, September 30th 6-7pm  in the WHS Library

hosted by Arun Ponnusamy

Selective college admissions has never been simple — but in 2025, it’s shifting in ways we can’t ignore. Testing is making a comeback, application numbers keep climbing, and new federal policies are reshaping how financial aid works and how applications are reviewed. At the same time, some of the data tools colleges once relied on have been eliminated, and talk of a “demographic cliff” has raised new questions about how institutions will build their classes in the years ahead. The result: an environment that feels more unpredictable than ever. Families will leave this session with a clearer picture of what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and, most importantly, with a stronger sense of control and concrete steps to guide their child's path forward.

Arun Ponnusamy is a nationally recognized expert with nearly three decades of admissions experience. His voice and insight have been featured everywhere, from professional conferences to national media outlets like NPR and The Washington Post, and in auditoriums spanning from London to Delhi to Hong Kong--and, yup, Westlake Village. Now the founder of Fat Mango Education, Arun is known for mixing candor, humor, and practical advice that cuts through the noise and helps families focus on what truly matters.

Key Takeaways

How admissions officers are evaluating students in 2025

Building a smart, balanced college list that goes beyond the usual names

The best moves 8th–11th graders can make right now