Each year, we meet several times to speak about your child's academic and extracurricular progress. After the New Year, we start talking in far more depth about the curriculum for the following year, as strength of curriculum is still the number one factor that the most selective schools list in the common data set as the most important factor in admissions. That stated, I make sure that the curriculum is APPROPRIATE for your child. He/She does not simply take AP/IB classes because that's what his/her friends are doing. We make informed decisions and learn about the the difficulties of the teachers providing the instruction from the guidance counselor in school. A student's curriculum is inextricably connected to his/her college choices, as the more selective colleges/universities are looking for students who maximize their curricum across disciplines. Students don't need to take APs in all subjects, but they do need to make sure they have maximized their curricular options in the field they are looking to pursue. Additionally, the student needs to ACTIVELY participate in those classes, so the teachers can write standout letters of recommendation that demonstrate your child's intellectual curiosity.
While many schools are still test-optional, it is very important to look into which exam (ACT or SAT) is the better fit for your child. The great news is that I also tutor for both exams and do hundreds of such comprehensive assessments each year. AP Exams are typically reported if scores are above 4, but we need to talk in depth about student interests/majors before making final decisions. I am there EVERY STEP OF THE WAY FOR EVERY PART OF THE PROCESS. It is a team effort!
I help with the specific descriptions of leadership and impactful activities on the Common Application as well as on the development of a carefully crafted resume that highlights the most impressive accomplishments and initiatives. I also make certain that the application is completed thoroughly with every square inch containing material that will make a difference in the process.
The overwhelming majority of students engage in community service. I look for opportunities that match student passions with the chance to give back to underserved communities. Additionally, I seek programs and internships that are not pay-for-play but show how students have made meaningful connections independently. It is always best for the application make sense as a whole, so the community service is often linked with the students' most robust interests.
As college has become more difficult to get into, it is has become imperative for students seeking highly selective schools to pursue honors/awards outside the classroom that extend beyond admissions to a pot pourri of Honor Societies. Colleges want impassioned students who excel in regional, national, and international competitions, particularly in areas that are not as popular discipline-wise. Classics and entomology (the study of insects) majors will have higher acceptance rates than Biology and Economics majors. But you need to back up that proposed, more obscure major with specific experiences/honors/awards.
If your child has a first-choice school, Early Decision is a binding contract that can potentially enhance his/her chances of being accepted given the importance of yield in college admissions. Early Decision acceptance rates are typically higher than Regular Decision rates, but please be aware that athletes, underrepresented students (i.e. QuestBridge, first generation) and legacies are encouraged to apply early. There is also an Early Decision II round for students not ready to apply ED I or for those not accepted to their ED I school.
Think about it in this fashion. When applying Early Decision, you are deciding where you want to go and making a commitment.
Applying Early Action indicates that you are applying by the early deadline to demonstrate interest and electronically send your materials typically before the 11/1 deadline, but you are not bound to attend the school. The advantage to Early Action is that you get decisions in December or January, but you do not need to commit until 5/1.
Rolling - Schools that have rolling admissions will give you a decision typically within 3-8 weeks from the time your application file is complete. Getting decisions back early takes pressure off of students and families!
Restrictive Early Action Schools (REA) typically allow you to apply public Early Action Schools but not to private Early Action Schools or Early Decision I Schools. Some examples of those schools are Stanford, Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.