Some apps just land well

[Anonymous]

On several application there was a question or section that you could be very flexible with how you answer. My son wrote a :45 elevator pitch and used it for these moments.
He wrote if you just look at my stats you might miss out..
The goal was to come across likable, someone you would want to hang out with and have represent the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We learned after first kid (2023) that you want/need your complete application to tell a whole story not just disjointed pieces that don’t connect. It needs to be authentic to the student - please please please let them write their own essays - and have points that echo across the essay(s), activities, and academic interests. Second kid’s package was much tighter and they overperformed this cycle.

Is it possible to give more specific examples?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2025 parent here. What I am noticing among DC's friends is kids getting into everything or nothing. There are a handful of superstars in the grade, pretty widely known (small school). And even among that cohort, it's pretty clear that some kids are just hitting the mark with AOs. One girl we know has (so far) gotten into UM, UVA, Vandy, Emory, USC, and Hopkins. I predict she'll get into 3+ Ivies. And then similarly qualified kids have been rejected everywhere.
Who knows what the magic is - particularly strong recs, a "story" that hangs together...who knows?

My DC got accepted to all of HYPSM, so I guess they are in this category. DC had very high stats, awards, ECs, published research (in legit journals, but as second author). But it believe it's the essays where students can shine and let their real personalities show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter wrote some of her Supp essays about witches.

Have an outstanding run here with T10/T20 acceptances…

Lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2025 parent here. What I am noticing among DC's friends is kids getting into everything or nothing. There are a handful of superstars in the grade, pretty widely known (small school). And even among that cohort, it's pretty clear that some kids are just hitting the mark with AOs. One girl we know has (so far) gotten into UM, UVA, Vandy, Emory, USC, and Hopkins. I predict she'll get into 3+ Ivies. And then similarly qualified kids have been rejected everywhere.
Who knows what the magic is - particularly strong recs, a "story" that hangs together...who knows?

My DC got accepted to all of HYPSM, so I guess they are in this category. DC had very high stats, awards, ECs, published research (in legit journals, but as second author). But it believe it's the essays where students can shine and let their real personalities show.

Male or female? Major? Public or private HS?
Where did they enroll?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2025 parent here. What I am noticing among DC's friends is kids getting into everything or nothing. There are a handful of superstars in the grade, pretty widely known (small school). And even among that cohort, it's pretty clear that some kids are just hitting the mark with AOs. One girl we know has (so far) gotten into UM, UVA, Vandy, Emory, USC, and Hopkins. I predict she'll get into 3+ Ivies. And then similarly qualified kids have been rejected everywhere.
Who knows what the magic is - particularly strong recs, a "story" that hangs together...who knows?

My DC got accepted to all of HYPSM, so I guess they are in this category. DC had very high stats, awards, ECs, published research (in legit journals, but as second author). But it believe it's the essays where students can shine and let their real personalities show.

Male or female? Major? Public or private HS?
Where did they enroll?

Public hs, STEM major. Not comfortable sharing more on public forum.