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Tales from the Class of 2024: My Latest College Admissions Advice

jennifer136

Last year was another wild one. I say it all the time, but I feel like I re-learn my job every.single.year. I got into the business to help ease the stress for high school students (including two of my own), but each year it feels harder for me to deliver on that objective.


The college admissions process was once a joyful celebration of your student’s high school achievements, but it has become a daunting and convoluted process that takes students and parents on a 18-month emotional roller coaster ride.


This summer I have started to work with my Class of 2025 students on their college applications. Here are 3 pieces advice I’m giving them, based on what I saw last year:




  1. Play the long game: Prior to Class of 2024, I saw a lot of my students apply early (either Early Action or Early Decision) and hear early - maybe in December or January. Many were finished & could kick back and enjoy spring of Senior year. Not this past year. Instead, I saw many qualified (some over-qualified) students get deferred and/or waitlisted at schools that were firmly in their Target ranges. Ultimately, most of my students gained an admit at their top schools, but for many it was MUCH LATER in the spring - from late March up until just a few days before May graduation. This made for a LOOOOOOONG senior year, full of highs and lows. My advice for this year: play the long game. Expect defers (and possibly waitlists). Know that those delayed decisions might turn into admissions, but in the meantime be getting excited about your other options. This is possible if you craft a well balanced list of schools and don’t get attached to just one college. Be flexible & assume you may not know your final school until later in the spring.

  2. Play the numbers game: If the colleges are going to manipulate students into applying to more schools to lower their admit rates, students should adopt a similar mindset. Apply to more colleges (I recommend 7-10) , with an emphasis on “Likely” schools (at least 4 in this category) where you are a strong candidate for both admissions and merit money. Use the additional merit offers to “negotiate” your scholarships at similar schools. ROI (Return on Investment) in college admissions is becoming more important as college costs skyrocket.

  3. Start early: This is not something I promote just to get more business, this is something that will help ease the stress for high schoolers. Strategically, early planning means better class choices & a stronger student resume. Logistically, knocking out research, visits, essays & general application items prior to the fall of senior year can make for a much smoother process. If you break this process into bite-sized chunks and spread it across your high school years, you can eliminate at least some of the anxiety.


It is really hard being a high schooler in the US. The social pressure is bad enough, but the academic and “resume building” requirements required by the current broken college admissions process is soul crushing. And yet, I’m happy to say that I’m finally seeing a turning of the tide with a revolution led by the students themselves. They are choosing happiness instead of chasing prestige. More and more, my students are adding more Likely schools to their lists and truly getting excited about them. In the last couple of years, I’ve had multiple students get accepted into “elite” colleges but ultimately choose one of their Likely schools. When I ask them about their final decision it comes down to things like work/life balance, social options, alumni networks and the knowledge that they can be academically successful anywhere. They are embracing the theory that “Where you Go is not Who You Will Be.” Thankfully, I’m seeing parents starting to embrace a similar attitude.


So to rising seniors, I say: Stay strong, play the long game, get excited about multiple options & start early! One thing about college admissions that hasn’t changed since I’ve been in this role is this: it all works out exactly the way it is supposed to…and if you truly believe that, then it will be true.


I love this video with reinforces this premise: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamrichroll/video/7335148203358096686


If you have a rising senior, Class of 2025, who needs help with the college application process, consider joining my August Bootcamp. We will tackle the personal statement, Common App and a full education on the process for the fall!






Best, Jen

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