How to Get Into College Today

Tutoring | Appeal Your Financial Aid | Applications Bootcamp

Have you seen how ridiculously hard it is to get into college today?

Harvard reportedly admitted 3.4% of its applicants.  Penn:  6%.  Cornell:  9%.  Northeastern, 6.7%

Yes, Northeastern.  I admit that I, despite 20+ years of college advisor experience, have a hard time swallowing that one.  Back in the day when I was a high school senior, Northeastern was where kids went who couldn't otherwise get into college. 

I know how snobby that sounds, but in 1986 the admit rate was NINETY-FREAKING PERCENT.

Stats and history aside, what does all of this mean if you have an 11th grader (Class of 2024) kiddo?

It means you better be on your game.  Not only in terms of your application and essays, but more important, your college list.

Do not fall prey to the impulse to apply only to Rear Window Sticker Colleges, even if they are highly ranked, feature top football teams or are in warm climates.

I'm not telling you to ignore those factors, because, no matter how silly they may look in print, we humans are an emotional species and make decisions that reflect our feelings.

What I am urging is that you don't make those factors the ONLY factors underpinning your kid's college list.

We're re-opening registration for our summer Get College Ready Essays and Applications Bootcamp for rising seniors if you want help in this area, plus a ton of help brainstorming and editing essays, finding scholarships, writing up your activities and the rest of your applications, more. 

That's a group coaching program with intermittent one on one support.  If you want pure personal, private college coaching, we have a lot of room for 9th and 10th graders, and are about 65% filled with 11th graders.  Here's where to schedule time to meet or chat.