More College Admissions Tips from a Former Ivy League Admissions Officer

HERE IS A SUMMARY
Key Takeaways:

College admissions is a business, and decisions are made based on a combination of factors, including grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, and personal recommendations.
It's important for students to focus on presenting their most authentic and thorough applications, rather than trying to fit into a specific mold or meet perceived expectations.
The college admissions process is holistic, meaning that admissions officers look at the complete picture of each applicant, considering both academic achievements and personal qualities.
Summary: In this video, ​Becky Sapka, a former director of international admissions at ​Dartmouth College, discusses the college admissions process and offers advice for students and families. She emphasizes that college admissions is a business and decisions are made based on a variety of factors. Sapka encourages students to focus on presenting their most authentic and thorough applications, rather than trying to meet perceived expectations. She highlights the importance of holistic admissions, where colleges consider both academic achievements and personal qualities. Sapka also discusses how school profiles, transcripts, and recommendations play a role in the admissions process. Overall, the video provides valuable insights into the college admissions process and aims to help students navigate this important stage in their lives.

Is it better to get recommendations from 11th grade academic teachers, or getting one from a senior year academic teacher is also okay (if you haven’t been instructed by the same teacher[s] before). Asking this question if a student has done much better than 11th grade grades and are doing really well in first marking period senior war before college application deadlines.

I really wish she also refers to admissions in the transfer and non traditional student category.

Question.. how important is legacy? My sons grandfather earned his PhD from Boston University and went on to be the Dean of a Department at U-Mass Boston. My son checks all the other boxes. Straight A's at a top ranked high school IB program. Won State academic competitions, Varsity Golf, published in the schools Literary Magazine, asked go speak at other schools about the importance of community service because of his work with the schools homeless program. Etc.. Assuming that an app,icant is qualified, what role does legacy play in admissions?

This is easily the most insightful, authentic talk of the college admission concept and process both. As a parent of a freshman girl, I am setting my eyes, for my daughter, well beyond the college education, let alone the admission process itself. My own experience has been I am working my dream job in the past many years. Work is so easy because it's what I enjoy doing and can do well without struggling (data analysis, system engineering, and some programming). And I hope my kids will find their own niche, and live and work in the same way (in the sense of fun is work, work is fun). By the way, I ordered the Kindle version of Becky's book. The audio was not as bad as you guys said. At the end, it's the contents... Thanks again!

So helpful! Thank You!

Thank you so much 😘✊🏻🇺🇲

Debbie, really appreciate the content. Thank you!