The admission interview is not a decisive factor in determining the outcome, but in a hyper-competitive environment, it can put an applicant over the top when handled exceptionally well. This is where an applicant can enhance his/her profile by sharing information beyond submitted materials.
In order for an applicant’s extracurricular activities to impress admissions committees, he/she should show spike(s), activities where the achievement level is undoubtedly excellent. Such level shows not only passion but also discipline. A spike that carries national/international recognition or in some cases regional/state recognition (e.g. ranked in national competitions or state champion) would boost the applicant. In the absence of very distinctive spikes, the next best thing would be to combine spikes of lesser significance. For admissions purposes, activities are not created equal. The following are our observations:
Given the ultra-competitive nature of admissions into elite colleges, for families who have decided to start the journey, it is natural to wonder if hiring an admissions consultant would be worthwhile.
Legitimate consultants can make a strong applicant stronger. A quick online search will turn up many to choose from and it is an unregulated industry. Below are some considerations when selecting consultants.
