<p>The best thing one can learn in college application process is how to present oneself in best possible light. So these videos show you how admission officer scrutinize one’s application.
these videos are presented by former Stanford admission officer- Erinn Andrews. These apply completely to other schools as well!
[Case</a> study 1](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSRxfV5aphw]Case”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSRxfV5aphw)
[Case study 2](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldiuv7aPymo”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldiuv7aPymo</a>)
[Case</a> study 3](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy30oJ3BvqY]Case”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy30oJ3BvqY)
[Case</a> study 4](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzQgnHi5cnA]Case”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzQgnHi5cnA)
[Case</a> study 5](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhZXsasuI9M]Case”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhZXsasuI9M)
[Case</a> study 6](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Mb1n-hYK4]Case”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Mb1n-hYK4)
Have fun :)</p>
<p>Thank you very much for posting these! I showed them to my brother (ninth grade), and they were very helpful!</p>
<p>I’m glad they helped! Good luck to your bro :)</p>
<p>I was under the impression that AP scores play little to no weight in college admissions, and they are just used for placement. Correct me if I’m wrong please!</p>
<p>There is a bump in admissions for just taking AP classes, regardless of whether score is reported. AP scores definitely factor into the admissions process, if you choose to report them. </p>
<p>I would note two things: </p>
<p>One, most schools don’t require official AP score reports with your application the way they do for SAT, ACT and subject tests. AP scores are self reported. </p>
<p>Two, in the videos you watched, the presenter assumed each student took an AP test and reported the score for every AP class taken. On that basis, she discussed whether the student had a rigorous load. In reality, many students (especially in public high schools) take very rigorous loads but elect not to take AP tests for every course (often based on cost). If these students have strong grades across the board and get good scores on the AP tests they do take, they aren’t necessarily penalized by adcoms for not taking AP tests in every course.</p>
<p>That makes sense. Thank you! :)</p>
<p>Thank you for posting, very informational.</p>
<p><em>Like button pressed</em></p>
<p>Really emphasizes the point that for the insanely competitive schools (HYPSM et al.), the best you can do is to ensure that you’re “competitive.” Unless you’re 7 feet tall, or Malia Obama, with strong grades and test scores, you really can’t guarantee yourself admission.</p>
<p>I got the sense that rigor, grades and scores would keep the app alive, then after that it was all about interesting ECs and leadership.</p>
<p>[running off to tell D to start a food blog] ;)</p>
<p>I think that’s exactly right.</p>
<p>If anything, I was surprised that Andrews seemed more willing to try to redeem an applicant with lackluster academic credentials and interesting activities than I would have expected.</p>
<p>…while she kind of shot down the kid with 5 million programming languages and great stats. Interesting indeed. I wonder if ad reps simply get bored with all the smart kid apps they read :)</p>
<p>It certainly provides insight into the reason valedictorians aren’t auto-admits everywhere.</p>
<p>Forget piano lessons. Instead take bagpipe lessons. Forget travel soccer. Replace it with fencing or squash. Forget learning three foreign languages. Study sign language instead.</p>
<p>
An applicant can’t guarantee admission at the top-tier schools…but he/she can certainly make the probability of multiple acceptances more likely by: (1) presenting an academically superior record (4.0 GPA UW, maximum AP/IB classes at school, 2300+ SAT or 35+ ACT, 750-800 scores on multiple Subject tests), (2) showing leadership in the community and demonstrating depth of involvement in extracurricular activities, and (3) showing initiative/creativity in community service/academic interests/noteworthy accomplishment.</p>
<p>I like to think of #1 as simply “checking the box” on demonstrated academic ability. Most HYPSM applicants have great stats.</p>
<h1>2 and #3 are the elements that distinguish a student in the college admissions process at the most competitive schools.</h1>
<p>None of the applicants presented by Ms. Andrews was a shoe-in at a top-tier university. Not surprising at all. Each had glaring deficiencies…and, to be fair, only certain parts of the students’ records were discussed. Review of the essays and supplemental app materials would go a long way in determining the accept/reject/wait-list decision.</p>
<p>I don’t know if it’s so much “bored with smart kids” as much as looking for different sorts of smart kids. Consider that gifted children have one of the highest high school drop-out rates. That means some of the brightest minds aren’t making it to these top college (or any colleges.) Some of the brightest minds really don’t thrive in a traditional schooling environment and so their records are spotty despite having these phenomenal aspects. While obviously, schools want those killer scores and grades that prove a child is capable for the most part… I think there is a special sort of joy in finding that diamond in the rough. </p>
<p>I believe with the internet and hired college planners, lots of fantastic kids are sort of looking the same.</p>
<p>posting for future reference. thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>Same thank you</p>
<p>Interesting. I liked the breakdown of both competitive (academically) and compelling (EC/personality) and her contrast of the “well rounded student” case 5 and the “angular student” case 6.</p>
<p>RE: post #15. I think virtually nobody is a shoo-in at Stanford, Harvard and the rest. Chelsea Clinton probably was one if she was a top student at Sidwell, but there aren’t very darn many.</p>