Inside the Admissions Office: Advice from Former Admissions Officers

📅 JOIN KATHRYN'S EXCLUSIVE FREE WEBINAR (MARCH 17th): https://hubs.la/Q045szPf0 Want personalized guidance? Book a free consultation with our team here: https://hubs.la/Q02WyJTt0 Former Harvard interviewer and InGenius Prep VP of Undergraduate Services Kathryn reveals why hobbies are often neglected in middle and high school, and why that’s a huge missed opportunity. She explains how hobbies can evolve into powerful passion projects or capstone experiences that make students stand out in the college admissions process. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

JOIN THE EXCLUSIVE WEBINAR (FEB. 24th): https://hubs.la/Q042YjBT0 Megan Bailey (Duke Graduate & Associate Director of College Counseling) reveals the exact roadmap she uses to guide students to top schools like Princeton, Yale, and Stanford, before junior year even begins. Schedule a FREE 30-minute 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here and we'll help you improve your chances of acceptance with personalized support: https://hubs.la/Q02WyJTt0 Admissions officers see thousands of "perfect" applicants. Don’t just be smart, be interesting. In this video, we break down how to move beyond being just smart and become memorable, compelling, and interesting in the eyes of admissions officers. Learn how Ivy League and top colleges evaluate applicants, what actually differentiates accepted students, and how to craft an application narrative that makes admissions officers stop and take notice. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. " Eventually AI will be good enough that it should be able to mimic that voice. I expect essays will become meaningless and either abolished completely or they just won't have a significant impact on the admissions process." Joel Butterly, CEO of InGenius Prep, discusses the current landscape of college application essay writing. The conversation explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the writing process, how colleges are adapting their evaluation methods, and what students need to understand to stand out in an increasingly AI-influenced admissions landscape. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. Shannon and Titania return to break down every Harvard supplemental essay prompt, sharing how successful applicants actually approach each question, what admissions officers are really listening for, and the common mistakes that quietly hurt otherwise strong candidates. PART 1: How to answer Every Harvard Supplemental Essay Prompts! [WATCH IT HERE] PART 3 COMING UP NEXT: How to answer Johns Hopkins Supplemental Essay Prompt! --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE.Explore real admissions insights on the InGenius Journal: https://hubs.ly/Q03XXVX80 We use real data and trends to help students make clear, confident decisions about navigating college admissions. In this episode, Lindsey Kundel, Editor-in-Chief of the InGenius Journal, shows how we turn years of international and domestic admissions insights into strategies that actually work. Whether your student is aiming for a top 10, 20, or 30 school, the right approach and real data can make all the difference. Any feedback is welcome! If you have suggestions for topics you’d like Lindsey to cover in future InGenius Journal entries, send us an email at jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. In today’s shorter episode, Zak, a former Senior Assistant Director and Multicultural Recruiting Coordinator at Johns Hopkins University, responds to an email from a parent who’s considering homeschooling and trying to find the best path for a student-athlete with big basketball goals. Zak talks about common challenges homeschoolers face, like proving academic readiness, finding social opportunities, and building strong recommendations and activities outside the home. He also explains why getting an honest evaluation from a private coach matters when it comes to understanding athletic potential. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into Washington University in St. Louis (WashU)—often called a “hidden Ivy” for its exceptional academics, selective admissions, and unique student experience. 🎯 Pro Tip: Don’t get caught up in rankings—academic stats matter, but your personality, story, and fit can make all the difference. In this episode, Ariel shares: ➜ What makes WashU’s campus and community feel like a true “fit” ➜ The most memorable applications and essays she’s ever seen ➜ Insider tips on interviews, letters of recommendation, and application strategy ➜ How to find your perfect college fit beyond rankings ➜ Fun WashU traditions like Moonlight Breakfast (yes, pancakes at midnight!) ➜ Her top 3 actionable tips for students prepping EA/ED applications. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

EXCLUSIVE VIRTUAL EVENT: Two Students. One Spot. Who Gets In? Watch Former Admissions Officers battle it out live in the first-ever Admissions Showdown—where you’ll witness the debates, the behind-the-scenes decision-making, and the exact factors that determine who gets in. Curious what actually happens after you hit submit on your college application? Join us on September 23rd and experience it firsthand. Reserve yours now and see what makes them say YES. Here's the link to register. Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. MIT admits less than 5% of applicants each year. If you or your teen has MIT at the top of the college list, you need more than perfect grades and test scores to stand out. In this episode, former MIT and Ivy League admissions officers share the hidden details behind successful MIT applications:🔹 What a strong STEAM profile actually looks like🔹 The types of projects and research experiences that grab MIT’s attention🔹 Why creativity, curiosity, and initiative matter as much as raw talent🔹 How to frame supplements so they connect with MIT’s hands-on, problem-solving culture Whether you’re preparing for engineering, computer science, or math competitions, this episode gives you the insider perspective on what MIT admissions is really looking for. 👉 Follow us for more straight-from-the-admissions-office advice. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

EXCLUSIVE VIRTUAL EVENT: Two Students. One Spot. Who Gets In? Watch Former Admissions Officers battle it out live in the first-ever Admissions Showdown—where you’ll witness the debates, the behind-the-scenes decision-making, and the exact factors that determine who gets in. Curious what actually happens after you hit submit on your college application? Join us on September 23rd and experience it firsthand. Reserve yours now and see what makes them say YES. Here's the link to register. Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. RISING SENIORS: This is your last shot to get everything in place for college apps. Our Application Counseling Program helps you stay on track, craft a standout application, and improve your chances of getting into a Top 10 school, by up to 7x: https://hubs.la/Q03BtBZ50 Join us as Shannon, who’s taught literature and writing at Yale and Ohio State, breaks down two standout personal statements from students accepted into top colleges and Ivy programs. We dive deep into each essay—one takes a traditional topic and makes it deeply personal, while the other uses a creative structure and bold voice. Shannon analyzes what makes them successful, how they reflect each student’s identity, and the key lessons you can apply to strengthen your own writing. This is a very detailed analysiss—perfect for students, parents, or anyone looking to master the art of the personal statement. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

Need help with your college applications? Set up a complimentary strategy call with our team of admission experts: CLICK HERE. Meet Brendan, one of our standout students at InGenius Prep. This fall, he’s off to Duke University to study biology and medicine. But what truly set Brendan apart wasn’t just his impressive accomplishments. It was the self-awareness, consistency, and personal growth he showed throughout the application process. With the guidance of our expert counselors, Brendan built a compelling, authentic narrative that highlighted who he is beyond the resume. Take a closer look at Brendan’s high school journey, from his impactful internship to meaningful volunteer work and leadership activities. You'll see how each experience helped shape his application persona and how our team helped him tie it all together into a compelling, authentic story. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

Need help from the best UK university admissions consultants? Set up a complimentary strategy call: CLICK HERE. 📘 Our free eBook covers everything you need to know about applying to top universities in 7 countries, including timelines, test requirements, and visa info. Whether you’re just starting your research or ready to apply abroad, this guide is your go-to. --- With U.S. immigration and education policies changing, many students and families are looking to the UK for their college journey. But UK admissions are quite different from the U.S.—from the application process to student life. In this episode, Harry Sherratt, Senior Managing Director, Asia-Pacific & Director of UK Services at InGenius Prep, breaks down: Key differences between UK and U.S. university applications How to write the UCAS personal statement and what top UK universities really want Choosing the right UK university beyond rankings and location Post-graduation opportunities in the UK and beyond Whether you’re just starting your research or ready to apply, this episode will help you navigate the UK admissions landscape with confidence. Subscribe and stay tuned for Part 2, where we explore admissions in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia! --- Register for our upcoming webinars. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE. From prescreen recordings and performance auditions to professor connections and portfolio prep, the music admissions process is uniquely challenging. In this episode, we sit down with the experts from Inside Music Schools to unpack everything you need to know about getting into top conservatories and university music programs. Whether you're aiming for Juilliard, Berklee, or a strong music program within a larger university, this conversation is packed with advice to help you stand out. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

To set up a complimentary strategy call, CLICK HERE. Today’s students are juggling intense academics, nonstop social media, and AI tools reshaping how they learn. In this episode, we dive into: The pressure to excel academically, socially, and online How social media and constant notifications are affecting focus and mental health Why skills like time management and emotional regulation are essential for coping with stress The rise of AI in education: Is it helping or making things worse? Plus, we’ll share practical tips on how you, as a parent, can help your teen feel balanced, confident, and more in control. 📖 Read the Pew Research article on the pressures teens are facing today: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2025/03/13/pressures-teens-are-facing/ --- Register for our upcoming webinars. Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.