Top Tier AdmissionsLiz is CEO of Top Tier Admissions. A graduate of Dartmouth College and a Fulbright Research Grant recipient, she earned her PhD in Art History from the University of Virginia, where she received the university’s highest teaching award. With decades of experience in education, Liz brings deep insight into the evolving college admissions landscape and the pressures facing students today. She is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes, where she covers admissions trends and the shifting world of higher education, helping families approach the process with clarity, calm, and intention.
A recent study examining the educational backgrounds of top achievers in American society presented compelling evidence that elite colleges play an outsized role in shaping future leaders. The findings are both thought-provoking and sobering, especially for families navigating the competitive college admissions process. At Top Tier Admissions, we aim to help families understand and contextualize […]
In today’s competitive college admissions landscape, students must do more than present impressive resumes and polished essays—they must showcase self-awareness, intellectual depth, and an authentic sense of purpose. At Top Tier Admissions, we believe that cultivating these qualities begins with developing a student’s metacognition: the ability to think about one’s own thinking. Metacognition is not […]
The early admissions landscape for the 2024–2025 application cycle has been marked by notable shifts in applicant behavior, evolving institutional priorities, and regional dynamics. Insights from the Common App report, along with trends highlighted in recent articles from elite universities, provide a comprehensive picture of what students and families can expect this year. Let’s dive […]
Recent news of Harvard College’s decision to halt the release of admissions data on decision day marks a significant departure from nearly 70 years of precedent. As reported in The Harvard Crimson, this shift, attributed to adjustments following the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling on race-conscious admissions, reflects broader trends among elite universities to limit public […]
In 2024, applications to MBA programs have skyrocketed, reaching levels not seen in over a decade. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), MBA applications rose 12% overall, with full-time, in-person programs seeing a 32% surge. Prestigious business schools like Harvard, Wharton, and Kellogg have reported double-digit increases in applications, driven largely by domestic […]
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