Top Tier Admissions
During my four years reading applications in the Dartmouth admissions office, I reviewed thousands of college essays. Let me be blunt: most were bad. At least 75% were cringeworthy. Of the 25% that were decent, maybe 10% were truly great. So why are so many essays — from smart, capable students — so deeply mediocre? […]
Each year, Ivy League supplemental essay prompts offer insight into what the most selective institutions value in their applicants. For the 2025–26 application cycle, the “Ancient Eight” are urging students to reveal deeper aspects of who they are beyond grades and test scores. They are pushing applicants to dig deeper to reveal what they represent, […]
Cornell University, an Ivy League institution in Ithaca, New York, has an undergraduate population of over 15,000 students. Effective for students applying for Fall 2026 and beyond, first-year applicants are required to submit standardized test scores. However, each of Cornell’s undergraduate colleges has its own requirements for admission and a distinctive set of majors — […]
Carnegie Mellon University, a private “New Ivy” institution in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known for its engineering and computer science programs, as well as being the first college in the country to offer a degree in drama. CMU announced its School of Computer Science would once again require an SAT or ACT score, while the College […]
Over the past year, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly common tool in the college admissions process—especially when it comes to the personal essay. Students today are turning to AI platforms like ChatGPT, GrammarlyGO, and Claude to help them brainstorm ideas, generate outlines, and in some cases, even write full drafts. This rise of […]
Calling All Juniors!
Your August Edge Starts Here:
Application Boot Camp®
Complete your Common App and supplemental essays, build a school list aligned to your profile, and develop a clear admissions strategy—guided by the Top Tier Admissions team. In our 22 years running Boot Camp, our counselors have helped thousands of students earn admission to the country’s most selective colleges.