Top Tier Admissions
I love acronyms. Always have. Remember learning the order of mathematical operations by memorizing PEMDAS? HOMES for the Great Lakes? And the ever-popular ROYGBIV, the most colorful (and song-worthy) of all. These mnemonic devices have a place in our memory (and possibly hearts) because they cast us back to a time when a simple acronym […]
With college admissions becoming more competitive, many families wonder if demonstrated interest is the secret key to standing out. The reality? There is no universal formula. Some schools weigh it heavily, while others do not look at it at all. The good news is that each school has a Common Data set that should tell […]
For decades, highly selective colleges have used a variety of academic metrics to evaluate applicants, particularly in the context of recruited-athlete admissions. One of the best-known examples is the Academic Index (AI), a numerical measure historically associated with Ivy League athletic recruiting. The Academic Index became widely known through Top Tier Admissions Co-Founder and CXO Dr. […]
For families of talented artists, musicians, actors, or dancers, the college application process brings a unique set of decisions. Beyond standard requirements—essays, activity lists, test scores, and transcripts—students presenting artistic talent must decide how to showcase those gifts to admissions committees. The key is finding the right educational environment: deciding whether your student will thrive […]
Regular Decision (RD) is the most popular college application deadline. Rather than rushing during winter break, spread the work across fall: draft supplements in October, refine applications in November, adjust to December Early Decision (ED) results, and submit before the holidays. A proactive plan will leave January free for portal confirmations, alumni interviews, and finalizing […]
The Senior Year Roadmap
Every deadline from August to May – test dates, applications. decisions – in one place. Signup to download the full 9-page Senior Year Roadmap (PDF)