Top Tier Admissions
The passing of Labor Day signals the unofficial end of summer for high schoolers, and cooling fall breezes bring college application deadlines into view. In search of inspiration for starting their main Common Application essay, many seniors will turn to troves of examples like Johns Hopkins’ Essays That Worked or the Harvard Crimson’s book of […]
Princeton University, located in Princeton, New Jersey, is guided by its informal motto: “Princeton in the Nation’s Service and in the Service of All Nations.” This commitment to service is deeply embedded in the university’s culture and is reflected in initiatives such as Community Action, Bridge Year, and Venture Forward. With a student body of […]
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? […]
Dartmouth College, located in Hanover, New Hampshire, attracts students seeking a strong liberal arts foundation paired with Ivy League rigor. As the smallest of the Ivy League schools, this rural and rigorous college is known for its high-quality academics, emphasis on global learning, and a tight-knit, supportive campus culture. Dartmouth also stands out for its […]
The University of Chicago, an Ivy Plus school in Chicago, Illinois, is well known for its quirky and provocative supplemental essay questions inspired by its students, and this year their prompts are no exception. Applicants must respond to a classic “Why Us?” essay and then choose one of seven prompts to expound more on their […]
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.