Admit It! With Alexis White Admit it with Alexis White | Ep. 12 Ali Rosenthal
Dec 24, 2025
In this conversation, Ali Rosenthal, a Stanford alum and college admissions expert, shares her journey from competitive high school to the Ivy League. She opens up about the emotional challenges of applying to elite schools, including a deferment from Yale. Ali highlights the importance of an arts portfolio, revealing how her audition tape played a pivotal role in her acceptance. She also gives invaluable advice on crafting compelling personal essays and encourages students to embrace their unique passions, even the 'cringe' ones.
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Audition Tape Tipped The Scale
- Ali Rosenthal applied to many top schools after a Yale deferral and filmed audition tapes for arts portfolios to boost chances.
- Every school that accepted her audition tape admitted her, and schools without that option rejected or waitlisted her.
Don't Apply ED If You Need Aid Comparisons
- Avoid applying early decision if you need to compare financial aid offers because ED limits your ability to shop packages.
- Use regular decision to pit financial offers against each other and preserve leverage.
Submit Supplemental Media When Allowed
- Read application fine print and contact admissions to confirm whether you can submit supplemental media like performance videos.
- Use SlideRoom or private unlisted video links wherever allowed and submit during the application window.