Inside the Admissions Office: Advice from Former Admissions Officers

Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. Applying to U.S. universities as an international student? This episode breaks down exactly what you need to know. Former Admissions Officer Kevin (MIT, Brown, UChicago, Cornell) explains: ✅ How international students can highlight their cultural identity authentically ✅ What U.S. admissions officers really look for across different regions ✅ How to present local achievements in a way that resonates with American colleges ✅ Why personal essay storytelling matters more than “trauma dumping” ✅ What international student-athletes must know about recruitment ✅ The biggest global admissions trends affecting applicants right now Whether you’re applying from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, or anywhere else, this episode gives you insider clarity you won’t find on Google—and helps parents understand exactly how to guide their student through the U.S. admissions process. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog.  Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. In today’s shorter episode, Zak, a former Senior Assistant Director and Multicultural Recruiting Coordinator at Johns Hopkins University, responds to an email from a parent who’s considering homeschooling and trying to find the best path for a student-athlete with big basketball goals. Zak talks about common challenges homeschoolers face, like proving academic readiness, finding social opportunities, and building strong recommendations and activities outside the home. He also explains why getting an honest evaluation from a private coach matters when it comes to understanding athletic potential. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog.  Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. Yale graduate and InGenius Prep counselor Titania shares how she got into Yale and the exact strategies that helped her stand out in the admissions process. She talks about what made Yale the right fit, how she approached Yale essays and interviews, and the parts of the experience that students rarely hear about.  --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog.  Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into Washington University in St. Louis (WashU)—often called a “hidden Ivy” for its exceptional academics, selective admissions, and unique student experience. 🎯 Pro Tip: Don’t get caught up in rankings—academic stats matter, but your personality, story, and fit can make all the difference. In this episode, Ariel shares: ➜ What makes WashU’s campus and community feel like a true “fit” ➜ The most memorable applications and essays she’s ever seen ➜ Insider tips on interviews, letters of recommendation, and application strategy ➜ How to find your perfect college fit beyond rankings ➜ Fun WashU traditions like Moonlight Breakfast (yes, pancakes at midnight!) ➜ Her top 3 actionable tips for students prepping EA/ED applications. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog.  Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. In this episode, we delve into key takeaways from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Conference. Our experts, Katherine—Director of Undergraduate Services, and Pia—Director of Counselor Management at InGenius Prep, share their firsthand experiences and valuable insights from attending the event. Tune in to get up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in college admissions. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog.  Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

EXCLUSIVE VIRTUAL EVENT: Two Students. One Spot. Who Gets In? Watch Former Admissions Officers battle it out live in the first-ever Admissions Showdown—where you’ll witness the debates, the behind-the-scenes decision-making, and the exact factors that determine who gets in. Curious what actually happens after you hit submit on your college application? Join us on September 23rd and experience it firsthand. Reserve yours now and see what makes them say YES. Here's the link to register.  Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. MIT admits less than 5% of applicants each year. If you or your teen has MIT at the top of the college list, you need more than perfect grades and test scores to stand out. In this episode, former MIT and Ivy League admissions officers share the hidden details behind successful MIT applications: 🔹 What a strong STEAM profile actually looks like 🔹 The types of projects and research experiences that grab MIT’s attention 🔹 Why creativity, curiosity, and initiative matter as much as raw talent 🔹 How to frame supplements so they connect with MIT’s hands-on, problem-solving culture Whether you’re preparing for engineering, computer science, or math competitions, this episode gives you the insider perspective on what MIT admissions is really looking for. 👉 Follow us for more straight-from-the-admissions-office advice. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog.  Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

EXCLUSIVE VIRTUAL EVENT: Two Students. One Spot. Who Gets In? Watch Former Admissions Officers battle it out live in the first-ever Admissions Showdown—where you’ll witness the debates, the behind-the-scenes decision-making, and the exact factors that determine who gets in. Curious what actually happens after you hit submit on your college application? Join us on September 23rd and experience it firsthand. Reserve yours now and see what makes them say YES. Here's the link to register.  Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. RISING SENIORS: This is your last shot to get everything in place for college apps. Our Application Counseling Program helps you stay on track, craft a standout application, and improve your chances of getting into a Top 10 school, by up to 7x: https://hubs.la/Q02WyJTt0 In this episode, a Former UChicago Admissions Officer answers YOUR most-asked questions about college essays, GPAs, extracurriculars, and the holistic admissions process. 👉 Get expert advice on writing personal statements, tackling challenging topics, and how admissions officers evaluate your application. Perfect for high school students preparing to apply to top universities. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog.  Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

EXCLUSIVE VIRTUAL EVENT: Two Students. One Spot. Who Gets In? Watch Former Admissions Officers battle it out live in the first-ever Admissions Showdown—where you’ll witness the debates, the behind-the-scenes decision-making, and the exact factors that determine who gets in. Curious what actually happens after you hit submit on your college application? Join us on September 23rd and experience it firsthand. Reserve yours now and see what makes them say YES. Here's the link to register.  Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. RISING SENIORS: This is your last shot to get everything in place for college apps. Our Application Counseling Program helps you stay on track, craft a standout application, and improve your chances of getting into a Top 10 school, by up to 7x: https://hubs.la/Q03BtBZ50 Join us as Shannon, who’s taught literature and writing at Yale and Ohio State, breaks down two standout personal statements from students accepted into top colleges and Ivy programs. We dive deep into each essay—one takes a traditional topic and makes it deeply personal, while the other uses a creative structure and bold voice. Shannon analyzes what makes them successful, how they reflect each student’s identity, and the key lessons you can apply to strengthen your own writing. This is a very detailed analysiss—perfect for students, parents, or anyone looking to master the art of the personal statement. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog.  Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

FREE RESOURCE: Want personalized help with your application strategy? Book a free 1:1 call with one of our Former Admissions Officers here: CLICK HERE. RISING SENIORS: This is your last shot to get everything in place for college apps. Our Application Counseling Program helps you stay on track, craft a standout application, and improve your chances of getting into a Top 10 school, by up to 7x: https://hubs.la/Q03BtBZ50 From ultra-competitive majors like Computer Science to the explosion of AI-generated essays, the game is changing fast, and top colleges are responding. Should you rethink your major? How are elite schools adapting to the rise of AI? And most importantly: how can you stand out in the most competitive applicant pool yet? We’re breaking it all down with real data, insider insights, and a proven strategy that has helped thousands of students get into top schools. Watch until the end. This could change the way you approach your college apps. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog.  Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.

Need help with your college applications? Set up a complimentary strategy call with our team of admission experts: CLICK HERE. Meet Brendan, one of our standout students at InGenius Prep. This fall, he’s off to Duke University to study biology and medicine. But what truly set Brendan apart wasn’t just his impressive accomplishments. It was the self-awareness, consistency, and personal growth he showed throughout the application process. With the guidance of our expert counselors, Brendan built a compelling, authentic narrative that highlighted who he is beyond the resume. Take a closer look at Brendan’s high school journey, from his impactful internship to meaningful volunteer work and leadership activities. You'll see how each experience helped shape his application persona and how our team helped him tie it all together into a compelling, authentic story. --- Register for our upcoming webinars. We also offer tons of free resources on our website/blog.  Questions, comments, or topic requests? Email jilian.yong@ingeniusprep.com. To learn more about InGenius Prep, visit us at ingeniusprep.com.