The college admissions process is complex, and choosing the right support model is a critical first step. To help you make an informed decision, our team of experts has answered the most common questions parents have about these two service models.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a comprehensive college consulting package?

A comprehensive package is an all-inclusive, long-term partnership between a consultant, a student, and their family. Think of it not as a service you purchase, but as a strategic roadmap you embark on together. This model is designed to cover every facet of the college admissions journey, often beginning as early as 9th or 10th grade and continuing through the student’s final college decision in 12th grade. The core principle is holistic development and strategic positioning. A package typically includes an unlimited or very generous amount of time dedicated to a wide array of crucial components.

These components often include: initial student assessment and goal setting; multi-year academic planning to ensure course rigor; extracurricular and summer activity guidance to build a specialized “spike” or theme; developing a balanced and ambitious college list; comprehensive standardized testing strategy (SAT/ACT/AP); complete, end-to-end essay support for the Common App personal statement and all supplemental essays; interview preparation and mock interviews; guidance on letters of recommendation; application review; and support in making a final decision after acceptances are received. The key is that all these elements are integrated, ensuring a student’s application tells a cohesive and compelling story.

And what is hourly college consulting?

Hourly consulting is an “a la carte” or “pay-as-you-go” model where families purchase a consultant’s time for specific, isolated tasks. It is transactional by nature. A family might buy a block of five hours to be used for essay reviews or pay for a single one-hour session to brainstorm a college list. This model places the responsibility of managing the overall admissions strategy squarely on the family’s shoulders. The consultant acts as a temporary expert on a narrow issue, rather than a long-term strategic partner.

Common uses for hourly consulting include a final review of a completed application, a one-time critique of a personal statement draft, or a session to discuss a specific question about financial aid forms. While it offers flexibility, it is inherently reactive. The consultant is brought in to address a problem or review a finished product, not to proactively shape the student’s profile and narrative from the ground up. The advice is limited to the specific time purchased and the information provided in that session, lacking the deep context of the student’s multi-year journey.

Who is the ideal candidate for a comprehensive package?

The comprehensive package is unequivocally the best model for students and families with high aspirations, particularly those targeting Ivy League universities, top-20 schools, or other highly selective institutions. The competition for these spots is so intense that a flawless application is merely the starting point; a strategically crafted narrative is what makes a student stand out. This model is also ideal for families who want to minimize stress and family conflict by outsourcing the project management aspect of the admissions process to an expert.

Furthermore, students who start the process early (in 9th, 10th, or early 11th grade) are perfect candidates. A package allows a consultant to provide proactive guidance that can fundamentally shape a student’s high school career, from choosing impactful extracurriculars to planning meaningful summer experiences. It is also well-suited for students who may be bright but are unsure how to translate their passions into a compelling admissions theme, or for those who benefit from the structure, deadlines, and consistent mentorship that a long-term partnership provides.

So, when does hourly consulting make sense?

Hourly consulting can be a viable option in a few very specific, limited scenarios. The ideal user is a family that is already extremely knowledgeable, organized, and confident in managing the entire admissions process themselves. This typically means the student has a very strong, well-developed profile and a clear application strategy already in place. In this case, they might use an hourly consultant for a “second opinion” or a final proofread of their main essay before submitting.

Another case is when the need is exceptionally narrow. For example, a family might have completed all 15 applications but needs a 30-minute consultation to understand the nuances of a particular financial aid form. Or, a student may have a finished application to a state university with no essays and just wants a quick review of the activities section. It’s crucial to understand that this model is for tactical, not strategic, support. For any family aiming for competitive schools, relying on hourly consulting is a high-risk strategy that often fails to address the holistic needs of the application process.

What are the biggest advantages of a comprehensive package over the hourly model?

The advantages are significant and directly impact the quality of the final application and the student’s admission outcomes. The primary benefit is strategic cohesion. A package consultant understands the student’s entire story—their academic record, personal passions, and future goals. They ensure that every part of the application, from the activity list descriptions to the supplemental essays, reinforces a central, powerful narrative. This is impossible to achieve in a fragmented, hourly approach.

Another key advantage is the shift from reactive to proactive guidance. An hourly consultant hired in senior year can only work with the material they are given. A package consultant, working with a student from 10th grade, can advise them to pursue a specific summer research opportunity that becomes the cornerstone of their application two years later. This long-term relationship also fosters deep mentorship and trust, allowing the consultant to draw out a student’s most authentic and compelling qualities for their essays. Finally, packages provide cost predictability and stress reduction. The flat-fee structure eliminates “clock-watching,” so families feel free to ask questions and engage deeply, while the consultant manages the timeline and deadlines, preserving family harmony.

Can hourly consulting actually become more expensive than a package?

Yes, and it happens more often than families think. The initial low price of an hourly rate is deceptive. A truly comprehensive admissions process involves dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of work. Let’s consider just the essays. A student applying to 10-12 competitive schools will likely write over 20 supplemental essays in addition to their main personal statement. If a family pays an hourly consultant for brainstorming, outlining, and multiple rounds of review for each of these essays, the costs can skyrocket.

Imagine an hourly rate of $300. A student needs help with their main essay (3-4 hours), 20 supplements (averaging 1 hour each for brainstorming and two rounds of review = 20 hours), plus sessions for college list building (2 hours), activity list phrasing (1 hour), and interview prep (2 hours). This quickly adds up to 28 hours, totaling $8,400. This figure can easily surpass the cost of a comprehensive package, yet it comes without the strategic oversight, long-term planning, and integrated support that a package provides. With hourly billing, you get a series of expensive transactions; with a package, you get a cohesive, value-driven strategy.

How does a comprehensive package help build a student’s “story” or “narrative”?

This is perhaps the most critical function of a package consultant in today’s admissions landscape. Top colleges don’t just admit students with high stats; they admit interesting people who will contribute to their campus community. A student’s “story” is the theme that connects their achievements and demonstrates their unique character and potential. A package consultant acts as a narrative strategist.

The process begins early, by helping a student identify and cultivate their genuine interests. For a student interested in environmental science, the consultant might help them find a local conservation project, suggest relevant AP courses, guide them toward a summer program in ecology, and encourage them to start a recycling club at school. Over two or three years, these individual data points coalesce into a powerful narrative of passion and impact. When it’s time to write essays, the consultant, who has witnessed this entire journey, can help the student articulate this story with authenticity and depth. An hourly consultant, seeing only a finished resume, can only polish the surface; they cannot help build the foundational narrative that makes an applicant truly memorable.

For early planning in 9th or 10th grade, which model is better?

There is no contest here: the comprehensive package is the only effective model for early-stage planning. The entire purpose of starting early is to engage in long-term strategy, which is fundamentally incompatible with the transactional nature of hourly consulting. In 9th and 10th grade, the focus is on building the foundation for a successful application. This involves strategic course selection to demonstrate academic rigor, guidance on which extracurriculars to pursue for depth and leadership, and planning for impactful summer experiences.

These are not one-hour conversations; they are ongoing dialogues that adapt as the student grows and their interests evolve. A package provides a multi-year roadmap that ensures the student is not just busy, but productive in a way that aligns with their future admissions goals. Trying to manage this long-term strategic process with sporadic, one-hour consultations would be like trying to build a house by hiring a different architect for every single room—the result would be disjointed, inefficient, and structurally unsound.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision between a comprehensive package and hourly consulting hinges on your family’s specific situation and goals. While hourly consulting can provide a solution for a narrow, well-defined problem, it lacks the strategic foresight and holistic integration that are critical for success in a competitive admissions landscape. For the parent seeking the best possible outcome and the highest return on their investment, a comprehensive package provides a structured, proactive, and cohesive framework. This approach ensures that every piece of the student’s story—from their coursework to their essays—is strategically aligned to present the strongest possible case to admissions committees.

Understanding these models is a key part of learning how to choose the best college counselor for Ivy League schools and other top universities. By investing in a comprehensive plan early, you empower your student with a significant strategic advantage, turning a stressful process into a journey of thoughtful self-discovery and successful outcomes.

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The post Comprehensive Packages vs. Hourly Consulting: Which Model Is Right for You? first appeared on Great College Advice.

Hiring a college consultant is a significant financial decision, and the best outcomes come from thorough vetting. Quality consultants welcome hard questions—they understand that informed families make better clients. The following questions will help you evaluate credentials, understand what you’re paying for, and determine whether a particular consultant is the right match for your student’s needs and your family’s goals.

How can I tell if a consultant will be a good fit for my student?

A good student-consultant fit is essential for success in the college application process. This relationship will span months, and even years, of intensive work, including deeply personal essay writing and high-stakes strategic decisions. Before committing, your student should have an introductory meeting with the potential counselor.

Jamie Berger, a veteran college admissions expert, describes the key consideration: “What’s most important is that the kid meets the counselor and thinks, who do I want to meet with once a week for 30 weeks? Who am I going to work well with?”

During this initial meeting, quality consultants ask thoughtful questions to form a genuine personal connection while assessing the student’s counseling needs:

Topics typically include hobbies and extracurricular activities, what the student likes and dislikes about school, recent trips or experiences, books they’ve read, what makes them nervous about the college process, academic performance, and their goals. The counselor should demonstrate genuine curiosity about your student as an individual.

Parents may briefly attend these initial meetings to say hello, but should step back to allow the student-counselor dynamic to develop naturally. As Jamie notes, “If the parent starts talking, very often the kid is not going to.” 

After the introductory meeting, a reputable firm will follow up by demonstrating the connection they’ve formed—showing they understand your student beyond just their transcript and test scores. This upfront investment in understanding both the student and the family is what enables the creation of a truly personalized plan, one tailored to your student’s unique strengths, goals, and family circumstances. One community member observed that the best consultants “really try to understand your kids’ needs, what their ambitions are, where they can go.”

What are some good questions to ask the counselor before committing?

Experience

• How many years of experience do you have in college admissions?
• What is your professional background—did you work in admissions, education, or another field?
• Do you work independently or as part of a team? If part of a firm, will I have access to other counselors’ expertise?

Fit and Process

• Can my student have an introductory meeting with the counselor before we commit?
• How do you get to know each student as an individual?
• What does your onboarding process look like? How do you understand both my student’s needs and our family’s priorities?
• How often will you meet with my student, and how does that change throughout the process?

Services and Approach

• What’s included in your packages? What’s not included?
• How do you approach essay support—brainstorming, editing, or both?
• How do you help students build a balanced college list?
• Do you offer support for specialized situations like athletic recruiting, arts portfolios, or BS/MD programs?

Philosophy and Expectations

• What should we realistically expect from working with you?
• How do you handle disagreements between students and parents about college choices?
• Do you guarantee admission to specific schools? (Be wary if the answer is yes—no ethical consultant can promise specific outcomes.)

Logistics

• What is your fee structure, and what payment options are available?
• Do you work with students in my geographic area, or does location matter?
• What’s the best way to communicate with you, and how quickly can I expect responses?

What is the typical cost of college consulting, and is the investment worth it?

College consulting costs typically range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars for comprehensive packages, with variations based on service scope, starting grade level, and firm reputation.

When evaluating ROI, consider multiple factors beyond just admission outcomes.

Merit Aid Potential

 “The sticker price might seem large, but it might save you $20,000 a year by getting more merit aid at a college. You can’t guarantee it, but it might very well—often does,” explains Jamie. At many colleges and universities, merit-based scholarships are closely tied not only to grades and test scores but also to how effectively students present themselves in applications. Strategic guidance can significantly impact these outcomes.

Hidden Gem Discovery

 Quality consultants help identify excellent schools you hadn’t considered that offer strong merit aid and a great fit. “If we help you find some hidden gems, some off-the-beaten-path schools more in your target and likely area that you hadn’t thought of, then it’s well worth it.”

Resource Gap Filling

 For families at schools with limited counseling resources, private consulting fills a critical gap. “If you go to a big public school and you know there’s almost no college counseling—especially if you made the decision for public school over private and can spend the money on this now—it will definitely serve you with personalized attention through the whole process.”

Long-Term Fit

 Finding the right college fit often leads to better academic performance, higher graduation rates, and stronger career outcomes. As one community discussion noted, getting into a college that’s perfect for you means you’ll do better academically because you’ll be happier there, leading to a stronger career trajectory.

Be wary of consultants who promise specific admission outcomes—no ethical consultant can guarantee admission to particular schools. The real value lies in helping your student understand themselves better, sharpen their thinking about their future, and get through the process with less stress. Focus on process goals—a smooth experience where your student grows—rather than outcome goals like “get into Harvard.” When the process works, students come out more self-aware and ready for college, no matter where they end up.

How should essay support work without crossing ethical lines?

Ethical essay support focuses on helping students find and express their authentic voice—not writing essays for them. This distinction is crucial both for integrity and for producing essays that actually work in the admissions process.

Jamie explains the common mistake high-achieving students make: “The essay that writes a resume that duplicates their activities list is the worst possible essay. Imagine being an admissions officer reading 40 applications a day, and you come to one that’s just a reiteration of all that stuff that’s already right there on paper. You don’t get to know the kid at all.”

Quality consultants guide students away from trying to “gamify” the process. “What the student should do in writing their personal statement and supplementals is try to dig somewhere they haven’t been before—to be truly self-reflective and give an honest answer.” The goal isn’t figuring out what admissions officers want to hear; it’s authentically revealing who the student is.

The essay development process with a quality consultant typically spans months. “The reason we spend months writing that main essay and those supplementals is because students have to shed that gamifying mindset and just do it authentically, not try to do it ‘right.'”

Expect your consultant to provide brainstorming guidance to identify meaningful topics, structural and strategic feedback, editing suggestions for clarity and impact, multiple rounds of revision, and respect for the student’s voice throughout. They should not write or rewrite passages in their own words or promise to make essays sound “professional.”

Quality firms maintain clear boundaries around parent involvement. Jamie describes receiving requests like “Johnny won’t show me his essay. Please share it with me.” His response: “No. Flat no. You and Johnny have to work that out. It’s not my essay, it’s Johnny’s essay.” Consultants who share student work with parents without permission are potentially impacting the student’s self-confidence and damaging the relationship they have built with the student

What’s included in a comprehensive consulting package versus hourly services?

At Great College Advice, our comprehensive packages are designed to support your student through every aspect of the college application journey. Here’s what’s included:

• Full suite of assessments and evaluations to get to know the student, 
• Support choosing high school courses and extracurricular activities, 
• Robust curriculum covering the entire college application process, 
• Regular meetings with counselors, 
• Counseling around potential majors and academic paths, 
• Guidance in developing personalized college criteria, 
• Strategic college list designed around those criteria, 
• Application strategy tailored to the student’s list, 
• Brainstorming and editing assistance for the Common Application personal essay, 
• Support for multiple additional essays, 
• and guidance in making the final college choice.

Elite packages add more intensive support for highly selective schools, including assistance with up to 25 supplemental essays, scholarship and honors program applications, and support across multiple application platforms.

Jamie prefers comprehensive packages over hourly billing: “If someone buys 10 hours from me and we’re just getting started, I don’t want to have to convince you to take 10 more. I want you on board from day one. A comprehensive package commits both the client and the counselor.”

The comprehensive approach also provides access to collective expertise. At Great College Advice, “there are six of us with well over 100 years of experience in college admissions. When you hire me, you’re hiring all six of us because we meet once a week, talk about our clients, ask questions, and bounce things off each other. We are all in different regions of the country with different expertise.”

Hourly services exist for families with specific, limited needs or budget constraints. However, they can feel transactional. We offer targeted services like essay-only packages or college list development as alternatives to full comprehensive support.

How often should my student meet with their consultant?

Meeting frequency varies based on where your student is in the process and what stage of work is underway.

Jamie describes the typical progression: “Some people like to hire earlier. I personally like to start working with students after sophomore year. I sometimes will meet students who are freshmen and help guide them in engaging in extracurricular activities.”

At Great College Advice, counselors would typically meet multiple times per year with freshmen and sophomores.

The intensive period—typically junior spring through senior fall—covers college research, list finalization, essay writing, application completion, and strategic decisions about Early Decision and Early Action applications. This phase requires the most frequent contact, often with weekly meetings. Quality consultants also remain accessible between scheduled meetings. 

Students are often encouraged to schedule their own meetings, developing the independence and calendar management skills they’ll need in college. “We encourage students to take charge of scheduling their own meetings with their advisor. This is a great step for students as they develop independence. They will need to do this on their own in college anyway, so why not start now?”

Parents typically attend specific milestone meetings when appropriate such as reviewing the preliminary college list, but the primary relationship is between student and counselor. After applications are submitted, consultants continue providing support through decisions, deferral strategies, waitlist management, and final enrollment choices.

Can an online or remote college consultant be as effective as a local one?

Remote consulting has become not just as effective as local options, but often superior for most families. Modern video conferencing (Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meet), cloud-based document collaboration (Google Docs), and digital communication tools make physical location largely irrelevant for the quality of counseling you receive.

Jamie notes that geography rarely limits effectiveness: “I help people get into the University of California, Stanford, and Occidental—lots of places 3,000 miles away from me.”

Remote consulting actually offers distinct advantages. You gain access to consultants with national and international expertise rather than being limited to whoever happens to practice in your area. Since college admissions is fundamentally a national competition, working with someone who has broad geographic experience and diverse student exposure provides a valuable perspective.

As Great College Advice’s blog notes, “College admissions is very much a national game. Even if you’re planning to stay close to home for college, you still may be competing against kids from across the country. For that reason, you really want someone with a broad, national perspective. Counselors can only develop that type of insight by working with students from across the country and even around the world. And only counselors who work online are afforded that kind of opportunity.”

The one scenario where local expertise might matter more is if you’re exclusively applying to in-state schools. “If you’re someone applying only to schools in your own state and you’re only interested in those, you might want someone local,” Jamie acknowledges. 

Online communication also often yields faster response times than scheduling in-person meetings. The convenience of not commuting to appointments saves time and reduces stress during an already demanding period.

Finding the Right Consultant for Your Family

The questions above give you a framework for evaluating college consultants on what matters most: legitimate credentials, genuine fit with your student, clear value proposition, ethical practices, comprehensive services, appropriate meeting cadence, and effective working arrangements. A quality consultant welcomes these questions because they understand that informed families become better partners in the process.

Remember that the goal isn’t finding someone to do the work for your student—it’s finding an experienced guide who will help your student do their best work while discovering colleges where they’ll genuinely thrive. The right consultant helps your family navigate complexity with confidence while keeping your student at the center of every decision.

For additional guidance on maximizing your student’s college application success, book a complimentary call with our team.

The post What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a College Application Consultant? first appeared on Great College Advice.

As veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger notes, high-level recruits often benefit from working with both athletic specialists and academic counselors, since “it’s a good idea, especially if it’s a kid who’s both academic and hoping to play a sport in college.” For comprehensive guidance on building a competitive application, explore our top-tier college application tips to maximize your chances.

When Should My Student-Athlete Start the College Recruiting Process, and What Does the Timeline Look Like?

The athletic recruiting timeline varies significantly by division level and sport, but starting early is essential for competitive programs. For Division 1 and high-level Division 3 programs, the recruiting process often begins freshman or sophomore year of high school.

As Jamie Berger notes, “A Division 1 recruit or a high D3 recruit might just be fine with their coach, but there are various ways to get help.” For families targeting Ivy League or top academic institutions with athletics programs, the timeline becomes even more critical because these schools have strict academic standards that must be met alongside athletic requirements.

Many families find success working with both an academic college counselor and an athletic recruiting specialist—particularly when the student is “both academic and hoping to play a sport in college but not necessarily going to be a recruit.” The dual approach ensures neither the athletic nor academic components of the application fall through the cracks.

A general timeline for serious recruits includes: building highlight videos and athletic profiles by freshman or sophomore year, starting direct coach outreach by sophomore or early junior year, and understanding that official visits and verbal commitments for D1 programs can happen as early as junior year for some sports. NCAA recruiting calendars vary by sport, so families should research the specific “dead periods” and “contact periods” for their student’s sport.

How Do I Create an Athletic Resume and Highlight Video That Will Actually Get a College Coach’s Attention?

Creating an effective athletic resume and highlight video requires strategic thinking about what college coaches need to see in a limited time. Your athletic resume should be a comprehensive one-page document that allows coaches to quickly assess fit.

Essential elements of an athletic resume include: current statistics and personal records, team achievements and individual awards, academic information (GPA, test scores, intended major), coach contact information, upcoming competition schedule, and physical measurements relevant to your sport.

For highlight videos, quality matters more than quantity—coaches often make decisions in the first 30-60 seconds. As one mom shared in the Great College Advice community about her son’s soccer recruiting journey: “He is already working the process with highlight videos and coach contacts. D3 may be his path—a smaller private college with engineering or finance. Or a smaller D1 school.”

Great College Advice’s Athletic Recruiting Add-On specifically includes “assistance creating your athletic resume” and “advice on ways to enhance student’s athletic profile presence.” Focus your highlight video on skills relevant to your position, include game footage (not just practice), and keep it under 3-5 minutes. Front-load your best plays and include identifying information (name, jersey number, graduation year) on screen throughout.

What Is the Difference Between D1, D2, and D3 Athletic Recruiting, and Which Is Right for My Student?

The three NCAA divisions offer distinctly different college athletic experiences, and understanding these differences is crucial for finding the right fit.

Division 1 schools offer the highest level of competition and, for revenue sports, athletic scholarships. However, as Jamie Berger points out, “Becoming a Division 1 athlete is kind of like going into a career training program for four years—you don’t get to have that full college experience.” D1 athletes often have 20+ hours per week committed to their sport, with extensive travel for competition.

Division 2 offers a balance of competitive athletics with more flexibility for academics and campus life, with partial athletic scholarships available in many sports.

Division 3 does not offer athletic scholarships but provides competitive athletics with a stronger emphasis on the overall student experience. Many academically-focused student-athletes thrive at D3 schools, especially NESCAC institutions and top liberal arts colleges.

As a Facebook group member explained in the Great College Advice community: “Only D1 schools can offer athletic scholarships, and those scholarships are tightly regulated by the NCAA. For example, there are 15 head-count scholarships for men’s basketball.” For families targeting elite academic institutions, D3 and Ivy League (which is D1 but doesn’t offer athletic scholarships) often provide the best combination of athletic competition and academic rigor.

How Does Athletic Recruiting Actually Help My Student’s Chances of Admission at Highly Selective Schools?

Athletic recruiting can provide a significant admissions advantage at highly selective schools, but it requires understanding the nuances of how athletic support works at different institutions.

For Ivy League and top academic schools, coaches can provide “support” for recruits during the admissions process, though this works differently than at schools offering athletic scholarships. A parent in the Great College Advice community, whose child was recruited to MIT, explained: “My kid is a recruited athlete at MIT. You should have received a pre-read from admissions. For the pre-read, my son submitted much more than his transcript and his test scores, and he sent the materials through the coach, not directly to admissions.”

This “pre-read” process is common at elite academic institutions—coaches or admissions athletic liaisons submit candidate profiles to admissions to get an early read on whether the student meets academic thresholds. A positive pre-read doesn’t guarantee admission, but it signals that admissions is willing to consider the applicant with coach support.

Great College Advice’s Athletic Recruiting Add-On includes “integration of athletic recruiting prospects with college list development” and “topline assessment of coach interest” to help families realistically evaluate where athletic ability might provide an admissions advantage.

How Should My Student-Athlete Balance Sports Commitments with Academics and Extracurriculars for College Applications?

For student-athletes, the concept of being “well-lopsided” is particularly relevant and liberating. According to the Great College Advice Family Handbook, “Demonstrating an ongoing, in-depth commitment to an activity is more important than the activity itself. Students do not have to do everything; rather, they should be well-lopsided.”

Well-lopsided students have superior talents in one or two areas. Admissions officers at the most highly selective colleges like to see students who have well-defined interests in which they excel and exhibit leadership.”

For serious athletes, your sport can absolutely be that primary area of excellence. Jamie Berger emphasizes that “the activities are going to distinguish the people who aren’t just going to get in based on being the very best at everything.” For student-athletes seeking to attend highly selective universities, athletic achievement can serve as your distinguishing factor—but only if your academics remain strong.

“Grades trump extracurricular involvements in the application process,” the handbook notes. “Only in rare instances will extracurricular achievement outweigh academic weaknesses.” The key is demonstrating depth and commitment to your sport while maintaining the grades that selective schools require, rather than spreading yourself thin across many activities just to fill your application.

For athletes, summer, training camps, competitions, and sport-specific development are perfectly appropriate uses of time. As one parent noted about her daughter, who wants to pursue law school eventually: “What she does in high school will be irrelevant to applying to law school. She should explore her interests and do whatever she wants to do in high school. As an example, one kiddo I know who is a 2L [second year law student] this year played softball all through high school. No DECA or MUN. Just played softball all year round, and was a recruited athlete. It’s fine.”

What Should My Student Communicate to College Coaches in Their Outreach Emails, and How Often Should They Follow Up?

Effective coach outreach requires personalization, professionalism, and persistence without being pushy. Great College Advice’s Athletic Recruiting Add-On includes “guidance on student outreach to coaches” as a core component of the service.

Your initial email to a college coach should include: a brief introduction and graduation year, your academic profile (GPA, test scores), athletic statistics and key achievements, links to your highlight video and athletic profile, your genuine interest in their specific program (mention something specific about their team or school), upcoming competition schedule where they might see you compete, and your contact information plus high school and club coach contacts.

Follow up every 2-4 weeks if you haven’t heard back, but always add new information—updated stats, recent competition results, or academic achievements. Don’t just resend the same email.

A parent in the Great College Advice community whose son went through MIT squash recruiting, offers this insight: “MIT athletic recruiting is different from Ivy League or NESCAC athletic recruiting.” Each program has its own communication preferences and timeline, so research each school’s recruiting process specifically.

Most importantly, the outreach should come from the student, not the parent. Coaches want to see initiative and genuine interest from the athlete themselves. Parent involvement in communication with coaches is generally viewed negatively and can hurt your student’s chances.

My Student Is a Strong Athlete but Might Not Be Recruited—Should They Still Mention Their Sport on Applications?

Absolutely—athletic participation demonstrates valuable qualities even without recruitment. Jamie Berger explains the crucial role activities play in distinguishing applicants at elite schools: “MIT and the most selective schools get the pick of the litter of kids with the highest achievements, grades, and scores. The only way they distinguish them from each other is through those activities.”

Being a committed varsity athlete—even without recruitment—shows time management, discipline, teamwork, and the ability to balance demanding commitments. These are exactly the qualities admissions officers want to see in applicants.

The key is how you present it. Rather than simply listing “varsity soccer” on your activities list of the Common App, describe your role, growth, and contributions meaningfully. Did you captain the team? Help develop younger players? Overcome an injury to return to competition? These narratives humanize your application and reveal character.

For students considering walk-on opportunities, this is worth exploring. As one community member noted about her daughter: “She’d be a walk-on there. If she does end up at a big public school, it will likely be Bama. She’ll qualify for a presidential scholarship and maybe more.” Some students successfully walk on to college teams, and expressing that interest in your application—particularly in the “Additional Information” section—can demonstrate continued commitment to your sport and provide another point of connection with the campus community.

Get Expert Guidance on Athletic Recruiting

Navigating the athletic recruiting process while building a competitive academic profile requires strategic coordination. Great College Advice offers an Athletic Recruiting Add-On for families working with comprehensive packages, which includes an educational foundation about recruiting, athletic resume assistance, profile enhancement advice, coach outreach guidance, assessment of coach interest, and integration of athletic recruiting with your college list development.

For more comprehensive strategies on building a standout application, visit our guide on top-tier college application tips to maximize your chances.

The post How to Make Your Student Profile Stand Out in Athletic Recruiting first appeared on Great College Advice.

Counselling costs typically range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands, depending on service level, with ROI measured in increased merit aid, reduced stress, and—most importantly—finding the right fit college for your student.

What Are the Best College Admissions Consulting Services for Ivy League Applicants?

The best college admissions consulting services for Ivy League applicants are those with experienced counselors who offer comprehensive packages, not just hourly support. Look for firms with counselors who have backgrounds in admissions departments, academia, and high school counseling.

According to Jamie Berger, a veteran college admissions expert with decades of experience, “When you hire me, you’re hiring all six of us because we meet once a week, talk about our clients, ask any questions, and bounce things off each other. We are all in different regions of the country with different expertise.”

A team with over 100 combined years of experience brings diverse perspectives essential for elite admissions. Elite comprehensive packages should include strategic guidance for the most selective universities, individualized research for summer opportunities, support for up to 12 applications with 25 essays, and guidance across multiple application platforms, including the Common App, Coalition, and UC applications.

Learn more about the application strategy for competitive colleges.

How Much Does a Private College Counselor Cost, and Is the ROI Worth It?

Private college counseling typically ranges from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands for comprehensive packages, though premium services can cost more. According to Jamie Berger, a highly acclaimed college admissions counselor, “In terms of increased merit aid and finding the perfect fit, I think it’s totally worth it. And if I were a parent today with a kid, especially a kid without much college counseling, I would definitely hire someone.”

The ROI comes from multiple sources: strategic college list development that identifies schools likely to offer merit scholarships, essay coaching that strengthens applications, and expert guidance through the Early Decision strategy that can significantly impact admissions odds.

Pricing is all over the map in the industry, based on geography and experience. For example, New York-area consultants charge a lot more than areas like our home state of Colorado, Texas, or the Southeast. 

What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a College Application Consultant?

Before hiring a college consultant, ask these critical questions:

1. What is your counselor’s background? “A lot of people in our profession come from having worked in admissions departments, and others come from more academic backgrounds,” notes Jamie Berger. Different backgrounds offer different strengths—admissions experience provides an insider perspective, while academic backgrounds often mean stronger writing support.
2. Can my student meet with potential counselors before committing? As Berger emphasizes: “What’s most important is that the kid meets the counselors and thinks, who do I want to meet with once a week for 30 weeks? Who am I going to work well with?”
3. Do you offer comprehensive packages or hourly billing? Comprehensive packages create mutual commitment. Berger explains: “I don’t believe in reselling myself over and over. A comprehensive package commits both the client and the counselor.”
4. What does your team collaboration look like? Quality firms have counselors who regularly discuss clients together, bringing collective expertise to each family’s situation.

What Is the Difference Between an Independent College Counselor and a High School Counselor?

The fundamental difference lies in time, attention, and expertise. High school counselors at large public high schools typically manage 400–500+ students and must balance college counseling with academic advising, mental health support, and administrative duties. They often meet students for the first time in junior year and may not know them personally.

Jamie Berger, drawing from his experience at a prep school, observed: “These were students I had worked with all four years of their high school career. I knew them better than their college counselors. Their college counselors would meet them junior year and give them a list of colleges without really knowing them.”

Independent educational consultants offer individualized attention through regular weekly meetings throughout the application process. The high school counselor’s recommendation generally gives admissions officers a picture of the student within the entire school environment, while independent counselors focus on strategic positioning, essay development, and application optimization.

In very large public high schools, counselors may even indicate on recommendation forms that they have no basis to judge a student—admissions officers are aware of this challenge. Independent counselors fill this gap by providing the personalized guidance that school systems often cannot deliver.

When Should You Hire a College Admissions Consultant: Freshman Year vs. Senior Crunch?

The ideal timing is after sophomore year or the beginning of junior year. According to veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger, “I personally like to start working with students after sophomore year. I sometimes meet students who are freshmen and guide them to engage in extracurricular activities. Then counseling amps up and up and up.”

Starting too early carries one risk: “It couldn’t hurt, except by making a young person get too obsessed too early in the process. That’s why I think sophomore year is good.”

The key insight is that meaningful extracurricular development—the kind that top colleges value—requires years of deep engagement: “Deep, deep dives for four years into activities is what’s most valuable. The great well-rounded kid is not the ideal anymore.”

While senior-year support is still valuable in terms of essay and overall application support, families who wait until the fall of senior year to get started with an independent consultant may miss opportunities for strategic course selection, activity development, and early application planning. Learn more about when to hire a counselor.

Comprehensive Packages vs. Hourly Consulting: Which Model Is Right for You?

Comprehensive packages and hourly consulting represent fundamentally different approaches to the counselor-client relationship. Jamie Berger, a highly acclaimed college admissions counselor, explains his preference for comprehensive packages:

“At this point in my career, I only work with comprehensive packages for several reasons. I don’t like to bill people over and over. I also don’t believe in reselling myself over and over. If someone buys 10 hours from me and we’re just getting started, I don’t want to have to convince you to take 10 more.”

The comprehensive model creates mutual commitment: “I want you on board. And I’m on board from day one. You pay once now, and once next August, and that’s the way it is. A comprehensive package commits both the client and the counselor.”

Comprehensive packages typically include: a full suite of assessments to understand student strengths, support for high school course selection and extracurricular development, strategic college list creation, brainstorming and editing for all required essays, application review and submission guidance, and interview preparation.

Hourly consulting may seem more affordable upfront but can become fragmented and ultimately more expensive. Families who cannot afford comprehensive packages should look for firms that offer targeted services like college list development or essentials packages that provide core guidance at lower price points.

Online vs. Local College Counselors: Does Location Matter?

For most families, location no longer matters significantly. Jamie Berger, who has guided students to schools including the University of California, Stanford, and Occidental from 3,000 miles away in Massachusetts, explains: “If you’re someone applying only to schools in your own state and you’re only interested in those, you might want someone local, but generally it doesn’t matter much anymore.”

Virtual consulting has become the norm since 2020, with video meetings providing effective communication for weekly check-ins, essay reviews, and strategic discussions. What matters more than geography is expertise match: Does the counselor understand your target schools? Do they have experience with students in similar academic situations? Can they provide insights into specific admissions processes?

Multi-counselor firms often serve families across the country and internationally, with counselors based in different regions. This distributed model means someone on the team likely has regional expertise relevant to any student’s target schools.

Why Should I Hire a College Counselor, and When Might I Not Need One?

The decision to hire a college counselor depends on your family’s specific situation, and for some families focused on their local, regional colleges, Jamie Berger offers an honest assessment: “Maybe you shouldn’t hire one.”

However, he identifies key situations where professional guidance becomes valuable: limited school counseling resources, complex application strategies, need for essay development support, or targeting highly selective schools where strategic positioning matters.

The value proposition centers on expertise and perspective. A good counselor helps families avoid common mistakes, identify overlooked opportunities, and maintain realistic expectations. One crucial role: helping students develop “likely” colleges (the term “safety school” has fallen out of favor) that they would genuinely be happy attending.

As Berger emphasizes: “I will really push you to build a good list that you’ve worked as hard to come up with the schools at the bottom of it as you have on the top. Having happy likelies will lead to a happy outcome regardless.”

Beyond strategy, counselors provide emotional support through a stressful process—serving as a buffer between parents and students during sensitive conversations about realistic expectations.

For families considering cost-effectiveness, smaller packages like college list development or essential services provide core guidance at lower investment levels. Some counselors also offer pro bono support for families with financial constraints.

Ready to explore your options? Schedule a free consultation to discuss your family’s needs.

Great College Advice is a team of experienced college counselors that has been offering personalized college admissions consulting services since 2007. Our collaborative culture combined with our diverse backgrounds—including teachers, high school counselors, admissions officers, writers, and business professionals—means we can offer unique perspectives on the ever-changing world of college admissions.

The post How to Choose the Best College Admissions Consultant first appeared on Great College Advice.

How do admissions committees evaluate these confidential communications? Read this guide that can help your family make strategic decisions about which teachers to ask, when to ask, and how to position your student for the strongest possible endorsements.

How much weight do selective colleges give to letters of recommendation compared to other application components?

The weight colleges assign to letters of recommendation varies significantly based on institution type and selectivity. Larger state universities typically rely more heavily on quantitative metrics (GPA, test scores, and class rank) because their admissions offices process enormous application volumes. However, as selectivity increases, the importance of recommendations rises dramatically.

​”In general, the smaller a school, the more the essays and the letters of recommendation matter because the staff has more time to actually read them in depth. Big state universities are going to be more based on your data: your grades and your [test] scores. Honors colleges within those schools will read your essays more and read the letters [of recommendation] more carefully.”

— Jamie Berger, Veteran College Admissions Expert

For families targeting Ivy League and top 20 schools, this insight can change their entire strategy. These institutions perform “holistic” reviews where LORs can be as important as essays or interviews. Teachers have a clear view of the student’s ability and attitude in the classroom, and colleges genuinely want to learn from these observations. The recommendation provides context that transforms a transcript from a series of grades into a story about intellectual curiosity, resilience, and classroom presence.

​For comprehensive guidance on all aspects of the application process, see our Top-Tier College Application Tips to Maximize Your Chances.

What specific information do admissions officers look for in teacher recommendations?

Letters of recommendation contain two components that admissions officers evaluate carefully.

1. The first is a narrative account from the teacher’s perspective 

This is a qualitative assessment that ideally includes specific examples of the student’s achievements, general abilities, and attitude in class. The best narratives move beyond generic praise to show how a student thinks, engages with challenges, and contributes to the learning environment.

2. The second component is what Great College Advice calls the “Invisible Common App” 

These are the elements that students never see but that significantly influence admissions decisions. Teachers complete a rating grid with fourteen separate criteria, comparing the student not only to their current peer group but to all students the teacher has ever encountered. Counselors complete a separate evaluation with three criteria, assessing the student within the broader school context.

​The Invisible Common App: Beyond the narrative, teachers rate students on fourteen different criteria using checkboxes. These comparative ratings provide admissions officers with standardized data points across all applicants, revealing where a student truly stands against years of the teacher’s experience.

When written carefully, these recommendations paint a vivid picture of academic performance and potential. A teacher who can describe a student’s intellectual growth, participation quality, and genuine engagement provides far more valuable insight than one who simply confirms good grades.

Can a negative or lukewarm letter of recommendation hurt my student’s chances at competitive schools?

Absolutely, and this risk extends even to schools that don’t read recommendations extensively. The impact of a negative or ambivalent letter cannot be overstated.

“What’s important is that even the big schools that don’t read them that carefully, a negative letter they will notice, or a letter that hints at negativity, they will notice. So keep that in mind when you’re meeting those junior year class teachers for the first time,” notes Jamie.

This is why relationship-building matters as much as academic performance. A student who earns an A but remains “a stone-faced stoic kid who never speaks in class” — or worse, displays subtle dismissiveness — won’t inspire a compelling recommendation. Teachers need to genuinely know and respect the students to write authentically about their potential.

If a teacher declines a recommendation request, consider it valuable information. That person likely would not have written a strong letter, and a lukewarm endorsement can be more damaging than a missing one. Students should work with their counselor to identify alternative recommenders who can speak genuinely to their strengths.

When should my student ask for letters of recommendation, and how should they approach teachers?

Strategic timing and approach can significantly influence the quality of recommendations your student receives. The foundation is laid throughout junior year, with the formal request made before the school year ends.

As Jamie often says, “Your letters of recommendation are generally expected to be from junior year teachers. Be an engaged, active, committed student in your junior year classes. Come early or stay late. Chat with your teacher, but not superficially — find out what really intrigues you and engage them. You’re going to need two teachers. Figure out who your favorite two teachers are and dig in deep.”

The most important tactics are asking early and asking in person. The spring of junior year is the optimal window before teachers leave for summer, and while your student’s performance is fresh in their minds. Waiting until the fall of senior year means competing with dozens of other requests when teachers are already overwhelmed.

Best Practice Timeline:

• Junior Year: Build genuine relationships with teachers; engage authentically in class discussions
• Spring of Junior Year: Request recommendations in person, before the school year ends
• One Month Before Deadlines: Remind teachers of upcoming due dates
• After Submission: Send handwritten thank-you notes; update teachers upon college acceptance

Students should also prepare a “brag sheet,” a document containing facts about their activities, achievements, and goals that helps teachers write more detailed, specific letters. Many schools provide templates, but even a simple summary of accomplishments can help a teacher craft a more compelling narrative.

Should my student get a letter from a VIP, prestigious alumnus, or elected official?

In most cases, VIP recommendations backfire rather than help. Padding applications with impressive-sounding names signals a lack of substance rather than genuine qualification.

Unless a VIP knows your student genuinely well — meaning they can speak specifically to the student’s character, intellectual curiosity, and potential — such letters add nothing meaningful. Admissions officers immediately distinguish between authentic relationships and transparent name-drops. A senator who met your student once at a fundraiser cannot provide the insight that a teacher who watched your student grapple with challenging material for an entire year can offer.

In very specific instances, a VIP letter might help — for example, if a respected alumnus has mentored your student through a substantial research project or extracurricular endeavor. But families should consult with their counselor before pursuing this route. The bar for “knowing the student well” is high, and misreading this can make an application appear calculated rather than genuine.

Should my student waive their right to see their letters of recommendation?

Yes, your student should always waive this right. Colleges regard waived letters with significantly more credibility because they represent unfiltered, confidential assessments. When admissions officers know a student has potentially seen and approved a letter, they discount its authenticity.

The waiver signals confidence and maturity. It demonstrates that your student trusts their recommenders and has nothing to hide. Students who don’t waive their rights inadvertently suggest they’re managing their application image rather than presenting their genuine selves.

Occasionally, teachers or counselors will share letters after all applications have been submitted. If this happens, the information can be valuable for understanding how your student is perceived. But students should never request to see letters. The confidential nature of these communications is precisely what gives recommendations their weight in the evaluation process.

What’s the difference between counselor recommendations and teacher recommendations, and what if my counselor doesn’t know my student well?

Counselor and teacher recommendations serve distinct purposes in the application. Counselor recommendations give admissions officers a picture of the student within the entire school environment — academic standing, involvement in the school community, awards, and leadership. Teacher recommendations focus specifically on academic capabilities and classroom performance. Together, they create a three-dimensional portrait that transcripts alone cannot provide.

In large public high schools where counseling staff have been dramatically reduced, counselors may not know students individually. This is an increasingly common challenge that admissions officers understand. In worst-case scenarios, counselors may indicate on the form that they have no basis to judge a student, and selective schools will not hold this against applicants from schools where it’s the norm.​

However, families can take proactive steps to strengthen the counselor recommendation:

​Strategies for Large Schools:

• Connect with the counselor as early and often as possible, regardless of where you are in the process
• Complete parent questionnaires thoroughly — counselors often draw directly from these narratives
• Attend school college planning meetings when invited
• Provide the counselor with a “brag sheet” containing achievements and context they may not know
• Explore alternative ways to ensure admissions offices receive the supporting information they need

​The goal is to give the counselor enough material to write a compelling letter even without extensive personal interaction. The stories and comments parents provide in questionnaires often become the backbone of the counselor’s recommendation.

Ready to Maximize Your Application Strategy?

Letters of recommendation are just one element of a successful college application. At Great College Advice, we help ambitious families navigate every aspect of the admissions process — from strategic teacher selection to essay development to building a balanced college list.

Book a consultation to get personalized 1:1 college guidance.

The post How Do Colleges Use Letters of Recommendation? first appeared on Great College Advice.

Veteran college admissions counselor Jamie Berger is direct on this point: “No one can promise you which school is the easiest to get into for anything.” Rather than searching for mythical shortcuts to Ivy League admission, successful international students focus on building strategic, balanced college lists and presenting authentic, compelling applications that showcase genuine fit. 

For families navigating this competitive landscape, the key is understanding that a top-tier college application strategy isn’t about finding the “easiest” path—it’s about finding the right match for each student’s unique profile and aspirations.

Is There Truly an “Easiest” Top-Tier College to Get Into for International Students?

No, and families should be wary of any consultant who claims to have cracked this code. The admissions landscape at elite institutions is dynamic, competitive, and ultimately unpredictable at the individual level.

Jamie Berger, a highly acclaimed college admissions counselor with decades of experience, is emphatic about this reality: “Anyone who says they know, I wouldn’t trust. I don’t think there’s a good answer to that out there.” He specifically cautions against services that guarantee admission to top schools, noting that such guarantees are impossible to deliver honestly.

“There’s one noted company that guarantees admission to top schools,” Berger explains. “And I don’t know how they do it because they can’t guarantee that.” He describes how some such services operate a “shell game”—steering families away from their original targets toward less selective alternatives while collecting substantial fees.

The reality is that even the most traditional “hooks” are losing their power. “I have heard in recent years of kids with family names on buildings who have not been getting in,” Berger notes. “So even that legacy doesn’t have the power it once did at some schools.”

Instead of chasing the mythical “easiest” school, successful families focus on strategic list-building based on individual student profiles, with schools categorized as “reach,” “target,” and “likely” based on each student’s specific qualifications.

How Do Acceptance Rates at Top US Universities Differ for International Students?

International acceptance rates at highly selective American universities are generally lower than domestic rates, though institutions rarely publish detailed breakdowns by citizenship status. More importantly, aggregate statistics tell you very little about any individual student’s chances.

The Great College Advice Family Handbook emphasizes this crucial distinction: “Admission is not a matter of randomized statistics. If a student does not possess at least the minimum requirements for entrance to a particular college, they will not somehow sneak past the admissions gate.”

International students face several unique challenges in US admissions:

Financial aid complexity: Many elite institutions that are “need-blind” for domestic applicants are “need-aware” for international students, meaning your ability to pay can factor into admissions decisions. If you’re applying to schools that consider your ability to pay, that need could impact your student’s ability to gain admission.

Documentation requirements: International students must demonstrate English proficiency and navigate visa considerations that add complexity to the process.

Limited aid pools: Even at schools with generous financial aid, the pool available to international students may be significantly smaller than domestic allocations.

Rather than focusing on acceptance rate comparisons, students should assess where their individual profiles—academic record, test scores, extracurricular achievements, and personal story—create the strongest candidacy.

Should International Students Consider UK Universities as an Alternative to Highly Selective US Colleges?

Absolutely—and this option is gaining significant traction among both International and American families. According to recent data from UK admissions officials, applications from the US have increased 14% year over year.

Here are several compelling advantages of UK universities.

Time and cost efficiency: Students can complete a program in just three years, which is a cost savings for parents. Then kids can start their careers and their lives a year earlier.

Focused academic approach: UK universities don’t have general education requirements. Students dive right into their area of interest and focus solely on the courses needed for their major. This streamlined approach particularly benefits students who already know what they want to study.

World-class research opportunities: The Russell Group universities—including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Edinburgh, and St. Andrews—offer research opportunities comparable to Ivy League institutions. They have fantastic research through a group of universities called the Russell Group, with a lot of focus on hands-on research for our students.

Diverse international community: UK universities attract students from around the world. Edinburgh has 40% of its students as international, providing rich cultural exposure beyond even many US campuses.

Transparent admissions criteria: Unlike the US holistic admissions, UK universities evaluate applicants primarily on academic qualifications. It is not holistic admissions; they are looking at courses and grades, test scores, a personal statement, and a letter of recommendation, but just one.

Great College Advice recently had students accepted to University College London, the University of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, and other prestigious UK institutions.

What Are the Requirements for US Students to Apply to Selective UK Universities?

UK university admissions offer remarkable transparency compared to the opacity of the US holistic review. Students know exactly what academic benchmarks they need to meet, which allows for strategic planning.

Academic requirements: Selective UK universities require strong AP or IB scores from American applicants. For example, if a course requires three As on the A-levels, that translates into getting fives in three AP classes. Or above a six in IB classes.

For the most competitive programs, requirements are even higher. 

Application process: Students apply through UCAS (University and College Admissions Service) and can apply to a maximum of five courses. Importantly, you cannot apply to both Oxford and Cambridge—you must choose one.

Timeline: Oxford, Cambridge, and medicine/veterinary programs have an October 15th deadline. Most other UK universities have a January 15th deadline for “equal consideration.” UK admissions have a rolling feel—”If you apply in October, you could hear back within a month.”

Conditional offers: Since many US students are still completing senior-year AP courses at application time, universities issue conditional acceptances based on projected scores. You will either be admitted, or if you didn’t meet the scores, then you won’t be admitted. This means students may not receive final confirmation until July when AP scores arrive.

Different evaluation criteria: The personal statement focuses entirely on academic interest and preparation—not extracurricular activities. UK universities don’t really focus on your activities.

For students not meeting standard requirements, foundation year programs offer an alternative pathway to elite UK universities.

Is Financial Aid Available for International Students at Top-Tier US and UK Universities?

Financial aid availability varies dramatically between institutions and requires careful research for each school on your list.

US universities

 The distinction between “need-blind” and “need-aware” admissions is crucial for international students. While the actual act of applying for financial aid should have absolutely no bearing on whether or not your child gains admission at truly need-blind institutions, many elite US schools are only need-blind for domestic applicants.

If your family needs financial aid, and a certain college is not going to accept your student because of it, then you don’t want your child attending that college, anyway. 

Students without financial need do have an advantage in Early Decision rounds at US institutions. Many of the students accepted in the early round are full-pay students.

UK universities

The financial aid landscape differs significantly. In highly selective schools like St. Andrews, Edinburgh, and UCL, there’s not going to be merit-based scholarships because everybody there is a high achiever and would be deserving of some sort of merit.” This mirrors policies at Brown and other elite US institutions.

However, less selective UK universities offer merit aid specifically targeting American students. There are some scholarships that are specifically for US students. Aberystwyth, for example, offers free accommodations for the first year for US students.

American students can use federal resources abroad: “You can use your Pell Grants, and you can use your student loans from the US” at UK universities. Need-based aid called “bursaries” is available at some UK institutions, though availability varies by school.

For families where financial considerations are paramount, we recommend applying under non-binding plans to “comparison-shop their financial packages to see what you can afford once all of the decisions are in.”

What Makes an International Student’s Application Stand Out at Highly Selective Colleges?

The strategies for standing out differ significantly between US and UK applications, reflecting their fundamentally different admissions philosophies.

For US Holistic Admissions

 Depth trumps breadth. Great College Advice emphasizes developing “well-lopsided” student profiles—demonstrating exceptional commitment in areas of genuine passion rather than checking boxes with generic activities.

Strong teacher recommendations are critical. Jamie Berger advises students to select recommenders strategically: “Pick the ones who know you best, who seem to like you best, who you’re getting the best grades in, and who, from your impression of them, will put in the best effort to write that letter.” He recommends “one STEM and one non-STEM teacher in core courses—social studies, English, math, science. But that can be flexible depending on the school.”

Your unique international perspective can be an asset when presented authentically. The key is conveying how your background and experiences have shaped your intellectual interests and how you’ll contribute to the campus community.

For UK Applications

 Academic preparation is paramount. “It is not holistic admissions,” as one Facebook member emphasizes. “They are looking at courses and grades, test scores, a personal statement, and a letter of recommendation.”

Your personal statement must demonstrate passionate, informed engagement with your intended field. Since applications are reviewed by faculty rather than admissions officers, you need to convey genuine academic curiosity and readiness for specialized study.

Course selection during high school matters significantly. We recommend starting to work with a counselor before senior year, so that we can give advice on course selection that would benefit your application to the UK. 

There are usually more students applying for a course that meet the baseline than can be accepted. So that’s when the letter of recommendation and your personal statement come into play.

How Should International Families Approach Building a Realistic College List?

Abandon the search for an “easiest” elite school. Instead, develop a strategic, personalized list based on an honest assessment of your student’s profile and your family’s priorities.

1. Start with clear criteria: Developing a solid list of criteria during the college search is one of the most essential parts of the college application process.” These should include financial factors, academic programs, location preferences, campus culture, and size.
2. Be realistic about finances: “If the possibility of receiving financial aid or merit scholarships is a central or even secondary consideration, make sure that everyone in the family—and your counselor—understands this priority.” Research which schools meet full demonstrated need for international students before falling in love with a school you cannot afford.
3. Focus on individual fit, not prestige: We counsel families to “talk about ‘compatibility’ and ‘preferences'” rather than “perfect fits” and “dream schools.” The reality: “College is not really that much different from high school—or any other discrete period of life: there are highs as well as lows, great achievements as well as bitter disappointments.”
4. Think globally: Expanding your search to UK, Canadian, or European universities can dramatically improve options. Scotland’s four-year programs offer American-style flexibility with the ability to explore different subjects. Many European universities offer English-taught programs. There are a lot of ways to study abroad in English at all these great universities. 
5. Build a balanced list: Great College Advice helps families “identify and present 20+ colleges and universities that match the student’s academic, social, and personal needs, preferences, and ambitions; list divided into categories of ‘reach,’ ‘target,’ and ‘likely’ schools.”
6. Be strategic about Early Decision: If you need to compare financial aid packages, binding ED may not serve your interests. By applying Early Decision, you have essentially given up the right to compare financial aid packages.

The most successful outcomes come from finding a genuine fit rather than chasing rankings. Don’t think about aggregate statistics. Think about your own personal chances of admission.

For personalized guidance navigating international admissions to US and UK universities, Great College Advice offers specialized comprehensive packages with international university supplements. Our team includes experts in UK, Canadian, and European admissions who can help your family develop a strategic approach tailored to your student’s unique profile and aspirations.

The post Which Top Tier College is the Easiest to Get Into for International Students? first appeared on Great College Advice.

Whether you’re exploring Georgetown for its strong academics, vibrant student life, or international focus, this guide will help you decide if it’s the right fit — plus give you admissions insights to stand out in your application.

Quick Facts About Georgetown University

📍 Location: Washington, DC
🎓 Undergraduate Enrollment: ~7,800+ students (approx.)
📚 Student-to-Faculty Ratio: ~10:1
📖 Top Programs: International Relations, Business (McDonough School), Public Policy, Foreign Service, Sciences
🌍 Campus Style: Urban historic campus with modern resources

Georgetown is known for its strong emphasis on Jesuit values, global engagement, and a rigorous liberal arts core that empowers students to pursue deep intellectual and real-world impact. Prospective students are encouraged to demonstrate intellectual curiosity, civic engagement, and leadership in both academics and community activities — all qualities Georgetown admissions officers value highly.

Georgetown Admissions Snapshot — Class of 2029

Here’s a concise breakdown of the most recent admissions outcomes to help you understand how competitive Georgetown is:

Admissions Statistics for the Georgetown Class of 2029:

• Total Applications Received: ~26,800

• Total Students Admitted: ~3,200

• Overall Acceptance Rate: ~12%

• Early Action Acceptance Rate: ~11%; * Georgetown offers Restricted Early Action (REA)

• Regular Decision Acceptance Rate: ~12.3%

• Yield Rate: almost 50%

These numbers show Georgetown remains highly selective, with admission rates comparable to top national universities. Please note that beginning in the Fall of 2026 application cycle, Georgetown will finally be accepting the Common App.

* From the Georgetown admissions site re: Georgetown Early Action:

Georgetown’s Early Action program is grounded in the belief that students should be free to choose among colleges until the May 1, Candidate’s Reply Date. Accordingly, admitted Early Action students will have the same reply date as Regular Decision candidates.

In keeping with this principle, students applying under the Early Action program shall not apply to any binding Early Decision programs since they then would not be free to choose Georgetown if admitted. Students are, however, allowed to apply to other Early Action or other Regular Decision programs while simultaneously applying to Georgetown’s Early Action program.

Candidates not admitted under the Early Action program are deferred to the spring review. There is no statistical advantage in applying Early Action, as both our Early Action and Regular Decision pools will have roughly the same acceptance rate. Typically, about 15 percent of the candidates deferred from Early Action are successful during the spring review.

Watch Our Georgetown Campus Tour

Tip: When planning a visit, combine an official information session with a student-led campus tour to both experience the culture and gather valuable insights you can reference in essays or interviews. Seeing the walkable historic campus, academic buildings, and student spaces helps prospective applicants visualize life at Georgetown — essential for families weighing top-tier college options.

What Makes Georgetown University Unique

🏛️ Academic Rigor + Global Perspective

Georgetown blends a traditional liberal arts education with real-world opportunities in policy, diplomacy, and business — all supported by its location in the nation’s capital.

🌐 International Focus & Networking

Programs like the Walsh School of Foreign Service and study-abroad opportunities are hallmarks that set Georgetown apart. Its DC location means internships and professional experiences are integrated into student life.

🤝 Community & Jesuit Values

Georgetown’s mission emphasizes “cura personalis” — care for the whole person — which you can feel in the collaborative campus culture, service initiatives, and academic advising.

How to Get Into Georgetown

Georgetown uses a holistic admissions process — they are looking for students who combine strong academic performance with leadership, initiative, and evidence of meaningful contributions to their communities. Admission to Georgetown is competitive, but a strong strategy can help you stand out. Here are key areas to focus on:

• Build Academic Rigor: Take challenging Honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment courses if available and do well in them — Georgetown values depth and consistency in coursework.

• Highlight Leadership & Service: Demonstrate sustained impact through extracurricular leadership, community service, or projects that reflect growth and initiative.

• Connect Your Story to Georgetown’s Strengths: Whether it’s international relations, public policy, or a specific research interest, tie your passions to programs and opportunities unique to Georgetown.

• Prepare a Thoughtful Application: Beyond test scores and grades, essays and letters of recommendation need to convey what makes you unique and how your values will make you a valuable addition to the Georgetown campus.

These strategies help convey fit, one of the most important elements in Georgetown’s holistic admissions process.

Georgetown’s Common Data Set (CDS) indicates that academics (GPA, rigor, test scores, etc.) are deemed Very Important factors taken into consideration in the Georgetown admissions process. In terms of non-academic factors, it views character/personal qualities and talent/ability as very important as well. Note that demonstrated interest is not factored into the equation.

What is Georgetown Admissions Looking For?

To stand out:

• Connect your interests to Georgetown’s mission and offerings

• Highlight experiences that show growth, resilience, and engagement

• Reference specific resources, faculty, or opportunities unique to Georgetown

Show you understand what makes Georgetown special — that kind of insight resonates with admissions officers.

Final Thoughts: Is Georgetown Right for You?

Georgetown University is a top choice for students who want intellectual challenge, global engagement, and a rich campus community in an iconic urban setting. But it’s also selective, and your application should reflect depth, authenticity, and thoughtful fit.

If you’re serious about applying — especially to competitive programs like the Walsh School of Foreign Service or McDonough School of Business — a targeted strategy and strong personal narrative are key.

Ready to Start the College Admissions Process?

Feeling overwhelmed by Georgetown’s application process? Want personalized advice on how to craft your essays, strengthen your list, or prepare for interviews? Our college admissions consultants specialize in helping students showcase their best selves — from campus visit strategy to essay polish and interview prep.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. Book a free consultation to talk to us today!
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In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other.​

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The most common questions are conversational rather than interrogative in nature. Expect broad prompts, such as “Tell me about yourself,” and questions about your specific activities and interests. The key to success is authenticity.

Understanding interview strategy is just one component of a successful application to highly selective universities. For comprehensive guidance on every aspect of the admissions process, explore our top-tier college application tips to maximize your chances.

How Much Do Alumni Interviews Actually Matter for Ivy League Admissions?

Here’s a reality check that might surprise you: alumni interviews carry far less weight than most people assume. Jamie Berger, a veteran college admissions counselor who has guided students into MIT, Harvard, and other elite institutions, offers a candid perspective: “This may seem a little unbelievable, but college interviews matter very little in admissions. I do not know of any college where the interview is listed in their top 10 factors of admissions.”

This represents a significant shift from previous generations. When today’s parents applied to college, interviews often meant meeting with an actual admissions staff member who could become an advocate for their application.

And here’s a distinction that should reshape how you prepare: Ivy League interviews are conducted exclusively by alumni volunteers, not admissions officers. This matters because alumni interviewers—while enthusiastic advocates for their alma mater—do not sit in admissions committee meetings or make acceptance decisions. Their reports are one small data point among many. At smaller, highly selective liberal arts colleges, by contrast, you may interview with an actual admissions officer who will vote on your application.

This does NOT mean you should approach interviews carelessly. A disastrous conversation could raise red flags, and the interview demonstrates some level of interest in the school. But families should calibrate their anxiety accordingly. A positive interview rarely becomes the decisive factor in admissions decisions at highly selective institutions. Treat it as an opportunity to learn and connect, not a make-or-break evaluation.

Not All College Interviews Are Created Equal

Understanding who’s interviewing you—and why—can help you prepare appropriately.

Alumni Interviews (Ivy League, most large research universities)

Conducted by volunteer graduates who want to stay connected to their alma mater. These interviewers do not make admissions decisions, and their reports represent one small factor among many. A strong interview rarely tips the scales toward admission, though a notably poor one could raise concerns.

Admissions Officer Interviews (many selective liberal arts colleges)

Conducted by professional staff members who participate in admissions committee discussions. These interviews often carry more weight because the interviewer may directly advocate for or against your admission. Schools like Bowdoin, Wellesley, and Middlebury, among others, may offer these interviews.

What Specific Questions Should Students Expect During an Ivy League Interview?

One of the most reassuring facts about Ivy League interviews is that there are no trick questions. As mentioned before, the format is conversational, not interrogative, and the specific questions vary.

Jamie explains further: “The questions really depend on the interviewer. They’re given a template, but then they might end up just chatting about rugby for an hour, which would probably be one of the better interviews because that interviewer will come away and try to be really enthusiastic about that kid to the admissions office.”

That said, certain question types appear consistently across alumni interviews at selective schools. Expect broad conversation starters such as “Tell me about yourself” that invite you to share what matters most to you.

Questions about your academic interests, why you’re interested in this particular school, and what you hope to accomplish in college also appear frequently.

The conversational nature means the best preparation isn’t memorizing scripted answers, it’s developing genuine self-awareness so you can discuss your interests authentically, regardless of which direction the conversation takes.

How Should Students Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in a College Interview?

This open-ended question trips up many students because they default to reciting their resume. That’s precisely the wrong approach. Jamie emphasizes what interviewers actually want: “They (the colleges) have all your data. They don’t want to hear more about your data or your accomplishments. They want to get a little feel for who you actually are.”

Your application already lists your grades, test scores, activities, and awards. Besides your essays, the interview offers your only other opportunity to reveal dimensions of your personality that don’t fit neatly into checkboxes and character counts. Focus on one or two genuine passions or experiences that reveal your character, intellectual curiosity, or values.

Share what genuinely excites you, not what you think sounds impressive. Discuss challenges that shaped your perspective. Explain what you hope to contribute to a college community and why. The goal is to leave the interviewer with a sense of who you are as a person.

What Questions Should Students Ask the Interviewer?

Here’s a perspective shift that can transform your interview approach: you’re not just being evaluated—you’re also evaluating.
Jamie advises students to internalize this mindset: “Even though you really want them to accept you, you should go in with your questions about that school. You’re a potential customer of a product that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

This doesn’t mean treating education as a purely transactional exchange. But it does mean recognizing that the interview is a two-way street. You’re gathering information to make one of the most significant decisions of your young life. Approach the conversation with genuine curiosity about whether this institution is truly right for you.

Since Ivy League interviews are conducted by alumni volunteers rather than admissions officers, tailor your questions to what they can authentically answer—their lived experience at the school:

1. Ask about their undergraduate experience. What did they value most about their education? What surprised them about campus life? What do they wish they’d known as an incoming student?
2. Explore how the school shaped their path. How did their time there prepare them for their career? Did they discover unexpected interests or opportunities?
3. Inquire about the school’s culture and community. What kind of students thrived there? How would they describe the social and intellectual atmosphere during their time?
4. Ask what’s kept them connected. Why do they still volunteer as an interviewer? What about the school inspired lasting loyalty?

These questions can be substantive and even challenging when asked respectfully. As Jamie notes, “They can be kind of tough. Ask them nicely, and the person might not know—they’re just an alumni.”

How Should Students Prepare for an Ivy League Alumni Interview?

Effective interview preparation strikes a balance between practical logistics and substantive self-reflection. On the practical side, Jamie recommends straightforward presentation basics:

“Have a nice background, don’t have your room a mess, wear a nice shirt.”

Test your technology in advance and ensure good lighting and sound.

The deeper preparation involves understanding yourself well enough to discuss your interests, experiences, and goals authentically without sounding rehearsed. Review your application to refresh your memory on what you’ve shared, but don’t plan to repeat that information. Think about experiences and perspectives that didn’t fit in your written materials.

Research the specific school thoroughly. Getting to know their unique programs, culture, and opportunities allows you to ask informed questions and articulate genuine reasons for your interest. This research also helps you evaluate whether the school truly fits your goals. After all, interviews are information-gathering opportunities for you as much as for the institution.

Practice discussing your activities and interests conversationally with family members or mentors. The goal isn’t memorizing answers but becoming comfortable articulating your thoughts.

And last, but not least, show up open-minded and genuine, ready for whatever direction the conversation takes.

What Are the Biggest Mistakes Students Make During College Interviews?

The most damaging interview mistake is approaching the conversation with a “gamifying mindset.” Jamie observes this pattern frequently in anxious high-achieving students: “They fall into this gamifying mindset of what do they want me to say? When you’re dealing with the most selective schools in the country, that is just the wrong way to go about it. They’re getting thousands and thousands of applicants from kids who have always done what they think is the right thing to do. And they fall into kind of a cookie-cutter bunch of kids.”

Similarly, failing to prepare thoughtful questions about the school signals a lack of genuine interest or research.

Some students dominate the conversation without allowing natural dialogue, treating the interview as a monologue rather than an exchange.

Others swing to the opposite extreme, providing only brief responses that force the interviewer to carry the entire conversation. The ideal approach finds balance: engage thoughtfully with questions while remaining curious about the interviewer’s perspectives.

The most counterproductive mistake is excessive nervousness about a component that, as we’ve discussed, has a limited impact on admissions decisions. Channel that energy into authentic engagement.

How Should Students Handle the “Why This School?” Question Authentically?

Authentic answers to “Why this school?” require genuine research and honest self-reflection about fit. It’s not about generic praise that could apply to any selective institution.

Identify concrete aspects of the university that align with your actual interests and goals. Maybe a particular academic approach (interdisciplinary programs, small seminars, undergraduate research opportunities) matches how you learn best. Consider location factors, campus culture elements, or extracurricular opportunities that genuinely appeal to you.

The response should create a clear through-line connecting who you are to what this specific institution offers. Why does this particular school make sense for your specific goals and personality? Generic statements about prestige, rankings, or “excellent academics” fail this test because they could describe dozens of institutions.

The most successful interviews happen when students arrive as their genuine selves—curious, self-aware, and prepared to engage in meaningful conversation. That authenticity is impossible to fake and impossible to miss.

Need an Expert Counselor by Your Side?

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. Book a free consultation to talk to us today!
​
In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other.​

The post What Are the Most Common Interview Questions for Ivy League Applicants and How to Answer Them first appeared on Great College Advice.

However, the optimal balance depends on your student’s intended major, target schools, and individual strengths. As part of your comprehensive college application strategy to maximize admission chances, understanding how to balance is essential for standing out in the competitive applicant pool.

Which is more important for college admissions: high grades or hard classes?

This question generates more anxiety among families than almost any other academic planning decision. The honest answer, according to veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger, is that the best path is to take challenging courses and earn excellent grades in them.
“The higher the challenge and the higher the grade, the more seriously the most selective colleges will consider the applicant,” explains Jamie, drawing from decades of experience guiding students into elite institutions.

However, there’s an important nuance here. Each student is different, and sometimes it makes perfect sense for even a highly capable student to calibrate their course load based on their specific circumstances. The right balance depends on what schools and programs the student is targeting, their intended major, and their individual academic strengths.

For students aiming at the most highly selective institutions, one B in a challenging course is acceptable. But there’s a critical threshold: if a course threatens to “destroy their whole semester” just to earn a B, that student probably shouldn’t take that course.

The goal is to demonstrate academic excellence through strategic challenge. We do not want any of our students to suffer through an inappropriate course load that damages their overall performance.

Should my student take AP Calculus BC if they struggled in AP Calculus AB?

This specific scenario illustrates exactly why “it depends” is the most honest answer to the grades-versus-rigor question. Jamie puts it directly:

“If they eked out an A minus in AB and they hate math, should they take BC because everyone else is? If they’re not applying in a STEM field, there’s no one answer. It depends on what they’re applying to college for.”

The key factor is alignment between course selection and academic goals:

For STEM-bound students: If your student plans to apply for engineering, computer science, physics, or other quantitative programs at selective schools, continuing into Calculus BC demonstrates readiness for college-level mathematics. These programs expect to see that students have pushed themselves in math coursework.

For humanities or social science students: A student applying for English, History, Political Science, or similar majors has more flexibility. Struggling through Calculus BC just because peers are taking it doesn’t serve their application if their intended major doesn’t require it.

The most selective schools want to see students challenge themselves appropriately, not identically. A future English major who excels in AP Literature, AP Language, and multiple history courses while taking honors-level (not AP) math demonstrates intellectual rigor that aligns with their strengths and goals.

How do colleges evaluate weighted versus unweighted GPA?

Understanding the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA helps families make informed decisions about course rigor. Most high school transcripts display both metrics, and colleges use each for different purposes.

The unweighted GPA demonstrates the student’s overall academic performance on a standard 4.0 scale, treating all courses equally regardless of difficulty level.

The weighted GPA provides crucial context by giving additional points for honors, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. This rewards students for tackling harder coursework and helps communicate the relative rigor of courses completed.

An important perspective from the Great College Advice Family Handbook: “The GPA is an indicator only of a student’s relative performance within their school. It is a very unreliable indicator of how a student compares to peers at other schools, in other states, or even other countries.”

Since the U.S. has no national secondary school standards, comparing a 3.8 at a suburban Philadelphia high school with a 3.8 at an elite private boarding school is essentially impossible. Fortunately, admissions officers have sophisticated systems for making these comparisons as fairly as possible. The weighted GPA is a tool for understanding whether that 3.8 GPA came from AP-level coursework or standard classes.

Will one C in a challenging course ruin my chances at highly selective colleges?

This question haunts many families, but the answer offers more hope than you might expect: a single C does not automatically disqualify anyone from highly selective schools.

As the Great College Advice Family Handbook explains: “As with so much in college admissions, the answer is, ‘It depends.’ It depends on the course, the circumstances under which that C was earned, the year in high school it was earned (e.g., was it 9th or 11th?), and upon all the other elements of a student’s application.”

Several factors affect how damaging a C might be:

Timing matters: A C freshman year carries less weight than one junior year. Admissions officers look for growth trajectories. Early struggles followed by improvement tell a positive story.

Course context matters: A C in AP Physics while maintaining A’s in everything else suggests a student who challenged themselves beyond their comfort zone. That’s different from a C pattern across multiple subjects.

The rest of the application matters: Strong test scores, outstanding teacher recommendations, exceptional extracurricular achievements, and compelling essays can offset one imperfect grade.

Students should obviously try to avoid C grades when possible. But when they do appear on a transcript, experienced counselors can help explain the context in a way that minimizes negative impact.

Should students targeting selective schools take every available AP course?

For families aiming at the most selective universities, Jamie offers clear guidance: “If you’re applying to those most highly selective schools, you should try to do everything at the highest conceivable level you’ve gotten through.”

This means more than just taking available APs; it can mean going beyond what your high school offers. “If you’ve gotten through French four, is there a French five? Could you take a college course? If you like French, if you’ve gone to France—anything you can do that makes you beyond the highest achievements is great.”

However, the pursuit of rigor has a threshold where diminishing returns become counterproductive.

Consider this framework for decision-making:

• Green light: Taking a challenging course where you’re confident of earning an A or B+.
• Yellow light: Taking a challenging course where a B is likely: worth considering carefully based on major alignment and other factors.
• Red light: Taking a course that could damage your overall GPA with a C or worse just to show it on your transcript.

Some students and families have “ambitions… and there are certain areas where they just don’t excel,” notes Jamie. Forcing students into courses where they’ll struggle significantly can undermine the entire application rather than strengthen it.

How does intended major affect the grades versus rigor decision?

Your student’s intended major should significantly influence their course selection strategy. This isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about demonstrating genuine preparation and interest in their chosen field.

The Great College Advice Family Handbook notes: “Some colleges and universities do not require a student to declare a major in the admissions process. However, some schools within universities can be very selective: the business school at Boston College is generally harder to enter than the College of Arts and Sciences. Similarly, engineering schools can have more stringent requirements and admissions standards.”

Practical implications include:

STEM applicants should prioritize demonstrating strength in mathematics and sciences, even if it means pushing through challenging courses. An engineering applicant with a B+ in AP Physics and BC Calculus signals readiness for rigorous technical coursework.

Humanities applicants can emphasize depth in writing-intensive courses, languages, and history while taking a more moderate approach to STEM courses—though they shouldn’t avoid them entirely.

Business school applicants should show quantitative capability through math courses and potentially economics or statistics, demonstrating analytical skills.

The key insight is that course rigor should align strategically with academic direction. A future computer science major and a future philosophy major at the same highly selective school may have very different optimal course loads, and both can be admitted.

What role does class rank play in the grades versus rigor evaluation?

Class rank represents where course selection decisions show up most directly in your student’s profile, making it worth understanding how admissions offices actually use this metric.

According to a National Association for College Admission Counseling survey, admissions officials are generally paying less attention to class rank than in previous decades. However, approximately 32% of the most selective universities still give “considerable importance” to class rank because it conveniently measures both academic performance and curriculum rigor relative to classmates.

The Family Handbook offers a helpful perspective: “Before you start to sweat about whether your child is #15 or #25 in their class, remember that admissions officers ‘eyeball’ most admissions criteria. Generally, the most selective schools hope to admit a high proportion, if not all of their class, from among students graduating in the top 10% of their class.”

Think in percentiles rather than raw numbers: Is your student in the top 5%? Top 10%? Top 25%? These broader categories matter more than precise ranking.

Many high schools no longer rank students formally. Some provide colleges with general guidelines about where a student falls, while others offer no guidance at all. This neither helps nor harms applicants.
This is where strategic course selection becomes visible: the weighted GPA that results from taking challenging courses helps communicate not just performance, but the difficulty of the path that led to that performance.

Making the Right Decision for Your Student

The grades-versus-rigor question doesn’t have a universal answer, which is precisely why strategic guidance matters. Every student brings a unique combination of strengths, interests, and goals that should inform their course selection.

The most successful approach combines ambition with wisdom: challenge yourself in areas of strength and genuine interest, be strategic about areas of weakness, and always keep your specific college and major goals in focus. For families navigating this balance, working with an experienced counselor can help translate these principles into a personalized academic plan that positions your student for success at highly selective institutions.

Our experienced counselors have helped hundreds of families navigate these decisions and gain admission to Ivy League and other Top 20 universities.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your student’s academic profile. We’ll help you create a personalized plan that maximizes your student’s chances at the most selective schools.

The post Which Is More Important: High Grades or Hard Classes? first appeared on Great College Advice.

With the Department of Education cutting research funding across many universities and many other small to mid-sized colleges missing their enrollment targets due to less international applications, colleges are having to cut costs. In 2025, Moody’s Investors Service reaffirmed its negative outlook for U.S. higher education, citing enrollment declines, rising costs, and long-term demographic headwinds. At the same time, several colleges have already closed or announced plans to shut down, while others have seen credit outlooks improve through strategic restructuring.

Moody’s 2025 Outlook for U.S. Colleges: Why the Sector Remains at Risk

Moody’s credit ratings are one of the strongest indicators of a college’s long-term financial stability. In its 2025 outlook, Moody’s maintained a negative sector outlook for higher education, reflecting continued pressure across public and private institutions.

Key factors driving this negative outlook on overall college financial health include:

• Declining enrollment nationwide, particularly among small and regional colleges

• Rising operating costs, including faculty salaries, healthcare, and infrastructure

• Tuition dependence, especially among private colleges with limited endowments

• Demographic shifts, with fewer high school graduates expected later this decade

• Policy uncertainty, including research funding and federal financial aid regulations

While most colleges are not in immediate danger, Moody’s emphasizes that financial stress is structural, not temporary.

Positive vs. Negative Moody’s Outlooks: Not All Colleges Are Struggling

Despite the negative sector outlook, many institutions remain financially strong — and some have even improved their standing.

Colleges with Positive or Stable Financial Outlooks

According to Moody’s and Forbes’ 2025 College Financial Grades:

• Roughly 80% of Moody’s-rated institutions still hold A-level credit ratings

• Large public universities and elite private colleges benefit from:

  • Diverse revenue streams

  • Strong endowments

  • Graduate and professional programs

These institutions typically share disciplined budgeting, strategic enrollment management, and strong fundraising capacity.

Colleges with Negative Outlooks

Moody’s estimates that 15–20% of rated colleges now carry negative outlooks, a figure expected to grow if enrollment pressure continues.

Colleges most at risk tend to have:

• Heavy reliance on tuition revenue

• Small endowments

• Weak cash reserves

• Declining or volatile enrollment

• Limited program flexibility

For families, a negative outlook does not mean a school will close — but it does signal higher risk and fewer financial buffers.

College Closures: What Has Already Happened (2024–2025)

Financial distress is no longer theoretical. Over the past two years, multiple colleges have closed or announced closures due to unsustainable finances.

Colleges That Closed in 2024–2025

• Birmingham–Southern College (AL) – closed after years of enrollment decline

• The College of St. Rose (NY) – shut down following financial shortfalls

• Northland College (WI) – announced closure after failed fundraising efforts

• St. Andrews University (NC) – closed due to long-term financial stress

• Limestone University (SC) – ceased operations after emergency funding attempts failed

• Eastern Gateway Community College (OH) – closed amid enrollment and accreditation issues

These closures left thousands of students scrambling to transfer — a reminder that college stability directly impacts student outcomes.

Near-Closures, Campus Shutdowns, and Mergers

Not all financially stressed colleges close outright. Many are restructuring in ways that still affect students.

Campus Closures and Consolidation

• Penn State Commonwealth Campuses: Seven campuses are scheduled to close by 2026–27 due to enrollment and budget challenges

• College mergers are increasingly common, as struggling institutions combine resources to survive. Vanderbilt just announced in early 2026 that it would be acquiring the campus of the California College of the Arts in San Francisco. Northeastern University was at the forefront of this trend, doing the same in New York City and elsewhere. 

While mergers can preserve academic programs, they often involve program cuts, faculty layoffs, and campus closures.

Why College Financial Health Matters for Students and Families

Financial instability affects far more than a college’s balance sheet.

1. Academic Programs May Be Cut

Colleges under financial pressure often eliminate majors, reduce course offerings, or limit academic support services.

2. Tuition and Fees Can Rise

To offset revenue shortfalls, struggling colleges may increase tuition or reduce institutional aid — raising the real cost of attendance.

3. Student Experience Suffers

Budget constraints can lead to larger class sizes, outdated facilities, and fewer extracurricular opportunities.

4. Transfer Risk Increases

If a college closes or significantly downsizes, students may be forced to transfer, potentially losing credits or delaying graduation.

What Does College Financial Health Mean For the Consumer (YOU)?

First, all this means that higher education remains a buyer’s market. While there are a few dozen universities that reject more applicants than they admit, the overall college acceptance rate is about 70%. And some universities that offer good educational value have acceptance rates a lot higher than that.

Second, students with a good academic record can expect hefty discounts at many, many universities–and not just at colleges in financial trouble. True, you might not get much of a discount at the more selective schools that do not offer merit discounts. However, many schools do offer awesome financial aid packages to the handful of poor students they take every year). Once you get past the very top tier of primarily private universities, there are lots of bargains out there.

You just need to know where to find them.

And how do you find them?

The Bottom Line: Smart College Planning Requires Financial Awareness

The U.S. higher education landscape is changing. While many colleges remain strong, others face real financial challenges — and closures are likely to continue.

Understanding which colleges are financially stable and which carry higher risk is now an essential part of smart college planning. With expert guidance, families can identify colleges that not only fit academically and socially, but also offer long-term stability and value.

👉 Working with an experienced college admissions consultant can help families navigate these complexities with confidence.

Reach out to learn how Great College Advice can help in your college search

Great College Advice helps students and families make informed, strategic college decisions — from school selection and financial fit to applications and long-term outcomes. Our counselors evaluate academic fit, admissions strategy, and institutional stability to reduce stress and maximize success.

So if you’re looking for some help in this, we just might be able to provide it. We offer assistance with the college search, and there is nothing we like better than to find those bargains out there: schools that offer exceptional educational quality at an affordable price.

If you’re interested, check out our services. Then please get in touch with us to schedule your complimentary consultation. 

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post Why College Financial Health Matters first appeared on Great College Advice.