Command Education stays ahead of admissions trends so families can make informed, strategic decisions.

“If you were to compare Columbia with virtually any Ivy League, virtually any other Ivy League will win [in terms of desirability with students] — and even non-Ivies like Duke, Emory and Washington [University] in St. Louis,” college admissions consultant and Command Education CEO Christopher Rim told The Post.

For years, Harvard reigned as the ultimate dream school—but not anymore. In 2025, MIT claimed the top spot in The Princeton Review’s rankings, reflecting shifting student priorities. While prestige still matters, today’s applicants are increasingly focused on affordability and career prospects. With tuition costs soaring and job markets tightening, financial aid and post-graduate salaries play a larger role in college decisions than ever before.

“Over the past 24 hours, we received an unusual influx of inquiries from students in China, Korea and India because of Trump’s gold card visa,” Christopher Rim, president and CEO of college consulting firm Command Education, said Thursday, two days after Trump first floated the idea.

High school seniors are making bold moves in their college application essays — and it’s paying off. According to college admissions expert Christopher Rim, students who highlight their conservative values and experiences, such as volunteering for political campaigns or joining free speech organizations, are earning spots at Ivy League schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton. By embracing their beliefs and taking risks, these applicants are standing out in an increasingly competitive admissions landscape, proving that authenticity can be a powerful advantage.

The Ivy League’s prestige has been challenged by allegations of bias and free speech issues, prompting many students to look beyond traditional Ivies. Elite universities like NYU, Duke, and Rice, dubbed the “new Ivies,” are gaining prominence with rigorous academics, plummeting acceptance rates, and rising rankings. To secure admission, students must avoid common pitfalls, from weak transcripts to generic extracurriculars and essays.