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👏 Congratulations to the winners of the Scholar’s Contest!
👏 Congratulations to the winners of the Scholar’s Contest!
Command Education's Consulting Services
Our year-round, personalized packages guide high school students in identifying extracurricular, community service, research and internship opportunities, developing academic and standardized testing timelines, and everything in between to help them stand out from their peers.
Arun’s Path to Stanford
“I didn’t even know I had a passion when I started, but now I don’t just have a passion, I have a future I’m excited about.”
– Arun Sethi
With his Command Education Senior Mentor, Arun discovered a passion for science and nutrition. He turned that passion into a successful blog and an acceptance to Stanford University.
Debunking the Top 5 Myths About the College Application Process
From Our College Admission Experts
Myth #1: Test scores don’t matter anymore.
With the rise of test-optional policies at top schools, many assume that standardized test scores are no longer important—but nothing could be further from the truth. Ivy League schools are slowly beginning to reinstate their testing requirements, noting that test scores are indeed a good predictor of students’ potential for academic success at top institutions. In March, Brown, Dartmouth, and Yale reinstated their testing policies, and within the last month, Harvard followed suit. As stellar test scores again become a pillar of a strong Ivy League application, it is imperative for students to start studying and setting goals early so that they can maximize their chances of achieving their target score.
Related Resource:
How to Study for the SAT and ACT
Myth #2: You shouldn’t submit an application to a top school unless you have perfect grades and test scores.
A strong academic profile is the foundation for success in Ivy League admissions. However, many students assume that they should not apply to top schools unless they have a 4.0 and a 1600 SAT. Students should remember that grades and test scores are evaluated holistically alongside other elements of their applications. Demonstrating growth over time, a commitment to your passion, and aptitude in your intended area of study goes a long way in conveying the kind of student you would be on their campus.
Related Resource:
College Application Timeline
Myth #3: You don’t need to worry about the college admissions process until junior year.
Ivy League and other top schools are looking for students with demonstrated core passions that they have used in service of their communities—becoming such a student requires starting early. Students who work with Command Education start building their profiles as early as 7th grade, ensuring that they have ample time to identify their core passions, establish themselves as leaders in organizations and clubs that matter to them, and create a stand-out independent project that will distinguish them from thousands of other applicants.
Related Resource:
Being Proactive for Freshman and Sophomores
The Ivy League admissions process is different. Learn how you can stand out and get admitted to your dream schools.
Myth #4: Colleges want to admit well-rounded students.
The days of the all-American applicant are long gone. Top colleges are now seeking to build well-rounded classes rather than admit well-rounded students. Instead of admitting thousands of students who can “do it all,” admissions committees want to identify students who are specialists in their area of interest and can contribute to a diverse incoming class—a budding oceanographer, an entrepreneur, a student with a longstanding passion for robotics, a computer programmer, a . Students should thus seek to showcase their demonstrated engagement with one core passion through extracurricular activities, summer programs, and course selection throughout their high school careers.
Related Resource:
Hook and Passion Projects
Myth #5: Ivy League schools are harder to get into than ever before.
Ivy League acceptance rates have been plummeting in recent years—but this does not mean that these schools are harder to get into than in previous years. As Ivy League application pools swell to tens of thousands of applicants, there is more competition for coveted spots, but all applicants vying for these spots are not equally qualified. Thus, while acceptance rates may be dwindling, a highly qualified applicant faces roughly the same odds as they would have in years prior.
Related Resource:
Creating a Balanced College List
Recommended Resources
For High School Students
College App Timeline
The complete guide from junior year through senior spring.
Activities List Guide
The complete guide to the Common Application activities list.
College List Guide
The guide to creating a well-balanced college list.
Our Proven Results
Command Education offers customized services to meet every student’s needs and goals. Our team of experienced, full-time college consulting experts help students choose impactful extracurriculars, develop leadership skills, reach their SAT/ACT goals, and write successful college applications in order to gain admission to the top colleges and universities.
Admissions Results
Over the past 5 years, 94% of our students were accepted to 1 of their top 3 school choices.
Including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, UPenn, Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, Stanford, MIT, and more.
Student Success
Over 33% of all new students are direct referrals.
We’re proud of the success of our students and the thousands of families we’ve helped — and their friends!
Proud Parents
“Selecting Chris and his team to help my daughter apply to the perfect college has been one of the best investments I have made.”
– Parent of Kayla W, Wharton
Schedule a Free Consultation
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation with our enrollment team to learn about how your student can benefit from our services. Together, we can determine if this is the right fit for you and for us.
