How to Get Into the Ivy League - Advice from Princeton and Harvard Students

The following is an computer-generated summary of the video transcript.

So we're gonna be giving you guys tips, tricks and advice and things that we've learned along the way that we think really strengthened our applications and hopefully will help you guys have the best applications you possibly can. So the first thing we want to tell you guys is a little about the process because it's really important to understand how your applications are viewed so that you can crack this system. So the first important thing to know is that colleges are businesses, and you kind of have to look at them that way and understand how they work. So that person is gonna do like a preliminary reading of your application, and they're really gonna go through and decide whether or not your candidate that they want to advance in the process. Um, and if you are so hopefully you are you really want to convince that person that you are otherwise your obligations stops there. You have to really outline the most important things about you. The things that show that you will be a successful person in the future. Like I said, that you are an asset so that your regional reader is able to kind of package you up into 30 seconds and really, really while the rest of the committee with what an amazing person you are and how much how much potential you have to be a really successful individual future, because those are the kind of people that they want to have it at their school. They want to have someone that is going to really add to the experience of other students, someone who is gonna be really diligent about the work was a lot of DR was a lot of passion about whatever it is that they really they really value in life. It's gonna go for that with 200% because those are the people that are gonna start Fortune 100 businesses one day and do things that well benefit the school of the future because they want students who eventually are gonna love their school and give money back to them because it's a cycle, and it's a good cycle with the cycle where kids that really love their school give back. So you want to be that person, and you have to really make sure that every single point in your application is is showing them that promise. Do you want a brand yourself? Which sounds really scary, like creating a brand for yourself. Like one strategy that I know like I used was thinking about If there was like, a bulleted list of, like, three things that I want to come forward in every aspect of my application, it might be like one thing could be the community based activism. Another could be like kindness and another could be creativity And, like making those things come through in, like an original and unique way that, like, represents me really well, yes, And when you do that, you really don't want to be taking your application in too many directions because I know that you guys have done a lot of amazing things. The thing is because the reader has to do a 32nd pitch of you, you really can't be. If you do that, then they really can't get a complete picture. You really like I said, you're kind of formulating formulating a picture of yourself and make sure that produces nicely when you do say it's really it's listening. Like one example of that that I think a lot of people use is like really emphasizing past accomplishments because, like how she was saying like, You want to show them that you have an excellent track record of accomplishments to show them that you're going to continue to be an asset for them in the future? Um, but one thing that I would be really careful of, one like common mistake, I think, is focusing only on those accomplishments in every aspect and kind of not really showing like your personality and your personal qualities. They've already seen all those amazing things that you've done so maybe show them why you did those things. Or like the things about you that don't come off in that like, bulleted list. Another thing that's really important to say is that most of the people applying have really excellent scores. Here's where you have to really make yourself seem special because with your personality, because that is what's special about your right. So what's what about your person? Do they really want to have it there? So what is going to make other people's experiences that that much more valuable? But that's a whole half of college, I think, not just the professor's you have, but the people you too wrapped up in your client lied. So think about the colleges who they're looking for in that light that you are creating an experience for others and like one example of a process that like, I think really shows that it is something that my guidance counselor told me in high school, which is basically, like one test that I know they hardwired like in the admissions office, which is the roommate test so they will look over your application and taking into account like your personal qualities in particular. This, Um and I think it's really like it's really comforting to me. You know, that they do this and they prioritize, like things like kindness and consideration. So they're definitely looking for for your character that you have to care so at Harvard, and I think at most schools, I think it's like a legal thing you can request to your college application with, like, the notes that they took on it, I guess during the evaluation process. So one thing Thio also know before going in is that you won't understand most of it because admissions offices use these like, really complicated and weird codes. I was just like, What does this mean? You know, how do I deal with but the two things that I really could see that we're really informative for me. You were one of my like regional admissions officer's notes on me, um, which was basically like I got to read the elevator pitch of myself, which was amazing, like I loved that, um and then be was my like, interviewers notes on me, um, which another really important part of the admissions process is the interview you'll love my interview with, like a little goal alumnus of your school. You took very thorough notes, and it really showed me again, just like how important my personal qualities were doing. Like what might interviewer emphasized, like in addition to those things that really surprised me was like a few anecdotes that he had picked up just because I'm from a really small town about me and the way that I like gays basically act like in a community. I'm a kind person and things like that, Um, and he, like, really emphasized those in his notes that were sent to the committee. What do you want me to write down that you don't think has come through in your application? Like what else? You could add One more thing. Um, and another thing to keep in mind is that your application will be read by a lot of different people. So please don't try to tell them what they want to hear because there is no one version of what they want. Another thing is, I was talking earlier about, you know, touch scores and grades and the things that are kind of like you're already set in stone. I think people put like so much, so much weight in their college applications, and it's not like sometimes it is really, like self driven. Sometimes it is just like you pushing yourself really hard. So really try not to beat yourself up if it doesn't go away.