Success Story Archives

A Columbia Success Story: How to Create a Creative Writing Theme for Your College Application

by Mark Lee | Aug 3, 2017 | Success Story

The Story Charles came to us a gifted student who was doing well at school. Starting his 10th grade at an academically rigorous boarding school, Charles was a good student with a 3.7 GPA (unweighted) and working towards strong SAT scores. Activity-wise he was...

How to Create a Political Activism Theme: A Columbia, UPenn, Brown, UChicago Success Story

by Mark Lee | Aug 3, 2017 | Success Story

Brian is a student that is hard not to love. He’s very well spoken, confident, and knowledgeable about many political issues.When he told me that he was both Model United Nations and student council president at his school, I wasn’t surprised; he had a polish to him...

A Caltech Success Story: How to Create a Number Theory Theme

by ivyzeneb | Aug 3, 2017 | Success Story

I met Matthew through a referral from a previous student’s mother, and from the first time I met him, I knew that he was a math guy. In my initial consultation with him, I noticed how each of his answers were calculated and rational, and judging by his appearance, he...

How to Create a Computational Biology Theme: A Stanford, Caltech Success Story

by Mark Lee | Aug 3, 2017 | Success Story

The Story Richard was a biology super star at his school. He was the top student in the Biology Olympiad since the 9th grade at his school and recently qualified as a USABO finalist. He had attended a Catholic boarding school on the East Coast since the 6th grade and...

How to Create a Research Leader Theme: A Stanford Success Story

by Mark Lee | Aug 3, 2017 | Success Story

I reluctantly took the meeting with David’s mom. While many consultants try to take 20-30 students a year, I focus on taking 8-9 of the very best students I can find. Students whom I can help and that will work hard towards goals we both develop. I was already at my...

Why being Well-Balanced is a Negative Approach: A University of Pennsylvania Success Story

by ivyzeneb | Aug 2, 2017 | Success Story

Theme vs. Well-Balanced Many consultants, high school teachers, counselors and parents think that because happiness in life requires a well-balanced approach, so success in college admissions does as well. Not so. This philosophy has been around for a long time but...