1. be exceptional in every area: grades, ECs, Recommendation Letters, Awards, personality
  2. be a diverse applicant: express your genuine nature, which will be at least a little unique. MIT doesn’t really need 1 more engineer, they have 1000… it pays to authenticall show your interest in Film or Finance. Strive towards wise authenticity.
  3. have an interest in the university - the stronger your match for a US uni or that university, the higher your chance of landing a spot.

With acceptance rates lower than 5%, it's more important than ever to show interest in the colleges you are targeting. This shows them you’re likely to attend if extended an offer. Why is why I will discuss the relationship between demonstrated interest in the application and ‘Yield.

US colleges screen for Uni interest.. = ’Yield’

You’re more likely to ask someone to a dance if you know the person’s vibe and think they might be interested in spending time with you - it just feels more comfortable & like a better idea. Similarly, colleges want to know if you’re interested. When students apply to Columbia, Columbia will wonder if the decison is very well-reasoned past the university being popular and prestigious. Colleges want to be comfortable with their decision to admit you. They want the future relation to be mutually beneficial - does this student understand the value of coming to this univeristy so will make the most of thier experience? Will this student pour back into the community as a student and as an alum? The stronger the desire for the uni, the better the experience will be for BOTH sides! Is this student going to come to our school or go to Harvard, if they get offers from both? The % who actually join the freshman class after getting offers from multiple colleges is called ‘yield’, and colleges try to keep this number as high as possible. It shows how relatively desirable a school is.

It pays enormously to do deep, fair and holistic research on every university you apply to. Your uni network and affiliation will form large part of the remainder of your life.

Why is ‘Yield’ so important?

Yield impacts rankings, reputation, and other factors, so colleges seek to make their yield as high as possible.

💡Finding out about & showing interest in a college:

  1. Research.

    Colleges spend thousands of dollars maintaining websites and social media to educate and engage applicants and their families. Although one of the best uses of my time was watching college adverts/info videos and student vlogs on YouTube to get a good perspective of the college.

    1. Watch college vloggers on YouTube.
    2. Read stuff on online forums
    3. Find contacts details of students (Insta, LinkedIn) & ask them questions

  2. Essays.

    Colleges really care about the supplemental essay questions because it's the most personal to them. Use your research to show off knowledge of the college by tailoring your responses based on details of programs and campus life you’ve gleaned from visits, written materials, or interacting on the social network. The more specific, the better.

    Colleges really care about the supplemental essay questions because it's the most personal to them. Use your research to show off knowledge of the college by tailoring your responses based on details of programs and campus life you’ve gleaned from visits, written materials, or interacting on the social network. The more specific, the better.

  3. Fairs and Local events.

    Go to college presentations in your city. Do a google search, something like 'Georgetown London fair/visit'. Great opportunity to meet college representatives. Can build rapport with them which will help you in the process. A lot of US schools group together to hold information sessions at Private schools in London.

    Go to college presentations in your city. Do a google search, something like 'Georgetown London fair/visit'. Great opportunity to meet college representatives. Can build rapport with them which will help you in the process. A lot of US schools group together to hold information sessions at Private schools in London.

    College fairs: There is an annual US College fair in London every year, around September - register via the Fulbright website. Although often hectic, fairs can provide opportunities to get face time with admissions staff. From here, you want to continue correspondence via email - if you had a great convo with them, ask for an email or a business card. Follow up with people you genuinely connected with and engage in genuine convo with them. Please don’t waste their time.

    Information requests: Register interest by requesting information and getting on mailing lists. You'll get emails & invitations to campus or local events.

  4. Summer Schools & Visits

    Take a tour, go to the information session, participate in a recruitment event, meet 1-on-1 with an admissions representative. Colleges understand if distances make visits impossible. Take virtual tours or look at pictures.

    Go to US Summer Schools: Shows you’re interested in US education. Shows you’re a competitive applicant to other places as well. Depending on the places, it’s impressive. Shows you’re dedicated to higher education. Shows an expression of interest in your field, if it does.

  5. Early applications.

    1. Understand the difference between Early Decision (ED) and nonbinding Early Action (EA) programs. Great opportunity that every student should consider.

  6. **Interviews.**

    1. If given the chance, schedule an interview. Interviews offer you an opportunity to learn more while expressing your interest in the college of your choice. Time to make yourself 3D - more and better context. Time to sell yourself, but also just talk about yourself. Time to shine.

What do you do with all this information you've gathered? Put it in your application.