Hi everyone, I'm Jack, I've been a college consultant for 8 years, feel free to ask me any q's

I’d love to help

MODERATOR’S NOTE: Users are allowed to offer assistance for free, but they are not allowed to solicit business, publicly or by private message.

In your experience as a consultant, when the admissions committees of highly selective colleges and universities seek to rank and sort thousands of applicants, do they tend to rely upon algorithms provided by “yield management” consultants?

If so, do they seek to optimize for multiple factors that have nothing to do with merit-- ie to optimize for not only academic merit (SAT/ACT, GPA, rank) but also:

  • yield
  • revenue (tuition)
  • draw (yield:acceptance ratio)
  • desired social/ethnic/socio-economic configurations?

Thank you!

Is it okay to only take 3 years of foreign language (and take 2 sciences junior year instead) if you are applying to top schools and you are a math/science person?

This would be a good thread!

MODERATOR’S NOTE: Users are allowed to offer assistance for free, but they are not allowed to solicit business, publicly or by private message.

@jack199 So I’m already in college so my questions are more of the fun variety. As a banker, what is the best investment you saw someone make? As a college consultant, what is the worst essay you have read or strangest situation encountered? What is your favorite success story?

Curious about the value of a degree (on Wall Street ) from an elite (top 20) school over a school not know for it’s undergrad business program. For example Michigan, UVa, Penn vs a school not known for it’s business program.
Also is there value in getting an MBA in today’s environment if you’ve attended one of the elite schools?

Thanks

@SuperfrogFan It’s always good to invest in yourself whether it be taking random classes that aren’t related to your major or trying out new experiences or making meaningful connections with people. These are the things that will pay off the most in the long run. In college, thousands of people are chasing after all kinds of goals, just remember to stay true to yourself and try your best not to envy others or to think that you aren’t good enough. Because you are. You are capable of achieving anything you put your heart to.

@Cavitee School names matter to a certain extend. It is all about what the student does during his or her time in college. One could go to Wharton and not attend a single networking event and never reach out to professors and peers vs. someone who goes to a less known undergrad business school but goes out of his or her way to make genuine and meaningful connections with alumni and bankers. These two people will reach vastly different results. It does help to attend a target school, but the target school list isn’t static, it changes every year and varies across different banks depending on the incoming groups. So I’d say try to make the most out of your experience and not worry too much about the schools because ultimately the banks are hiring you, not your school. Good luck!

@Sisternight yes absolutely, do what interests you the most rather than what you think others would want you to. You’ll be missing out on more doing what you think is right versus what feels right.

Is it okay to apply to colleges during a gap year after high school instead of applying as a senior? If I apply as a senior and I’m rejected, will colleges remember that if I reapply the following year?

I’d love to help and share with you all my experiences.

@john3572 You can absolutely apply to colleges during your gap year. It doesn’t matter too much whether or not you were rejected in the previous year. Keep in mind that if you were rejected once before, it was for a reason, make sure you show your growth since your last rejection in your 2nd application.

Is developing games and apps a good extracurricular? I have developed 3 games and 5 apps. Should I add a link in the additional info section in the common app?

Could you elaborate a little bit as to who would qualify for having a “legacy” hook? My parent graduated from Stanford but hated it and hasn’t donated much money, and I don’t even know if he’s even registered with the alumni network etc. However, he is relatively successful.

If I’m technically a legacy at Stanford, will I be competing with other legacies on the basis of who’s parents have given the most/been the most involved, or will I be competing within that pool based on my own merits as an applicant?

When contacting college admissions officers with general questions, should my son mention his stats(4.0, mid 1500 SAT) or other specific information about himself? Or should that type of information be saved for the application itself? Is it OK to ask specifically about the maximum merit scholarships that schools give, or is that too presumptuous?

Hi jack, what top tier colleges for engineering and business (such as Cal and UPenn) are the most flexible when it comes to changing one’s major, especially switching “schools”? I have heard it can be very difficult to change out of a school, and as someone who is still unsure what they want to major in, it’s important to me that I go to a school with this flexibility. Also, does applying undecided hurt my chances? I’ve heard that it can, especially if I later want to major in something competitive such as ME. Thank you in advance!

@vedantj12 Absolutely! That’s wonderful! Anything that you are passionate about or have invested tons of time and energy into counts! Be you. Be unique.

@john3572 Admission is about a lot more than just whether or not your parents went. You are the one who is applying, not your parents. Most colleges take pride in their legacies, so it’s true that your chance will be higher, but it isn’t a guarantee. Do everything to the best of your ability and focus on yourself first. Don’t underestimate your “competitions”, but they shouldn’t scare you away either.