Most applicants in a given field have similar grades, test scores, and activities. What separates them is a Distinctive Angle: the specific combination of direction and background that only one student can claim.

I read an application last year that was really impressive. The student had a 3.95 GPA and a 1510 SAT. She was president of her school's National Honor Society, co-captain of the varsity soccer team, first violin in the school orchestra, and had completed a summer research internship at a San Diego State University. Her essay was well-written and polished, about learning resilience through an injury that sidelined her during soccer season. But when I finished reading it, I re

Charles had a 3.85 GPA, a 1490 SAT score, and a resume packed with a broad range of activities. Compared to many of the families I work with, Charles and his parents had put a lot of thought into the application process already; they even had a tiered school list ready. His top reach school was Cornell. It was a good fit for him, and with his profile, he stood a decent chance at admission, for a reach option. I scanned a little further down the list and at the top of his “tar

Imagine that you’re an admissions officer during peak season. You’re 12 days into the application reading crunch. Clif bar wrappers litter the narrow space on the side of your desk. You haven’t had time to clean your well-used Aeropress, which you’ve been using to brew coffee during your 6-hour reading sessions. The office trail-mix tub is running dangerously low. It’s been 2 hours. Or maybe 5. You’re not sure because you’ve been too engrossed in the applications. You and you