Reacting to CRAZY Subscriber College Apps (Ep 2 - $50 WINNER)

Introduction to College Application Review Series

Overview of the Episode

• The host, Prathik, introduces the second episode of a college application review series with stakes: best application wins $50 and worst gets a consulting call.

• Emphasizes the importance of submitting quality applications for better chances at college admissions.

Reviewing Oliver's College Application

Initial Impressions

• Oliver requests a review of his college resume, which he submitted via Reddit. Prathik humorously acknowledges his previous criticism of similar submissions.

GPA and Expectations

• Oliver has a 3.8 GPA as a junior; Prathik suggests this may not be competitive enough for UPenn without significant improvement in grades and test scores.

Extracurricular Activities Analysis

• Prathik critiques the breadth versus depth in Oliver's extracurricular activities, suggesting that focusing on fewer core activities could strengthen his application.

Awards and Achievements

• Highlights concerns about awards listed by Oliver, indicating that starting with "AP Scholar" often leads to less impressive accolades following it. Suggests more substantial achievements are needed to impress admissions officers.

Recommendations for Improvement

Actionable Steps

• Advises Oliver to focus on improving his GPA over the next three semesters and aim for higher SAT/ACT scores to enhance competitiveness for Ivy League schools like UPenn.

Analyzing Abdullah's College Essay

Essay Content Review

• Abdullah’s essay is critiqued for being written in third-person POV, which detracts from personal storytelling essential in college essays. Prathik emphasizes that essays should reflect personal experiences directly from the applicant's perspective.

Suggestions for Enhancement

• Encourages Abdullah to share more about himself rather than just describing family dynamics or background struggles; colleges want insight into the applicant’s character and growth through challenges faced.

Feedback on Personal Statements

Email Insights

• A viewer expresses discomfort with their essay beginning by describing crows negatively; Prathik uses an analogy involving mosquitoes to illustrate how perspectives can shape narratives in writing effectively.

Saurav's Application Review

Academic Performance Overview

• Saurav shares stats including a 3.7 GPA; however, Prathik notes issues with listing participation as awards and encourages him to improve his overall presentation before applying to universities.

Critique of Extracurricular Activities

• Points out weaknesses in Saurav’s extracurricular list, emphasizing that mere participation does not equate to meaningful involvement or achievement necessary for strong applications.

Consulting Call Offer

Conclusion on Saurav’s Application

• After reviewing Saurav’s application details, Prathik offers him a consulting call due to the evident need for guidance in strengthening his application materials moving forward.

Lily's Super Senior Status

Academic Stats Discussion

• Lily shares her academic stats (33 ACT score); Prathik advises her on preparing effectively since she is older than typical applicants taking standardized tests.

Final Thoughts on Applications

• Encourages Lily regarding her gap year experience while advising her on maintaining confidence during her college application process despite any perceived age-related disadvantages.

How to Improve Your College Application?

Overview of College Applications

• The speaker discusses the influx of DMs received on Instagram regarding college applications, highlighting a limitation in message length for non-followers.

• Many applicants are sending average applications with common stats (3.8 GPA, 1400 SAT), which the speaker finds unexciting and not competitive enough for top schools like Harvard.

Evaluating Unique Applications

• A standout application is presented that utilizes Adobe Spark for a creative presentation; however, the applicant misspells the speaker's name, which negatively impacts first impressions.

• The applicant has impressive stats (97% in stats and 1520 SAT), but there’s criticism about their AP scores being lower than expected.

Importance of Awards and Extracurricular Activities

• The speaker emphasizes that while having an AP Scholar distinction is good, it should not be prioritized over more substantial awards or achievements.

• The applicant lists various extracurricular activities including shadowing an attorney and volunteering at a rehabilitation hospital, showcasing diverse interests but lacking clarity on their main focus.

Feedback on Application Strength

• The speaker appreciates the alignment of extracurricular activities with potential career interests but urges applicants to enhance their award sections.

• While acknowledging good qualities in the application, there's still a need for more leadership positions or awards to strengthen competitiveness.

Analyzing Another Applicant's Profile

• A new applicant introduces themselves as a recruited athlete aiming for MIT; they receive insights into how athletics can influence admissions without guaranteeing spots.

• Discussion around applying for Computer Science versus Business highlights competitiveness differences between fields.

Academic Performance Insights

• The applicant attends a reputable private school with strong Ivy League placements; however, concerns arise about GPA calculations and class rankings affecting perceptions.

• Emphasis is placed on incorporating competition into high school experiences to bolster applications through awards and recognitions.

Final Thoughts on Application Strategies

• Advice is given to students feeling behind in their application journey; internships during summers or balancing study time with practical experience are recommended strategies.

• Concluding remarks encourage maintaining organization throughout high school years to ensure all necessary components are included in college applications.