3 Tips for College Admissions Success — No Consultant Required

Want to Get Into Your Dream School Without Spending Thousands?

Every spring, I hear from families wondering if they have to hire an expensive college admissions consultant. The short answer? No.

But what formulas do colleges use to admit students? To be honest, it's about as clear and consistent as the College Board's SAT scoring policy – mud. However, in this new age of transparency, I believe we will see more and more colleges pressed to accept students based on merit and statistics more than ever, which, like it or not, boils down to your test scores.

Many universities are beginning to see this. UATX has posted some bold tweets lately on this topic:

Regardless of the potential for merit to completely take over the college admissions process, humans are still making judgements on who gets in and who doesn't. With that in mind, here are three real tips (in what I would consider a reverse order of importance) that (still) work—straight from someone who’s helped students land spots at elite colleges and universities:

1. Be exceptionally good at something.

Everyone says they’re “unique” or “genuine.” Colleges hear that all day long. But what makes you valuable to their next freshman class?

Are you an elite wrestler? A digital artist with an online following? A chess champ? A volleyball champ? A violinist with a string of performances? A coder who’s built an app? A full-time employee somewhere working your can off? A diamond-level Apex player? Show depth and dedication. Leadership in something—even if it's not mainstream—is one of the best signals of potential.

The truth is that colleges have quotas to fill. If a sports team needs a player, the coach makes the recommendation and voila! If diversity is lacking, it sways their decision. Play it to your advantage. It's a real thing. Take it or leave it.

2. Social engineer the heck out of it.

Here’s a truth nobody tells you: relationships matter. You can spend thousands on a consultant—or you can spend a few hundred on flights and hotels to visit the school, shake hands with the admissions team, sit in on a class, and show them you’re serious.

I get it, some of us are a bit reclusive. Even if you're naturally reserved, making an effort to be more social can greatly increase the likelihood of creating lasting impressions.

Elite colleges hire humans to admit students, not computers to admit applications. If you leave an impression, they will look for your name when it comes across their desk. Just… don’t be weird about it. A couple thoughtful visits go further than a dozen emails.

3. Get your scores up. They still matter—big time.

Test-optional is fading fast. The SAT and ACT are still critical for competitive schools, and top scores can set you apart even if your GPA isn’t perfect. Here's another video I'll leave you with from UATX:

Start early. Be consistent. My highest scorers don’t cram—they chip away at it over months. And don’t forget: many top schools superscore, so multiple test dates can work to your advantage.

Here's a list of top colleges/universities that superscore:

• Superscore SAT?: Indicates whether the college considers the highest section scores across multiple SAT test dates to create a new composite score.​
• Score Choice Policy: Refers to whether the college allows applicants to choose which SAT scores to send. "Yes" means applicants can select specific test dates; "No" means all scores must be submitted.

🤖 Bonus Tip: How to Use AI (the Right Way) for College Admissions Help

AI tools like ChatGPT or Grok can be helpful when it comes to your college admissions process — if you use them wisely. They shouldn't be writing your essays or filling out your applications for you. (Trust me, admissions officers can spot AI-written essays a mile away.) Instead, think of AI as your brainstorming partner, editor, and idea generator.

Here’s how you can use AI effectively without losing your authentic voice:

1. Prepare for Admissions Interviews:
Practice answering common questions. Example:

"Ask me 10 common college admissions interview questions, one at a time, and give me tips after I answer."

2. Polish Grammar and Tone:
After you write a first draft, AI can help you clean it up — without rewriting your voice. Example:

"Can you suggest grammar improvements and clarity edits for this college essay without changing my personal style?"

3. Outline Your Essays:
Before you write, AI can help you build a structure. Example:

"Help me outline a college admissions essay about how my background as a first-generation college student shaped my ambition."

4. Brainstorm Essay Topics:
Prompt AI to help you think of possible topics based on your experiences. Example:

"Give me 10 possible personal statement topics for a student who is passionate about environmental science and started a community garden at their school."

Bad Uses of AI (Don't Do This):

• Don’t have AI write your entire essay for you from scratch.
• Don’t copy and paste AI-generated essays — they’ll sound fake or generic.
• Don’t let AI exaggerate your experiences. Admissions wants your real story, not a superhero version.

Summer is fast approaching – fall exams will be here soon!

Thank you, as always, for letting me be a small part of your college journey. Whether you’re starting early or sprinting toward deadlines, I’m here to help.

🎓 P.S. Need last-minute AP Calc prep? Abigail is crushing it this year and has a few spots open for 1-on-1 sessions. Just reply to this email to book.

And if you’re looking to get a head start on summer SAT or ACT prep, now’s the time. Let’s build a plan together.

—
Mr. John
Founder and Head Tutor | Mr. John's Test Prep
B.A. English
M.A. Applied Linguistics
Full-time Academic Intervention Teacher