Harvard, Berkeley, or Bust: Inside Highly Selective College Admissions

 Join Collegewise's former admission officers on Wednesday, November 13 at 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET to explore how your teens can better position themselves as they prepare to apply to America’s most highly selective schools.

About this Event

Ideal for families with students in grades 7-11

Are you excited to support your teen on their admissions journey? It’s no secret that top schools like the Ivy League, MIT, and Stanford seek more than just stellar grades and impressive resumes. So, how can your student set themselves apart?

 

In this insightful session, Kaila (a former Vanderbilt Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions) and Jared (a former Cornell Admissions Officer) will offer families a fresh perspective as to what highly selective admissions is all about.

 

In this session, you'll discover 

  • How to help your teen plan backwards from their goals while enjoying their high school experience 
  • How subjects such as AI, test-optional applications, yield and more impact admissions and how to navigate these shifts with confidence
  • What college admissions officers prioritize (and what they might overlook) so your teen can create an authentic application that leaves a lasting impression 

 

Reserve your spot now and take the first step toward helping your teen achieve their college dreams!

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Your Speakers

Jared

Jared Rivers

Former Cornell Admissions Officer & Collegewise Counselor

With 22 years in college admissions, Jared Rivers has reviewed over 20,000 applications at top institutions, including Cornell University, where he served as Assistant Director and Multicultural Recruitment Coordinator. His extensive background also includes roles at Brandeis University, Bates College, and the University of Maine. Jared’s expertise in athletic admissions and his personalized counseling approach help students find the best match with their prospective colleges, ensuring they present themselves as compelling candidates. Known for his friendly and approachable style, Jared quickly builds rapport with students and reassures parents with his deep admissions knowledge. Outside of work, Jared is a dedicated fantasy football enthusiast, continuously strategizing to reclaim his 2018 championship title.

Kaila Brown

Kaila Brown

Former Vanderbilt Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions & Collegewise Counselor

Kaila’s seven years of college admissions experience include time spent on both sides of the desk—as both an admissions officer and a school counselor. After earning a master’s in higher education from the University of Pennsylvania, Kaila returned to her alma mater, Vanderbilt University, where she spent the next five years as an Assistant Director of Admissions, evaluating applications. She then accepted a post at Marist School in Atlanta as the Associate Director of College Counseling, assuming responsibility for college admissions support for an annual caseload of over 100 students whose college interests ranged from the most selective schools in the country, to Division 1 athletics, from competitive engineering programs to theatrical arts. Finally, she rounded out her experience with a successful two-year stint in the business world as a Customer Success Manager for a company that provides a college admissions guidance management system for high schools (the only counselor at Collegewise to have held such a post).

About Collegewise

Since 1999, our team of 80+ counselors has dedicated their expertise to creating a worry-free, effortless college application process for students of all levels. 

Collegewise empowers students academically and relieves parents of their project management duties through our personalized counseling and tutoring programs. 

Say goodbye to application stress and welcome a new, streamlined experience with Collegewise. 

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