The SECRET FORMULA Ivies Use to Admit Students

this is a gem for people looking at how to get into ivy.

I remember as a student, I didn't want to apply to the big schools because I wasn't focused hard enough on my academics and other things that big schools wanted. I loved science and that was all I cared about. I competed in Science Olympiad, I was in my school's herpetology club, took extra science classes, wrote all my essays about science, etc. Looking back, every school I applied to accepted me (not with high scholarships but that's different), and this kind of reason was honestly probably why. I was a top applicant without even realizing it. Not that I could afford anything- My parents had to send me to my safety school because it was the only school that gave me enough scholarships to actually attend. I'm sure schools are far more competitive now but it does make me realize that sometimes other people see your passion and potential differently from how you do.

This is just the video I needed to watch. This is some top notch content. Keep it up!

Awesome video! Currently a senior and all of this made sense. Once concern that I had was that these remarks are of 2012. The applicant pool has gotten a lot stronger since. Specially in the past 2 yrs. So I would say it is def harder to get 1/2s now than it was back then.

Thank you. It was very useful.

Your underrated bro seriously quality content like this shouldn’t go unnoticed

As someone who left their own undergraduate college admission in the rear view window, this was an illuminating video. My take away from this are that near everyone who is applying is smart and can do the academic work, so the criteria for admission falls into the subjective criteria for, "how can this person contribute to the university community". Harvard has been around for a long long time, I'm sure they know that a person who finds their niche for being part of the community at school, is much more likely to continue to be a "member of the community" and contribute financially after graduation. In essence, Harvard is looking at their applicants as an investment in the institution,

watching this 3 days before my princeton decision is released to boost my confidence lmao

I just realised I may have everything except Academics and Athletics to some extent. My ADHD brain just refuses to perform better on exams or proficiency tests, as a result of exploratory approach to learning and basically self studying. I am basically Oppenheimer, I may not be able to read the notes very well, but I hear the music

This is so helpful. Thank you! Just a question for the academic section what if someone is applying test optional?

Thank you for making this video, it really helped me understand how they accept people into Harvard a lot better and helped me feel more relieved when I will apply especially when you talked about affirmative action going away as a white male I was worried about affirmative action. Thank you!

yes lets keep it a secret among 47K people

incredible video! i learned so much, thank you a lot. do you think a 2 would be possible in the academic section even if the applicant has 1 or 2 B's?

This is a great video dude, thank you for posting! What pages of the documents you linked had the student profiles with the denied/admitted status? I want to read more but not 168 pages lol

Wonderful and detailed video! I love how you also engage with others in the comments! Could you kindly provide your insight on my situation? I have approximately 3.9 GPA with A’s in 3 terms of physics, chemistry, calc, but got a C in calculus 4 due to administrative errors. Should I explain this in additional information section for schools like MIT? I also have a 1360 and reading your response to one of the comments, you mentioned that MIT highly values SAT, if my math is 700 and reading is 660, will that essentially eliminate my chance of transfer admission? And lastly, my extracurricular are generally very light weighted, with chess club and math club at school, and learning piano through self-teaching outside of academics. Does that make for a very weak profile? If it does, can I strengthen it through the essay section, with powerful and convincing writing? Thank you!

Dude, you are really underrated. You can achieve a lot. The content is so good. I have a question: I got a 1380 SAT on the Aug DSAT, so I decided to take it again in dec before applying, but unfortunately, I got fever on the test day and couldn't concentrate properly while taking it. I was sure that I would be able to pull off a 1550+ score, as I was getting a 1590 on my practice tests. MIT is my dream school, and if I don't get a SAT score above a 1520, will I still be able to get in. I have a 4.0 (valedictorian) though.

Amazing work! Is this video based on the information revealed during the affirmative action lawsuit against Harvard?

Hi, thank you for such an informative video! Someone was asking what if they don’t play any sport and I have quite the opposite issue. I’m really involved (national and international recognition) in a sport that is a bit niche and no university has a club nor coach related to it, therefore I don’t have a chance to try to become a recruited athlete (or at least I think so). What may I do to increase my chances of getting recognition from admission officers for such a thing?

How can I get into ivy league in 2025 when I have 2.62 GPA (out of 4) in my bachelor's (only because I didn't study well 🤧) and 3.27 in my high school? How can I improve myself in 1 drop year? Which type of internships, exams, extra courses, other stuffs should I take?plss help 🤧

Should I mention an extracurricular that I plan on pursuing or hint at it through my essays?