College Admissions: Beyond the Numbers
Getting into a top college with perfect stats isn't guaranteed — and getting in without them is entirely possible.
Starts Tue, Jul 21
11:00 PM UTC · 1h
Brandon
Outcomes, not lecture notes.
Understand why academically "perfect" applicants get rejected from top schools — and what actually tips the decision
Identify the institutional priorities, mission, and enrollment goals that shape every admissions cycle
Evaluate your own profile honestly relative to a school's actual admit criteria — not just published averages
Understand how demonstrated interest, fit, and holistic factors influence admissions decisions beyond stats
Learn how essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars contribute to a complete candidacy
Assess your realistic odds at reach, match, and safety schools using a more accurate framework than rankings
Ask better questions when building your college list so that "right fit" actually guides your choices
Meet Brandon.
Brandon
Brandon Mack has spent 16 years helping students find their place at Rice University and beyond. He began as an admission counselor at his alma mater, rising to Associate Director of Admissions, where he leads both domestic and international recruitment and chairs selection committees across Rice's undergraduate schools. Nationally, Brandon lends his voice to the National Association for College Admission Counseling and serves on several of its committees.
Getting into a top college with perfect stats isn't guaranteed — and getting in without them is entirely possible. That apparent paradox is at the heart of what this class explores. Brandon Mack, a seasoned college admissions expert, takes a clear-eyed look at why admissions decisions can't be reduced to GPA and test scores, what colleges are really optimizing for when they build a class, and how students can honestly assess their own chances at specific schools. You'll leave with a more accurate mental model of how admissions actually works — and a more strategic lens for making your application as strong as it can be.
Live Q&A
Cameras / mics optional
Recordings
Available within 1 hour, kept 90 days
Materials
No special materials required
Similar classes
free with a Varsity Tutors membership
45
DAYS03
HRS51
MINTue, Jul 21 • 11:00pm UTC
Starts in 45 days
College Admissions: Beyond the Numbers