Admissions Officer Insight: Application Strategy Sessions
For juniors and seniors actively preparing or submitting applications, these monthly strategy sessions go deep on the tactical decisions that shape outcomes.
Starts Fri, Sep 11
12:00 AM UTC · 1h
9 sessions
Brandon
Outcomes, not lecture notes.
Learn exactly how Early Action and Early Decision work — and how to decide which strategy is right for your school list
Get expert guidance on interpreting and responding to the Common App personal statement prompts
Understand how admissions officers actually evaluate applications, so you can make smarter decisions about every component
Build a compelling activities list that tells a coherent story about who you are beyond your GPA
Master the logistics and strategy of recommendation letters, interviews, and demonstrated interest
Know what to do — and not do — after you submit, from financial aid to waitlist positioning
Hear directly from former admissions officers at Harvard, Georgetown, Rice, Tulane, and other highly selective institutions
Walk away from each session with an actionable next step you can apply to your own application immediately
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.
For juniors and seniors actively preparing or submitting applications, these monthly strategy sessions go deep on the tactical decisions that shape outcomes. Former admissions officers who have reviewed thousands of applications lead focused sessions on topics like crafting standout essays, choosing between Early Action and Early Decision, building a compelling activities list, and requesting letters of recommendation that make an impact. Speakers and topics change monthly, with hosts from institutions including Harvard, Georgetown, Rice, and Tulane. Sessions are ideal for 11th and 12th graders as they navigate application timelines and components, but students (and families of students) even as young as middle school will benefit from the insight and strategy into the admissions process. Register for the series and you'll receive alerts before each session as well as recordings when each session completes.
- September: Early Action & Early Decision
- October: Breaking Down The Personal Statement Prompts
- November: How Admissions Officers Assess Applicants
- December: What To Do After You Hit Submit
- January: Your 11th-to-12th Grade Year Roadmap
- February: Building & Finalizing Your School List
- March: Beyond the Essay: Recommendation Letters, Interviews, Demonstrated Interest, and More
- April: Deconstructing the Common App
- May: How To Stand Out At Highly-Selective Schools
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
02
DAYS12
HRS10
MINFri, Sep 11 • 12:00am UTC
40 classes, starts in 3 days
Admissions Officer Insight: Application Strategy Sessions